Chapter 280: Chapter 262, Clever_1

Yan Zhigao was honored with an award—an event that nearly everyone in Xingzhou City who should be aware of, was indeed informed. Even officials in Zhongzhou Province with just a bit more access to information had heard the news.

Zhou Residence.

Old Master Zhou was reading the family letter sent back by his second son. Elder Master Zhou and Madam Zhou were sitting below, quietly waiting.

After a while, Old Master Zhou put down the letter, and Elder Master Zhou immediately asked, “Father, what did Second Brother mention in his letter?”

Old Master Zhou smiled faintly, “He didn’t say much, just sent his regards, and mentioned the Emperor personally praised the children who went to Jiguang for disaster relief.”

A joy appeared simultaneously on the faces of Elder Master Zhou and Madam Zhou, “Was our Chengye among them?”

Old Master Zhou gave his eldest son a look, “Isn’t that a silly question? Our Chengye went to Jiguang with the children from the Dong Family, the Su Family, and the Yan Family, following the Little Prince. It wouldn’t make sense if they were praised and Chengye was overlooked.”

Elder Master Zhou chuckled, “I misspoke.”

Old Master Zhou couldn’t be bothered with his eldest son and continued to muse, “The Little Prince knows how to bestow favors. It’s not in vain that Chengye took the risk to follow him. For now, it seems he’s made a lasting impression with the Emperor.”

It’s certain that Governor Su’s memorial to the throne wouldn’t mention the children; the Emperor knowing about Chengye and the others must be due to the Little Prince’s own submission.

As he spoke, Old Master Zhou turned to Madam Zhou, “Prepare a generous gift, and once Chengye and the others return, take it to the Yan Family yourself.”

This time, Madam Zhou showed no reluctance and nodded, “Please rest assured, Father-in-law, I will prepare it well.”

The son has already sent a letter back. If it hadn’t been for Daohua’s help this time, it would’ve been uncertain if the son could return. Even without Father-in-law’s instructions, she would’ve personally made the visit to express her gratitude.

Then, Old Master Zhou’s expression turned somewhat nostalgic, “Cultivating a good relationship with the Yan Family was indeed the right step. Who would have expected that we would benefit before they even asked us for a favor?”

Elder Master Zhou ventured, “The Emperor personally praised Mr. Yan; does this mean Mr. Yan is set for promotion?”

Old Master Zhou shook his head, stroking his beard, “That’s unclear for now; it will depend on Yan Zhigao’s performance during his report of duty.”

Elder Master Zhou sighed, “If he performs well, wouldn’t that mean he will stay in the capital?”

Old Master Zhou shook his head, “I don’t see it that way. If the Emperor truly values Yan Zhigao, he will most likely continue to appoint him elsewhere.”

Elder Master Zhou looked puzzled, “Why is that?”

Old Master Zhou explained, “The Yan Family lacks roots in Beijing, and right now Yan Zhigao is just a Fifth-rank Prefectural Governor. Once in the capital, he’d be just a minor official, hardly noticed. It’s better to be deployed elsewhere to see if he can achieve more.”

“If he really has the ability and accomplishes further deeds, by the time he returns to the capital, he might just step into third-rank.”

Elder Master Zhou, “…But such achievements are not easy to come by, it might be better to stay in the capital and serve as a Capital Official.”

Old Master Zhou glanced at his eldest son and silently sighed.

The eldest son was naturally lacking in ambition and the will to strive; such a person is only suitable for maintaining the status quo.

Fortunately, his grandson Chengye was promising, and now he was on good terms with the Little Prince and others. When his time comes, the Zhou Family would be in good hands with his grandson, and he could then rest assured when he meets his ancestors.

…

Meanwhile, the ship carrying Daohua and her companions entered Zhongzhou Province.

By the time the ship reached the port of the provincial capital, night had already fallen.

At that time, even if Daohua and the others were eager to return home, they would have to wait until the next day.

“Haha, now you’ll all have to come to our place,” Dong Yuanyao said, pulling at Daohua’s arm with a laugh.

Daohua saw through her intentions at a glance, “You think that with outsiders at your house, you can escape punishment, right?”

Dong Yuanyao tugged at Daohua, looked around, and whispered, “You know it, so why say it aloud?”

