Chapter 132: Birthday Celebration

 Chapter 132: Birthday Celebration

"Such a waste!" 

Xiao Yeyang had told the physician how the Yan brothers used the herbal packets, which made the old physician furious. "Your Highness, I've checked. The medicinal effects in these packets are very strong. If they were boiled, one batch would be enough for three people to take a bath."

"Those two young masters from the Yan family are such spendthrifts! Even if they invited their fellow martial artists to join them, it would still be better than wasting it all!"

The packet contained precious medicinal herbs, and the thought of them being wasted made the old physician feel heartbroken.

Xiao Yeyang's face twitched as he imagined several grown men, naked, soaking together in the bath. He immediately shuddered at the thought.

The physician continued, "Your Highness, let me brew the herbs for you. Once you've bathed, you can let the other two take a bath. Who do you want to invite?"

Xiao Yeyang felt a little uncomfortable with the idea of others using the bathwater he'd already used. "It feels a little... unclean," he thought.

But seeing how serious the physician was, Xiao Yeyang realized that the herbs might really be very beneficial for the body. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Ask Defu and Zhao Ergou if they’re willing."

"They’ll definitely be willing! Your Highness always thinks of them whenever there’s something good. How could they not want it?" the physician said, as if it was obvious, and then hurried off to prepare the bath.

The next day, several people at the training grounds looked more energetic than usual.

The coach, upon hearing that Xiao Yeyang and Dong Yuanxuan had used the Yan brothers' medicinal bath packets, kept looking at the two brothers with curiosity.

He had initially assumed that the Yan family’s rise was a fluke, a result of their connection with Xiao Yeyang. But now, he realized that the Yan family had some real depth to them.

Having practiced martial arts from a young age, the coach understood the value of a good medicinal bath recipe. Many martial artist families passed down their own recipes through generations.

Xiao Yeyang knew he needed to ask Daohua about the recipe, and as he was thinking about when to visit the Yan family, an opportunity came the very same day, after class, when Zhou Chengye handed him an invitation.

Zhou Chengye invited them all to his grandfather’s birthday celebration: "Next month, my grandfather is celebrating his birthday. I would be honored if you could attend."

Xiao Yeyang glanced at the invitation and then handed it to Defu. "Since old master Zhou’s birthday is coming up, we should go pay our respects."

Yan Wenkai laughed and added, "It’s a good chance for us to visit home."

The others exchanged glances.

Why does he have to say everything out loud? Couldn't he just keep such thoughts to himself?

Zhou Chengye laughed and shook his head, not at all offended.

He wasn't cut out for the hardships of martial arts, focusing instead on academics. He had become good friends with Yan Wenxiu recently, often discussing and learning together, and he had come to understand the Yan brothers’ personalities.

At the Yan family’s back garden, Daohua had also received Zhou Jingwan’s invitation. As she opened it, she asked, "What’s this? You’ve come to deliver an invitation from Miss Zhou yourself? Ah, grandfather Zhou is having a birthday?"

Zhou Jingwan, enjoying some fruit in Daohua’s house, smiled. "Yes. What are you planning to gift Grandpa?"

Daohua rolled her eyes at Zhou Jingwan and handed the invitation to Wang Man’er to give to Madam Li before responding, "Your skin’s grown thicker, hasn’t it? Who asks for gifts directly?"

Zhou Jingwan laughed and said in a teasing tone, "I’m doing this for your own good! Think about it—when giving a gift, shouldn’t you give something the recipient will love?"

"As the most pampered granddaughter, I know exactly what my grandfather likes. Just tell me, and I can help you pick out the perfect gift!"

Daohua raised an eyebrow, looking at Zhou Jingwan, as if to say, "Go on, keep acting."

Zhou Jingwan wasn’t embarrassed at all. She pointed at a lush green chrysanthemum plant in Daohua's house and said, "I think this green chrysanthemum looks great. It's perfect for the cold weather and will be beautiful to admire when the snow falls."

Daohua sighed, "You’ve got a good eye."

Zhou Jingwan put the fruit aside and sat next to Daohua, shaking her arm playfully. "Good Daohua, we don’t have this color of chrysanthemum in my garden. If you give it to my grandfather, he’ll be so pleased!"

Daohua pretended to look conflicted.

Zhou Jingwan, determined to please her grandfather, spent most of the day trying to flatter Daohua, until Daohua finally agreed to her request.

