Chapter 60
Degenerate Father is a Good Father (1)
Du Yun Han actually was also very wronged.
Yesterday, he’d received news, and knowing that his children will arrive in the capital in the evening, he excitedly waited at home all day. But in the afternoon, a few officials said they were looking for him for something. Yet when he went, they just said they were only inviting him out to eat. He originally wanted to refuse, but inside was also the old prime minister’s grandson, Zhong Yi, and was also considered his nephew. He couldn’t go too far and not give face. Those people then said they had matters to discuss later, and so he stayed behind to eat, thinking to himself that the time was still earlier right now. He would still have time to go back after eating. Who knew that afterwards, they got him drunk, and by the next morning, when he woke up, it was already almost time for the morning court session, so he could only go to court first.
Originally, the emperor still had matters to discuss with Du Yun Han, but hearing that he still hadn’t seen his children yet, thus had him let go, letting him come back to the palace in the afternoon. Thus a certain father hurriedly rushed back to his old lair, happily going to see his children.
But unexpectedly, what he saw was only a shabby courtyard. Moreover, only his son was there eating breakfast, and that breakfast don’t even know where it was bought back from. And the daughter he wanted to see most was gone without a trace.
Seeing Du Yun Han, Du Xiu Heng naturally didn’t give him a good face. So when Du Yun Han asked him where Du Xiao Li was, he only gave him the back of his head. It was still the Xi Gu to the side that said miss had gone out to live, furthermore had the matters last night recounted.
As soon as Du Yun Han heard, his anger immediately shot up. After saying he’ll go take care of it, he stormed off in a huff. Knowing that Zhong Mei Qing was currently in his mother’s courtyard, directly charged over. And in front of his mother’s face, question why Zhong Mei Qing gave Du Xiao Li and them arrange one courtyard, cursing in rage that he, the prime minister, was so poor that there was only one courtyard?
Although in the past Du Yun Han was neither cold nor warm towards herself, he’d still never berated her this loudly before either. Zhong Mei Qing sat their dumbfounded, and by the time she returned to her sense, Du Yun Han had already went out to go find his daughter.
“Outrageous!” Du old madam had the cup in her hand thrown on the ground at once. The cup let out a crisp sound, shattering into several pieces.
“Mother…..” Zhong Mei Qing was greatly startled.
“I heard yesterday, when those two siblings came, you didn’t arrange for anyone to welcome at the door, and didn’t arrange for the kitchen to leave them food either. I didn’t question you on either of those. Yet unexpectedly, you actually had them arranged into one courtyard. If this matter gets out, who will be losing face? It’ll be my old Du family’s face that’s lost! You want others to jab at my Du family’s ribs!? As the Du family daughter-in-law, did you not considered this matter beforehand?” Du old madam angrily said.
“Mother, it’s not like that. Because the other courtyards were all being rebuilt, and right now only that courtyard is empty. I wanted to let them live there for now, then after a few days, when the front courtyard is fixed up, have them moved over. I thought, since they’d lived together in the countryside, and it’s only just a few days, if we don’t say, no one else will know either. Who would’ve guessed that girl actually went out to live, and moreover, didn’t even see them go out the door. Mother, I……” Zhong Mei Qing anxiously explained.
“Don’t think I don’t know that bit of thought of yours!” Du old madam slapped the table with one hand, seemingly quite angry, letting Zhong Mei Qing not dare to continue speaking.
She’d arranged for Du Xiao Li and Du Xiu Heng to live together, then today, have this news spread out, saying she’d prepared for them two courtyards, but they moved in together on their own. This way, even if they explain the actual situation to the outside, for them who came from the countryside, who would believe their words.
But she never thought that Du Xiao Li would actually run out, and moreover, not alert the gatekeeper. This, all of sudden, made the entire situation take a 180 degree turn. Now, even if she says that she’d prepared two courtyards, no one would believe. But how did they leave the Du Manor?
(T/N: MC gonna wreck your reputation before you can wreck hers ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ)
Right now, Du Yun Han and Du old madam were both angry, and ever since marrying over, she’s never suffered this big of a grievance before. This debt, she will remember!
“What are you still sitting around for, quickly go prepare a place to live. Don’t tell me you still want that girl to live together with that boy after Yun Han brings her back?! Du old madam, seeing Zhong Mei Qing still absentmindedly sitting there, get even angrier.
“Yes, mother, I’ll go prepare right away.” Zhong Mei Qing performed a bow and then lead her servant girls and old mama away. As she was leaving, she even heard Du old madam nag in the room about how she wasn’t steady at handling affairs.
“Madam, what do we do now?” Coming out of Du old madam’s courtyard, Xing Gu went forward and asked.
