Chapter 292: Chapter 273: Uneasiness_1

Every time Daohua sent food, Xiao Yeyang would personally check it himself.

Noticing that this time the offerings seemed more comprehensive than before, Xiao Yeyang felt quite happy inside.

Defu, too, was beaming, and he said to Xiao Yeyang with a smile, “This humble one has inquired, and the sweet fermented rice is only available to the Master and the three young masters of the Yan Family. Young Master Dong and Young Master Su don’t have it. Also, things like black rice, rouge rice, and fresh fruit—our place has more than others do.”

Although Xiao Yeyang was happy at heart, he pretended not to care, “This fellow, why has he suddenly started to be good to me?”

Defu laughed, “Isn’t that because the Master has also been good to Miss Yan? Miss Yan is just returning a favor for a favor!”

Xiao Yeyang felt somewhat displeased upon hearing this. It felt as if Daohua was reluctant to owe him and had to return something whenever he gave her a little something.

Could it not be that Daohua cared about him?

Thinking this, Xiao Yeyang suddenly paused.

He realized that at some point, he had begun to pay attention to and care about what Daohua thought.

That same discomfort welled up inside him. Xiao Yeyang suddenly felt restless; he couldn’t understand where this indescribable emotion came from or how to sort it out, yet he didn’t know where to start.

Seeing that Xiao Yeyang had suddenly become unhappy, Defu was puzzled.

What happened now?

Hadn’t everything just been fine?

Glancing at the jar of sweet fermented rice, Defu smiled and said, “Master, dinner time is approaching. How about I have someone make some of the sweet fermented rice for you to drink?”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yeyang forcibly pushed down the frustration in his heart and nodded eagerly, “Make more, Daohua’s fermented rice is very tasty.” After a moment’s hesitation, “After it’s done… send some over to the other courtyard as well.”

Defu’s face lit up, “Right away!”

Ever since Miss Yan began sending food to the other courtyard, the relationship between the Master and the former Princess Consort has been improving. Last time after returning from Xingyun Prefecture, the two even unprecedentedly sat together and talked for a while.

In treating the former Princess Consort, the Master no longer was as extreme as before.

Although the Master was born into the Imperial Family and lacked nothing, he had not enjoyed much of his parents’ love.

He knew that the Master had always been mindful of the former Princess Consort. Ever since he learned to paint with the Crown Prince and others, the first portrait he drew was of her.

Every time he saw the Master looking at the former Princess Consort’s portrait and grieving to himself, his heart ached unbearably.

Now that the relationship between the Master and the former Princess Consort was gradually warming, it was a consolation for the Master, no matter what.

“What are you waiting for?”

Seeing Defu standing still, Xiao Yeyang couldn’t help but urge him.

“This servant will go at once.”

Defu quickly turned and walked towards the kitchen. As he stepped out of the door, he looked back at the Master who had already picked up a military treatise to study.

After coming to Zhongzhou, the Master really changed.

He became more composed and more restrained. He thought, even faced with the provocation of the eldest son, the Master probably wouldn’t lose his temper like before.

Away from the tumultuous crowd and affairs of Beijing, the Master was getting better and better.

In the Academy, with companions like Young Master Dong and Yan Zhiyuan, and in Xingzhou, with the constant care from Miss Yan, it seemed as if all his resentment and dissatisfaction had been soothed.

Especially Miss Yan, who truly was a benefactor to the Master.

Not only had she saved the Master twice, but the improved relationship between the Master and the former Princess Consort, she had an indispensable role in it.

Now, he even felt somewhat grateful to Ma Feiyu. If it weren’t for his provocation back then, the Master wouldn’t have stormed out alone in a fit of pique, and he wouldn’t have been bound for Zhongzhou.

As Defu thought about this, he walked towards the kitchen with a smile.

…

After entering November, Xingzhou City would intermittently start to experience snowfall.

Daohua could only shrink back at home.

On the thirteenth day, the sky was exceptionally clear, and there was even sunshine.

