Chapter 104 – I’m Just Being Optimistic
Ms. Zhong’s hesitation was noticed by Ms. Li and Yan Shuqing.
The mother and daughter were secretly delighted.
Just as they had suspected, the people of the third branch of the Yan family didn’t want to return to the mansion.
However, since the patriarch had already given instructions, they still had to make a show of good faith on the surface. Ms. Li exchanged a glance with Yan Shuqing, stepped forward to Ms. Zhong with a beaming smile and said, “Third sister, what are you standing there for? While Xiaosi has cured the old lady’s illness and the patriarch is in a good mood and willing to invite you all back to the mansion, you should quickly go back and pack your things. You might lose this good opportunity if you wait too long.”
To outsiders, she seemed to be acting out of pure kindness. When this gets back to the patriarch, it would also serve as a good explanation for him.
“… This…”
Ms. Zhong didn’t know how to voice her refusal to Ms. Li’s proposal, her words spinning around her tongue.
As Ms. Zhong was at a loss for how to refuse Ms. Li, Yan Xiaosi spoke up swiftly.
“Ms. Li, Miss Yan, you should go back. We won’t return to the Yan mansion. More than a decade ago, the patriarch concluded that my mother and I were bad luck. Yet, now he wants to invite us back. Isn’t he afraid that my mother and I would curse him?”
Yan Xiaosi’s words pleased Ms. Li.
Both Ms. Li and Yan Shuqing sighed in relief after hearing Yan Xiaosi’s refusal to return to the Yan mansion. Ms. Li smiled and continued to persuade them, “Xiaosi, no matter what, the patriarch is still your real grandfather. Don’t hold a grudge against him. Now that the patriarch wants your family to move back to the mansion, you won’t have to suffer anymore in the future.”
Yan Xiaosi’s mouth curved downward slightly.
Without her usefulness, would the patriarch have sent Ms. Li and Yan Shuqing here?
Without their usefulness, he would just kick them out. Now that they have some value, he wanted them to move back to the mansion. Did he think they were beggars, to be dismissed or summoned at will?
“Ms. Li, did I not make myself clear, or are you hard of hearing? Let me say it again, my mother, my three sisters, and I would rather live in this rundown grass temple than the Yan mansion. Please leave.”
Yan Xiaosi, with a stern face, drove them away. Compared to Ms. Li and Yan Shuqing’s insincere smiles and their false pretenses, she had no kind words to say.
Ms. Li pointed at her angrily, “… You.”
She snorted coldly and said, “This is like a dog biting Lu Dongbin, not recognizing a kind heart.”
“Shuqing, let’s go.”
Ms. Li withdrew her hand and turned to leave.
After all, she had done what the patriarch had asked of her. If the people of the third branch of the Yan family didn’t want to return to the mansion, it wasn’t her problem.
Yan Shuqing didn’t say anything and followed Ms. Li away. However, as she turned to leave, Yan Shuqing took a long look at Yan Xiaosi.
She had heard from the Chen brothers that Yan Xiaosi, the son of their third uncle, was timid and incapable. However, after observing him for a few days, she found that this was not the case at all.
This cousin’s temperament was completely opposite to what the Chen brothers had described.
Watching Ms. Li leave in a huff, Ms. Zhong, Yan Shuqin, Yan Shuxue, and Yan Shuyun couldn’t help but frown again.
Ms. Zhong glanced at the medicine stand in front of Yan Xiaosi, her mind seemingly elsewhere.
“It’s late, there probably won’t be any more patients. Shuqin, Shuxue, Shuyun, help Xiaosi pack up the stand and bring it inside.”
After speaking, Ms. Zhong sighed and went into the kitchen to continue cleaning up the dishes.
Yan Xiaosi followed her in and seeing Ms. Zhong’s distracted expression, asked, “Mother, are you worried that the people at the Yan mansion will make things difficult for us?”
Ms. Zhong nodded, her brow furrowed, her expression somewhat solemn.
She knew well what kind of person the old Yan patriarch was.
A man who had once been a county magistrate would never allow anyone to go against his will.
“Xiaosi, you just refused your aunt on my behalf. Given your aunt’s character, I’m worried that she will go back to the Yan house and exaggerate the situation to your grandfather. If so, we will be in trouble.”
Given Ms. Li’s character, she would definitely exaggerate the situation. Thinking of the potential trouble that could arise, Ms. Zhong sighed again.
Yan Xiaosi stood at the doorway, leaning against the doorframe, but her face was relaxed, and she shrugged nonchalantly.
“Mother, what good does worrying do? What will come, will come. We’ll meet soldiers with soldiers, and water with earth. No matter how formidable old Yan is, he’s not the county magistrate of Xize anymore. What can a commoner do to us?”
Seeing her relaxed demeanor, Ms. Zhong’s initially worried heart also relaxed a bit. “You’re so carefree.”
Yan Xiaosi smirked, “Mother, this isn’t me being carefree. This is me being optimistic. Whether you spend the day in joy or sorrow, you still have to get through it, so why should I make myself unhappy?”
This was her principle in life: add trouble for others, but never make yourself unhappy.
Yan Shuqin, Yan Shuxue, and Yan Shuyun were carrying the medicine stand over and happened to hear her say this.
The three sisters thought it made sense. If Yan Xiaosi wasn’t afraid, then as her elder sisters, what did they have to fear?
As Yan Shuqin carried the medicine stand, she comforted Ms. Zhong: “Mother, Xiaosi is right. Don’t worry, we can handle whatever comes our way.”
The scene shifted to the Yan mansion.
Ms. Li, having been snubbed by Yan Xiaosi, returned to the Yan mansion with Yan Shuqing. By the time they arrived, Yan Bozhang, Yan Boshu, Ms. Hu, Yan Wenfeng, Yan Wenqing, and Yan Shuxiu had all rushed back from the county town. For several nights in a row, they returned to stay in Shaoyao village. On one hand, the old lady was ill and as her descendants, they wanted to serve her to earn a reputation for filial piety. On the other hand, because the old patriarch had decided to bring the members of the third Yan household back to the mansion a few days ago, they were worried about this and feared that the old patriarch would act on it.
Unfortunately, they were too late. The old patriarch had already instructed Ms. Li to invite the people.
“Father, I’m back.”
As Ms. Li’s voice came from the front door, those who were watching over the old patriarch at his bedside immediately tensed up.
They were afraid that the members of the third Yan household would joyfully pack their belongings and return to the mansion.
Amid their tension, Ms. Li and Yan Shuqing entered the room one after another.
Seeing only Ms. Li and Yan Shuqing, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Only the old patriarch’s face darkened, and he asked Ms. Li, who was panting, in an unhappy tone, “What’s going on? Didn’t you go to that dilapidated grass temple at the end of the village to invite people? Where are they?”
As Ms. Li walked into the room, she saw the patriarch’s face and quickly thought of a plan, exaggerating the situation: “Father, my brother’s wife, Shuqin, Shuxue, Shuyun, and Xiaosi don’t want to return to the mansion. I’ve tried to persuade them with many kind words, but they still refused. I’ve done my best. Shuqing can vouch for me.”
As she spoke, Ms. Li looked at Yan Shuqing. She quickly nodded in agreement.
