Chapter 264: Birthday Gift

 Chapter 264: Birthday Gift

After taking a bath, Daohua and Dong Yuanyao lay down together on the bed.

"I really wish I could keep you both here for a few more days, but sadly, you have to go back home to meet the elders," Dong Yuanyao said regretfully, lying in bed.

Daohua turned to face her and smiled. "There will be plenty of chances in the future. If you have time, come to Xingzhou to visit me. I’ll take you to my estate."

Dong Yuanyao became interested. "I heard you have a farm dedicated to growing flowers?"

Daohua nodded. "It’s not a large estate, but it’s enough to keep my flower shop and rouge shop running smoothly."

Dong Yuanyao asked, "It must be very beautiful, right?"

Daohua replied, "Of course. I’ve gathered all kinds of flowers, many of which I got from Jingwan's grandfather."

Dong Yuanyao flipped over and said, "I’ll definitely visit when I have the chance. These past couple of years, my mother has started teaching me how to manage the household. If it’s not too difficult, I might start growing some flowers at my family’s estate as well."

"Are you very busy at home?" she asked.

"Yes, especially these last two years. Besides attending classes, I have to help my mother with household matters, leaving me little time to play. My mother says I need to learn well, or else I’ll suffer after I marry into my husband’s family."

"I’m busy at home too," Daohua responded.

"Why do we have to get married?" Dong Yuanyao sighed. "Wouldn’t it be nice to just stay at home forever?"

"That’s not an option. I don’t want to get married either," Daohua said.

"Me neither."

They chatted and gradually fell asleep.

Outside, the maids quietly entered after hearing no sounds. Seeing that the two had fallen asleep, they tucked them in and then went to sleep in another room.

The next morning, as dawn broke, Daohua woke up before the maids could call her. As soon as she moved, Dong Yuanyao also opened her eyes.

Dong Yuanyao yawned and covered her mouth. "I slept so soundly last night."

Daohua nodded. "Me too."

Dong Yuanyao quickly got out of bed. "Let’s go outside and get some exercise. I didn’t bring my sword when we were at Xingyun prefecture, but today, I’ll show you some moves."

Daohua, still a bit sleepy, smiled and said, "Sure, I’m eager to see the style of the great heroine Dong."

Dong Yuanyao, seeing that Daohua was still half-asleep, lifted her chin with a smile. "Wait for me, beauty. I’ll take you on an adventure."

Daohua slapped her hand away and glared. "Who did you learn this teasing habit from?"

Dong Yuanyao shrugged. "Self-taught! My mother says, fortunately, I’m a girl. Otherwise, I’d probably be a wandering rogue."

Daohua got out of bed. "Your mother’s words are very true."

Afterward, they changed into loose training clothes and went to the yard. Daohua watched as Dong Yuanyao practiced with her sword for a while, then she practiced with a whip. When it was fully light, they went back to their room to freshen up.

Just as they finished, a maid came in with several outfits.

"These are the autumn clothes Madam made for you, Young Miss. She wanted Miss Yan to choose."

Daohua looked at the clothes. They were all red—bright red, pink, light red—everything imaginable. She was surprised. "You really like red, don’t you?"

Dong Yuanyao picked up a bright red dress and held it against Daohua. "Yes, don’t you like it?"

Daohua replied, "It’s not that I don’t like it, but I think I can’t pull it off."

Dong Yuanyao looked at her. "You’re right, you’re still too young. How about this one? It’s a light shade, more suitable for you."

Daohua felt speechless—so she thought she was too grown-up looking.

Soon, with the help of the maids, they changed into their new clothes.

"I’ve never worn such a pink color," Daohua said, adjusting her collar.

Dong Yuanyao turned to look at her. Daohua was wearing a pink "Xianggong" colored robe with floral patterns and a white skirt with plum blossoms. She looked youthful and delicate.

"Looks good!" Dong Yuanyao said with a smile.

Daohua also looked at Dong Yuanyao. She wore a water red robe with flower patterns and a matching skirt, looking both radiant and elegant. "You look good too."

