Chapter 513: Chapter 329: Provoking Conflict
After that scene, Aunt Lai, fuming with anger, returned to the dining table, while her daughter, having been beaten by her, felt wronged and kept crying, refusing to eat.
“Wuwuwu, I want elder sister!”
Ye Daidi, the little girl, had always envied Mrs. Li’s daughter and sons who had a gentle mother that loved them, and vaguely understood that they had different statuses.
She stubbornly called Mrs. Li ‘elder sister,’ but referred to Mrs. Li’s children as ‘brother’ and ‘sister,’ no matter how much the adults at home tried to correct her.
No matter how much her mother scolded or beat her, she persisted in addressing them this way.
The thoughts and determination of little Ye Daidi were unknown to anyone; they thought she was just too young to understand, didn’t listen when told, and would continue to receive education next time.
Mrs. Li… Although she felt a bit reluctant about how close Aunt Lai’s daughter was to her,
she, as an adult, thought that no matter the disputes or conflicts of interest among the adults, she wouldn’t take her emotions out on a little child.
This was also the reason why, despite her poor impression of Aunt Lai, she still treated her daughter tenderly.
This made little Ye Daidi somewhat dependent on her, and now, crying, she didn’t seek comfort from her concubine mother or her own mother but went to seek her ‘elder sister.’
Mrs. Li, enduring the eye-rolling glares from two women—one from her mother-in-law, the other from Aunt Lai—
Both did not share the same surname, but at that moment, the looks they gave were identical.
How unjust was it for her? Out of compassion, she gestured for the wet nurse to bring the little girl over, and when the little girl opened her arms, wanting to be held, she could only first provide a comforting embrace to the child.
“Little girl, don’t cry, you’re the best, you haven’t eaten enough yet. Go eat with your nephews and nieces first. If you don’t fill up, you’ll be hungry at night!”
“Mm-hmm,” Ye Daidi, comforted by Mrs. Li, quickly stopped crying and sat quietly, tears still brimming in her eyes.
Mrs. Li handed the child back to the wet nurse and continued to face the scrutiny of several people, maintaining the appearance of a kind mother and calmly continuing her meal with no visible emotion.
As Ye Daidi was seated back in her original chair by the wet nurse, she said to her youngest niece Ye Shiqi,
“Fifth sister, I want to eat more so I can grow tall like you and run away when Aunt beats me.”
Ye Shiqi… Were those words meant to bring hatred upon me? This poor child, with such a concubine mother, I can’t help but feel a bit of sympathy for her but won’t treat this junior concubine born sister much better.
I still remember what that author wrote: that daughters born to Aunt Lai would inherit her character, and they were often bullied by their sisters.
But it was just that, in the author’s writing, Aunt Lai’s daughter was a few years older than this little girl, about the same age as her brother.
Maybe his rebirth changed some people’s fates; this little girl didn’t become his sister, and maybe being so reliant on her own mother, she might learn better in the future.
Hearing the “Mm” from her young niece beside her, little Ye Daidi gave her older male and female cousins at the table a brilliant smile, her face still wet with tears!
“Hmph, anyone would think she’s your own flesh and blood, you heartless thing!” Aunt Lai thought bitterly, hurt that her daughter was closer to someone else, and felt a deep resentment.
Mrs. Li… Acting as a sandwich cookie, if your daughter is not well-behaved, isn’t it because you yourself are like that?
Mrs. Lai… Shameless, your daughter doesn’t treat you well, doesn’t listen to you, this is retribution.
“Why the commotion? Don’t hit the child in the future.”
Hongji’s father actually had a bit of affection for this late-born daughter, only before Aunt Lai gave birth, he was too concerned about whether the child in her belly was a boy.
In the past two years, he had been constantly trying to have a son, which led to neglecting his daughter.
Aunt Lai… seething inwardly, she resolved to have a son soon; she couldn’t go on . So she made up her mind to visit her parents’ home the next day.
After quickly finishing his meal, Hongji exchanged a glance with his wife before preparing to leave the courtyard. Remembering something, he turned back to his son who was about to carry toys into the courtyard to play:
“Don’t just play tonight, make sure to do your teacher’s homework. Look at your writing, it’s not as good as your sisters’!”
Ye Wenjie…Could he possibly get away with slacking off tonight, without having to write? He was dreaming too sweetly; his father was worrying about whether he would write even when leaving the house! Alas, why must boys try so hard?
He obediently put his toy down and went to the study room where all his siblings were allowed, which was now mostly used by him, to practice writing.