Chapter 13 Mid-Autumn Festival

Chapter 13 Mid-Autumn Festival

The day before the Mid-Autumn Festival, Yan Yingqi returned to the main residence first. Before leaving, he seemed reluctant but also resolute as he said to Jie Shi, "Should I stay here and go with you tomorrow?"

Jie Shi shook her head. "Go ahead. Your eldest sister-in-law needs your help. It wouldn't be right for you to stay here."

In Jie Shi's view, Yan Yingqi had a place in his heart for her, but it was too small. Who would believe that a prodigal son could truly change? It was impossible. To Yan Yingqi, women were insignificant; power and status were far more important.

Once, when she was innocent and carefree, she thought Yan Yingqi treated her very well. Later, she truly saw through his nature.

So now, everything was half true and half false. She no longer had any expectations of him.

If given a choice, one should always choose someone who loves them deeply and puts them first. Only then can they truly be happy.

"I don't want to go," Yan Yingqi felt that Jie Shi didn't seem to miss him at all.

Jie Shi spoke with a slight pout, "I don't want to be seen as a seductress. You should go back quickly. We'll see each other tomorrow, and we can talk then."

Yan Yingqi persisted, "Will you miss me if I leave?"

"I don't know," Jie Shi turned her head slightly, her face flushing red.

Yan Yingqi smiled, "Not knowing is better than not missing me at all."

They talked for a while longer before Yan Yingqi reluctantly left, looking back several times. Jie Shi sighed in relief. Lady Song came in and suggested, "Madam, should we also distribute porridge?"

"No need. You forget what happened before. It's good that she wants to do charity; that's her skill. Even if we did it, it might not be better. My focus is on Dage and Sanshao. If Jingzhao can pass the provincial exams in three years and Yao Niang can find a good match, that would be better than anything. For families like ours, it ultimately comes down to the success of our children," Jie Shi reflected deeply.

The Yan family was now known as a century-old lineage, but in Yan Yingqi's grandfather's generation, they lived in dire poverty. His widowed mother and only son were driven out, almost sold to a beggar as a concubine. As a child, his grandfather even sold sheepskins. Later, at forty, he amassed some wealth and educated his three sons. His luck was good; all three became jinshi.

Thus, the Yan family's current prosperity began. Yan Yingqi grew up determined to follow in his ancestors' footsteps.

Now, when people mention the Yan family of Jin Ling, they think of a century-old noble house, unaware of their past struggles.

Therefore, the success of their children is paramount.

Lady Song nodded, "You're right, but Madam has spent a lot of money buying a Yangzhou courtesan. She wants to divide your favor. But she isn't the type to be jealous."

"Of course she won't be jealous easily. She just wants to compete with me. Let her focus on me; it's actually beneficial," Jie Shi smiled.

Constant retreat was no longer an option. The dynamics of attack and defense changed rapidly.

On the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Jie Shi dressed herself beautifully. Because she gave birth to Yan Jingzhao early, they looked more like siblings than mother and son. Yan Jingzhao, having grown taller during his three years in the northwest, was even taller than most people in Jin Ling.

Yao Niang sniffed her mother's fragrance, "Mother, you smell so nice!"

Jie Shi pinched her daughter's nose and led her forward, while Yan Jingzhao walked behind with Zhou Lingguang. This was the second time Zhou Lingguang had met the third lady of the Yan family. The Yan family's upbringing was excellent, different from how others reacted to him. Yan's second madam treated him well.

But would they still treat him the same if things in the capital changed?

Thinking about this, Zhou Lingguang looked at the moon and remembered his brothers in the capital. People have joys and sorrows, and the moon waxes and wanes; such is life.

Yao Niang followed her mother and brother to greet their uncle and Aunt Yu. Although Aunt Yu kept the main and third residences separate, especially treating Yao Niang differently from her sisters, she treated Yan Jingzhao differently.

The elderly couple immediately pulled Yan Jingzhao close, and Aunt Yu even caressed him. Yan Jingzhao seemed used to this. He was the first son of the Yan family, and although Jingzhang was only a year younger, he was born to a concubine and didn't speak much until he was three. Yan Jingzhao, however, was clever and learned to read thousands of characters by age three.

This time, Yan Jingzhao glanced at his mother and sister. Jie Shi stood quietly to the side, watching them. Yao Niang went to sit with her sisters.

For the first time, Aunt Yu asked, "How have you been these days?"