On the shore, the Dong Family butler had been waiting with carriages for quite some time. As soon as he saw Dong Yuanxuan and the group, he promptly went up to meet them.

Apart from that, the Su Family’s carriage was also waiting on the side.

Afterward, except for Su Hongxin whose home was in the provincial capital, everyone else went to the Dong Residence.

As soon as the carriage arrived at the gates of the Dong Residence, Daohua, sitting inside the carriage, saw Madam Dong rushing towards Dong Yuanxuan and then burst into sobbing tears.

Master Dong was more restrained and forbearing, but one could still see the tears shimmering in his eyes.

“The hearts of parents all over the world are always so pitiful!”

Daohua had just sighed to herself when she felt her arm being tugged.

Dong Yuanyao looked at Daohua with eager eyes, “You have to get off with me, otherwise I’ll get beaten right at the doorway.” Without waiting for Daohua to agree or disagree, she lifted the carriage curtain and, pulling her along, got out of the carriage.

Here, Madam Dong had just let go of her son and was wiping her tears when she saw Dong Yuanyao alight from the carriage, and instantly, she became furiously angry and charged over.

“Yiyi, save me!”

Dong Yuanyao immediately hid behind Daohua.

Daohua’s face stiffened at the sight of the fiery-eyed Madam Dong, swallowed, and three or four meters away from herself, she bent her knees in courtesy, “Yiyi greets Aunt Dong, may Aunt be forever peaceful and well.”

Seeing Daohua, Madam Dong’s face immediately lit up with a warm smile, gave a stern glance at her daughter hiding behind her, and affectionately stepped forward to take Daohua’s hand, “It’s been a year, and you’ve grown even more beautiful.”

Being warmly praised right from the start, Daohua felt somewhat unsure how to respond and could only bow her head and smile shyly, while casting a fierce glare at Dong Yuanyao still hiding behind her.

Dong Yuanyao shrank her neck and gave Daohua a flatteringly pleasing smile.

You are my good sister, and what are good sisters for?

Isn’t it to shield one from anger?

Please bear with me more!

Seeing that her husband had already led the Little Prince and others inside, Madam Dong, not wanting to scold her daughter further in front of guests, could only lead Daohua into the residence with a smile, while casting cold, cutting looks towards her daughter.

Afterward, everyone was first led to meet the old Madam Dong.

Old Madam Dong had hurried over from Beijing specifically because her grandchildren were trapped in Xingyun Prefecture; upon seeing his grandmother, Dong Yuanxuan immediately knelt and kowtowed.

Even Dong Yuanyao didn’t dare to act out this time and obediently went over to kneel and kowtow to admit her fault.

Considering there were guests present, old Madam Dong did not say much and let Dong Yuanxuan and his sister get up, then she smiled amiably as she met with the others.

When it was Daohua’s turn to come forward and greet her, old Madam Dong directly pulled Daohua to sit beside her, smiled as she appraised her, then said to Madam Dong, “She’s a neat and tidy child, pleasing to the eye at first glance.”

Madam Dong immediately beamed, “Isn’t that so? The first time I saw her, I was so delighted I couldn’t stand it.”

Old Madam Dong looked back to the maidservant behind her, “Go, bring me that Blue Field Jade Headdress that I brought from Beijing. That style is novel; it’s perfectly suited for a young lady to wear.”

Daohua was about to rise to decline, but Madam Dong pressed her down, “A gift from an elder cannot be refused; the old lady likes you, you must accept it.”

Seeing Daohua feeling a bit ill at ease, Dong Yuanyao quickly sat on the other side of the old lady and said to ease the situation, “Grandmother, don’t you like Yuanyao anymore? She and I are sisters; whatever she has, I have to have too.”

Old Madam Dong tapped Dong Yuanyao’s forehead, “You rascal, I haven’t even punished you yet, and you’re already coveting my treasures.” With that said, she pulled on Daohua’s hand and smiled,

“Fine things are naturally for obedient and sensible girls; you, wait until you’ve learned to be gentle and demure, then come and ask me for things.”

Hearing this, Dong Yuanyao let out a snort of laughter.

Daohua raised an eyebrow and looked over, “What, do you have an objection to what old Madam said?”

The smile on Dong Yuanyao’s face immediately tightened, and she shook her head, “No, no, you’re the most obedient one.”