Chapter 7 Rebellion

Chapter 7 Rebellion

After several days, Yao Niang's courtyard was arranged properly. The main house consisted of three rooms, and in the backyard, a swing was set up with a few pots of white ginger, bougainvillea, and jasmine flowers placed at the corner.

The eastern wing room was converted into a study. Some of the furniture was made on-site, while others were taken from the storage.

People who knew she had opened her courtyard also sent gifts. Yan Yingqi sent an ancient zither, Lady Jie sent two mosquito nets—one made of shark silk and the other of water-patterned silk—and Yan Jingzhao sent a set of tea ware. From the school, Qian Niang gave a new book, Ying Niang sent a pair of bobbleheads. Zhao Fang and Yan Rubei each sent something as well, even Xin Wan, who was ill, sent two paintings.

Unfortunately, before she could settle in, it was time for Yao Niang to go to the Quan family.

Early in the morning, Lady Jie had someone bring over a box of embroidered flowers to adorn her. She then had Yao Niang change into a new light green water-patterned robe with a pearl-white pleated skirt, making her look exceptionally fresh and pleasant.

"My dear, you look beautiful," Lady Jie praised.

Yao Niang quickly shook her head, "No, no! Mother is the most beautiful; I've never seen anyone more beautiful than you."

Lady Jie gently shook her head, not concerned about her own appearance.

Just as mother and daughter were ready to leave, Su'e, the attendant of the third matriarch, came and said, "Second Madam, our matriarch said that the Guan family might come today, so she wants you to stay home. Miss can go instead."

Lady Jie was taken aback, and Yao Niang immediately responded to Su'e, "Sister Su'e, since my mother isn't going, I don't want to go either. Besides, I have to study today."

Su'e initially looked pleased but quickly changed her tone when she heard Yao Niang wasn't going: "Why won't you go? The matriarch at the Quan family has been looking forward to seeing you and repeatedly asked us to bring you along."

The third matriarch didn't have sons but had grandchildren whom she liked to show off. Thus, she wanted to take both Yan Jingzhao and Yao Niang.

However, Yao Niang, born with rebellious traits, refused to do anything she didn't want to. Smiling, she said, "Just tell them I have homework. Let Grandmother and brother go without me, and don't add unnecessary details."

Su'e laughed awkwardly, "What are you saying?"

"You know what I mean. I'm not a child anymore; I can't be bullied by servants." Yao Niang coldly hummed.

Su'e felt embarrassed and dared not argue further, noticing Lady Jie's changed expression. Though Lady Jie wasn't highly regarded by the matriarch, making enemies wasn't wise. Moreover, Miss was still Miss. Su'e excused herself.

This was the first time her own daughter stood up for her, but Lady Jie looked worried, "Yao Niang, how will you deal with offending your grandmother?"

"Ah, even if I go, would Grandmother treat me any better? It's just the same. I know one thing: having a stepmother means having a stepfather and a step-grandmother. I'd rather follow a beggar's mother than an official father. Besides, Mother treats me well, and I must treat her well too." Yao Niang appeared calm.

Lady Jie looked at her daughter in surprise, "How did you come to say such things? Did something happen?"

In a low voice, Yao Niang told Lady Jie, "When I was in the northwest, I heard a story about the Northwest Army Commander. He lost his mother at six, and his father remarried. His stepmother treated him poorly, and his father changed. They accused him of being disrespectful over minor issues. Once, he argued with his grandmother, who gathered the clan elders to drown him. He escaped, became a butcher, and accidentally joined the army. Guess what? When he returned in glory, his grandmother treated him differently, calling him her favorite grandson, begging him not to seek revenge. Mother, I must strive to make them respect you. Grandmother treats us like slaves, yet expects me to be filial. That's impossible."

Lady Jie wanted to say that as a woman, Yao Niang couldn't pursue a career like her brother, and would rely on family connections for marriage. But seeing her daughter's determination, she felt reassured. Women like Hua Mulan and Fu Hao were also women, and perhaps her daughter would also achieve greatness.

"Alright, these words are only between us. Don't say them to others," Lady Jie instructed.

Yao Niang nodded, "Yes, don't worry."

Meanwhile, Su'e left the Crimson Snow Pavilion, suppressing her anger, and reported to the matriarch and Yan Jingzhao in the main hall, "I went to deliver the message. Second Madam didn't say much, but Third Miss said she wouldn't go if Second Madam doesn't."

The matriarch frowned, "That girl, I'm doing her a favor by taking her along, and she acts this way."

Su'e didn't dare respond, and Yan Jingzhao remained silent. The matriarch then said to Yan Jingzhao, "Go get your sister. She's always been peculiar, but now she's older and needs to meet relatives. This is for her own good; she shouldn't act so childish."

The matriarch didn't want Yan Jingzhao to be close to his birth mother, and it had worked for years. However, with Yan Jingzhao staying in Jin Ling to study while she went to Henan, they might grow closer over time. Especially with Yao Niang's rebellion, which she couldn't tolerate. What if Yan Jingzhao followed suit?

So, she couldn't bully them in front of Yan Jingzhao but needed to divide their affection. If she mistreated Lady Jie and her daughter, Yan Jingzhao might feel sympathy, and even Yan Yingqi might object. In the long run, they might unite against her.

But if Yan Jingzhao went to fetch Yao Niang and they quarreled, Lady Jie would likely side with her daughter, making Yan Jingzhao feel even more estranged. This would achieve her goal.

Yan Jingzhao, obedient to the matriarch, went to the Crimson Snow Pavilion without suspicion.

At that moment, Yao Niang and Lady Jie were playing cat's cradle. Seeing Yan Jingzhao, Yao Niang sensed something.

"Third Sister, Grandmother asked me to bring you to the Quan family."

As expected, hearing Yan Jingzhao's words, Yao Niang smiled and shook her head, "Brother, you go alone. I don't want to go."

"How can you go alone? Grandmother and I are going too!" Yan Jingzhao pursed his lips.

Yao Niang persisted, "I don't like visiting relatives. I don't know anyone from the Quan family, so I don't want to go."

Lady Jie held her breath, fearing Yan Jingzhao would get angry. After all, her son was similar to Yan Yingqi—proud, arrogant, and quick-tempered.