Chapter 121: Mountain Climbing Race

 Chapter 121: Mountain Climbing Race

After enjoying the barbecue seasoned with ingredients grown in Daohua's special space, everyone felt that the subsequent barbecue lacked the same deliciousness. They ate hastily and lost interest.

"Next time, let’s make this barbecue again. Be sure to bring more of that seasoning you used earlier," Xiao Yeyang said, sitting on the grass beside Daohua, speaking in a low voice.

Daohua nodded. "Sure! But do you have the time? I heard that the academy has a packed schedule. You’re learning both academics and martial arts—do you really have so much free time to play?"

Xiao Yeyang's face fell, and he let out a deep sigh.

Although he was a royal family member, he had his share of troubles. Their studies alone were far more demanding than those of ordinary families!

Thankfully, he wasn’t a prince, just a prince's son. Otherwise, his workload would have been even heavier.

One of the reasons he was reluctant to return to the capital—apart from not wanting to see certain people—was that once he returned, he would have to study alongside the princes.

At Wangyue Academy, life was a bit more relaxed, with fewer overseers, but the coursework still had to be completed. His tutors regularly reported his progress to his royal uncle.

If his grades dropped, he would face the prospect of being sent back to the capital.

Sigh, better not to dwell on it—thinking about it only brought more bitter tears.

"I can’t usually play, but during holidays, I can!"

Daohua tilted her head. "But after the Chongyang Festival, there don’t seem to be many holidays until the New Year."

Xiao Yeyang countered, "Why not? There’s the Winter Solstice and Laba Festival, aren’t there?"

Daohua fell silent for a moment. "Okay, you win."

Xiao Yeyang squinted at Daohua. "What’s with that attitude? Don’t want to hang out with me?"

Daohua raised her hand as if making a vow. "Heaven and earth as my witness, absolutely not." Her family couldn’t curry favor with Xiao Yeyang fast enough—how could they possibly push him away?

Curry favor.

Thinking of this term, Daohua turned to glance at Xiao Yeyang. He never seemed to act entitled in front of her.

Hmm... the kindness of saving a life does count for something.

Daohua cheerfully swung her legs. Her family’s current relationship with Xiao Yeyang was quite good.

They were just kids, hanging out together during holidays, without involving the adults. This way, there weren’t too many vested interests at play. She didn’t have to try to curry favor with him or go out of her way to please him—they could simply enjoy themselves.

After sitting for a while, Xiao Yeyang got bored again. Looking at the time and noticing it was still early, he said to Daohua, "The view from the top of Xiangxia Mountain is stunning. Do you want to go up and see it?"

Daohua glanced at the mountain peak, estimating the distance, and hesitated. "Climbing up will take quite some time, won’t it?"

Xiao Yeyang replied, "If we climb quickly, half an hour should be enough. Coming down will be even faster."

Knowing Daohua was concerned about Madam Zhou’s schedule, Xiao Yeyang noted that it was already around 2 PM. Going to the peak and back would take until at least the late afternoon.

After thinking it over, Xiao Yeyang called Zhou Chengye to ask Madam Zhou about their departure plans.

Zhou Chengye quickly returned with an answer. "Your Highness, we can climb to the top. My mother said it’s rare for them to have an outing, so they won’t leave until the evening, around 5 to 7 PM."

Xiao Yeyang immediately grinned at Daohua. "Let’s go! You’ve got no excuse now. Just now, I heard your third brother say that you’ve been running around in the fields since you were a kid and are even faster than him. Let’s see if he was lying!"

Daohua stood up as well. "Alright, let’s race and see who’s faster!"

Xiao Yeyang raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"

Zhou Jingwan quickly walked over and tugged at Daohua’s sleeve.

Daohua motioned for her not to worry. This race was just for fun, something to let everyone join in. Who would take it seriously?

First, they were girls and didn’t have the same stamina as the boys. Second, all the boys present were at least two or three years older than them. If she truly competed seriously, she’d be out of her mind.

"Of course, let’s set some rules. For this race, there has to be a prize. Whoever wins gets to keep it!"

Everyone nodded in agreement. Adding a prize would make things more exciting and boost their enthusiasm.

Daohua continued, "Also, Jingwan and I are girls and younger than you. You have to let us climb the first fifty stone steps before you start."

Xiao Yeyang smiled and nodded. "Alright, we’ll let you go first. But I’ll warn you—the winner will definitely be us!"

Daohua scoffed, "Not necessarily! Haven’t you ever heard of the race between the tortoise and the hare? The tortoise won in the end, not the hare."

"Let’s see then!"

As Xiao Yeyang, brimming with excitement, and Yan Wenkai, along with the other boys eager to start, headed toward the mountain steps, Zhou Chengye, standing at the back, laughed and patted Yan Wenxiu on the shoulder.

"Your eldest sister is really a little ball of sunshine. Look at her—ever since she’s been around, there hasn’t been a moment when His Highness didn’t have a smile on his face."

Yan Wenxiu dared not respond to this comment directly. Instead, he smiled and said, "My eldest sister grew up in the countryside. She’s straightforward and cheerful, without too many formalities or strict etiquette. That might make her interactions with His Highness feel more novel and relaxing for him."

Zhou Chengye chuckled, noting Yan Wenxiu’s caution, and didn’t press further.

It made sense—they had only recently become acquainted. Delving into deeper or more sensitive topics, especially ones involving His Highness, would be inappropriate.

Still, Zhou Chengye decided to mention something to his mother when they returned: Jingwan should interact more with Yan Daohua in the future.

He had noticed that the Yan family’s connection to His Highness seemed to revolve primarily around Yan Daohua.

Of course, Yan Wenkai and Yan Wentao had also earned some level of trust and favor with His Highness. However, His Highness had never lacked companions. While the two brothers were likable, they weren’t irreplaceable.

But Yan Daohua...

Thinking it over, Zhou Chengye realized that among all the young ladies he knew, none were quite like her. She dared to joke and play around with His Highness so freely.

Some might think she was currying favor with him, but he’d observed several occasions where she openly showed her displeasure toward His Highness. She even said things they wouldn’t dare to, as if she wasn’t afraid of offending him at all.

What was even more surprising was His Highness’s high tolerance for her.

Of course, Zhou Chengye also noticed that Yan Daohua was remarkably tactful. But her tact wasn’t like that cultivated in noble families, where every action was calculated after weighing pros and cons.

With Yan Daohua, her tact seemed entirely natural. It didn’t feel like she had any ulterior motives—it was as if she acted purely from her own instincts and genuine thoughts.

Most of the time, her actions hit the perfect balance.

Combined with her radiant smile, it was hard for anyone not to like her.   

(End of Chapter)