The Survival Rules of an Unfavored Daughter

  The study of Mr. Zhi is an outer house, no one is allowed to enter, including the Yu family. Except for the trusted maid who goes in to clean, no one has ever been let in.

  Zhiyi led Ruoqing to the inner room, where there was only a simple desk and a few chairs. Against one wall stood a large marble table, on which were placed many books. On the wall hung a large military map. Apart from these, there was nothing else.

  "You said that Yuan Ge can let his sister-in-law support him, but it's not necessary to put it on record, what does this mean?"

  "Right, sister means this."

  Zhi Yi frowned, "What's going on?"

  Yu Qing smiled: "Originally, Ge Er was born out of wedlock, putting him under Sister's name and letting her raise him is also a reasonable thing. But has Brother considered Sister's feelings? Sister is about to give birth too, if she gives birth to a boy, how will the ranking be calculated?"

  Zhi Yi Dao said: "He is the second in line. The eldest son of Fang Fu."

  "Eldest sister's child is the second in line, and he is indeed a legitimate son. What about Yuan Ge Er? Is Yuan Ge Er recorded under Eldest Sister's name as a legitimate son or an illegitimate one?"

  Zhi Yi was taken aback, "Same father, different mothers, yet the treatment and status are worlds apart. Is it that my sister has to watch her nephew suffer for the sake of birth order?" This is also the reason why Zhi Yi didn't fight with Zhi Lian again later on.

  Yu Qing smiled: "Originally, Brother Ge's identity will definitely be subject to many disputes in the future. As a father, he always wants to give his children an important name. This is good intentions. But this way, Yuan Ge became the eldest son, then, the child born by Sister, became the second eldest son, is this appropriate?"

  Zhī yì bèi wèn zhù le.

  English Translation: Zhiyi was speechless.

  "Brother, have you ever thought that by promoting Yuan Ge, you're making your sister's child a second-class son for no reason? In the future, when it comes to inheriting the family business, will it be passed down to Yuan Ge or to your sister's child?"

  “……”

  "Yuan Ge'er was raised as the eldest son and inherited the family business, which is also reasonable. But then, what about Sister-in-law's child?"

  The young master remained silent for half a day, deep in thought. After furrowing his brow for a long time, he said: "Sister, you make perfect sense. In that case, according to your opinion, the original son cannot be considered as the legitimate heir?"

  "As I see it, Brother Yuan can be registered under Eldest Sister's name for now, and then be raised by Eldest Sister-in-law. After a few years, even if he is registered under Eldest Sister-in-law's name, it won't be too late. This way, he will have both a name and an identity. I believe Brother Yuan won't hold any grudges either. And Eldest Sister-in-law won't say much about it."

  "However, Yuan Ge is still a bastard son."

  "This is also an unavoidable thing. As the saying goes, 'the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children' is a rule left by our ancestors, and it has its own reason. We ordinary people cannot break this rule. Brother wants to promote Yuan Ge because he lost his mother at a young age and his life is pitiful, but sister-in-law will think what, and her children will also think what? Father has been fond of third brother and second sister since childhood, can't brother bear any resentment or hatred? Li Shi and Ru Mei are jealous of Ru Shan and her mother to the point of being incompatible. Ru Shan relies on Fang Jinglan's favor and does whatever she wants in the Fang family, never putting legitimate mother and sisters in her eyes. This is the consequence of not distinguishing between legitimate and illegitimate children."

  Zhī yì jiǔ jiǔ wú fǎ yán yǔ, sì shì chù dòng hěn shēn. Liáng jiǔ, cái dào: "Háishì mèi mèi xiǎng dé zhōu dào." Chà yī diǎn, tā yě bù shàng fù qīn de hòu chén le.

  Suddenly, Zhiyi's resentment towards his father wasn't so strong anymore. From his standpoint, it was indeed difficult to balance everything perfectly.

  Looking at her delicate and charming face, Zhiyi felt his heart soften. He stared at her and asked in a low voice, "Father has always doted on Ruxuan, but you are often neglected, doesn't that hurt your feelings?"

  It's hard to bear, but what can you do? Go fight and scramble, or grumble and resent? These are all meaningless. Rather than making yourself despicable, it's better to relax and live a good life.

  Zhiyi was even more moved, and his affection for Ruoxi grew stronger. "You're right," he said. "Because you never fought or complained, Father always felt indebted to you. Although he didn't dote on you like he did with Ruxi, he never mistreated you either. You were clever and likable, and Grandma and Brother and his wife all loved you. In fact, if we really think about it, Ruxi may have gained Father's favor, but she lost even more than you."

  "Brother is absolutely right. With such a loving grandmother and sister-in-law, if I calculate it, I've actually received more than Second Sister. So, I don't need to complain either."

  Zhi nodded, "You can think that way, it's already great. But I still feel curious, when you were young, I was always strict with you, why did you still treat me with courtesy and respect, sending me food, shoes, and clothes? Don't tell me you really didn't have any resentment in your heart?"

  She wrinkled up her cute little nose, "How can I not resent? When we were introduced to others by our brother, he said we weren't related. Now that I think about it, I'm so angry I could bite you. But then my sister thought it through, no matter what, we're family, connected by blood and bone. Two brothers so young and talented, having such gifted brothers is also a blessing for me."

  Zhīyì also smiled and reached out to touch the soft and delicate bangs, "Having a lovely and adorable younger sister like you is also my blessing."

  In the end, Zhiyi adopted Ruoxi's suggestion and registered Yuange as a child under Chaoyun's name, to be raised by the Yu family. Zhiyi also promised Chaoyun that he would treat Yuange well, and in the future when Yuange made a name for himself, it would not diminish her credit. Chaoyun was both surprised and delighted, and hastily kowtowed to thank Zhiyi.

  Yu's family, on the other hand, let out a sigh of relief. She acknowledged that she wouldn't be a cruel stepmother, but having a child born to a concubine registered under her name was already a bit too much to bear. Raising him as her own son was even more unbearable, especially since her own child was about to be born.

  Zhiyi treated Ruyi with great kindness and generosity, allowing her to attribute this gratitude to Ruyi's name.

  Yu's family was delighted to learn that it was Ruhua's idea and they liked the little girl even more, wishing they could pluck the moon from the sky for her.

  But she wouldn't really be unreasonable and demand the moon, she just wanted Mr. Yu to agree to let her go play in the water at the back mountain. There were no other requests besides this.

  Yu's family, having received such a favor, had no reason to disagree. After being reminded to be careful, they happily agreed.