“This little s.l.u.t, actually dared to run out on me, letting this matter leak out. What else can we do now? First let them quickly sort out two courtyards. Once she moves into the Du Manor, a mountain village girl, we can knead her however we want. Just, didn’t expect that master and mother would get that angry. To want to calm their anger, still need to spend some effort!” The Zhong Mei Qing right now didn’t have that apologetic look from earlier. Speaking of which, she still didn’t have Du Xiao Li and them regarded highly, thinking they were nothing more than uncultured countryfolk.
“Then I’ll go instruct them right away.” Xing Gu said.
“Go then.” Zhong Mei Qing waved her hand, and Xing Gu hurriedly left.
“Let’s go back.” Zhong Mei Qing said, and lead a row of servant girls towards her own courtyard, thinking to herself, when that dead brat returns, she must let her know her place. However, if she doesn’t come back, and directly returns to the countryside, that would be even better.
However, the imagination was usually very abundant, while reality very empty.
T/N: I feel like I’m going to cringe all the way until ML shows up again, then get abused by all the dog food. Though the later parts of this chapter are slightly better. I’ll try to finish the remaining sponsored chapters tomorrow morning. I’m going to bed early today, are ya proud of me, I haven’t gone to bed before 4am all week.
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Degenerate Father is a Good Father (2)
T/N: Chapter (1/2) sponsored by Meh-train! Thank you for sponsoring!
In Laifu Inn, Du Xiao Li and them had already stopped crying, each and everyone with reddened eyes. Du Xiao Li wiped her tears with the handkerchief Xia Yuan handed her. Du Yun Han heartbrokenly looked to her swollen eyes from the side.
The spectators outside increased even more. Everyone all learned that the prime minister’s children arrived in the capital last night, and that the prime minister’s wife only arranged one courtyard, forcing the daughter to stay at a guest inn. The news pa.s.sed quickly from mouth to mouth. In ancient times, there weren’t any entertainment, so this Du family’s joke spread just like that.
“Xiao Li, come home with father. Father came to get you without even eating breakfast. Seeing that father is this sincere, don’t be angry anymore, alright.” Du Yun Han sat down and softly said.
“Second mother said the Du family right now doesn’t have any courtyards, only just that one that big brother is living in. If I go back, won’t I still have to live together with big brother. I’m not going back, my things are already packed. Once I finish breakfast, I’m going to go back to Du village with Xia Yuan and them. My house still has two mountains of tangerines!” Du Xiao Li wiped dry the tears on her face. However, even though the tears are dried, her swollen eyes still reflected her grievance.
“Nonsense, the dignified Prime Minister’s Manor, how can there not be a place for you to stay. You are the Prime Minister Manor’s di miss, how can you still return to the countryside to live.” Du Yun Han said, “Besides, father doesn’t feel safe letting you live alone.”
If there’s courtyards in the manor, then why still let big brother and I live together yesterday. There’s clearly no courtyard, don’t trick me!” Du Xiao Li accused.
Du Yun Han knew this matter was indeed Zhong Mei Qing’s fault, and Du Xiao Li was indeed wronged, thus gently said, “This is all father’s fault, father didn’t make proper preparations. Don’t be angry anymore. When we go back, I’ll personally arrange a place for you to live. And if there’s really no place to live, I’ll give my courtyard to you to live, how about it?”
“Pfft.” Du Xiao Li suddenly let out a laugh.
Actually, she’d already figured Du Yun Han would came to find herself, but she never thought that he would actually, in a public place full of people, apologize to her like this, seemingly not caring about his face at all. As a prime minister and a father, he completely could talk to her in a commanding tone, but he didn’t. This improved her impression of him by a lot. And towards him going out yesterday to drink and forgetting about them, she wasn’t that angry anymore.
“Alright, now that you’re not angry anymore, let’s go hime.” Du Yun Han, seeing Du Xiao Li laugh, knew she wasn’t angry anymore and said.
“Don’t wanna.” Du Xiao Li flatly refused.
“Why?” Du Yun Han thought, if Du Xiao Li still insists, then he’ll really be at his wit’s end. Then, he could only use his trump card, move over together with Du Xiao Li and stay with her until she was willing to come back.
If others want to laugh at him, then just let them laugh. Between his face and daughter, it was still his daughter that was more important!
Du Xiao Li pouted her mouth and said, “I haven’t finished eating breakfast. No matter what, still need to finish eating breakfast before going back, right? Money was spent on this after all.”
“Haha, I just happened to also be hungry, get me a share too.” Du Yun Han said. He reached over and picked up a bun with chopsticks, taking a big bite.
After Du Yun Han sat down, Xia Yuan and Ying Ge stood up and went to the side. Fortunately, they’d already more or less finished eating. Hearing Du Yun Han’s words, Xia Yuan ordered him some breakfast. Unlike the steamed bun and porridge Du Xiao Li and them ordered, his was much more fancier. However, he had all these dishes placed in front of Du Xiao Li.