Wang Man'er and the other maid stood aside, watching with smiles. "When the two of you stand together, you really look like sisters."

Dong Yuanyao immediately linked arms with Daohua. "Aren’t we sisters? Let’s go to the main hall and show my mother."

Daohua nodded and was led out of the room by Dong Yuanyao.

Just as they reached the courtyard, Dong Yuanyao stopped. "Wait a moment, I need to grab something." She turned and ran off.

"Take your time, there’s no rush!" Daohua called after her, then began looking around at the garden.

It was already late September, yet the flowers in the courtyard were still in full bloom.

"These flowers look really nice," Daohua commented.

The maid smiled. "The master loves flowers, so there are many planted here. Every time he returns home, he personally tends to them."

Daohua reached out and gently touched a golden chrysanthemum. "I didn’t know big brother Dong was such a flower lover."

At the other end of the courtyard, Dong Yuanyao’s big brother, Dong Yuanxuan, was walking quickly toward the courtyard with a young servant. As he neared the entrance, he saw a lovely pink figure admiring the flowers. He stopped in his tracks.

Though the flowers were beautiful, they paled in comparison to the smile of the beautiful girl.

Watching Daohua, who was sniffing the flowers with her eyes closed, Dong Yuanxuan couldn’t help but smile slightly.

After taking a deep breath of the floral scent, Daohua put the flower down and turned her gaze. When she saw Dong Yuanxuan standing nearby, she immediately smiled. "Big brother Dong!"

Seeing her bright and enchanting smile, Dong Yuanxuan’s gaze softened for a moment, and he smiled as he walked toward her. "Why are you here alone?"

Daohua grinned. "Yuanyao went inside to get something. I’m waiting for her. Are you looking for her? I can call her."

She started walking toward the courtyard.

"Wait!"

Dong Yuanxuan hurriedly stopped Daohua. "I'm not looking for Yuanyao."

Daohua asked, "Then did you pass by here?"

Dong Yuanxuan shook his head and took a long box from the servant behind him. He opened it as he said, "When you had your birthday in August, we were at Xingyun prefecture, and we didn't have time to prepare a gift for you. Now that we're back home, it's just right to make up for it." He then handed the box to her.

He had come early in the morning just to deliver the gift.

Looking at the long whip in the box, Daohua was surprised. She reached out and touched it. "This is too precious!"

She had been practicing with the whip for a while now and could clearly distinguish the quality of a whip.

Dong Yuanxuan placed the box in her hand. "This is your birthday gift. If you say it's too much, you're being too polite."

Daohua held the box. Although she hesitated, seeing that Dong Yuanxuan was insistent, she thanked him. "Thank you, Brother Dong."

Dong Yuanxuan smiled when he saw she accepted it. "I'm glad you like it."

Daohua smiled brightly. "I really like it."

Dong Yuanxuan glanced around the yard. "Wait for Yuanyao. I'll go find His Highness and the others."

Daohua nodded. After Dong Yuanxuan left, she looked at the whip in the box, closed the lid, and handed it to Wang Man'er to hold.

At that moment, Dong Yuanyao came out. "I just heard you talking to someone. Who was it?"

Daohua replied, "Your brother."

Dong Yuanyao was surprised. "What did he want with me?"

Daohua smiled. "He wasn't looking for you. He came to give me a birthday gift." She pointed to the box Wang Man'er was holding.

"What is it?" Dong Yuanyao asked curiously as she opened the box. When she saw the whip inside, she was stunned for a moment, then laughed. "This whip was given to my brother by my grandfather. He said it was captured from a northern nomadic noble."

Daohua quickly said, "Since it was given to your brother by your grandfather, I can't accept it. You should return it for me."

Dong Yuanyao quickly stopped her, laughing. "How can something that was given be taken back? He gave it to you, so just keep it. My brother must have seen you practicing with the whip and thought it would be a good match, so he just gave it to you. Don't be embarrassed, just take it."

Seeing that Dong Yuanyao was so casual about it, Daohua no longer insisted on returning the whip.

"Come on, let's go see my mother."

(End of Chapter)