Chapter 149: Unfathomable

 Chapter 149: Unfathomable  

The people from the second house hurriedly went back to their rooms to prepare, while those from the first and third houses remained sitting in Old Madam Yan's room without moving.

Yan Zhigao sat for a while, then took Yan Zhiqiang to the outer courtyard to wait.

Inside, Daohua noticed that Madam Li kept glancing at her and, feeling a little helpless, said, "Mother, why are you always looking at me? Aren’t you going to do something else?"

Madam Li hesitated for a moment before speaking. "At Old Master Zhou's birthday banquet, the Young Prince lost his temper in front of you, causing others to misunderstand and criticize you. It was his fault. However, he's come to our house twice now, so it's clear he feels guilty. You can’t be stubborn again like last time."

Grandmother Yan also looked at her. "Your mother is right. The Young Prince's status is what it is, so you should indulge him a bit and not be too petty."

Seeing both of them staring at her with determined looks, Daohua helplessly responded, "Grandmother, Mother, don’t worry. Guests are always treated with respect, and I won’t embarrass the Yan family."

Hearing this, Madam Li breathed a sigh of relief, while Grandma Yan gave Daohua a strange look. When did this girl become so easy to talk to?

Daohua noticed her grandmother’s scrutiny and smiled back, appearing as obedient as possible.

Before long, Yan Wenxiu arrived with Xiao Yeyang and the others.

Daohua stood respectfully behind Madam Li and smiled as she welcomed Xiao Yeyang and the others into Old Madam Yan's courtyard.

Among the group, Xiao Yeyang kept glancing at Daohua, his eyes filled with frustration.

This guy didn’t avoid him this time, but now she’s acting like a proper lady!

While other ladies of the family were dignified and polite, Daohua’s version of a lady was distant and formal.

He didn’t want to see her like this at all.

Once inside, everyone exchanged pleasantries and then took their seats.

Yan Zhigao smiled and chatted with Xiao Yeyang for a few moments, with Yan Zhiyuan occasionally chiming in. The atmosphere was not exactly warm, but it wasn’t cold either.

"Big sister, the Young Prince brought freshly hunted venison with him. Let’s roast some this afternoon!" Yan Wenkai smiled at Daohua.

Daohua’s eyes lit up. "Venison?" She had never had it in either her past life or this one.

"Sounds great! This weather is perfect for roasted venison!"

Just as Daohua was about to say something, Yan Yile’s clapping interrupted her.

"Young Prince, where did you get the venison?"

Xiao Yeyang glanced at Daohua, noticing that she was looking at him too, before replying with a smile, "We hunted it in the mountains."

Yan Yile gasped, "In the mountains? That must have been dangerous! I’ve heard there are many fierce wild beasts in the mountains."

Xiao Yeyang’s brow furrowed, but out of respect for his status, he patiently nodded. "Yes, it’s quite dangerous."

Meanwhile, Daohua couldn’t help but stifle a laugh at seeing Xiao Yeyang’s irritated expression, which he was clearly holding back.

Hmph, serves him right!

It’s good that he’s being treated by the innocent and straightforward Yan Yile.

"Mother, where are you going?"

Suddenly, Daohua noticed Madam Li leaving and immediately asked.

Madam Li smiled, "It’s almost noon. I’m going to check if the food is ready."

"I’ll go with you!" Daohua quickly stood up.

Madam Li glanced at the people in the room and refused, "No need, stay here and talk to the guests. I’ll make sure the kitchen is fine."

Daohua smiled, "Mother, since the Young Prince is visiting, the dishes the cook made aren’t enough. I’ll go and prepare a few more myself."

Before Madam Li could respond, Yan Zhiyuan quickly interjected.

"Daohua is right. Let her make a few dishes to treat the Young Prince." Yan Zhiyuan smiled at Xiao Yeyang, "Young Prince, Daohua’s cooking skills are quite good. You must try them later."

Seeing how her second uncle was issuing orders, Daohua rolled her eyes and retorted, "Second Uncle, what kind of good things hasn’t the Young Prince eaten? There’s no need for you to promote my cooking."

"Your niece wants to cook, it’s to show her sincerity. What does it have to do with her culinary skills? If you’re so keen on entertaining the Young Prince, why not have Second and Fourth Sister make a few dishes too?"

Yan Zhiyuan’s face stiffened. "Your Second and Fourth Sisters can’t cook like you."

"Oh~"

Daohua sighed in realization, drawing out an "Oh" as she responded, "Second Sister and Fourth Sister might lack in culinary skills, but they’re quite good at talking. They can stay here and chat with the Young Prince."

With that, she unceremoniously pulled Madam Li out of the room.

"You!"

Once outside, Madam Li helplessly tapped her daughter’s head.

Daohua covered her head, saying, "Mother, I’ve been respectful this time, and I haven’t done anything wrong!"

Madam Li shot her a look. Yes, Daohua had been respectful, but her attitude toward the Young Prince was noticeably distant. Thinking back to the gossip from the various families about her daughter, Madam Li sighed. Well, it might be better that Daohua keeps her distance from the Young Prince, so people wouldn’t say she was desperately trying to win favor.

Inside the room, after Daohua and Madam Li left, Xiao Yeyang’s mood darkened slowly.

Yan Yile tried to lighten the atmosphere but couldn’t get Xiao Yeyang to speak again, even with Yan Yihuan joining in.

Meanwhile, Dong Yuanxuan looked on helplessly.