Du Xiao Li looked at the dishes set before her, her eyes glistening. She suddenly felt slightly moved inside. At the same time, she also raised a trace of suspicion. Since Du Yun Han could be this good to his own daughter, then he definitely must have loved Su Su Xin very much. Then, is there some secret to those matters that year?
Seeing Du Xiao Li and Du Yun Han’s matter resolved, those spectators scattered, off to spread gossip of what they saw. At the same time everyone was idly gossiping the Du family’s joke, they also couldn’t help but sigh; this Prime Minister Du very much adored this di daughter of his!
Ordinary commoners didn’t know the inside story, so all were curious as to why Du Yun Han would pamper this di daughter this much. However, when some people heard this, they would inwardly laugh. Du Xiao Li was Su Su Xin’s daughter. The matters that year has always been Du Yun Han’s scar. Right now, forget yielding his courtyard to Du Xiao Li, even if she wanted the stars in the sky, Du Yun Han would also think of a way to pluck them down for her!
After they finished breakfast, Xia Yuan and them had their things all packed up. Du Yun Han didn’t ride in his sedan either, instead getting on Du Xiao Li’s horse carriage with her, forcing Xia Yuan and them to walk outside.
Seeing Silver in the horse carriage, Du Yun Han wasn’t as scared as the first time, but he still felt somewhat itchy inside. Seeing Du Xiao Li lean on its back, he thought to himself, as expected, his daughter was incredible, even wolves were obedient to her, not bad not bad!
The horse carriage traveled along all the way to the Du Manor gates before finally stopping. Du Yun Han got down first. Next, Du Xiao Li also got down. Because there were relatively more people during the day, fearing that Silver would scare others, Du Xiao Li let Xia Yuan take him along with the horse carriage and enter though the back gate.
“Master, you’ve returned.”
As soon as Du Xiao Li got down from the horse carriage, she heard a middle-aged woman’s voice. Lifting her head for a glance, she only saw a woman in a splendid brocade gown, wearing a full body of accessories, leading a crowd of people standing at the doorway. Thinking to herself, this must be Zhong-shi.”
“This must be Xiao Li, truly sorry for yesterday. Yesterday, I didn’t feel well, and had the people below prepare for you. Who would’ve thought that they would carelessly have you and your brother arranged together, forcing you to go out in the middle of the night, even troubling master to personally go pick you up. It is all second mother’s fault. However, yesterday’s gatekeeper didn’t see you, how did you go out?” Zhong Mei Qing looked to Du Xiao Li and said with a smile. Just, that smile didn’t reach the eyes.
(T/N: WHY DO I FEEL SO ITCHY TRANSLATING HER LINES AHHHHHHHH)
DU Xiao Li chuckled. On the surface saying it was her fault, but she still said it was the people below that didn’t arrange properly, so she didn’t know. Although she was at fault, it wasn’t a big offense. But Du Xiao Li had gone out because of this, letting this matter get known by outsiders, embarra.s.sing the Du family, and moreover, even letting Du Yun Han personally go pick her up. Truly disgraceful!
Lastly, she even questioned how she went out.
“We climbed over the wall.” Du Xiao Li said.
“Climbed over the wall?” The people at the entrance all began discussing. Having just arrived in the manor and already doing something like climbing over the wall. Forget wealthy family’s misses, even ordinary commoner family’s daughters wouldn’t do something like this.
“That’s right. Behind that courtyard of ours yesterday was the street. Don’t know what was wrong with that wall, but it actually had a large hole, just like a door. So we just went out from there.” Du Xiao Li continued.
“You say that courtyard yesterday had a broken wall? Didn’t you say last time to have the home renovated? Why wasn’t such an obvious hole fixed?” Du Yun Han looked to Zhong Mei Qing with a heavy expression. Looks like she not only had them arranged into one courtyard, but even gave them a run down courtyard. In the morning, he’d gone in a hurry and didn’t look carefully. Unexpectedly, the wall was also broken!
(T/N: Well if there’s not one now, someone’s gonna punch one there.)
“Previously didn’t hear anyone report that the wall in that courtyard was broken!” Zhong Mei Qing was somewhat startled.
Du Yun Han coldly snorted, “Hmph, can’t even take care of this bit of matter, how can you even manage the household? Has Xiao Li’s courtyard been arranged?”
Being scolded in front of the servants, Zhong Mei Qing’s expression turned very unsightly, saying: “Replying to master, earlier had everyone transferred to Jade Bamboo Courtyard, and has already tidied that place up.”
As soon as Du Yun Han heard it was Jade Bamboo Courtyard, his brows furrowed, “How can she stay at Jade Bamboo Courtyard? That place is so remote! And the buildings are also somewhat old.”
T/N: I was suppose to finish this earlier but the power went out around noon from the thuderstorm and I forgot to charge my laptop soooo… _(:3」∠)_
Also I didn’t think so many of you would freak out about my sleep schedule, is it really that bad…(^◇^；) I swear I’m just a full fledged night owl, I still sleep at least 6hours. Brain is dead in the mornings.
