Chapter 265: Unwell

 Chapter 265: Unwell

"Big Aunt, Second Aunt!"

As soon as Daohua stepped into Madam Dong's room, she saw her Big Aunt and Second Aunt sitting upright, drinking tea, along with her two cousins.

When Fan Shi and Jiang Shi saw Daohua, they immediately put down their teacups, stood up, and walked over to her, looking her up and down.

Dong Yuanyao took this opportunity to let go of Daohua and sat down next to Madam Dong.

After a while, Fan Shi lightly tapped Daohua's forehead. "You girl, why are you so bold?" She had actually dared to go to Xingyun prefecture, where the plague had broken out. When she first heard the news, it had really shocked her.

Madam Dong smiled and joined in. "Isn't that so? Yiyi is good at least; at least she told the family. My girl is the real troublemaker, going there behind our backs."

Dong Yuanyao immediately defended herself. "Mother, I left a letter!"

Madam Dong glared at her. "You still have the nerve to speak? That was just doing things without permission! Hmph, wait, I'll deal with you later."

Dong Yuanyao shrank her neck and looked at Daohua, who was also being scolded, giving her a sympathetic glance.

The two aunts took turns reprimanding Daohua, and Daohua listened silently, occasionally nodding. When they finished, she smiled and asked, "Big Aunt, Second Aunt, what brings you here?"

Fan Shi laughed and answered, "Your Uncle heard you were back and staying at the Prefectural Prefect Magistrate’s Mansion. Both your uncles were worried about missing you, so we couldn't help but come over and disturb you." She then looked apologetically at Madam Dong.

Madam Dong immediately smiled and said, "Madam Li, don’t say that. Yuanyao and Yiyi get along well. We should all keep in touch more in the future."

Fan Shi smiled faintly but didn't respond.

She understood that Madam Dong's words were polite; the Li family were merchants, while the Dong family were noble officials, with a huge difference in status. If not for the children, they wouldn't have dared to visit.

While the two aunts were chatting with Madam Dong, Daohua introduced her cousins to Dong Yuanyao. After they exchanged greetings, they were officially introduced.

"Are you going to your aunt's house later?" Madam Dong asked Daohua.

Fan Shi laughed and continued, "Not this time. The old madam and my sister-in-law are probably already waiting at home. We can't keep them waiting."

Madam Dong smiled. "In that case, you’ll probably leave by boat soon. These two girls haven’t eaten yet. Let them have something to eat first."

Fan Shi nodded to Daohua. "Go ahead, eat something. By the time you're done, your brother and the others will probably be ready."

Dong Yuanyao took Daohua to the dining hall, and Daohua pulled her two cousins along.

While eating, Daohua turned to her cousins, Li Zixuan and Li Zixin, and said, "Cousins, would you like to come to my house for a while?"

Li Zixuan and Li Zixin exchanged a glance, both clearly interested.

Daohua smiled and added, "If you want to go, go quickly and ask your mothers to pack your things."

Li Zixuan hesitated. "Won't it disturb Aunt and Uncle?"

Daohua replied, "What’s the disturbance? When you come to my house, you can attend my lessons. It won't bother my parents at all."

Dong Yuanyao also smiled. "If you have the chance to go out, why hesitate? If it weren’t for me, I’d be going to Xingzhou with Yiyi."

Li Zixuan thought for a moment. "Alright, we’ll go ask our mother now."

Daohua nodded. "Hurry up."

After the two left, Dong Yuanyao sighed with envy. "Ah, I wish I could go with you."

Daohua immediately responded, "Don't even think about it for now. It will only add to your worries."

Dong Yuanyao sulked. "Yan Yiyi, can't you say something comforting?"

"I'm doing this for your own good, letting you face the reality and not have unrealistic expectations. It’s better than getting hurt later."

"Hmph, don’t say it. My mother hasn't scolded me yet, but after you said that, I can already imagine my tragic days locked in the back courtyard."

