Chapter 175: One Person Takes Down Everyone

 Chapter 175: One Person Takes Down Everyone

On the 19th of the first month, Daohua and her two brothers returned to Xingzhou with Li Xingnian’s company.

"Grandmother, I’m back!" 

As soon as they entered Old Madam Yan’s room, Daohua rushed into her grandmother's arms. "I’ve been gone for so long, did you miss me?"

Grandmother Yan staggered back from the sudden hug, lightly patting Daohua’s back in mock annoyance, then scolded her with a smile, "You’re such a big girl now, still acting so clingy!"

Saying that, she pulled Daohua back and started inspecting her closely.

This girl had grown up by her side, and this was the first time she had left. It was true that, having grown used to Daohua buzzing around her like a little bee every day, the absence had left her feeling oddly unsettled. She wondered if Daohua had eaten well or slept well during her stay at her uncle’s place.

Seeing Old Madam Yan’s concerned gaze, Daohua spun around in front of her and cheekily asked, "Grandmother, take a look, has your granddaughter grown more beautiful?"

Grandmother Yan looked at Daohua’s rosy complexion and slightly fuller cheeks, then rolled her eyes at her. She pulled Daohua to sit beside her before laughing and calling out to Li Xingnian, who had just entered, "This girl has been spoiled by me. I hope your brother doesn’t mind."

Li Xingnian chuckled. "It’s because you and Daohua share such a close bond."

Since there wasn’t much happening at the government office that day and knowing that his brother-in-law had returned with his three children, Yan Zhigao went back to the inner courtyard. Afterward, people from the second and third branches of the family also came over.

After some casual conversation with Li Xingnian, Yan Zhigao brought up the matter of Daohua and her siblings in the provincial capital.

"What? Daohua hired a team of bodyguards for our family?"

Yan Zhiyuan’s voice suddenly rose, as if in shock, when Li Xingnian mentioned Qin Wu and the others.

Startled, Daohua, who had been whispering with her grandmother, turned her attention to them.

Seeing her gaze, Yan Zhiyuan immediately adopted a tone of an elder. "Daohua, it’s not that your second uncle is criticizing you, but such a major decision like hiring bodyguards should have been discussed with the family first. Don’t you think your actions were a bit too bold? And have you considered your father’s opinion on this?"

Upon hearing this, Li Xingnian’s smile faded slightly.

It seemed that the second uncle’s words carried a hidden meaning! What did he mean by saying she had ignored her father? Was he implying that Li Xingnian had overstepped by getting involved in family matters?

Yan Wenxiu, sitting nearby, furrowed his brow and spoke up, "Second Uncle, regarding the bodyguards, my elder sister and I discussed it, and I agreed. Moreover, I was the one who brought it up at the government office."

Yan Wenkai, feeling the need to speak up, added, "I also agreed."

Daohua, seething with anger, bit her lip but refrained from speaking out.

Why was this second uncle always so bold? Even her father hadn’t spoken yet, and yet he was already raising objections!

Seeing that his two nephews had retorted, Yan Zhiyuan felt somewhat embarrassed, his face darkening. He said sternly, "Wenxiu, Wenkai, you two are still young and haven’t experienced the ways of the world. You don’t understand the dangers that lie out there."

"Hiring bodyguards concerns the safety of our family, and you two don’t know how to judge people. If you hire the wrong people—people with ulterior motives—it could bring disaster to our family."

"Other wealthy families only hire bodyguards whose backgrounds they know well. But you two, just because you went to the provincial capital for a trip, you’ve hired someone without even investigating. You didn’t think this through!"

Yan Wenxiu was clearly displeased by the reprimand, but out of respect for his elder, and with his uncle present, he held back and didn’t continue to argue.

Yan Wenkai, on the other hand, turned sour-faced, feeling uncomfortable and unsure how to retort. All he could do was stare silently.

Daohua couldn’t hold herself back anymore. "Second Uncle, I don’t agree with what you’re saying. Big Brother and Fourth Brother aren’t idiots. They’re still young, yes, and they haven’t seen much of the world, but that doesn’t mean they don’t know how to get things done."

"Big Brother has already collected the household registration and travel permits of the people we hired. He’s carefully checked and verified their identities. Second Brother also spoke with them, got to know them better, and asked about their background. If there were anything wrong with them, they would have discovered it."

"And I was the one who suggested hiring them. I’m not crazy enough to just invite a random group of people into our home. I definitely had my reasons."