An accurate depiction of your translator Jen
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Degenerate Father is a Good Father (3)
T/N: Chapter (2/2) sponsored by Meh-train! Thank you for sponsoring!
Having continuously been scolded twice, Zhong Mei Qing carried an unconcealable grievance on her face, saying: “Master, right now, the other courtyards still haven’t finished building, only this Jade Bamboo Courtyard, because construction was relatively small, is nearly finished. The remaining work was even finished this morning after having everyone all transferred over. Master, the courtyards in the manor are all being rebuilt. This is also something master and mother agreed on. How did we know that Xiao Li and them would arrive in the capital this soon, I, I also…….”
Speaking to here, Zhong Mei Qing took out her handkerchief and wiped the corner of her eyes, that appearance looked as if she was shedding tears of grievance.
“Xiao Li, how about you go live at father’s place?” Du Yun Han looked to Du Xiao Li, feeling somewhat troubled. This renovation matter, in the beginning, Zhong Mei Qing indeed did mention to him, but because he and his mother both agreed, he thus had this matter handed to them to take care of themselves. He didn’t expect that something like this would end up happening.
“How can Xiao Li live in father’s courtyard? Since there’s a place to live, and don’t need to live in the same courtyard as big brother, then anywhere is fine. Second mother has been busy over our matter for this long, so father don’t blame second mother anymore.” Du Xiao Li spoke.
“Then I’ll let them have the things placed into the courtyard for you, then call up your brother, and take you both to go see your grandmother.” As long as Du Xiao Li didn’t fuss about leaving, letting him not blame anyone, all wasn’t a problem.
“Okay.” Du Xiao Li nodded, fully like an obedient daughter.
“You go tell mother first. Later, I’ll bring the two of them to pay their respects to her.” Du Yun Han looked to Zhong Mei Qing and said, “That’s right, quickly let them have the other courtyards fixed up and have Xiu Heng move over. Also have someone quickly repair that broken wall. The Prime Minister Manor’s wall all broken, what will happen if outsiders saw!”
“Yes, master. This wife will go arrange first.” Zhong Mei Qing bowed and turned to leave.
Du Yun Han brought Du Xiao Li to a courtyard and waited outside for a while, before Chang Feng brought Du Xiu Heng over.
“Younger sister.” Du Xiu Heng saw Du Xiao Li and quickly walked over, completely ignoring Du Yun Han who was next to her.
“Big brother, did you eat breakfast this morning?” Du Xiao Li asked.
“Ate already. Didn’t know where to go eat, so I just let Xi Gu go out and buy something.” Du Xiu Heng said.
“No one prepared breakfast for you all?” Du Xiu Heng asked.
“Hmph, I just knew you don’t want us to come back, never mind arranging younger sister and I into one courtyard, didn’t even tell us where the kitchen was. Don’t want to let us live, don’t want to let us eat, why did you even bother calling us to the capital?” Du Xiu Heng looked to Du Yun Han and questioned.
“It’s okay big brother, you’ve also already eaten breakfast anyways, let’s go pay our respects to grandmother.” Du Xiao Li tugged on Du Xiu Heng’s clothes and consoled.
“Let’s go.” Du Yun Han also said, as he lead the siblings into the courtyard with a unsightly expression.
Du Xiao Li followed behind Du Yun Han and studied the vast courtyard. Fake mountains, man-made pond, garden, shady little paths and what not, there was a little of everything. Looks like this place was indeed suited for one to enjoy one’s later years.
Du Yun Han brought them before the main hall. A few guards stood at the doorway, and several servant girls were working around the courtyard. Seeing Du Yun Han, they all stopped and bowed to him.
“Master, old madam is already waiting for you all.” A finely dressed servant girl saw Du Yun Han coming from the entrance and went forward to greet.
“I know.” Du Yun Han nodded. He turned and looked to Du Xiao Li and Du Xiu Heng and said, “Let’s go in, no need to be nervous.”
Du Xiao Li nodded, while Du Xiu Heng still had no expression.
Du Xiao Li followed Du Yun Han into the room. In front, she saw sitting in the main seat a white-haired old woman, her eyes bright and full of expression as she watched the three of them enter, but the expression on her face wasn’t that happy.
Below her sat a few middle-aged women, looks like they should be Du Yun Han’s concubines. There weren’t many. Aside from Zhong Mei Qing, there were only three other women, much less than she’d imagined.
“Mother, I brought Xiao Li and them over to pay their respect to you.” Du Yun Han said.
“En.” Du old madam answered. She can be considered to be giving her son face. “You all are Su Su Xin’s children?”
“Xiao Li greets grandma~.” Du Xiao Li smilingly performed her bow to Du old madam.
(T/N: MC calls her ‘zhu nai nai’ which is a cuter way to say grandmother, it’s like formal and cute at the same time.)