He finally replied, "Since Grandmother went to Henan, Mother has been managing the household. I've even gained weight. Mother cooks for me, especially a dish of fresh stir-fried walnut kernels, which helped with my white hair at the back of my head."

Aunt Yu glanced at Jie Shi and smiled, "Your mother has always been meticulous."

Jie Shi curtsied, "Thank you, Aunt, for your praise."

This was An'er's first time seeing the Yan family's situation. They had two main madams living separately, not a main madam and concubines. The other madam, Zhen Shi, treated Jie Shi as a sister-in-law, and both seemed easy to get along with. Jie Shi's son was already so grown.

Yao Niang found seats with Qian Niang, Xin Wan, and Ying Niang. Before she arrived, the three were quiet, but once she joined them, the atmosphere livened up. Xin Wan pulled her to sit beside her, while Ying Niang, though not getting along well with Yao Niang, became unhappy seeing her talking with Xin Wan.

Xin Wan, despite being proud and aloof, was smart. She lived with Zhen Shi, who treated her well, so she had to appease Ying Niang.

Similarly, Qian Niang and Xin Wan felt caught between Yao Niang and Ying Niang. They lived in the main residence, but Yao Niang was a legitimate Yan family lady. They usually favored Ying Niang but needed to maintain a relationship with Yao Niang. Xin Wan was better off, living with Aunt Yu, but Qian Niang had a harder time.

Originally, Yan Yingqi was supposed to test their studies, but he didn't. Yao Niang noticed her father seemed preoccupied.

Zhen Shi organized a lively event, inviting acrobats and praising Yan Jingzhao repeatedly. She said, "Your two younger brothers aren't as scholarly as you. I'm worried. As their older brother, you must teach them more."

Yan Jingzhao respectfully replied, "Don't worry. I will watch over them."

Zhen Shi looked pleased and mentioned another piece of good news: Erge and Yan Jingzhang were to be engaged to Aunt Yu's niece. This was normal since Erge was only a year younger than Dage.

Everyone discussed the engagement, and Yao Niang recalled meeting the girl once when she was young.

Xin Wan thought only Yao Niang would dare say such things. She was always unique, yet she got along with everyone. Once, she stayed up all night chatting with Aunt Yu. Her greatest trait was her vast knowledge; despite being only eight, she loved to talk, sometimes even making people's ears ache.

Ying Niang, who often clashed with Yao Niang, loved interesting stories and immediately pushed Xin Wan aside to sit next to Yao Niang.

"I saw her recently. She's three years older than Erge."

"A woman three years older brings gold! What's her personality like?" Yao Niang often knew gossip without trying.

As Qian Niang's future sister-in-law, she quickly said, "Miss Yu is gentle and kind."

The Yu family, like the Quan family, was weaker than the Yan family. After Aunt Yu proposed the marriage, Zhen Shi worked hard to ensure compatibility before announcing it.

Yao Niang smiled, "Gentle and kind is good. Hopefully, you'll get along well. As they say, a harmonious sister-in-law is worth gold."

Zhou Lingguang, who had just walked past them, nearly stumbled. How did these young girls know so much? They were truly not to be underestimated, especially Jingzhao's sister, who was a master of colloquialisms.

...

The young girls were simply chatting happily, but the adults had their own thoughts. Lady Xie was not very clear about Jingzhang's engagement, which showed how well Lady Zhen had kept it hidden. No wonder it had remained a secret until now. She feared that even at this moment, Yan Yingqi might still go to her place, and she needed to constantly assert her rights as the main wife.

In the past, Lady Xie would feel that they were all women and equally pitiable, and she did not compete. But the consequence of not competing was being abandoned by everyone. People would not think better of you because you were kind; they would only see your weakness and trample on you.

She did not need to seduce Yan Yingqi in any elaborate way; simply wearing his favorite scent was enough to allure him. And today, she had not brought a cloak, so when a breeze blew, she whispered softly to Yan Yingqi, "Yingqi, I'm a bit cold."

Yan Yingqi saw the moisture in her eyes, her fragility, yet her attempt to stay strong, and felt a pang of sympathy. Seeing that the elders had left, he said to her, "Let me take you back first."

Lady Xie shook her head, pretending to be strong: "I can go back myself. You stay here."

But Yan Yingqi would not allow her refusal: "Come on, I'll take you back."

Of course, once he took her back, he did not return. Lady Zhen felt everything she had done was in vain. Yan Yingqi was truly blinded by lust. If he continued to support Lady Xie like this, even if Yan Jingzhao's wife entered the household, it would be difficult for her to take control.