Chapter 2 Parents

The Yan family was not one of those old-fashioned households. Although Old Lady Yu often said that girls should simply avoid being illiterate, she still hired a scholar to teach them reading and writing. When Yao Niang was five years old, due to Lady Xie's illness, she had to go to the northwest with her grandparents. Even so, they arranged for someone to teach her reading and writing, though the education in the northwest was more rudimentary, making it hard for her to keep up with the lessons at the girls' school.

Fortunately, she had a determined spirit. Over the past month, she had been diligently catching up, and with her excellent memory, she managed to surpass others through hard work.

The schoolroom had six desks. Apart from the three sisters, there were also their second branch cousin, Yan Rubei, the niece of the third lady of the second branch, Zhao Fang, and Old Lady Yu's direct granddaughter, Xin Wan, all studying together.

At this time, Yan Rubei was already seated at her desk. She was fourteen years old, nearing the age of adulthood, and looked graceful and dignified. Seeing Yao Niang and the others, she waved at them. "Look at you, all sweaty. I brought some ice-sweetened yogurt; have some to quench your thirst."

Yao Niang wiped her sweat with a silk handkerchief, sat down, and thanked Yan Rubei. "Thank you, Sister Rubei."

The second branch of the Yan family was considered prosperous in the second generation. The second elder grandfather was currently the governor of Ningzhou, with three sons, two legitimate and one illegitimate. However, by the third generation, they were not as well-off as the first and third branches. The first branch had three sons and three daughters, while the third branch had one son and one daughter. The eldest son of the second branch, Yan Yinglong, who was five years older than Yao Niang's father, Yan Yingqi, had passed away ten years ago, leaving behind his wife and children. The second son was Yan Rubei's father, who did not enjoy studying but came from a government post due to his lineage. Despite being illegitimate, he married the daughter of a salt merchant, thus enjoying a wealthy life, though unfortunately, Yan Rubei had no siblings. As for the youngest son of the second branch, Yan Yingjun, and his wife, although they had a good relationship, they had been childless for several years. The third lady of the second branch often invited her niece and nephew to stay for short periods.

Yan Rubei smiled. "Though delicious, don't overindulge; just have enough to quench your thirst."

Yao Niang looked slender but was actually quite healthy, so she did not mind. Qian Niang, however, agreed. "Yesterday, I ate a bowl of papaya water and got an upset stomach."

As they finished eating, a slim girl appeared at the door. She was delicate and frail, yet even in the scorching heat, she was neatly dressed.

"Sister Xin," Yao Niang greeted her with a smile.

In recent days, her studies had improved significantly, thanks to Xin Wan's guidance. Therefore, she felt closer to Xin Wan. She had heard from her mother, Lady Xie, that Xin Wan was orphaned and entrusted to the Yan family, which made her feel sorry for her.

However, Ying Niang did not like Xin Wan much. Before Xin Wan arrived, Ying Niang was very favored, but after Xin Wan's arrival, Ying Niang's status declined.

After sitting down, Xin Wan did not eat the ice-sweetened yogurt. She told Yan Rubei, "I'm afraid I can't indulge, thank you for your kindness."

Yao Niang glanced at Yan Rubei. Xin Wan was reportedly a premature baby and thus had poor health. Yan Rubei, usually considerate, knew Xin Wan could not consume such cold food, yet she prepared it anyway. She could have brought something milder like bamboo sugar and water chestnut tea instead.

Yan Rubei's cheerful voice rang out again. "Sister Xin, you're too polite."

The last to arrive was Zhao Fang, around the same age as Xin Wan, about ten years old. If Xin Wan exuded a refined elegance, Zhao Fang had a rustic charm akin to the literati of the Wei and Jin dynasties.

"Yesterday, while sorting through old items, I found a rubbing of the Zheng Xi Stele. Years ago, when my father served in Shandong, he took me and my brother to climb Mount Tianzhu, where we discovered the stele. Later, we learned that the lower part was in the Cold Cave Mountain east of Yunfeng Mountain in Yexian. At that time, I was young, but my father and brother went to Cold Cave Mountain to make rubbings. I heard that the stele combines the strengths of seal script, clerical script, and cursive script, so I brought it here today for you to see."

Yao Niang and the others gathered around, marveling at it. Soon, Mr. Yu arrived, and they returned to their seats.

Despite the ice basins, the room remained stiflingly hot. Yao Niang struggled through the morning session and left early after class. Qian Niang, Ying Niang, and Xin Wan went to Lady Zhen's place for lunch. Ying Niang noticed that there was abalone and asked Lady Zhen, "Is this from Third Sister's uncle's family?"

Lady Zhen was surprised. "How did you know?"

Ying Niang pouted. "Third Sister mentioned it earlier today."

Lady Zhen laughed. "This is fresh abalone soup with apples, figs, black dates, and pork ribs. Since I'm not skilled at cooking these dishes, Second Lady prepared it and sent it over. Drink more of it."

"Understood." Ying Niang buried herself in the soup, not daring to ask further. Though she liked to show off in front of Yao Niang, if Lady Zhen found out, she would be reprimanded.

Lady Zhen then asked Xin Wan, "With the hot weather, how are you holding up?"

Xin Wan smiled. "I'm fine, and it's nice to spend time with my sisters."