She paused, then turned to look at Grandmother Yan. "Grandmother, the people we hired, you know them—they are Qin Xiao Liu and his group!"

Grandmother Yan was taken aback. "The ones who escorted us before? Qin Xiao Liu and his companions?"

Daohua nodded. "Grandmother, you know Qin Xiao Liu and Uncle Qin Wu’s characters and martial skills. If Second Uncle doesn’t trust me and my two brothers, you can tell him."

Grandmother Yan looked at her eldest and second sons, nodding as she spoke, "I know Qin Wu. If it weren’t for him and his team protecting us, Daohua, Wentao, and I might still be stuck somewhere, unable to reach Lingyi County."

"Qin Wu is a responsible man. He doesn’t cause trouble and takes his responsibilities seriously. His men are all honest people trying to make a living."

Hearing this, Yan Zhiyuan’s face became somewhat awkward.

Yan Zhigao glanced at him. "Second brother, you’ve overreacted this time. In the future, let the children finish speaking before we lecture them."

Yan Zhiyuan chuckled awkwardly. "I was just worried that Wenxiu and the others might be acting too hastily."

Li Xingnian noticed the awkward atmosphere and immediately smiled to smooth things over. "Brother Yuan’s concern isn’t unwarranted. If it were my children doing this, I’d be worried too."

"However, sometimes opportunities don’t wait. Once you miss your chance, it’s gone. These three children are doing this for the family, wanting to keep the right people around. It’s understandable that they didn’t notify the family beforehand."

Yan Zhigao nodded with a smile. "Brother-in-law is right. Once the bodyguards arrive and I’ve had a chance to inspect them, I’ll make sure to reward them well."

"Alright, enough of this topic. Daohua, didn’t you bring gifts for your brothers and sisters? Where are they?" Madam Li laughed, shifting the subject.

Daohua gestured for Wang Man’er to come over.

Soon, Wang Man’er entered, carrying a pile of gifts.

"These are for Second Brother, Third Brother, and Fifth Brother; these are for Second Sister and the others."

Daohua gave the boys gifts of writing materials, while for the girls, she had bought popular silk flowers from the provincial capital.

Everyone accepted the gifts, thanking her with smiles.

Yan Yile took her gift and smiled at Daohua. "Big Sister, you’re so lucky. After the New Year, you get to visit Uncle’s house, unlike us, who are stuck at home."

Daohua didn’t even blink and replied directly, "Third Sister, you have an uncle too, right? If you want to go, you can ask Second Uncle and Second Aunt to take you. After all, they don’t have much to do."

At these words, Yan Zhiyuan’s face immediately changed. "What do you mean I have nothing to do? I’m the one managing the household affairs and social connections!"

"Oh?" Daohua responded with a playful tone, "Second Uncle, I’m really sorry, I didn’t notice. It just seems like you’re always so free."

Yan Zhiyuan’s face stiffened. He wanted to explain the things he had been doing, but upon reflection, he realized he hadn’t done much at all. He suddenly found himself in an awkward situation.

Li Xingnian couldn’t help but chuckle to himself, but quickly hid his smile behind his teacup.

Daohua was subtly making fun of her second uncle, implying that if he had so much free time, he shouldn’t be so quick to criticize others.

"The silk flowers from the provincial capital are really beautiful. The capital must be bustling, huh? I’d love to visit it. I’ve never been to the provincial capital before," Yan Yile said wistfully, and Yan Yishuang also looked at Daohua with envy.

Daohua, however, felt a bit exasperated, especially seeing her "cheap" father beginning to pity them, which only made her more frustrated.

"Third Sister, actually, if we’re talking about who’s lucky, none of us are as lucky as you and Fifth Brother."

"Huh?" Yan Yishuang blinked, and everyone in the room looked confused.

Daohua spoke with a serious tone, "Think about it. For me and Second Sister to see our uncle, we have to travel a long way, but you and Fifth Brother? Your uncle has always been by our father’s side. You can see him anytime you want. How convenient!"

"I’ve often seen him running to the back courtyard. Every time he comes, he brings a small bag, but when he leaves, it’s a much larger one."

"So, what’s there to envy?"

The room fell silent.

Li Xingnian almost couldn’t hold back his tea, but luckily he managed to contain his laughter. He could only imagine how embarrassed her second uncle must have felt.

(End of Chapter)