Chapter 262: Obedience

 Chapter 262: Obedience

The news of Yan Zhigao being praised spread quickly throughout Xingzhou City, and practically everyone who needed to know was aware of it. Even officials in Zhongzhou Province, as long as they had any connections, had heard of it.

At the Zhou family residence.

Old Master Zhou was reading a letter from his second son. Master Zhou and Madam Zhou were sitting quietly below, waiting for him to finish.

After a moment, Old Master Zhou put the letter down, and Master Zhou immediately asked, “Father, what did the second brother say in his letter?”

Old Master Zhou smiled faintly. “He didn’t say much, just sent his regards, and mentioned that His Majesty personally praised several children who went to Jiguang to help with the disaster relief.”

Both Master Zhou and Madam Zhou were delighted. “Did our Chengye get mentioned?”

Old Master Zhou gave his eldest son a glance. “Isn’t that obvious? Our Chengye, together with the children from the Dong family, Su family, and Yan family, went to Jiguang with the young prince. It’s impossible for them to be praised and for Chengye to be left out.”

Master Zhou chuckled. “I see, Father, I misspoke.”

Old Master Zhou ignored his eldest son and continued, “The young prince is someone who knows how to show favor. It wasn’t in vain that Chengye followed him into danger. Now he’s left a good impression with His Majesty.”

The Prefect Magistrate of Guo would not mention the children in his memorial, so if His Majesty knew about Chengye and the others, it must have been because the young prince had written about them.

Then, Old Master Zhou looked at Madam Zhou. “Prepare a generous gift. After Chengye and the others return, you will personally deliver it to the Yan family.”

Madam Zhou didn’t show any reluctance this time. She nodded. “Don’t worry, Father. I’ll prepare it.”

Her son had already written back. If it weren’t for that girl Daohua, it was uncertain whether her son would even be able to return. Even if her father-in-law hadn’t instructed her, she would have gone to express her gratitude personally.

Old Master Zhou sighed a little and said, “It was a good move to build a relationship with the Yan family. Who would have thought that before they asked us for anything, we would already benefit from it?”

Master Zhou cautiously asked, “Did His Majesty personally commend Yan Daren? Does that mean Yan Daren is going to be promoted again?”

Old Master Zhou shook his head, stroking his beard. “It’s hard to say for sure. We’ll have to see how Yan Zhigao performs when he reports his duties.”

Master Zhou sighed. “If he performs well, won’t that mean he will stay in the capital?”

Old Master Zhou shook his head. “I don’t think so. If His Majesty truly values Yan Zhigao, he will most likely continue sending him outside.”

Master Zhou looked puzzled. “Why is that?”

Old Master Zhou explained, “The Yan family has no foundation in the capital. Yan Zhigao is just a fifth-rank Prefect Magistrate. If he enters the capital, he would be nothing more than a low-ranking official. It’s better to keep him posted outside and see if he can make some real achievements.”

“If he truly has talent and makes accomplishments, then when he comes to the capital, he might be able to enter the third rank.”

Master Zhou said, “But making achievements is no easy task. It might be better to just settle in the capital as an official.”

Old Master Zhou gave his eldest son a glance and sighed inwardly.

His eldest son lacked the drive and ambition to strive for more. Such a person was more suited for guarding what had already been achieved.

Fortunately, his grandson Chengye was a good one. Now that he was forming ties with the young prince’s group, when the time came, Old Master Zhou could rest assured knowing his grandson would carry on the family’s legacy.

Meanwhile, the boat carrying Daohua and her companions entered Zhongzhou Province.

By the time they reached the provincial capital's port, it was already dark.

At that point, even though Daohua and the others wanted to return home, they would have to wait until the next day.

“Haha, now you’ll have to come to our house,” Dong Yuanyao said, laughing as she pulled Daohua.

Daohua saw through her intentions at a glance. “You think if we go to your house, you can avoid punishment by having outsiders around, right?”

Dong Yuanyao tugged at Daohua, looking around before whispering, “You know it, so why say it out loud?”

