The Humble Family’s Daughter Has A Spatial Pocket!
Chapter 803 - 685, Down and Out

Chapter 803: Chapter 685, Down and Out

"Miss, just now you kindly advised the elder sister-in-law, but I noticed her expression didn’t seem very pleasant."

On the way back to the courtyard, Wang Manman couldn’t help but speak to Daohua.

Daohua stayed silent for a moment, "I suppose the elder sister-in-law felt talked down to by her younger sister-in-law, and it was somewhat embarrassing for her."

Wang Manman sighed, "When the elder sister-in-law first married into our family, she was so cautious and meticulous. How has she changed so much since returning to Beijing?"

Daohua smiled lightly, "When life goes too smoothly, people tend to get carried away. Compared to other daughters-in-law, the elder sister-in-law doesn’t need to establish rules in front of her mother-in-law. The Yan Family’s backyard is quite peaceful with few worries, and her relationship with my eldest brother is also fairly good. Over time, she’s become more relaxed."

"Moreover, last year the elder sister-in-law gave birth to the Yan Family’s first grandson. After returning to Beijing, with her parents’ support and her husband having successfully entered the Hanlin Academy, everything has been going her way, and she’s gotten a bit carried away."

Wang Manman nodded, "I hope the elder sister-in-law will understand your well-intended advice and take heed, not focusing too much on her own family, to avoid causing you extra worry."

Daohua sighed, "Beijing is filled with nobility and complex human interactions. Our family has just arrived and is not yet well-established; whether it is father or my three brothers, all are carefully handling social engagements. At this time, it’s really not good to add worries about internal family affairs."

"The reason mother tolerates the elder sister-in-law so much is also for my older brother’s sake. No matter what, during this period, Uncle Han has often accompanied my older brother in social interactions, and his support has been instrumental in my brother’s success at the Hanlin Academy."

"It’s best that I step forward to remind the elder sister-in-law. If mother were to step in, it wouldn’t be good for their future mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship. I hope the elder sister-in-law realizes her issues soon."

During the conversation, they arrived at Daohua Pavilion, and the two did not continue but returned to their quarters to wash up and rest.

...

Meanwhile, unable to bring back her son, Han Xinran was distracted as she returned to the courtyard. After entering the room, she just sat silently, and after a long while, she muttered to herself, "This is the first time since I’ve married into the Yan Family that my mother publicly embarrassed me."

Upon hearing this, the nanny hesitated for a moment, then brought a cup of tea forward, "Miss, forgive me for speaking out of turn, but in the future... it might be best not to visit the Han Family too often."

Han Xinran was startled and looked at the nanny, "Nanny, do you also think I was wrong? It’s been nearly two years since I got married, and now that I’ve returned to Beijing, I just wanted to be closer to my family."

The nanny sighed, "But miss, you are now a daughter-in-law of the Yan Family. No in-laws like it when their daughter-in-law is always running back to her parental home. The Yan Family has just arrived in Beijing, and at this time, you should focus your efforts on your husband’s family and help them establish a firm footing in Beijing."

At this point, laughter from Han Xinran’s sisters could be heard from the wing room.

The nanny continued, "Miss, you shouldn’t have kept the third and fourth young misses, and you certainly shouldn’t have used the little master as an excuse. Today, I saw that one big reason Madam was upset was because you pushed the little master forward."

Han Xinran rubbed her forehead, "I thought life would be smoother after returning to Beijing, but that was... a negligent thought. Please remind me more in the future, nanny."

The nanny was relieved to see her young miss take her advice; after returning to Beijing, the young miss had only been focusing on her joy of reuniting with her family, somewhat neglecting her in-laws.

Although Old Madam and Madam were not harsh individuals, seeing the young miss so biased towards her own family was certainly not pleasing.

...

The next day after returning home, Daohua sent someone to inquire about the Zhou and Dong Families’ situations.

The situation at Zhou Family was still manageable. Although Zhou Residence had been surrounded by soldiers, thanks to Yan Wentao’s earlier arrangement, besides restricting their freedom, there weren’t many other issues.

