Lin Ruoli raised her pointed chin. “No need.”
And giving her a fox fur cape? Had this mother and daughter pair even seen what a fox fur cape looked like?
They didn’t even bother to think before boasting!
“Grandmother, Grandfather,” Lin Ruoli spoke again, “Lier still needs to go back to review her studies and practice the qin, so I’ll take my leave first.”
The Marchioness smiled and nodded. “Alright, Lier, go ahead. Although studying is important, you must also balance work and rest. Don’t exhaust yourself.”
“Lier understands. Lier takes her leave.”
Lin Ruoli performed a graceful and elegant bow, then left the Main Hall with dignified steps.
Lin Siqiong watched this scene, her eyes filled with gratification and pride.
This was her daughter, Lin Siqiong’s daughter!
This was the granddaughter of the Yong’an Marquis Manor!
Even though she was only five years old, she was already an elegant and noble young lady from a prominent family, well-versed in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and never missing a day of reading and writing.
In just a few years, her Lier would become one of the top young ladies of noble birth in the capital. By then, she would also be betrothed to the Crown Prince, becoming the rightful Crown Princess!
Lin Siqiong picked up a handkerchief to dab the corner of her eye. “Lier is always so well-behaved and sensible, it’s truly touching.”
The Marchioness also sighed with deep emotion. “Indeed! Lier started reading and writing at the age of three, learning music, chess, calligraphy, painting, embroidery, and needlework, never once complaining of hardship or fatigue. Such self-discipline and diligence are truly rare in this world!”
Listening to their words, Yu Youniang glanced in the direction Lin Ruoli had left. She actually learned so many things too?
And she never complained of hardship or fatigue?
Then what did all her scheming and skipping classes over the past few years amount to?
Just as she was thinking this, she heard her own name from Lin Siqiong’s mouth.
“I see Youniang is about the same height as Lier, so I suppose they’re around the same age and have reached the age for schooling. Since Lier studies at the Imperial Academy, why not send Youniang there as well?”
Send this little village girl who grew up in the countryside to the Imperial Academy, let her realize the gap between herself and Lier, and make her feel ashamed!
She was just a village girl, with no proper posture whether standing or sitting, knowing nothing of music, chess, calligraphy, painting, archery, horsemanship, or arithmetic. No one would want to play with her; they would all exclude her. She would surely cry and fuss, refusing to go again.
By then, this mother and daughter pair would both be despised by the Marchioness and Marquis Yong’an!
The Yong’an Marquis Manor would still belong to her, Lin Siqiong!
The more Lin Siqiong thought about it, the more she felt her suggestion was excellent, and the smile at the corner of her mouth was almost impossible to suppress.
The Marchioness’s eyes lit up as she looked at Lin Siqiong with approval. “As expected, Siqiong is thoughtful! Then it’s settled!”
With that, the Marchioness turned to Yu Tingwan. “Tingwan, starting tomorrow, let Youniang go to the Imperial Academy with Lier. Although she’s a girl, girls in the capital are different from those elsewhere. Especially in families like ours, schooling is even more important. Back then, you were lost and had no choice, but now Youniang must not be delayed!”
Yu Tingwan showed hesitation. “This…”
Yu Youniang’s fair, tender little face scrunched up like a steamed bun, and she looked pitifully at the Marchioness. “Grandmother, can Youniang not go to school?”
She had finally managed to drag her mother to the capital, thinking she could finally escape classes. How could it be that after changing places, she still had to go to school?
The Marchioness frowned slightly, her expression displeased. “Youniang, don’t be unreasonable! How can you not study and understand principles?”
Lin Siqiong nearly laughed out loud. This little village girl truly didn’t disappoint her at all. She hadn’t even gone to the Imperial Academy yet, but she was already fussing about not wanting to study. After just one day there tomorrow, she’d probably come back crying and refusing to go ever again!
The more she thought about it, the happier she became. Lin Siqiong continued along the Marchioness’s line of reasoning, “Yes, Youniang, your grandmother is right. Even us girls must study, learn to read, and understand principles! Be good now, and don’t make a fuss! Sister, no matter how much you dote on Youniang, you mustn’t indulge her too much in such important matters!”
