Chapter 138: Chapter 58: Young Servant

The informant the Old Madam sent to inquire soon returned, reporting that Li Han’s tutor was a Juren. According to the informant, the tutor had a very good reputation, and his talent and character were both commendable.

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Once the Old Madam confirmed the tutor was good, she agreed to Yueyao’s request to let Tingzheng go to the Li family to study. What she didn’t expect was her eldest son’s objection, “Mother, the Li family is on par with our own Lian family as a scholarly family. Yet now we are letting Tingzheng freeload off them; if word gets out, what will people think of our Lian family? Mother, I cannot approve of this.”

The Old Madam looked at her son and said with a smile, “He’s just following a tutor to study; it’s not something that only happens in our household, nor would it cause others to look down upon the Lian family. Fanger, though Tingzheng’s birth mother is of humble origins and with his abilities, he can’t bring glory to our ancestors, he is, after all, your brother’s only progeny, and your brother relies on him to continue the bloodline. Now that such an opportunity has presented itself, let him go! I don’t have high expectations for him; I just hope he can carry on your brother’s lineage and support the second branch of the family.” The Old Madam isn’t hoping for much these days, and for achieving great honor, Tingzheng isn’t up to the task, so it’s better to place hopes on Tingli and Tingyi.

Lian Dongfang shook his head, “Mother, I’ve been looking for tutors everywhere lately and someone has already recommended one to me. Wouldn’t it be better to just invite the tutor home to teach, not only Tingzheng but also Tingchao and Tinglun?” Lian Dongfang wasn’t dismissive, it’s just that good tutors are hard to find nowadays.

The Old Madam felt reassured, “When can the tutor come?” If it’s within the next few days, she can turn down the Li family’s invitation.

Lian Dongfang frowned and said, “The tutor will not leave his current post until after the child examination next year; he will only be able to come after the first month of next year.” A tutor can’t just appear out of thin air. To find one, you must start searching at least six months in advance; it’s not something you can have whenever you want.

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The Old Madam paused and then spoke, “In that case, let Tingzheng go to the Li family to study for a while. Once we’ve hired our own tutor next year, we can have Tingzheng come back.” The Old Madam knew Yueyao tutored Tingzheng every evening and was concerned about her health. Rather than that, it’s better to let Tingzheng learn at the Li family, and when the time comes, they can politely decline after having hired their own tutor.

Seeing his mother had made up her mind, Lian Dongfang knew that further persuasion was futile. However, after returning to the inner courtyard, Lian Dongfang gave vent to his temper at Lady Mo.

Lady Mo had no outlet for her grievances.

No one knew that Lian Dongfang’s most despised person in his life was Li Guoxing. As for the reason, no one knew but he himself.

While Lady Mo felt incredibly wronged, she knew better than to argue with her husband in his current state, as it would only fan the flames. Only after Lian Dongfang had vented his anger did she speak softly, “Third Girl has always been headstrong, and I knew nothing about this tutor search. I didn’t hear even a whisper of it, it must have been someone from the Ma family whom Third Girl contacted.” Her secrecy was thorough; Lady Mo hadn’t heard a thing.

Upon hearing this, Lian Dongfang’s expression darkened as if ready to pour rain; he hadn’t expected the root of it all to be Third Girl. Recalling Yueyao’s heart-wrenching despair on her way back, Lian Dongfang frowned; six months ago, that girl knew only of tears when issues arose, so how had she become so assertive so quickly? No, it seemed to begin after he returned from his last official trip; he had been busy and hadn’t paid mind to these developments, but now he couldn’t avoid addressing them, “What has Yueyao been up to recently?”

Lian Dongfang learned that Yueyao had been studying daily with the governess, and aside from that, she taught Tingzheng to read and write; nothing else was amiss. Lian Dongfang’s frown deepened, as it was not evident there was anything improper about it, “Because of the passing of your second brother, Mother inevitably indulges Third Girl who resembles him in appearance; make sure to advise her well when you’re by her side.” He always left the affairs of the inner courtyard to others.

Lady Mo felt incredibly stifled. Advising the Old Madam was akin to courting a scolding. But her husband always prided himself on being a filial son and had the final word in the household, save for the Old Madam; his orders were absolute, and Lady Mo dared not defy him, “Old Master, I will do my best to persuade the Old Madam.”

Yueyao was still somewhat in a daze; she had thought there would be some complications, yet things progressed so smoothly.

Now, with Tingzheng going to the Li family to study, a new issue arose. Brother Zheng lacked a personal young servant, so the Old Madam told Yueyao to pick one for him. With the Old Madam’s directive, Lady Mo naturally wouldn’t interfere. The task, once again, fell upon Yueyao.