Chapter 42: Chapter 36, Flexing Power_3

Translator: 549690339

Upon arriving at the main courtyard, Master Qin was invited into the living room, yet Madam Li was not present.

Ping Xiao offered tea with a smile, “Master, please wait a moment, Madam has some matters to take care of, and will come to see you as soon as she’s done.”

Master Qin nodded calmly.

But this wait turned out to be a full half-hour.

Now, she understood, Madam Li was giving her a cold shoulder.

Honestly, she had not anticipated such a result.

Madam Li of the Yan Family, being of merchant origin, did not hold much clout in the family. Furthermore, with Auntie Lin favored and herself recommended by Auntie Lin to teach the young ladies, every encounter with her, even if Madam Li was discontent, was amiable.

This time, her daughter had defied herself, and not only did she not come forward to apologize with her daughter, but she also showed disdain here!

A merchant indeed remains a merchant, with no concept of rules or etiquette.

The water in the teacup ran out again, but Madam Li still did not arrive.

Master Qin was extremely vexed, considering leaving. But thinking of her own situation, she had to suppress her frustration.

Having been widowed young, her husband’s family considered her bad luck and did not treat her well. Her own family was too poor. She had nowhere to return, to her husband’s or her parents’ home. Thus, when Auntie Lin introduced her to teach at the Yan Family, she had immediately accepted.

Truth be told, she deeply valued the opportunity to teach at the Yan Family.

Had it not been for her intention to repay Auntie Lin, she would not have targeted the eldest daughter of the Yan Family.

She had assumed that a 9-year-old girl, knowing nothing, wouldn’t dare to speak out even if targeted.

But, that eldest Yan daughter turned out to be someone who didn’t play by the rules.

Which student, after feeling aggrieved by their teacher, doesn’t silently swallow their hurt, then introspect and seek their own faults?

To dare to directly confront and say the teacher is wrong, like the eldest Yan daughter did, is truly rare.

Countryside-raised, indeed lacking in manners, surely she also didn’t understand the concept of respecting teachers and valuing the Way!

But, she was also too hasty.

She shouldn’t have been so obvious, resulting in such a passive situation now.

She was well aware that although Auntie Lin was favored, it was Madam Li who truly managed the Yan Family. If she truly offended Madam Li severely, she could not expect to stay with the Yan Family any longer.

When Madam Li entered the living room, she saw Master Qin with her expression changing subtly, her demeanor slightly reserved, “Master Qin, I apologize for being late and making you wait.”

Master Qin stood up, politely replying, “Madam has to oversee the affairs of the family, naturally, you are busy. Waiting a bit is no issue for me.”

Under normal circumstances, Madam Li would have already asked Master Qin to sit, but this time, she directly ignored Master Qin, sitting down herself and then lifting her teacup for a sip. Only then did she feign surprise at seeing Master Qin still standing and exclaimed, “What are you doing still standing, Master? Please have a seat.”

Master Qin glanced at Madam Li, who still greeted her with a smile as always, but felt a chill in her heart, for today’s Madam Li had something sharp in her eyes that wasn’t usually there.

When Madam Li saw Master Qin sitting down, she spoke indifferently, “Master Qin has been with the Yan Family for quite some time now. I’ve never asked before: are you comfortable here?”

Master Qin’s heart skipped a beat, but she kept her composure and nodded slightly, “I am comfortable. Thank you, Madam, for taking care of me these past years.”

Madam Li let out a faint smile, “What are you saying, Master? You have come to our mansion to diligently instruct our young ladies, working hard – it is only right for us to provide some care.”

Master Qin understood the underlying message from Madam Li.

She was treated well because she diligently taught the young ladies, but if she didn’t put the effort in… was this a hint of dismissal?

Master Qin scoffed inwardly. The Li Family indeed had some family assets but was not considered top among the wealthy merchants. Moreover, their wealth was recent, and they lacked extensive social connections.

Merchants were looked down upon by the literati. Had Madam Li been able to hire a female master at the beginning, Master Qin would not have been necessary.

Madam Li took a casual glance at Master Qin, “How do you find my daughter Daohua?”

Master Qin, without much thought, responded, “The eldest daughter… naturally, she’s good, but she’s somewhat unruly.” It was natural for a master to comment on a student, and no matter the status, the listener had to accept it, so she was not afraid of Madam Li getting angry.

A shadow crossed Madam Li’s brow, and a hint of coldness glinted in her eyes as she said sternly, “Does this mean you are unable to instruct Daohua?”

Showing emotion in front of others for the first time, the usually friendly and approachable Madam Li shocked Master Qin on the spot.

After a while, Master Qin recovered, “Madam, I meant no disrespect, only that the eldest daughter’s nature is a bit uncontrollable, and she needs to learn proper manners.”

Madam Li’s expression remained stern, “If you feel my daughters are not worthy of your teachings, just let me know. The Yan Family is always reasonable in discussion.”

Was this really an implication of intent to dismiss her?

With both anger and resentment in her heart, Master Qin dared not show it. The Yan Family’s salary was the best in Linyi County, and she needed this money to live, “Madam, I will teach the young ladies with all my dedication.”

After hearing this, Madam Li finally showed some smile, “Then I shall trouble you, Master, to take the effort.” Saying this, she picked up her teacup.

Master Qin saw this, stood up, and took her leave.

As soon as she left, Ping Xiao said worriedly, “Madam, Master Qin seemed quite angry.”

Madam Li snorted coldly, “It’s my fault. I have been too courteous to her before, letting her begin to see herself as a master of profound knowledge from ancient to present!” After a pause, she thought for a moment, “Have someone discreetly inquire about other female masters in the town.”

Ping Xiao asked, “Madam, are you planning to dismiss Master Qin?”

Madam Li spoke coldly, “If she is sensible and instructs Daohua properly, then fine. Otherwise…. she really thinks the Yan daughters can’t be taught by anyone else?”