Marquis Yong’an also chimed in, “Siqiong is right, Tingwan. You didn’t grow up in the capital and lack proper upbringing. Don’t let Youniang end up like you.”
Yu Tingwan’s heart felt as if it had been stabbed. Was this something a biological father would say to his daughter?
Yu Tingwan bit her lip. “It’s not that I lack upbringing—it’s that I lacked your upbringing. And that’s not my fault. I didn’t choose to be abandoned.”
“Are you blaming us?” Marquis Yong’an’s voice turned cold. “A child does not speak of their parents’ faults, and we owe you nothing! Truly, not raising you by our side has made you distant and lacking even the most basic filial piety and respect!
I have matters to attend to in my study, so I’ll take my leave now. Youniang attending the Imperial Academy is settled!”
After Marquis Yong’an strode away, the Marchioness turned a reproachful gaze toward Yu Tingwan. “Tingwan, how could you speak to your father like that? You mustn’t do that again! We only want what’s best for Youniang!”
Lin Siqiong linked arms with the Marchioness. “Mother, you must be tired today. Why don’t you rest for a while? I’ll take Sister and the others to see the courtyard where they’ll be staying. If anything needs to be added, I’ll arrange it.”
The Marchioness was immensely gratified and gently patted Lin Siqiong’s hand. “You’re always the most thoughtful one! I’m so fortunate to have you managing household affairs, allowing me to enjoy a life of ease!”
“It’s only what a daughter should do!”
Watching the two of them, mother and daughter, so affectionate and filial, Yu Youniang tilted her head in confusion. “Did Aunt marry a man who moved into her family’s home?”
The smiles instantly vanished from the Marchioness and Lin Siqiong’s faces. The Marchioness frowned at Yu Youniang. “Youniang, what nonsense are you talking? Your aunt did not marry a man who moved into her family’s home!”
“If Aunt didn’t marry a man who moved into her family’s home, then she must have her own home. So why is she still managing matters in Grandmother’s household? When it gets dark, doesn’t she need to return to her own home to live?”
The Marchioness laughed. “So that’s what you’re wondering about. No wonder you don’t understand. I only have your aunt and your uncle as children. Your uncle is a man and doesn’t involve himself in internal household affairs. Your aunt, out of concern for me and fearing I’d overexert myself, spends most of her time living in the Marquis Manor even after marrying.
Firstly, to help me manage household affairs and oversee the Marquis Manor. Secondly, to attend upon at the knee, keeping me company and caring for me.”
Yu Youniang suddenly understood. “Oh, so that’s how it is! Aunt must have worked very hard then!”
“Yes, Siqiong has truly worked hard all these years!” the Marchioness sighed with emotion.
Yu Youniang smiled, revealing two rows of little teeth. “Then Aunt won’t have to work so hard anymore! My mother is back now!
From now on, my mother can manage the household, oversee the Marquis Manor, and take care of Grandmother. Aunt can take her daughter back to her own home and reunite with her husband and family!”
Hearing this, Lin Siqiong’s smile froze on her face!
This little village girl had such a vicious scheme! Such malicious intent!
Having just arrived at the Marquis Manor, and before she could even settle in, was she already trying to seize control of household management from her hands?
The Marchioness hadn’t expected Yu Youniang to say such a thing and was momentarily taken aback.
Seeing the Marchioness’s expression, Lin Siqiong felt a pang of nervousness but forced a smile on her face. “Youniang does have a point. It’s only right for my sister to manage the household. In that case, I’ll take Li’er and return home!”
“Nonsense!” The Marchioness took hold of Lin Siqiong’s hand. “You’ve been managing the household all these years. You’re the most familiar with it. Your sister has only just returned and knows nothing about the affairs of the manor. How could she manage it?
Besides, your surname is Lin, and Li’er’s surname is Lin. Yongning Hou Manor is your home. What’s wrong with you living in your own home? Never speak of leaving again!”