“Xiu Heng greets grandmother.” Du Xiu Heng also said.
When Du Xiu Heng had left the Du Manor, he was still very young, only about three years old. Towards the matter of the Du Manor, for the most part, he didn’t have too big of an impression of. He only faintly remembered the people and matters at the time that caused him and his mother to leave home. Towards this grandmother and Du family’s family background, he completely didn’t have any impression of.
“En.” Du old madam didn’t seem to like Du Xiao Li very much, but towards Du Xiu Heng, she was rather warm. “Xiu Heng, how have you been all these years living outside? Do you still remember this home? Someone, come give young master a seat, just place it by my side.”
This was completely ignoring Du Xiao Li!
“Get miss a seat too.” Du Yun Han said.
Du old madam glanced at Du Yun Han and didn’t say anything. Afterwards, she shifted her sight back onto Du Xiu Heng and continued asking his situation.
“Xiu Heng, Xiao Li, this is your second mother. You’ve already met at the door just now.” Du Yun Han pointed to Zhong Mei Qing and said. Afterwards, he pointed to a simple but elegantly dressed woman below her and said, “This is third yiniang.”
(T/N: Yiniang is the address for concubines.)
“Eldest young master, third miss.” Third yiniang slightly smiled at Du Xiu Heng and Du Xiao Li and greeted them.
Although they were yiniangs, that is Du Yun Han’s concubines, this kind of status in a household actually was just slightly higher than servant girls and can’t really be considered masters of the house. But the di son and di daughter, now that is the family’s true masters, their status were don’t know how many times higher than the yiniangs! That’s why, this third yiniang should rightfully greet Du Xiao Li and them first.
“This is third yiniang’s daughter, your younger sister, Du Xue Qi. She’s 8 years old this year.” Du Yun Han pointed to the little girl next to third yiniang.
“h.e.l.lo big brother, big sister.” Du Xue Qi sweetly smiled at Du Xiao Li and cleverly called out.
“This is your fourth yiniang, and this is fifth yiniang.” Du Yun Han pointed to the other two women and said.
Du Xiao Li glanced to them. Unlike third yiniang’s simple elegance, fourth yiniang looked to be the rather seductive kind, but didn’t lose in sophistication either. And fifth yiniang just looked like she came from prost.i.tution.
“Eldest young master, third miss.” Fourth yiniang and fifth yiniang also voluntarily greeted Du Xiao Li and them.
“On your second mother’s side, you have an older sister, called Du Ke Xin. She’s reached marriageable age this year (15years old). And also a younger brother, called Du Ke. He’s a few months younger than you. They must have gone out today.” Du Yun Han continued.
“Heard you’ve already pa.s.sed the provincial exam, and next year will be partic.i.p.ating in the national exam?” Du old madam looked to Du Xiu Heng and asked.
“Yes.” Du Xiu Heng indifferently replied, and didn’t because of this become arrogant.
“Haha, good! good! This year, you don’t need to do anything else, just stay at home and properly review your knowledge. Later, after your father sort out matters with the Four-Way Inst.i.tute for you, you can go there to study.” Upon hearing Du Xiu Heng’s affirmative answer, Du old madam finally let out a smile.
“Mother, the matters with the Four-Way Inst.i.tute, I’ll go take care of later. Right now, I’ll first take Xiao Li down to unpack her luggage, just let Xiu Heng stay here and chat with you.” Du Yun Han said.
“Go then, Xiao Li, if you see anything lacking in the courtyard, just let your second mother know.” Du old madam waved her hand at them. Although she was saying words of concern, her attention never left Du Xiu Heng. Looks like those words were just said on Du Xiu Heng, this older brother’s, behalf.
“Yes, thank you grandma. Then, Xiao Li will withdraw first.” Du Xiao Li got up and bowed towards Du old madam and Zhong Mei Qing.
“That’s right, the two wolves Xiao Li raised, I will let her keep in the courtyard. However, if you all don’t have anything, don’t go to her courtyard, careful not to get bit by a wolf.” Du Yun Han said and left with Du Xiao Li.
T/N: Dad don’t just drop a bomb like that and walk away are you stupid…..
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Degenerate Father is a Good Father (4)
T/N: Chapter sponsored by Anon and Madam Daim! Thank you for sponsoring!
The people in the room were all frightened. Du old madam patted her chest and said, “How, how can there be wolves? Heavens, there’s actually wolves in the house! No, no, what happens if someone gets bit? These wild beasts all just bite people on instinct!”
“Mother, this matter, I better discuss with master, how can wolves remain in the home, this…..” Zhong Mei Qing also was somewhat afraid. They were all just weak and feeble women, just thinking of that terrifying wild beast living in a courtyard with them made their hearts jump to their throat.
“Alright, we’ll……”
“Grandmother, grandmother, don’t panic. Silver and Gold won’t just casually bite people.” Du Xiu Heng, seeing them becoming more and more serious, quickly explained.
