Chapter 22 …
An Outing
Third Branch
An Wendo shouted with an indignant expression,
“Taohua was so upset she even cried. Eldest Uncle is too much!”
Smack!
An Qijiang struck An Wendo on the head with his palm and said,
“What right do you have to criticize your eldest uncle?”
An Wendo refused to back down.
“But Taohua was wronged!”
An Qijiang glared at his son for a moment before speaking in a low voice,
“Your eldest uncle is Taohua’s father. It is only natural for a father to discipline his daughter—outsiders have no right to interfere. How about this: tomorrow, secretly call Taohua out. We’ll take her outside Xian City to relax and lift her spirits.”
At these words, An Wendo immediately smiled and nodded.
“If Taohua finds out, she’ll definitely be happy.”
Madam Wu asked worriedly,
“Is that really alright?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll explain it properly to Elder Brother. And since we’re going out anyway, we can also take a look at the farmland Sister-in-law recently purchased.”
Twin Apricot Courtyard
“Mother, Father still hasn’t come back. He must have gone to the garden.”
An Yishuang stood guard at the entrance of Twin Apricot Courtyard, staring gloomily at the already-closed gate. Madam Lin walked over, took her hand, and led her into the room. After thinking for a moment, she said,
“In the future, when you see your eldest sister, you should yield to her a bit.”
An Yishuang asked unhappily,
“She’s the older sister and I’m the younger. Shouldn’t the elder sister be the one yielding to the younger?”
Madam Lin sighed.
“But your eldest sister is the legitimate daughter, and the Old Madam dotes on her. If you quarrel with her and the Old Madam steps in, no matter how much your father favors you, you’ll still end up being punished.”
An Yishuang said tearfully,
“I don’t like Grandmother. She’s just like the Old Madam of the He family. I wish she had stayed back in our hometown.”
Madam Lin’s face immediately darkened. She covered An Yishuang’s mouth and sternly said,
“Yishuang, never say such things again. If your father hears this, our mother and daughter will never be able to recover.”
This was the first time An Yishuang had seen Madam Lin so severe. Startled, she nodded repeatedly. Seeing her frightened, Madam Lin pulled her into an embrace and said,
“It’s all Mother’s fault. If I had been your father’s principal wife, you children wouldn’t have to suffer such grievances.”
Flustered by Madam Lin’s tears, An Yishuang quickly replied,
“Mother, don’t be upset. I won’t quarrel with Eldest Sister anymore.”
The Garden
By the time An Qigao returned, Taohua had already gone back to her room.
“Ahem… Has Taohua fallen asleep?”
Madam Li approached with a smile and helped him remove his outer robe.
“She ate some mung-bean cakes here and then went back to sleep. How is Mother?”
“Mother has also gone to sleep.”
Madam Li studied An Qigao’s expression. Seeing it wasn’t bad, she continued gently,
“Taohua only sent the food after hearing from me. She heard that Master has been very busy lately and was worried about you—that’s why she went. I didn’t expect such a commotion to happen.”
An Qigao’s anger had already subsided.
“I know Taohua is filial. Earlier I also acted for her own good. Madam Lin is her elder—ordering her around like a maid doesn’t sound proper.”
The smile on Madam Li’s face faded slightly as she said,
“I have already advised Taohua. But Master, you should also prepare yourself. Taohua’s temperament is exactly like Mother’s—if she is bullied, she will definitely repay it in kind.
“And since Madam Lin is her elder, please ask Madam Lin to act with more generosity befitting an elder. In the future, she should also stop dragging Taohua into matters.
“When I asked about yesterday’s incident, Taohua never mentioned the quarrel with Yishuang to Mother at all. It was Madam Lin who insisted on bringing Yishuang to apologize.
“And Master, Taohua hasn’t been in Xian City for long. She may not fully understand the proper etiquette yet. Please don’t expect her to grasp everything immediately—teach her slowly. Wouldn’t that be better?”
An Qigao stared blankly at Madam Li in surprise. She had always been gentle and compliant, yet today she spoke to him with unprecedented firmness. He didn’t even have room to interrupt!
The Next Morning
After washing up, An Qigao headed to Songhe Courtyard to pay his respects to the Old Madam.
But the moment he entered, cheerful laughter drifted from the Old Madam’s room. Listening carefully, it sounded like Taohua’s voice.
When An Qigao stepped inside, the maidservant Sun greeted him with a smile.
“Did Mother rest well last night?”
Sun replied,
“The Old Madam felt a bit uncomfortable last night and tossed about for quite a while before finally sleeping. This morning she still seemed rather weak.”
Seeing An Qigao’s anxious expression, she quickly added,
“But fortunately, the Eldest Miss came early this morning and chatted with the Old Madam for quite some time. The Old Madam’s spirits have improved greatly.”
An Qigao’s expression softened, though he still said,
“Mother’s health isn’t good—please take extra care of her. If there’s even the slightest problem, call the physician immediately.”
Sun smiled.
“Master, there’s really no need to worry. When the Old Madam was back in the hometown, she didn’t call a physician for years. Having the Eldest Miss chatting beside her is more effective than summoning immortals.”
An Qigao looked uncomfortable. The Old Madam had never needed a physician in the hometown, yet now he was already worrying about calling one—was he being unfilial?
