Chapter 216: A Small Misstep Leads to Overthinking

 Chapter 216: A Small Misstep Leads to Overthinking

In the backyard of the Four Seasons Fruit and Vegetable Shop.

Grandmother Yan sat at the head seat of the main house, with Daohua standing beside her. She looked at the young servant before her, who kept his head lowered, seemingly too embarrassed to meet her eyes. “I remember you. Your name is... uh... De... De...”

The servant paused briefly before replying, “Miss, my name is Deshou.”

Daohua immediately clapped her hands. “That’s right, Deshou.”

No wonder she remembered him. Several people often surrounded Xiao Yeyang, and their presence was quite prominent. Defu, for instance, was Xiao Yeyang’s personal attendant and followed him everywhere.

As for the young man standing before her, she had also seen him multiple times. He always seemed to be present whenever food was involved, which likely meant he was responsible for meals.

Looking at Deshou, whose head was nearly buried in his chest, Daohua felt a little helpless. Was she really that intimidating? “Are you here to buy vegetables from my family?”

Deshou nodded, then quickly shook his head, recalling his master’s orders to keep the vegetable purchases a secret from Miss Yan.

Seeing his reluctance to speak, Daohua pressed further. “What’s the matter? Are the fruits and vegetables I send to your master not enough?”

Deshou first nodded, then shook his head again.

Now it wasn’t just Daohua who felt exasperated—even Grandmother Yan thought this servant was unbearably indecisive.

Daohua frowned. “Let’s see... In October, aside from the food I delivered with my eldest brother and the others, I sent another cart mid-month when your master came to gather grain seeds. There’s no way that wasn’t enough. Could he be using it to entertain guests?”

As she said this, an image of the three strange women she encountered on the main peak of Mount Wuhua suddenly came to Daohua’s mind.

Back then, Xiao Yeyang and Brother Dong’s reactions were quite odd—they didn’t seem concerned about those three women at all. Later, her fourth brother had told her that outsiders weren’t allowed near the main peak of Mount Wuhua.

If they weren’t outsiders, then they must have been acquaintances.

Daohua also thought about the secluded residence on the summit. Could those three women be living there? If so, that madam’s identity was certainly not ordinary.

Who could she be?
A concubine left behind in the countryside by the emperor?

In an instant, Daohua’s imagination ran wild. First, she envisioned a poignant love story between the emperor and a common woman. Then, she considered the tragic fate of an imperial consort abandoned in a remote residence after angering the emperor.

Either way, that madam clearly didn’t want to remain unnoticed in the residence, which might explain why she staged the fainting incident during the Chongyang Festival to set up Xiao Yeyang.

Could her goal be to return to the palace?
If that were the case, Xiao Yeyang must have been quite troubled by her.

As the emperor’s nephew, Xiao Yeyang was technically the madam’s junior. For some unknown reason, he had no choice but to send supplies to that residence, including the fruits and vegetables Daohua had gifted him.

Daohua nodded to herself as she pieced everything together. Smiling, she looked at Deshou. “Is your master sending supplies to that secluded residence?”

Deshou’s heart skipped a beat. He abruptly raised his head, his face full of shock.

How did Miss Yan know about this?
Since the Dragon Boat Festival this year, his master had been periodically sending food and drinks to that residence. Apart from Defu and himself, no one else was aware of it.

Seeing his reaction, Daohua smiled knowingly. “So it’s true. Xiao Yeyang, honestly! If he wanted to send things to that madam, why didn’t he just tell me? Now look—he’s run out of food again, hasn’t he?”

Judging by Deshou’s frequent trips here, she added, “You must have been running back and forth quite often. Doesn’t that get tiring?”

Deshou hung his head low, on the verge of tears.

He hadn’t said a word! How had Miss Yan figured out the existence of the former princess consort?
It was over. His master would probably kill him upon finding out.

His master had never been fond of discussing the former princess consort in front of others.

Daohua smiled at Deshou. “Wait here. I’ll have someone pick fresh vegetables from the fields. One cart should be enough, right?”

Deshou quickly nodded. One cart was more than enough—Miss Yan’s carts were always packed to the brim, and her portions were twice as generous as usual.

But Daohua continued, “On second thought, let’s make it two carts. One for your master and one for the madam in the secluded residence.”

If Xiao Yeyang was sending supplies to the madam, she must have some status. Who knows? She might even return to the palace someday.

If they were sending gifts, it would be best to be generous to leave a good impression.

Grandmother Yan added, “Let’s send some to Wenxiu and the others while we’re at it.”

Daohua smiled and nodded. “Don’t worry, Grandmother. I won’t forget about my eldest brother and the others.”

Not long after, Deshou left for Wangyue Academy with five carts full of vegetables and fruits.

Wangyue Academy.

Xiao Yeyang’s Courtyard

Looking at the five carts of vegetables and fruits Deshou had brought back, Xiao Yeyang was irritated. “Didn’t I tell you to be more careful? How did Daohua find out anyway?”

Deshou lowered his head, looking aggrieved. “Master, it really wasn’t my fault. Who could have predicted that Miss Yan and her grandmother would go out shopping and just so happen to pass by the fruit and vegetable shop?” And recognize him, no less!

Xiao Yeyang let out a sigh. “Forget it. She knows now, so be it. At most, Daohua will just think I’m a glutton.” His tone shifted as he frowned at the five carts of produce.

“I admit I eat a lot, but Daohua treats me like a pig, sending five carts at once. Does she want to stuff me to death?”

Deshou’s lips twitched as he quickly explained, “Two carts are for the Yan brothers, and one is for Young Masters Dong and Su.”

Although the academy had a cafeteria, the food wasn’t great. Most families with some means rented a courtyard to prepare their own meals, ensuring better food.

Although the Yan brothers didn’t have a separate courtyard, they could use Dong Yuanxuan’s kitchen.

Xiao Yeyang froze for a moment before dryly commenting, “Even two carts for them are excessive!”

Deshou glanced at his master, took a deep breath, and mustered the courage to say, “One cart is for the mistress of the secluded residence.”

As soon as he said this, Xiao Yeyang’s eyes widened in shock, and even Defu looked at him in astonishment.

Xiao Yeyang couldn’t believe what he’d heard. “What did you just say? Who is that cart for?”

Deshou immediately dropped to his knees. “Master, I swear I didn’t say a word. Miss Yan asked me if the food she sent wasn’t enough, and I just nodded slightly. I have no idea how she figured out that you were sending food to the secluded residence. Somehow, she even mentioned the mistress there and decided to send an extra cart.”

Xiao Yeyang frowned deeply and glanced at Defu.

Defu also knelt down immediately. “Master, I swear I’ve never told Miss Yan anything.”

Xiao Yeyang furrowed his brows. He trusted Defu and Deshou’s loyalty; they had been with him for a long time.

But apart from them, only Dong Yuanxuan and Su Hongxin knew a bit about his mother.

Could it be that one of them mentioned something to Daohua?

Xiao Yeyang shook his head. Those two knew his mother was a sensitive subject and wouldn’t dare to speak carelessly.

So, Daohua must have come up with it herself.

That girl had an uncanny ability to create stories. Who knew what kind of wild identity she had imagined for his mother now?

Thinking of Daohua’s curious and probing eyes, Xiao Yeyang felt a headache coming on.

That girl could be annoyingly smart at times. If she kept digging, it wouldn’t be long before his mother’s identity was exposed.

Remembering the negative reputation his mother had in the capital, Xiao Yeyang’s brows tightened with worry.

Would Daohua, a fan of Divorce Tales, view his mother the same way others did? 
(End of Chapter)