“How can that be, such ferocious animals like wolves, how can they not bite people?” Zhong Mei Qing said.
“Second mother, Silver has been raised in our house for five to six years now. When younger sister had him brought back, he hadn’t been born long, and didn’t have much feral tendencies. In the past, when we were in the village, he’s never causally bit anyone before, else how could the villagers let us have him raised this big?” Du Xiu Heng comforted.
“Really?” Du old madam still looked frightened, appearing very much afraid still.
“Really, how could this grandson dare use this matter as a joke? That’s why…..”
After Du Xiao Li left the room, she could still hear the movements inside. Imagining them losing their heads from fear inside, she faintly laughed.
“Let’s go, I’ll take you to Jade Bamboo Courtyard. That place is rather remote, but just stay their for a few days for now. Once the front courtyards are finished in a few days, I’ll have you moved over.” Du Yun Han said.
“Okay.”
Du Xiao Li followed Du Yun Han to Jade Bamboo Courtyard. The southern fretwork wall was different; the northern courtyard wall didn’t have that many patterns. Both were repaired directly using bricks, both tall and thick. In front of the courtyard, there was an octagon gate. On the two sides of the gate, there were two simple fretwork windows. The gate was directly facing a screen carved from stone. On there were carvings of scattered green bamboo.
Octagon Gate
After entering, it was a very small courtyard. On the two sides of the courtyard, there were two multisided flower shrubs decorations. Inside, the fresh flowers brightly bloomed. A little further in were two patches of green bamboo. And at the end of the courtyard was a two-story small building, with eight rooms below, and only four rooms upstairs. One of the rooms was built very long lengthwise. Aside from the corridor in front, there was actually a small balcony in the back.
Du Xiao Li stood atop the balcony, seeing that there was a wall in the back, but outside the wall was a small river. Under the sunlight, the water was like a white necklace. And on the opposite side of the bank was a flat plain, and in the distance, a range of mountains. On the tallest mountain peak, there was even a faint white color, must be snow that hasn’t melted yet.
“Xiao Li, just stay here for a few days for now, once the front…..” Du Yun Han stood next to Du Xiao Li and said.
“No need, I like this place very much.” Du Xiao Li said. At first glance, she’d already taken a liking to this place. Although it was quite a bit smaller than the other courtyards of the manor, it had both the southern specialty, and the northern style, especially this balcony and the plains in the back, both deeply favored by her. In the future, she can just let Silver and Gold happily run around there, and don’t need to keep them constrained in this tiny courtyard.
“But this place is too small.” Du Yun Han said.
“Small is peaceful.” Du Xiao Li said. “I also don’t like having too many people around. That’s right, that piece of land in the back, who does it belong to?”
(T/N: Small remote courtyards perfect for late night rendezvous ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) )
“It doesn’t belong to anyone. Normally, our houses are all built on this side of the river. That side has never been used by anyone. Because it’s near the district where officials live, ordinary commoners can’t reside or cultivate there either. So it’s just been empty all this time.” Du Yun Han said.
“Then can I let Silver and them go there and play?” Du Xiao Li asked.
“Yes, just be careful not to let them bite anyone.” Du Yun Han nodded, and then suddenly realized something, “So it’s because of this, that’s why you want to live here!”
“Yes.” Du Xiao Li said, thinking to herself that there was actually another reason, but she won’t tell you. And that reason is that this place and the outside were only just separated by a wall, so it’ll be very convenient to go out.
“Since you like it, just do as you please.” Du Yun Han said.
“Thank you father.” Du Xiao Li said with a smile, “Father, who designed this courtyard?”
“An official that previously resided here. However, the houses here have all been renovated.” Du Yun Han said, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, just felt it’s quite unique.” Du Xiao Li said, “Father, if I want to have that piece of land outside bought, is it possible?”
“You want to buy it?” Du Yun Han somewhat surprisingly asked.
“Yes, can I?” Du Xiao Li asked.
“Since you want to buy, later I’ll go talk to the Ministry of Revenue.” Du Yun Han said, “What do you plan on doing with it after you buy it?”
“After buying it, have it fenced in, and then turn it into a place for my Silver and Gold to play around in. Also can use it to plant some things I like.” Du Xiao Li said.
“En, later, I’ll go to the account room to get the money and have this matter taken care of for you.” Du Yun Han said.
“Father, I don’t want others to know that this place was bought by me. If you go to the account room to draw money, the family will definitely know.” Du Xiao Li said.
“But father doesn’t have much money either, that bit of salary of mine simply isn’t enough.”
“I have a plan.” Du Xiao Li mysteriously smiled and went out to call up Xia Yuan who was tidying up their luggage downstairs.
“Master, miss.” After Xia Yuan came up, she bowed to the two of them.
“Xia Yuan, go get thirty thousand taels of silver.” Du Xiao Li said.