Zhou Jingwan immediately ran over to find Daohua, inviting her to go horseback riding in the countryside together.

Thinking about how, over the past month, Yan Yihuan and Yan Yile had gotten along quite well with their two cousins, Daohua reported to Madam Li and took them all out for a great half day of fun.

At dusk, Yan Yihuan and Yan Yile returned to the second courtyard with their faces lit up with excitement.

Seeing her daughters’ flushed cheeks, Madam Sun quickly pulled them over to the charcoal basin. “It’s so cold outside, warm yourselves up quickly,” she said while helping them take off their cloaks.

Yan Yile, rubbing her hands together, laughed and said, “Mother, we’re not cold at all.”

Yan Yihuan also smiled and nodded in agreement.

Yan Zhiyuan was sitting nearby. Seeing how truly happy his daughters were from the day’s activities, he asked with a smile, “What did you all do today while out with Daohua?”

Yan Yile immediately began to speak excitedly, “Big sister let us ride on Hongzao.”

At this, Madam Sun’s expression changed abruptly. She was about to say something when she heard Yan Yihuan say, “Don’t worry, Father and Mother, we only sat on the horse’s back, and Xiaoliu was leading the horse.”

Madam Sun breathed a sigh of relief at this explanation.

Her daughters were not as robust or as brave as that girl Daohua. What would they do if they had fallen off?

Yan Zhiyuan laughed and said, “Look at you, Daohua knows what she’s doing. Would she let her two sisters get hurt?”

Madam Sun gave him a look, “I was just worried, that’s all.”

Then, Yan Yile went on to talk about how after riding horses, they strolled through the city for a while and even went to a restaurant to eat, narrating everything with great animation.

Yan Zhiyuan listened quietly, and after his youngest daughter finished speaking, he said, “Daohua is a generous girl. You should get closer to her in the future.”

Yan Yile immediately nodded, “I always thought big sister was quite aloof before, but after getting to know her, I found out she’s actually pretty nice.”

Madam Sun said with a smile, “Relationships between people are formed through interaction. If you treat the Li family’s young misses well and give enough respect to your aunt and big sister, they will naturally reciprocate. See, haven’t they frequently invited you over to play during this time?”

Yan Yihuan nodded her head.

She had also noticed that their big sister was the type of person who would only be good to those who were good to her.

Before, their family only blamed their big sister for not helping their brother secure a spot at Wangyue Academy, but they had never considered that they had never helped their big sister either.

Such expectations and thoughts were actually unreasonable.

…

Main courtyard.

When Daohua returned with Li Zixuan and Li Zixin, she saw Madam Li looking at an invitation: “Mother, whose card is this?”

Madam Li looked at the three with a smile. “It’s from Master Zhu’s family. In a few days, it’s Madam Zhu’s birthday, and we are invited to celebrate.”

Upon hearing it was Master Zhu’s family, Daohua immediately lost interest.

Seeing her daughter’s reaction, Madam Li felt a bit helpless. The girl was still holding a grudge. After thinking for a moment, she spoke to the sisters Li Zixuan, “You’ve been out playing all day. Go back to your courtyard and wash up.”

Seeing that Madam Li had something to say to Daohua, the sisters Li Zixuan quickly withdrew.

Once everyone had left, Daohua asked in confusion, “Mother, do you have something to tell me?”

Madam Li beckoned her daughter to sit beside her before speaking slowly, “Your cousin Zixuan turned fifteen this year.”

Daohua nodded, “I know. I even sent a gift for her birthday.”

Seeing that her daughter hadn’t grasped her point, Madam Li had to be more direct, “After a young lady comes of age, she is eligible for marriage.”

Daohua’s mouth fell open in surprise.

“So, I want you to take your two cousins to more young ladies’ gatherings. One, to meet more people and two, to broaden your horizons. After all, the circles your cousins usually move in are all merchant families, and they haven’t had much exposure to the social engagements of official families.”