Sun watched his expression and inwardly felt helpless. The Eldest Miss was lively and cheerful wherever she went—surely far more lovable than the frail Third Miss who startled at the slightest raised voice?
Yesterday, seeing Master scold the Eldest Miss in front of everyone for the sake of that concubine, Sun had been anxious to death. That was why she deliberately said those words just now.
At that moment, the Old Madam came out supported by Taohua, laughing heartily. An Qigao immediately stood.
Taohua saw him and greeted brightly,
“Father, good morning!”
Seeing his eldest daughter smiling as beautifully as a flower, An Qigao couldn’t help but smile back.
“Hmph.”
The Old Madam’s smile faded as she looked coolly at him.
“You’ve come?”
An Qigao quickly stepped forward and bowed.
“Your son greets Mother. Are you well?”
The Old Madam replied coolly,
“As long as you don’t come and anger me, I am perfectly well.”
An Qigao laughed awkwardly.
“How would I dare anger Mother?”
She snorted.
“You might not—but someone certainly dares.”
Seeing she was about to bring up yesterday’s matter again, Taohua quickly leaned against her and said,
“Grandmother, I’m hungry. Didn’t you just say we could eat?”
Since Taohua changed the subject, the Old Madam let An Qigao off and turned to Sun.
“Go see whether the others have arrived. If everyone is here, prepare the meal.”
Sun smiled.
“They’ve all arrived and are waiting for you, Old Madam.”
“Since everyone’s here, let’s go.”
An Qigao quietly breathed a sigh of relief. Watching Taohua help the Old Madam toward the main hall, he felt somewhat guilty. He had indeed gone too far yesterday. He should be more careful in the future. His wife was right—Taohua had only just arrived and didn’t yet fully understand etiquette. He could teach her slowly.
In the main hall of Songhe Courtyard, the Second Branch, Third Branch, and all the children were already gathered.
Seeing Taohua smile, An Wenkai immediately stepped forward, supporting the Old Madam’s other arm.
“Grandmother, you’ve finally come. I’m so hungry my stomach is practically stuck to my back.”
Though An Wengjie had been beaten to it, he still came forward smiling.
“Grandmother, I’m hungry too.”
As the eldest grandson, An Wensu rarely showed his emotions, but he too smiled and spoke a few words to the Old Madam.
Taohua stepped aside to give others room to greet her.
Meanwhile, instead of crowding around the Old Madam like the others, An Wendo quietly approached Taohua and asked,
“Taohua, are you alright?”
Taohua lifted her head with a smile.
“Third Brother, why wouldn’t I be alright?”
“I saw your eyes were red yesterday.”
Embarrassed, Taohua puffed her cheeks.
“That was because sand got into my eyes.”
An Wendo studied her bright, round eyes and finally surrendered.
“Fine, fine—you’re always right. But crying isn’t embarrassing. Would I dislike you for crying? Ouch—!”
Taohua fiercely pinched his waist.
“If you know that, why bring it up? You’ve cried way more times than I have, and I never mentioned it!”
“Ow! Taohua… my good sister, let go quickly. Keep pinching and I’ll bruise!”
“Hmph!”
Only then did Taohua release him, looking delighted at An Wendo’s pained expression.
He softened at her smile but still complained pitifully,
“I came to comfort you and you pinch me. Too much.”
Taohua lifted her chin proudly.
“Serves you right for teasing me.”
“What are you two talking about? What’s so fun?”
An Wenkai immediately came over when he saw them whispering.
Taohua replied brightly,
“We were talking about how Third Brother cried after Third Uncle beat him when he was little!”
An Wendo’s eyes widened.
“Taohua! Why are you talking nonsense?!”
An Wenkai immediately teased,
“Third Brother, a real man shouldn’t cry just because he got beaten.”
An Wendo said gloomily,
“That was when I was little. Little!”
“Even so, you shouldn’t have…”
After receiving everyone’s greetings, the Old Madam looked over at Taohua, An Wenkai, and An Wendo chatting happily together, and her mood improved greatly.
Everyone soon took their seats.
Unlike yesterday’s heavy atmosphere, today’s meal returned to its former harmony.
Seeing the Old Madam finish two full bowls of porridge, An Qigao finally felt relieved and headed to the yamen.
After breakfast, everyone went off to lessons or their duties, but Taohua was detained by the Old Madam.
“I’ve discussed it with your parents. You’ve been here for a while and have mostly adapted. Starting the day after tomorrow, you will study literature and needlework with Yi Huan and the others under Master Qin.”
Taohua nodded without any resistance.
“Yes, Grandmother. I’ll study hard.”
The Old Madam smiled in satisfaction.
“Oh right—today your Third Uncle is going outside Xian City to inspect the farmland your mother recently purchased. Since you and I have been here quite some time without leaving the city, let’s go out together today.”
Taohua practically leapt with joy.
“Grandmother, is that really true?”
The Old Madam pretended to look displeased.
“You girl, getting excited again. You are now a young lady of the magistrate’s household—always mind your words and behavior!”
Taohua immediately straightened her posture and began taking small, graceful steps around the room, shyly fluttering her handkerchief.
“Grandmother, is this better?”
The Old Madam and Sun couldn’t stop laughing at Taohua’s playful act.
“Stop at once! Just who taught you that nonsense?”