Xia Yuan was somewhat surprised, but still quickly went downstairs to fetch the banknotes for thirty thousand taels of silver, using a container to hand it to Du Xiao Li. Du Xiao Li then had the container pa.s.sed to Du Yun Han.
Du Yun Han accepted the container, opening it up to see placed inside thirty one-thousand taels banknotes, saying in shock: “How come you have this much money?”
“Didn’t steal, didn’t s.n.a.t.c.h, I earned it all.” Du Xiao Li said. “Using these to buy the land should be enough, right?”
“Shouldn’t be a problem.” Du Yun Han was in a daze.
“Father, you have to keep this secret for me.” Du Xiao Li once again instructed. After seeing that piece of land in the back, Du Xiao Li originally planned on letting Fu Wan San or someone else go help herself buy. But afterwards, hearing that this was land for official families, and needed to go to the Ministry of Revenue to take care of, she knew Fu Wan San and them might not be able to handle it, so she could only look to this father of hers.
Fortunately, he was still rather doting towards her, so there shouldn’t be too big of a problem.
T/N: Why do I feel like she’s probably already the richest person in the capital. Also I’ll finish the last part to this chapter later tonight, so I can start on next chapter. There’s only 2 more full chapters till ML returns.
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Degenerate Father is a Good Father (5)
T/N: Chapter (1/2) sponsored by Rika! Thank you for sponsoring!
That night, Du Yun Han let the whole family gather for a meal. Perhaps because Du Yun Han was rather happy, he made an exception to let third yiniang as well as all the children in the house all go.
Du Xiao Li met for the first time the rumored number one beauty in the capital, Du Ke Xin. She was indeed very beautiful. Du Xiao Li believed that her own face was not bad either, but she was still a point inferior. However, this was probably because she was still just thirteen, and her face still hasn’t matured yet.
Unfortunately, Du Ke Xin although looked beautiful, those eyes carelessly exposed her jealousy, discontent, and resentment, destroying that little face of hers. Just like an extremely beautiful ink painting totally ruined by an extra stroke of the brush towards the end.
“Xiao Li, this is your second older sister, Ke Xin.” Du Yun Han pointed to Du Ke Xin and introduced her. “Ke Xin, this is your younger sister Xiao Li, that is Xiu Heng.”
“Eldest brother, third sister.” Du Ke Xin greeted the two with a smile, but that smile didn’t reach the bottom of her eyes.
“Second sister.” Du Xiao Li also smiled, while Du Xiu Heng only nodded towards Du Ke Xin.
“This is your fourth younger brother, Ke Hui.” Du Yun Han pointed to the boy next to Du Ke Xin and said.
“Fourth brother.” Du Xiao Li called out.
“Hmph, nothing more than b.u.mpkins from the countryside, to actually also be able to eat together with us, really reducing one’s status!” The two eyes on Du Ke Hui’s slightly chubby, but fair like woman’s face didn’t conceal his disdain in the slightest.
(T/N: Well aren’t you a honest little sh*t; I guess that’s better than being two faced, that or he just too stupid to be good at acting.)
‘Bang!’ Du Yun Han instantly slammed his chopsticks onto the table, his eyes angrily glaring at Du Ke Hui, “Say that one more time?!”
Du Ke Hui seemingly was very scared of Du Yun Han, and seeing him suddenly get angry, his body cowered. Afterwards, he shot a glare at Du Xiao Li and them, before silently lowering his head.
“Eldest brother, third sister, sorry. My younger brother is still small and isn’t sensible. Please don’t mind.” Du Ke Xin smiled at the two of them and apologized.
Du Xiao Li glanced to Du Ke Xin and Du Ke Hui, declining to comment. If she really wanted to stop him, would she still let him finish these words? Moreover, she didn’t regard them highly either, because after she finished saying this, without waiting for Du Xiao Li and them to speak, she immediately had her attention shifted away, saying to Du old madam, “Grandmother, I reserved a private room at Feng Xue Lou. Tomorrow, we’ll be going out to eat lunch together with Miss Chen and them. Afterwards, we’ll also gather together for a bit in the afternoon and won’t be able to come back until nighttime.”
“You actually managed to reserve a private room at Feng Xue Luo?” Fifth Yiniang said in shock, “That Feng Xue Luo, although has only been open for a few years, it currently has already rose to the rank of the most prestigious restaurant in the capital. Heard all the dishes there are all very unique, and also tastes super delicious. Every day there’s an endless stream of people going there to eat, but they have a rule that every day each private room will only receive reservations for noon and evening, these two times. That’s why, it’s very difficult to reserve a private room.”
“That’s right. During the day, younger brother and I had waited in line for a very long time.” Du Ke Xin proudly said. To have been able to reserve a private room at Feng Xue Luo, she would also be able to show off in front of those people tomorrow.
“You all personally waited in line?” Du old madam was somewhat upset. A dignified Prime Minister Manor’s miss, even needed to wait in line personally to reserve a private room?