The eldest daughter of the Yan family had quite the temper!

If this goes on, the Young Prince might just leave in anger, and the rest of the year would be difficult to get through.

Fortunately, their timing was just right, as it was soon time for lunch.

At the dining table, Daohua ate in a disciplined manner, not speaking or laughing as she usually did.

Her behavior made not only Xiao Yeyang uncomfortable but also the Yan family members.

"Young Prince, try this dish. It’s really delicious."

Seeing Xiao Yeyang absentmindedly stirring his rice, Yan Yile eagerly used the serving chopsticks to put a piece of food on his plate.

Xiao Yeyang instinctively furrowed his brow.

He didn’t have a cleanliness obsession, but not just anyone could serve him food.

After being irritated twice by Daohua, Xiao Yeyang’s anger flared up. Just as he was about to vent, he noticed Daohua watching the scene with amusement.

"This dish tastes good. You should try it too!"

Xiao Yeyang’s mood shifted. He smiled and returned the favor by serving a piece of food to Yan Yile.

Everyone looked on in surprise.

Seeing Daohua’s eyes widen in disbelief, Xiao Yeyang internally scoffed.

So many people were trying to please him, and one more or less didn’t matter. He had already humbled himself by coming here twice, and yet she still gave him the cold shoulder. Did she think he had no temper? 

Looking at the dishes, Yan Yile smiled happily. "Thank you, Young Prince. Mm, it’s really good! You should eat too!"

"Sure, let’s eat together."

After that, Xiao Yeyang smiled and served several more pieces of food to Yan Yile, making Yan Zhiyuan and Sun Shi’s hearts swell with joy.

Looking at this scene, Daohua silently lowered her head and continued eating.

Although Xiao Yeyang usually carried himself like an adult, he was still a childish boy deep down. How immature.

After the meal, everyone sat in Old Madam Yan's room, drinking tea to digest.

Xiao Yeyang noticed that Daohua had disappeared again, and his frustration reached its peak.

Dong Yuanxuan, noticing Xiao Yeyang's mood, thought for a moment before deciding it was best to leave. Otherwise, the year might be over before it even began.

"After a year of studying, the only real break is during the New Year. Now, I can’t wait to lie on my bed and sleep for an entire day," he said, implying it was time for everyone to go home.

Dong Yuanxuan immediately gave Yan Wenxiu a subtle look.

Before Yan Wenxiu could respond, Yan Yile spoke cheerfully. "That’s because Brother Dong studies at the Wangyue Academy."

Thinking back to how the Young Prince had been friendly with her during the meal, Yan Yile grew bolder and no longer felt as restrained.

"I’ve heard that the teachers at Wangyue Academy are very strict, so that’s why you all have it harder."

"Unlike my second brother, who has it so easy at the state school. He hasn’t even had a chance to face a strict teacher!"

At this point, Yan Yile turned expectantly toward Xiao Yeyang. "Young Prince, could you help my older brothers get a place at Wangyue Academy? Can you also help my second brother get a spot?"

The room fell silent.

Even Dong Yuanxuan, who prided himself on his composed image, was left staring with his mouth wide open.

Where did this talent come from? So shameless!

No one knew who gave her the courage to ask such a thing.

Xiao Yeyang, already irritated from Daohua’s indifference, was now enraged by Yan Yile’s bold request. His anger surged, and with a cold glance at the Yan family, he stood up abruptly.

A group of people who were pushing their luck!

With a stern expression, he turned and walked out.

Seeing this, Yan Zhiyuan and Sun Shi quickly stood up, looking flustered and unsure of what to do.

"Young Prince!"

Yan Zhigao’s face changed, and he shot an angry look at the stunned Yan Yile. He then glared at Yan Zhiyuan and Sun Shi, who looked pale, and hurriedly chased after Xiao Yeyang.

Dong Yuanxuan only came back to his senses after Xiao Yeyang had left the room. He sympathetically patted Yan Wenxiu’s shoulder, shaking his head as he followed after him.

Meanwhile, Daohua and Wang Man’er, each holding a pot of chrysanthemums from Daohua’s courtyard, were about to send them to the flower shop. As they reached an intersection, they saw Xiao Yeyang walking toward the outer courtyard, his face dark with anger.

"Who upset him?" Daohua wondered. To the Yan family, Xiao Yeyang was a figure akin to a panda—hard to please, so who could have provoked him?

"Miss, look! Master and the eldest master seem to be chasing after the Young Prince," Wang Man’er pointed behind them at Yan Zhigao and Yan Wenxiu.

Seeing this, Daohua furrowed her brow and, after thinking for a moment, quickly walked toward them. "Xiao Yeyang, are you leaving?"

Hearing Daohua’s voice, Xiao Yeyang, already disgusted by Yan Yile’s insensitivity, snorted coldly but ignored her, continuing to walk away briskly.

"Hey, wait a minute. Didn’t we say we were going to eat roasted venison?"

Realizing something had gone wrong, Daohua hastily followed him, holding the pot of flowers.

While passing a staircase, Daohua tripped over her skirt, losing her balance and falling with the pot and herself hitting the ground.

"Thud!" The pot crashed to the ground.

"Ouch!" Daohua cried out in pain.

"Miss!"

Wang Man’er, terrified, dropped her pot of flowers and rushed to Daohua.

In front, Xiao Yeyang, furious and storming out, immediately halted when he heard Daohua’s cry. He turned around and saw her struggling on the ground.

(End of Chapter)