Chapter 204: Chapter 186: No Need to Fight_1

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No matter whether Auntie Lin was willing or not, the entrance of the new Auntie Liao into Shuangxin Courtyard was a done deal.

As for the two concubines, Madam Li wished to avoid seeing either one and ordered Auntie Lin to quickly go back and clean out the room, then assigned two maids to Liao Family before letting both of them leave.

Watching Auntie Lin leave with a reluctant heart and helpless expression, Daohua smiled and sat down beside Madam Li, “Mother, what’s the deal with that Auntie Liao? Wasn’t Father supposed to attend a banquet? How did he end up bringing a woman back?”

Madam Li glanced at her daughter and after pondering, felt that there were things she should talk to her daughter about, to prevent her from being at a loss if she encountered similar situations after getting married.

“That Liao Family woman was given to your father by Consultant Du, she used to be a woman from the Du Residence’s backyard.”

Daohua was stunned for a moment, then with wide eyes, she asked, “Was Auntie Liao previously a concubine of Consultant Du?”

Madam Li fell silent for a while, she couldn’t go into the details of this man’s domestic affairs with her daughter, and could only vaguely say, “… She probably hasn’t been officially taken into his household.”

Daohua was speechless, “Even so, it’s too vexing! I think there must be a hole in Consultant Du’s brain.” Men are very sensitive about the color green, yet he blatantly gifted her.

Madam Li: “….” Does her daughter’s reaction make sense to her, or does it not?

Daohua continued to ask, “Out of the blue, why would Consultant Du think of sending a concubine to Father?”

Madam Li snorted coldly, “Do you know why your father has served as the County Magistrate for a full nine years?”

Daohua understood in a second, “Because of this Consultant Du?”

Madam Li nodded, “When your father was first assigned to Zhongzhou Province, he unintentionally offended Consultant Du, and then was continuously suppressed by him.” As she spoke, she patted Daohua’s head and smiled.

“The old lady says you’re the lucky star of our family. If it weren’t for your fortuitous rescue of the Little Prince, your father might never have had the chance to turn things around in his life.”

“This time, the matter of the wheat seeds was reported to the Imperial Court by the Governor. The current Emperor values agriculture and sericulture; your father is likely to make a name for himself with the Emperor.”

“Whether or not your father will be entrusted with important tasks in the future, in any case, it won’t be easy to maintain hostilities. Therefore, taking advantage of this banquet, Consultant Du, along with several officials, gave Liao Family to your father.”

“If your father refused, he would appear unwilling to reconcile. With so many people watching, what could your father do? He had no choice but to accept.”

Daohua was speechless, “Consultant Du’s brain isn’t all that bright. If he wanted to reconcile, there were many ways to do it. Why did he have to send a concubine? Wouldn’t it have been better to give something else, like gold, silver, or calligraphy? Wouldn’t that be more practical than a concubine?”

Madam Li sighed and said with slight sarcasm, “Giving gold, silver, or artwork is too common. If someone with intentions learned of it, it might even be interpreted as bribery. But a concubine is different.”

“Some men, when socializing, usually bring along one or two young and beautiful concubines. In their view, exchanging concubines is considered a refined affair, far more elevated than material possessions.”

“Do you know Auntie Liao’s background? She’s a highly expensive Yangzhou thin horse, and judging by your father’s tone, many officials wanted to ask for her from Consultant Du, but he didn’t give her to any.”

“…”

Not knowing what to say, Daohua only felt a choking sensation in her heart.

In ancient times, the status of women was extremely low, being exchanged like mere goods.

The good mood that had arisen from Auntie Lin’s discontent vanished instantly.

“So, it seems that Auntie Liao is quite pitiful.”

Madam Li’s eyes briefly dropped, as she said indifferently, “As long as she conducts herself properly, the Yan Family will provide her with a meal.”

Daohua sighed.

Seeing her daughter’s face wrinkled like an old lady’s, Madam Li found it somewhat amusing, “Alright, now that you know, there’s no need for you to worry about it here.”

After saying this, she said no more, glanced at the sky, and waved over Ping Xiao, “Go to Shuangxin Courtyard and see how the room cleanup is going. Tell Auntie Lin that it must be done before nightfall.”

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“Yes.”

Seeing Ping Xiao leave, Daohua’s attention was diverted: “Auntie Liao has now moved into Shuangxin Courtyard, so in the future, Master Lin won’t be able to come and go as he pleases, right?”

…

Shuangxin Courtyard.

Auntie Lin grimaced as she watched the maids and servants bustling about, tidying up the west wing. What made her feel even more suffocated was the well-behaved Liao Family standing in the courtyard.

Especially when she saw Liao’s beautiful face and her younger, more enchanting body.

Since she entered the Yan Residence, she had heard plenty about concubines using all means at their disposal to compete for a bit of favor, but she had never experienced it herself.

In the master’s quarters, there were only Madam and her, even though Madam came from a merchant family and was a bit more dignified, she did not win the master’s heart as much as she did. She didn’t need to vie for favor to receive the master’s partiality.

Over the years, aside from bearing the title of a concubine, her life really wasn’t worse than some household Madams. In the county city, she could even socialize with other Madams.

For a long time, she didn’t feel like she was a concubine.

But at this moment, looking at Liao about to move into Shuangxin Courtyard, she felt her heart sink like it was in an ice cellar, and all those proud, smug feelings, the thoughts that she was different from the others, vanished entirely.

She was just a concubine!

A concubine who had to live in the same courtyard with other concubines and compete for favor all the same.

Shuangxin Courtyard…

Auntie Lin stared blankly at the courtyard signboard.

She still remembered when she gave birth to the twins, how delighted the master was, beaming like a child.

To express his joy, he named her living quarters Shuangxin Courtyard.

She originally thought this favor was exclusive to her and her children, but looking at Liao in the courtyard, she realized with a start that this favor could also be shared.

Shuangxin Courtyard would soon no longer be the Shuangxin Courtyard of before.

At the courtyard entrance, Yan Wenbin and Yan Yishuang also looked worriedly at the servants bustling in and out of the yard.

“Brother Five, do you think Father doesn’t like Mother and us anymore?” Yan Yishuang’s eyes were filled with panic.

Yan Wenbin pursed his lips. “Father doesn’t dislike us. It’s just… he has to share the affection he has for us with others.”

Yan Yishuang was stunned. “After Big Sister came, Father’s affection for us has already diminished a bit, and now it has to be shared with others too?”

Yan Wenbin glanced at Liao in the courtyard and did not speak.

Yan Yishuang pouted. “Father only has so much time every day, and with Auntie Liao arriving, there will be even less opportunity for him to be with us. But, what we lose, Mother and Big Sister lose too, so let’s all compete together.”

“Mother is carrying a brother again. Father will definitely favor us, others simply can’t compete with us.”

Yan Wenbin showed a bitter smile. “Mother and Big Sister don’t need to compete. The ones who always have to vie for affection are only ever us.”

Main wife, concubine; legitimate, illegitimate, he might have understood these distinctions before, but after more than a year in Xingzhou City, he truly comprehended them.

There’s no need to look at anyone else, just take Auntie Liao brought home by father, for example.

Mother can sit calmly at the main seat drinking tea, but Auntie Liao can only anxiously watch as her courtyard is taken away by someone else.