On the dock, the steward from the Dong family had already been waiting with carriages. As soon as they saw Dong Yuanyao and the others, they immediately went to greet them.

Additionally, the Su family’s carriage was also waiting nearby.

Afterward, everyone except Su Hongxin, whose family lived in the provincial capital, went to the Dong family’s house.

As their carriage reached the Dong family’s front gate, Daohua saw Madam Dong rush toward her son, Dong Yuanyao, crying and wailing.

Master Dong, though more composed, couldn’t hide the tears glistening in his eyes.

“Alas, the hearts of parents are truly pitiable!”

Daohua couldn’t help but sigh, just as she felt her arm being pulled.

Dong Yuanyao looked at Daohua with anticipation. “Come down with me, otherwise I’ll be beaten right here at the gate.” Without waiting for Daohua’s reply, she lifted the carriage curtain and pulled her out.

As Madam Dong let go of her son and wiped her tears, she saw Dong Yuanyao stepping down from the carriage, and her anger flared. She rushed toward her daughter.

“Yiyi, save me!”

Dong Yuanyao quickly hid behind Daohua.

Daohua stiffened at the sight of Madam Dong’s furious expression. She swallowed hard and, when Madam Dong was about three to four meters away, knelt down and greeted her. “Yiyi pays respects to Madam Dong, may you live long.”

Madam Dong immediately broke into a warm smile when she saw Daohua, glaring at her daughter before walking forward to take Daohua’s hand. “It’s been a year since we last met. You’re even more beautiful now!”

Caught off guard by the warm praise, Daohua could only lower her head, blushing with a shy smile, while glaring at Dong Yuanyao, who was still hiding behind her.

Dong Yuanyao recoiled and gave Daohua a smile that was almost pleading.

What is a good sister for, if not to shield you from anger?

Be a little more tolerant!

Seeing that her husband had already led the young prince and others into the house, Madam Dong couldn’t continue scolding her daughter. She smiled and took Daohua into the house, sending cold glares toward her daughter.

Later, they went to meet the Old Madam Dong.

The old madam had come from the Prefecture because of her grandchildren’s entanglement with Xingyun Prefecture. As soon as Dong Yuanyao saw her grandmother, she immediately kneeled and kowtowed.

Even Dong Yuanxuan, at this moment, behaved obediently and went to kneel and apologize.

Out of respect for the guests, Old Madam Dong didn’t say much, allowing the siblings to get up, before smiling and greeting the others.

When it was Daohua’s turn to greet her, Old Madam Dong immediately pulled her over to sit beside her, smiling as she appraised her. She turned to Madam Dong and said, “She’s a well-behaved child, and you can tell she’s likable at a glance.”

Madam Dong immediately responded, “Isn’t that right? The first time I saw her, I liked her immensely.”

Old Madam Dong turned to one of the maids behind her. “Go, bring the blue jade hairpin I brought from the capital. The design is new and would be perfect for a young girl.”

Daohua immediately started to rise to decline, but Madam Dong stopped her. “You mustn’t refuse. When elders give gifts, you can’t decline. The old madam likes you, so you must accept it.”

Seeing Daohua feeling a bit uncomfortable, Dong Yuanyao immediately sat on the other side of the old madam to smooth things over. “Grandmother, don’t you like me anymore? I’m Daohua’s sister. If she gets something, I should get it too.”

Old Madam Dong tapped Dong Yuanyao on the forehead. “You little rascal. I haven’t even punished you yet, and you’re eyeing my things already.” She then pulled Daohua’s hand and smiled.

“Good things should go to well-behaved, sensible girls. You, wait until you learn to be gentle and quiet, then come and ask me for something.”

Dong Yuanyao couldn’t hold back a laugh.

Daohua raised an eyebrow. “What, do you have a problem with what the old madam said?”

Dong Yuanyao immediately stopped laughing and shook her head. “No, no. You’re the best, most well-behaved!”

(End of Chapter)