The Humble Family's Daughter Has A Spatial Pocket! novel Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Chapter 4, Just Because I Took an Extra Glance at You in the Crowd

After seeing to the affairs at home, Old Madam Yan set off for Linyi County, where her eldest son was taking office, accompanied by her eldest granddaughter, her third grandson, and two longtime servants.

Old Madam Yan held a rather high status within the clan, and over the years, the Yan Family had extended considerable support to fellow clan members. Consequently, when they left, the Clan Leader and the higher-ranking elders all came to see them off.

"Old sister-in-law, this year the rain has been scarce, and harvests haven't been great anywhere. Only our Yan village, thanks to those seeds you provided, managed a yield that was a whole tenth larger than in years past. I'm here to express the clan's gratitude on behalf of everyone."

Farmers depend on the heavens for their sustenance, and even after a year's hard labor, they might not have enough to eat. The Clan Leader's gratitude toward Old Madam Yan was heartfelt—with the increase in yields, the smiles on the villagers' faces had grown wider, no longer clouded by the usual worries.

Old Madam Yan quickly helped the bowing Clan Leader to his feet, speaking earnestly, "Clan Leader, you mustn't say such things. Being widows and orphans, if the clan hadn't supported us in various ways during the early years, how could my children have achieved what they have today?"

The Clan Leader's face was just as sincere, "Old sister-in-law, no need to mention it. It's only natural for those from the same clan to share close bonds and support each other. What we did was nothing significant."

"That Zhi Gao, Zhi Yuan, and Zhi Qiang have turned out so well is entirely due to your wise guidance, old sister-in-law."

"Old sister-in-law, you know the situation in our clan. If Zhi Gao and the others ever need anything, just say the word, and the clan will surely provide full support."

At this, other elders of the clan also expressed their solidarity.

"Yes, Zhi Gao's mother, if there's anything you need in Linyi County, just send us a letter," said Third Elder of the clan.

Moved, Old Madam Yan said, "On behalf of Zhi Gao, I thank everyone here. If the opportunity arises, I will have him come back in person to express our gratitude."

The Clan Leader and the elders all looked pleased at her words.

"..."

As everyone exchanged words, half an hour quickly passed.

Sitting in the carriage, Daohua idly swung her little legs, losing interest in the goings-on. Just as she was about to crawl into the carriage for a nap, her grandmother finally waved goodbye to the Clan Leader and the others.

Once aboard the carriage, Old Madam Yan let out a long sigh of relief.

"Pfft!"

Seeing her grandmother's relieved expression, Daohua couldn't hold back and burst into laughter.

Old Madam Yan glared at her granddaughter, "Find an old woman's relief funny, do you?"

Daohua scooted next to her grandmother, "I thought you actually enjoyed bantering with the Clan Leader and the rest."

Old Madam Yan rolled her eyes, "You've said it yourself—it's nothing but bantering. Who could enjoy that?"

Daohua, "Then why did you talk with them for so long?"

Old Madam Yan, "A single strand does not make a thread, a single tree does not make a forest. Your father may now be a Seventh-rank County Magistrate, but he still can't do without the Yan Clan. A person without a clan to rely on can't go far."

"Ah... your father has been a County Magistrate for almost nine years, always diligent and earnest. But why has he never been promoted? Isn't it because he lacks strong roots? If only there were someone in the bureaucracy who could speak up for your father..."

Old Madam Yan suddenly stopped, her expression turning somewhat grim.

Seeing this, Yan Wentao tugged at Daohua, signaling her not to ask any further.

Daohua knew her grandmother was thinking of her Fourth Aunt.

When her father passed the imperial examinations, his classmate Yang Boyi came to propose marriage for Fourth Aunt.

The Yang Family was also a prestigious household, with a fourth-grade official as a relative in Beijing. Although Yang Boyi himself was just a Scholar, the marriage was considered a fine match for the Yan Family at the time.

Initially, the Yang Family kept close ties with the Yan Family after Fourth Aunt married in. But later, when Yang Boyi also passed the imperial examinations, the Yang family moved to Beijing, and from then on, the relationship between the two families cooled.

Daohua thought to herself that the Yang Family must have seen her father's lack of promotion despite serving term after term as Magistrate and deemed him a poor investment, hence their distancing themselves.

One had to admit, these ancient people were indeed very pragmatic!

As the grandchildren remained silent, Old Madam Yan continued on her own, "These years, several young members of the clan have proven capable of scholarly pursuits. Once they pass the examinations, your father will have allies in the bureaucratic circles."

Daohua was skeptical, "Who knows how long that will take?"

Old Madam Yan glanced sidelong at her granddaughter, "Even if your father doesn't live to see it, there are still your elder brothers. In any case, we cannot sever ties with the clan."

Daohua shrugged indifferently; she had no intention of breaking ties with the clan.

The implication was clear, wasn't it? They wanted her stepfather to help the clan, right? _{ƒгeewebnovёl.com}