Chapter 224: Magnanimity

 Chapter 224: Magnanimity

On the 17th of the twelfth month, the three brothers of the Yan family, Yan Wenxiu, Yan Wenkai, and Yan Wenbin, returned home.

This time, they brought back quite a few people—not only familiar faces like Xiao Yeyang, Dong Yuanxuan, and Su Hongxin, but also other students from the academy.

This year, Wangyue Academy closed for the winter break on the 15th of the twelfth month, and some students who weren't in a hurry to go home decided to travel around together.

Coincidentally, the 18th of the twelfth month was Yan Wenkai's birthday, so the students who were close friends with the Yan brothers in the academy came along to Xingzhou to celebrate.

Although Madam Li had to busy herself organizing the courtyard and arranging accommodations, her smile never faded from her face. 

It was a good thing that her son was well-liked in the academy and had made so many friends.

Even Yan Zhigao looked on with satisfaction.

Connections—these were the networks his three children would rely on when they stepped into the world.

At the main courtyard, Daohua was helping prepare tea and snacks, arranging for the maids to deliver them to her older brother's courtyard while watching Madam Li move busily around.

“Miss, third master, and fourth master are getting more and more successful. They’re becoming more and more proficient at receiving guests. The laughter and joy in the eldest master’s courtyard is endless now.”

After delivering the snacks, Wang Man’er smiled and shared what she had seen in Yan Wenxiu’s courtyard with Daohua.

After hearing this, Daohua smiled. “No wonder everyone fights to send their children to Wangyue Academy. Birds of a feather flock together; when you’re around excellent people often, you’ll naturally restrain yourself, work harder, and improve over time.”

Students in Wangyue Academy were either from prestigious families or had genuine talents. Either way, they had their own shining points.

The more you interact with such people, the more you could learn from their strengths. If one was willing, improving wasn't impossible.

Wang Man’er continued, “The eldest young master is very much the big brother, always looking after the second and fifth masters, introducing them to the academy students one by one.”

Daohua nodded, not offering much opinion.

Her older brother was a very responsible person. He had a strong sense of duty toward the family's honor, and anything that could benefit the Yan family’s prosperity, he would do.

However, promoting his younger brothers had both advantages and disadvantages.

The advantage was, of course, that if the younger brothers became successful, it would benefit the Yan family. The downside was that no one liked to remain in the shadows. Many people who had achieved success became arrogant, and it wasn’t uncommon for younger brothers to threaten the position of the elder.

The key here was whether the eldest brother could keep his younger siblings in check.

At the same time, in Zheguili Courtyard.

Zhou Chengye, with a sigh, looked at Yan Wenxiu. “Your heart is quite broad,” he said, then glanced at Yan Wenbin, who was chatting animatedly with several classmates.

Yan Wenxiu smiled. “My family is built on a shallow foundation, so we need the male heirs to work together and support each other. Fifth Brother has great talent in learning. Letting him interact more with others will help broaden his horizons.”

Zhou Chengye asked, “Aren’t you worried that he might threaten you in the future?” He paused and coughed awkwardly. “I’ve heard a lot of gossip about noble families. Some fathers favor their illegitimate sons, and if the illegitimate son is capable, the legitimate eldest son might not inherit the family business. I’ve heard a little about your family’s situation, so I think you understand what I mean, right?”

Yan Wenxiu smiled and raised an eyebrow. “What, do you think I can’t compete with my Fifth Brother?”

Zhou Chengye was taken aback. Seeing the confidence and assurance in Yan Wenxiu's expression, he immediately laughed and said, “I was being narrow-minded, only thinking about the inner courtyard, and completely overlooked your own talents.”

Yan Wenxiu shook his head. "Your family’s situation is different from mine. Naturally, you consider things differently. If my family had your foundation and connections, I wouldn’t let my younger brothers rise either—it would be too destabilizing for the family."

"Our family is in a tough spot. Third Brother and Fourth Brother are pursuing the martial arts path. If I want any help, I can only promote the other two brothers."

Zhou Chengye nodded. "You’ve thought this through well."

Yan Wenxiu sighed inwardly. It was impossible not to think things through. The more he interacted with the scions of noble families, the more he realized the smallness of the Yan family. Any slight wind or rain could undo all that his father had worked so hard to achieve.

The Yan family’s ability to withstand risks was still too weak.

At that moment, they saw Xiao Yeyang and Yan Wenkai walking toward the courtyard gate, chatting and laughing.

“Prince Xiao, Wenkai, where are you two heading?” Yan Wenxiu asked.

Yan Wenkai responded, "It’s that fellow Hongda. He mentioned the ink chrysanthemums just now, and immediately started urging me to bring them over. So, I’m going to Grandmother’s to pick them up."

Seeing Yan Wenxiu glance at him, Xiao Yeyang casually said, “Writing poetry and composing riddles is boring. I’m just taking a stroll.”

Yan Wenxiu offered, “Shall I send a servant to fetch them?”

Yan Wenkai quickly waved his hand. “A servant wouldn’t know which pot to choose. Several people just said their flowers were more beautiful than those in our courtyard. I need to pick the best one and show them.”

“Our family may not have much else, but as for flowers...” he said, looking at Zhou Chengye, “Brother Zhou, you’re here too. Tell us, do your family’s flowers compare to ours?”

Zhou Chengye chuckled and shook his head. "In terms of quantity and how they bloom, of course, they’re no match. But if we’re talking about rarities, then our flowers are definitely a bit more special."

Yan Wenxiu immediately puffed up with pride. “That’s right! Hongda’s family only has one pot of green plum, and he dares to compete with me.”

Zhou Chengye added, “His is a rare variety.”

Yan Wenxiu scoffed, “A rare variety is still a flower, isn’t it? As long as it’s a flower, it’s meant to be admired. Obviously, the one that blooms the most beautifully is the best. Alright, I’m done talking. We’ll be back soon.” He said, then quickly headed out of the courtyard.

Xiao Yeyang smiled and leisurely followed behind. 

Along the way, Xiao Yeyang noticed Daohua walking from another direction toward them. He immediately stopped and pointed toward a nearby pavilion, saying, “I’ll sit in the pavilion for a while. You can go to Grandmother’s to fetch the flowers.”

Yan Wenxiu didn’t see Daohua and nodded. “Alright, wait for me. I’ll be back soon.”

As Yan Wenxiu walked away, Xiao Yeyang made his way to the pavilion to sit.

Meanwhile, Daohua and Wang Man’er were walking toward the kitchen. From a distance, they saw Xiao Yeyang and Yan Wenkai, and Daohua was about to wave and greet them when she saw her Fourth Brother quickly leave.

“What are you doing sitting in the pavilion? There’s no charcoal fire here; aren’t you cold?” Daohua walked into the pavilion.

Xiao Yeyang glanced at Daohua and pouted. “It’s boring sitting in your brother’s courtyard. I came out to take a walk.”

Hearing this, Daohua immediately smiled. Gatherings in the past were always centered around composing poems or riddles, and if one liked it, it was fine, but if not, it could feel like torture.

Clearly, Xiao Yeyang wasn’t fond of such things.

Daohua sat down opposite him, rubbed her hands together, and then told Wang Man’er, “Go bring two pots of charcoal and have someone bring the tea set.”

Xiao Yeyang smiled. “Oh? You can appreciate tea now?”

Daohua chuckled. “It’s just tea. Who can’t drink it?”

Xiao Yeyang shook his head, speechless.

Seeing this, Daohua immediately became unhappy. “What’s that look? Are you looking down on me? Let me tell you, I’m just lazy. It’s just tasting tea. I’ll show you later.”

(End of Chapter)