"Then I'll take it back to show my grandfather today!"

"Wait!" Daohua quickly stopped Zhou Jingwan, who was about to take the pot away. "If you take it now, I’ll go to Zhou grandfather’s birthday empty-handed?"

Zhou Jingwan waved her hand dismissively. "We're so familiar with each other; there's no need for such formalities."

Daohua was not having it. "No, this is a gift I prepared myself. I want to give it personally. I’m not letting you use it to flatter grandfather Zhou!"

Zhou Jingwan smiled mischievously. "Good Daohua, whether I give it to him or you, it’s the same, isn’t it?"

Daohua grew impatient with her and thought for a moment before saying, "The flowers can go today, but on grandfather Zhou's birthday, I also want to choose a flower from your family’s garden, one that isn't here. If you agree, you can take the flowers, but if not, then put them right back where they came from."

Zhou Jingwan pouted but agreed, "Alright, I agree, but just so you know, you can't touch the few pots my grandfather cherishes the most."

With her goal achieved, Daohua smiled contentedly.

Soon, it was the day of Zhou grandfather’s birthday.

The Zhou residence was buzzing with excitement, as it was said that many officials from the provincial capital had come in person.

The Yan family, as expected, attended as well.

At the Zhou residence’s main hall, after meeting with Madam Zhou, Daohua, concerned that old Madam Yan might feel uncomfortable sitting among the other ladies, tugged at Zhou Jingwan’s sleeve. "I’ll take my grandmother to your garden for a walk."

Zhou Jingwan nodded. "Sure, I’ll have a maid accompany you." She was busy entertaining the other young ladies and couldn’t personally join them. "By the way, we also invited a troupe to perform. After you finish touring the garden, you can go listen to the play."

Daohua nodded. "Alright, you go ahead. I’ll let the maid inform you if anything comes up." She was quite familiar with the Zhou family by now.

After a brief exchange with Madam Li, Daohua took old Madam Yan and left the room.

Old Madam Yan glanced at her daughters and hesitated for a moment before deciding not to send them along. With all the ladies gathered, it was a good time for them to show themselves.

Yan Yishuang also looked as though she wanted to follow but didn’t say anything. She quietly sat beside Madam Li, playing the role of the obedient daughter.

Before they left, her concubine mother had reminded her to behave well in front of the other ladies, as it would help her future marriage prospects.

Thinking about marriage, Yan Yishuang blushed slightly, lowered her head, and began listening carefully to the conversation between the other ladies.

The Zhou family’s garden was large and beautifully maintained. Even though it was already November, many flowers were still in bloom.

"Hey, isn’t that a sunflower?" Daohua exclaimed in surprise as she noticed a few sunflowers in the corner of the garden.

One of the Zhou family’s maids smiled. "Miss Yan, you have a good eye. These flowers were brought back by Old Master Zhou from overseas through a friend. They’re beautiful, though their blooming period is a bit short."

Daohua nodded, thinking back to how she hadn’t seen sunflowers before, whether in her hometown, Linyi County, or Xingzhou City. It seemed sunflowers were still mostly grown as ornamental flowers.

Daohua smiled at Madam Yan and said, "Jingwan told me I could pick a flower from your family’s garden to take. I’ll take this one."

Old Madam Yan hesitated. "Isn’t it from overseas? It must be quite valuable, right?"

Daohua reassured her, "It’s fine, there are several plants. Once I’ve grown them, I’ll return even more."

After a brief tour of the garden, Daohua followed the maid and Old Madam Yan to the stage for the performance.

Though Daohua wasn’t very fond of ancient theater, she didn’t mind watching the beautiful performers.

The performers in ancient theater, regardless of gender, were always so graceful, their looks and figures a delight to behold.

Soon, more people arrived, including some elderly ladies.

These people were sharp and, upon seeing Madam Yan, immediately began engaging her in conversation, recognizing her as the mother of the Prefect Magistrate of Xingzhou. The atmosphere became warm as they exchanged words.

Having lost her husband at a young age and raised several children on her own, Old Madam Yan was both social and eloquent. The conversation flowed smoothly, and the mood was pleasant.

With someone to chat with, Daohua became more engrossed in watching the performance on stage.

"Bang!"

Just as Daohua was enjoying herself, she suddenly felt a light tap on her forehead. Looking up, she was shocked to see Xiao Yeyang standing there! 

(End of Chapter)