The situation with the Dong Family was somewhat more complicated.

Being a noble family, there were always several adversaries, and after the Dong Family was stripped of their title and moved to South City, there had not been a lack of people stepping on them, making their lives quite difficult.

After learning about the two families, Daohua spent a day apologizing to Lady Yan and Madam Li at home; on the third day, she found an excuse to go out, disguised as a man, and went to South City.

"So Miss Dong and her family are currently living here?"

Watching the crowded, noisy South City, Wang Manman and Bi Shi were filled with sighs.

Back in Zhongzhou, Miss Dong and her family were so noble and particular, living in a grand and imposing mansion. It was hard to imagine that they would move into a low, dilapidated house in South City.

Daohua scrutinized the environment in South City, which, compared to North City, East City, and West City, was the most mixed and chaotic area of Beijing, affordable living attracting people from all over seeking a life in the capital.

"We had agreed on 50 copper coins for one handkerchief, and we handed over ten handkerchiefs, which should be 500 copper coins," questioned one voice, "why have you given us only 450?"

An argument erupted from a embroidery shop, onlookers glanced briefly but lost interest quickly.

Here, everyone was busy trying to survive, with no spare energy to meddle in other’s affairs.

Daohua too glanced quickly and was about to head towards an alley she had heard about when a familiar voice caught her ear.

"We agreed on the price, why reduce it now? Isn’t this outright bullying?"

"Who is bullying anyone? I’m running a business here. Your handkerchiefs are worth this much, take it or leave it!"

"We’re not selling the handkerchiefs!"

"Hmph, don’t sell then. I’d like to see if there’s any embroidery shop in South City that offers a higher price than mine. If not selling, just get lost!"

As the words fell, Daohua saw a pair of master and servant storm out of the shop angrily.

Dong Yuanyao recognized Daohua standing outside the shop immediately. Seeing the shock on Daohua’s face, a look of embarrassment flashed across her own. Reflecting on the Dong Family’s current situation, she lacked the courage to call out a greeting.

Ever since the Dong Family had been stripped of their nobility, she had seen the full spectrum of human warmth and coldness.

She didn’t know whether Daohua, now a notable county principal, still wished to acknowledge her as a sister.

Daohua said nothing but stepped forward, grabbed Dong Yuanyao, and quickly left the noisy, crowded street.

It was only in a relatively quiet teahouse that Daohua finally stopped. She looked at Dong Yuanyao and suggested, "Let’s go inside and sit down." Seeing Dong Yuanyao nod, she led her inside and chose a seat by the window.

The two sat in silence for a while.

Daohua broke the silence first, "Yuanyao, I only arrived in Beijing a few days ago."

Dong Yuanyao understood she was explaining why she hadn’t visited sooner, and any reserve and the distance created by over two years of not seeing each other began to dissipate.

Yiyi still recognized her as a friend!

Dong Yuanyao immediately smiled and replied, "I know, Yan Wentao has come looking for my brother a few times, he mentioned that you didn’t enter Beijing with the Yan Family."

Daohua looked at Dong Yuanyao, "Yuanyao, you’ve lost weight, are you okay?"

Dong Yuanyao smiled, her expression not as bright as it had been in Zhongzhou, but still somewhat cheery, "I’m quite alright, really, you don’t need to worry about me. The stripping of nobility was a destruction for others, but for me, it represented a new beginning."

"Although life is now harder than before, I find it quite fulfilling. You’d probably never imagine that one day I’d rely on selling embroidered goods for a living."

Daohua stared intently at Dong Yuanyao, trying to discern the truth in her words, to see if she was forcing a smile, looking at her shining eyes, she took her hand, "Yuanyao, is there anything I can do to help?"

Dong Yuanyao grasped Daohua’s hand back and said with a smile, "No need, I used to rely on my family to get by, now I want to depend on myself. If there ever comes a day when I need your help, I’ll let you know."