"I'll arrange for someone to check on you in a few days," Lady Zhen said, observing Xin Wan's complexion.

Just as Xin Wan was about to respond, a voice outside called, "Madam, Third Master has returned."

"Quick, let Jingwen come in," Lady Zhen said happily.

Soon, a young man entered, wearing a green silk robe embroidered with flying swallows, his forehead beaded with sweat. He had sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, a firm mouth, and was none other than Lady Zhen's son, Yan Jingwen.

Another set of chopsticks was added to the table. Yan Jingwen sat down and saw Xin Wan opposite him, and they exchanged smiles.

Lady Zhen asked him, "Why are you here at this hour?"

"My teacher fell ill and had to return home for a funeral. On my way back, I met Big Brother, who said he would talk to Father about apprenticing me under his teacher, Master Lanchang. So I came back early to wait for him," Yan Jingwen explained.

Lady Zhen smiled. "I'll ask your father tonight."

Ying Niang chimed in, "I was planning to make a pair of nets to give to Father."

Lady Zhen nodded, unaware that Yan Yingqi had gone to the third branch for dinner. As the main wife, she maintained her composure, but Ying Niang's mood soured.

Meanwhile, at the Crimson Snow Pavilion in the third branch, Yao Niang enjoyed the pickled papaya water. Lady Xie reminded her, "You had ice this morning, so only a little now."

"Understood," Yao Niang said, though she was secretly pleased. Being with her mother was better than living with her grandparents.

Most evenings, she dined with her mother, while her brother ate with his grandmother. There was no formal rule, but it was a customary arrangement. Grandmother Qu had raised her brother since birth, making it difficult for Lady Xie to even see him without bribing his wet nurse. Her brother was closer to the wet nurses than to his mother.

As they prepared for dinner, a voice outside exclaimed excitedly, "Master has come."

Lady Xie did not expect Yan Yingqi to visit at this hour. Since her illness three years ago, she had recovered but rarely met Yan Yingqi except for occasional visits to Old Lady Yu.

Since Lady Zhen's marriage, Lady Xie had seldom approached Yan Yingqi. After Yao Niang's birth, she stayed in Jin Ling and never went to the capital. If Yan Yingqi had not returned to Jin Ling for his new position, they would not have reunited.

Yao Niang and Lady Xie stood up as a tall man entered. He had a high nose bridge, a firm mouth, and a resolute face, looking handsome and stern. His gaze was piercing.

Yao Niang felt a bit scared. She had limited contact with her father, having grown up in Jin Ling with her mother and later moving to the northwest. Now back in Jin Ling, she had seen him only a few times.

"Master," Lady Xie said softly.

Unexpectedly, the stern-looking man softened upon hearing Lady Xie's words. "I heard that Uncle from the Xie family in Dongshan came. Why didn't you keep him longer? I wanted to have a drink with him."

Lady Xie showed no awkwardness, speaking as if to an old friend. "My brother is busy at home, so I couldn't trouble you."

Since Yan Yingqi unexpectedly stayed, Lady Xie instructed the servants to add another set of chopsticks and apologized, "I didn't know you were coming today, so I didn't prepare your favorite dishes."

"You remember what I like to eat? I thought you had forgotten," Yan Yingqi glanced at Lady Xie, avoiding her gaze.

Yao Niang took a bite of the abalone and heard Lady Xie say, "As the head of the household, you wouldn't want us to serve you anything you dislike."

"Your temper is still so stubborn. You look gentle and pitiable on the outside, but inside, you refuse to yield." Yan Yingqi finished speaking and looked at Jie Shi, hoping she would return his gaze.

But Jie Shi kept her eyes lowered, remaining silent.

Yan Yingqi also felt the awkward atmosphere at the table, so he initiated conversation with Yao Niang: "Are you adapting well since returning from the northwest?"

Yao Niang smiled and said, "I'm adapting very well. Having Mother by my side is better than anything else." After saying this, she looked at Jie Shi, who was particularly moved by her daughter.

Yan Yingqi then asked about her studies, and Yao Niang replied, "I can now keep up with all my lessons. Today, Sister Zhao showed us rubbings of the Zheng Xi Stele, which she made during a mountain climb. The calligraphy in it is truly beautiful."

"Since I have a day off tomorrow, why don't we go climb Qixia Mountain?" Although Yan Yingqi was speaking to Yao Niang, his eyes were fixed on Jie Shi.

He had finally found a reason to talk to Jie Shi and intended to seize the opportunity.

Jie Shi did not respond; instead, she looked at her daughter gently. "Does Yao Niang want to go?"

Yao Niang certainly wanted to go. When she lived with her grandparents, they always wanted her to be demure and obedient, rarely allowing her to play outside. But she did not say this, merely put down her chopsticks and hugged Jie Shi's arm. "If Mother goes, I'll go. If Mother doesn't go, I won't go."

Though she said this, children cannot hide their emotions, and Jie Shi could see that her daughter wanted to go. So she turned to Yan Yingqi and said, "How many people will be going tomorrow? Should I inform them now and ask the stewards to prepare the carriages?"

Yan Yingqi, however, smiled and said, "No need. It will just be our family of four going tomorrow."

Jie Shi was somewhat taken aback.