eurekapd Chapter 495 Kind Father, Wicked Mother
Chapter 495 Kind Father, Wicked Mother
Xiao Tengtian frowned as he looked at Madam You, who had collapsed on the cushion, and then at Xiao Huanyan, who stood to the side with a shocked expression.
"How is this going?"
Xiao Tengtian's voice carried a hint of displeasure as he strode over to Madam You and reached out to help her up.
Yu Shi leaned against Xiao Tengtian's chest, unable to hold back her tears.
"Master, I'm worried about Yan'er."
"What kind of logic is there in this world for women to do business? It's one thing for lowly women to show their faces in public, but what is Yan'er's status? How can she run around like that?"
"What will happen to Yan'er's reputation if rumors start to spread?"
"I only said a few words to her, and she..."
As he spoke, he choked up again.
Xiao Huanyan's eyes reddened with anxiety. "Father, things aren't as Mother said! I was just expressing my thoughts; I never contradicted Mother!"
Xiao Tengtian looked at his daughter with a complicated expression, "Huanyan, your mother is doing this for your own good. A woman's business career is ultimately not a long-term solution, you..."
“Father!” Xiao Huanyan interrupted Xiao Tengtian, her voice trembling slightly, “You already promised me back then, why are you going back on your word now? Is it so difficult for your daughter to make a name for herself?”
Madam You said urgently, "What is not about career? A daughter is married and has children. After that, she should stay in her husband's family to support her husband and raise her children. Do you think your husband's family will starve you?"
“Yan’er, I know that you lost your birth mother when you were young and there has always been a distance between us. But over the years I have also put a lot of effort into teaching you and have truly loved you as my own daughter. How could you have such an absurd idea?”
"Who corrupted you? Do you really want to drive your mother to her death?"
Yu seemed to be furious, her chest heaving violently.
Seeing Madam You's appearance, Xiao Tengtian's face darkened. He turned to Xiao Huanyan and said, "Yan'er, your mother is also worried about your reputation."
"She's not in good health, don't upset her."
Xiao Huanyan choked up, unable to speak for a moment.
Seeing Xiao Tengtian's sullen face, Madam You gently tugged at his sleeve. "Master, Huanyan is still young and doesn't know any better. I don't blame her."
“Master, please don’t get angry with Yan’er because of me…” Madam You clutched her chest. “It’s my fault for not disciplining her properly, which has led Yan’er to have these rebellious thoughts.”
She turned to look at Xiao Huanyan, tears welling up in her eyes. "Yan'er, all I ask of you is that you live a peaceful life and have a safe and prosperous later life. Can't you even grant me such a simple request?"
Xiao Huanyan's gaze swept back and forth between Xiao Tengtian and Madam You, and she couldn't help but clench her fists, her nails almost digging into her palms.
It happens again.
So again!
Every time she wanted to do something, her father would clearly agree, but after You Shi cried and begged, her father would tell her to be considerate of You Shi's poor health and not to make her angry.
She was considerate of Madam You, but who was considerate of her?
Xiao Huanyan bit her lip so hard it almost bled.
She stood stubbornly in place, not moving, when suddenly she remembered what Yu Wan had told her, and took a deep breath.
She straightened her back, unwilling to compromise this time. "I think my mother is wrong."
"It is because people have prejudices against women doing business that there are so few women in business. But Mother says that only lowly women do business. Does Mother think that the wife of the Second Grand Secretary and the eldest daughter of the Duke of Anguo's family is a lowly woman?"
Madam You's face paled instantly. Her fingers gripped Xiao Tengtian's clothes tightly, her voice trembling with disbelief: "You...you mustn't be talking nonsense! I didn't mean that!"
Yun Shang is now a favorite of the Emperor; who would dare offend him?
This must not be told out!
Xiao Tengtian's brows furrowed into a deep frown, his eyes filled with displeasure: "Yan'er, don't misinterpret your mother's meaning."
Xiao Huanyan smiled gently, "If that's the case, why can't I do what Yu Wan can do?"
"Even if others want to gossip, Yu Wan is there to protect me. What do I have to be afraid of?"
Xiao Huanyan's eyes shone with determination, showing no sign of backing down. "Father, Mother, my mind is made up."
"Besides, I have already promised the Second Minister's wife this matter. If I go back on my word now, I'm afraid I will offend her instead."
When Madam You heard this, she was stunned.
She subconsciously looked at Xiao Tengtian.
Xiao Tengtian's lips were tightly pressed together, and his expression was not good.
Seeing that the two of them had fallen silent, Xiao Huanyan bowed her head and curtsied.
"Father, Mother, your daughter takes her leave."
She turned and left without looking back. Madam You, who was being held in Xiao Tengtian's arms, looked at Xiao Tengtian with some trepidation and unease.
"My lord, I have failed to accomplish the task you entrusted to me..."
Xiao Tengtian released Madam You, stood up, and raised his hand to stop her from saying anything more. "My daughter has grown up and her wings have hardened. She can no longer be controlled."
Xiao Tengtian's tone was gentle, but Madam You felt a chill run down her spine when she heard it.
"master……"
"You don't need to worry about this, I'll handle it."
Lady You was taken aback for a moment before obediently replying, "Yes, I understand."
Xiao Tengtian also left quickly, leaving only Madam You in the room.
The old nanny waiting outside came over to help Madam You. Seeing that Madam You's complexion was not good, she asked worriedly, "Madam, are you alright?"
Madam You wiped away the tears on her face with a handkerchief, a cold smile curling at the corner of her lips. "What could possibly be wrong with me? I just squeezed out a few tears."
Xiao Tengtian really went to great lengths to care for his daughter, Xiao Huanyan.
Over the years, he played the role of a loving father in front of Xiao Huanyan, and each time he let her play the role of the wicked mother.
If it weren't for Xiao Tengtian's insistence, she wouldn't have bothered with Xiao Huanyan's affairs.
No matter how filial Xiao Huanyan is to her, she's not her daughter, so how can she expect anything from her?
……
Despite Madam You's opposition, Xiao Huanyan was determined to do what she wanted to do this time. The only thing that comforted her was that her father did not object to her.
Yu Wan didn't pay much attention to what was happening in the Xiao family.
She hired many workers, and the workshop was built in about ten days. She had prepared all the necessary tools and improved the looms for making glass, and was just waiting for Xiao Huanyan to send over the suitable craftsmen.
She found a few suitable craftsmen herself, and Yunshang also sent over a few, but these craftsmen were still not enough.
Yu Wan had already arranged for the artisans who had arrived earlier to learn the craft. Only after settling these people in did she have time to ask Xi Zhu, "When will the people from Miss Xiao's side be able to come?"
She's been so busy these past few days that she hasn't had time to contact Xiao Huanyan.
Xizhu paused, then shook her head. "Miss Xiao Er hasn't sent any messages these past few days. I was just about to report this to Madam."
Yu Wan frowned slightly. "No news? That's not right. Since Xiao Huanyan promised me, she can't just disappear without a word. She's not someone who goes back on her word."
Yu Wan sensed that something was wrong.
She hesitated for a moment, then turned and walked out. "Prepare the carriage. I'm going to the Xiao residence myself."
Xizhu quickly agreed, "Yes, this servant will arrange it right away."
Half an hour later, Yu Wan's carriage stopped in front of the Xiao residence.