“Grandmother, don’t underestimate that Feng Xue Luo just because it’s a restaurant. The owner behind the scenes is very mysterious, and moreover, seems to also be very influential. Never mind us, even if princes or w.a.n.gyes want to go reserve a private room, they all need to personally go, just they don’t need to wait in line, that’s all.” Du Ke Xin said.
“What kind of restaurant is that? Such big airs? To actually make the princes and w.a.n.gyes personally go!” Du old madam exclaimed.
“Till this day, no one knows who the true owner of that restaurant is. In the beginning, there were also people who refused to comply, and thought of ways to stir up trouble, but were all sorted out. Furthermore, they were even sorted out till they were obedient, no longer daring to go cause trouble.” Speaking of Feng Xue Luo, Du Ke Hui lifted his head and excitedly said.
“That impressive?!” Du old madam said in surprise.
“Of course. Else, how can it become one of the top restaurants!” Du Ke Hui said.
Du Xiao Li and Du Xiu Heng both didn’t speak, only silently listened to Du Ke Xin and Du Ke Hui’s expressive descriptions.
Seeing the two of them not having any expression, Du Ke Hui said, “As expected, country b.u.mpkins are just country b.u.mpkins, don’t even know about Feng Xue Luo!”
“Father, tomorrow, how about letting third sister come together with me. Tomorrow, a few misses just happened to be going too. I can bring third sister to get to know them, letting third sister get use to the capital sooner.” Du Ke Xin looked to Du Yun Han and said.
“Tomorrow, a few officials’ sons are also going!” Du Ke Hui interjected.
Du Yun Han felt it was reasonable and said, “Then the two of you bring along Xiu Heng and Xiao Li too. Xiu Heng, Xiao Li, tomorrow go out together with them, get acquainted with people around your age, and make some friends.”
“Yes, father.” Du Xiao Li, seeing everyone all looking to her, couldn’t directly refuse his intentions in front of everyone either. Going to see what those official families’ young masters and misses are like wasn’t impossible either. Thus, she agreed.
Du Xiu Hen, seeing Du Xaio Li agree, also nodded his head too. But their expressions were both indifferent, and didn’t get excited because they were going to Feng Xue Luo.
“Really a bunch of country b.u.mpkins! Tomorrow, don’t wear those countryside clothes of yours, so as to avoid embarra.s.sing the Du family’s face!” Du Ke Hui disdainfully said.
He really was unable to make sense of why his older sister wanted to bring them along. Wasn’t this just adding trouble for herself?! But the things she did, she’d always had her own reasoning, so he as the younger brother didn’t need to bother. Tomorrow, he just need to worry about going to Feng Xue Luo and eating a big meal.
“Ke Xin, later come to my room, I’ll give you two thousand taels of silver. Tomorrow, don’t worry and just eat whatever you want, don’t make the Prime Minister Manor lose face, understand?” Zhong Mei Qing put down her chopsticks and said.
“Yes, mother.” As soon as Du Ke Xin heard there was money, and even two thousand taels, she happily promised. She knew she was going not just for the money, but also……
Soon after, during the meal, Du Ke Xin and Du Ke Hui, as well as that fourth yiniang and fifth yiniang, continuously chatted about Feng Xue Luo. Du old madam left after eating for a while, and once she left, they chatted even more happily.
Du Xiao Li watched them smiling in delight, inwardly thinking to herself, didn’t ancient people particularly paid close attention to not talking while eating, why weren’t they like that?
Actually, they normally were indeed like such, just she didn’t know, because Feng Xue Luo held a special place in everyone’s heart, making them excited to the extent that they’d long had these rules forgotten to the back of their heads.
“Father, can I go together with big brother and big sister too?” Du Xue Qi, who’d been quietly sitting in a corner eating, suddenly spoke.
“Xue Qi, properly eat, what are you saying!” Third yiniang placed some vegetables before her into Du Xue Qi’s bowl.
“But it sounds so fun, I really want to go too.” Du Xue Qi said.
Du Yun Han, seeing that Du Xue Qi was about to cry, said, “Ke Xin, tomorrow, bring Xue Qi along too.”
“Why bring her along, she so small. Moreover, the ones going tomorrow are all young masters and misses with status.” Du Ke Hui refused, completely forgetting that he currently wasn’t the Du manor di son anymore either.
“I, I….” Du Xue Qi lowered her head. It was obvious that these words, she probably frequently heard before, but it still upset her very much. A shu daughter’s position in the manor was also rather awkward, completely unable to compare with the di daughter and di son.
“Father, tomorrow, just let Xue Qi come with us. I’ll watch her.” Du Xiao Li suddenly spoke, gathering everyone’s attention towards herself.
T/N: At this point in the story, there aren’t really any major schemes, just bunch of petty bullying, guess cause they still underestimate them for being from the countryside.
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