Hearing the voices from the dining hall, the Li sisters, Li Zixuan and Li Zixin, came out with surprised expressions.

"Daohua is actually so close to Dong girl."

"Daohua is open-hearted, and she and Dong girl are a perfect match in temperament."

"Sis, do you think mother will agree to us going to Aunt's house?"

"She’ll probably agree. Don't worry about it, go ask, and you’ll know."

In Madam Dong's room, Fan Shi and Jiang Shi listened to their daughters' words and agreed without hesitation. "Since Daohua invited you to play, you can go for a few days."

Like Daohua, Yan Wenxiu also invited a few cousins to visit the Yan family, and Li Xingnian came along this time as well. He was both worried about the children and wanted to congratulate his brother-in-law, as the Emperor had rewarded him. They knew this and thought it was only right to go congratulate him in person.

Finally, the group boarded the boat at the fourth watch of the day (10 a.m.).

In the cabin, Li Zixin noticed the box Wang Man'er had been holding the entire time and smiled, asking, "Cousin, what is that thing your maid is holding?"

Daohua laughed. "It’s a birthday gift that Brother Dong gave me."

Li Zixin immediately asked, "Can we take a look?"

Daohua chuckled. "Of course, it’s nothing special." She gestured for Wang Man'er to open the box.

"What a beautiful whip!"

Li Zixin quickly took the whip out. She studied dance and had experience with ribbons, so when she saw the whip, her hands itched. She immediately asked Daohua, "Cousin, can I try dancing with it? I’ve never tried dancing with a whip before."

Daohua nodded. "Of course."

Seeing Daohua agree, Li Zixin immediately took the whip and ran to the deck, starting to show off her skills.

Daohua and Li Zixuan followed her, laughing.

The group in the cabin, including Xiao Yeyang, saw what was happening and walked out to watch.

Whip dancing requires strength and technique. Although Li Zixin practiced dance, her strength wasn’t very great. After a while, she lost interest.

"Ah, this whip is nothing like a ribbon. I can’t manage it. I feel like I might accidentally hit myself," she said, handing the whip back to Daohua.

Daohua took the whip with a smile.

At that moment, Li Zixuan suddenly spoke up, "Cousin, don’t you know how to dance with a whip? How about showing us?"

Seeing the expectant looks from her two cousins, Daohua looked at the deck, saw there was enough space, and smiled, nodding. "Alright, let me show you my skills."

With that, she moved swiftly, spinning a few times before reaching the center of the deck. She used her arm strength, and with a snap, the whip was swung out.

Then, with precise footwork, flips, and spins, Daohua made the whip crack with power, cutting through the air with force.

Not only did Li Zixuan and Li Zixin stare in awe, but even Xiao Yeyang and the others, who practiced martial arts, were also impressed, their eyes lighting up with admiration.

"Wow!"

Yan Wenkai couldn't help but shout out, and Xiao Yeyang and the others also wore expressions of appreciation.

When Daohua finally stopped and coiled the whip back up, Zhou Chengye smiled. "Sister Yan, I didn’t expect you to be so skilled with the whip."

Daohua smiled. "Uncle Qin Wu said my strength still isn’t enough, and my accuracy needs work. I still have to practice more."

Yan Wenkai laughed as he walked over. "Sister is impressive. If you keep practicing, I’ll have to be careful when we spar in the future." He then took the whip from Daohua.

"This is a nice whip. When did you buy it?"

Daohua replied, "Brother Dong gave it to me as a birthday gift."

Xiao Yeyang, who had been smiling, immediately furrowed his brows when he heard this.

Yan Wenkai also cracked the whip a couple of times, then returned it to Daohua. "Brother Dong is thoughtful. He knows you needed a good whip. You can use it when you ride horses in the future."

Daohua smiled and nodded, then casually coiled the whip and placed it back into the box.

On the side, Xiao Yeyang, seeing Daohua smiling and treating the whip like a precious item, suddenly felt uneasy. He frowned and walked back into the cabin, his mood clearly sour.

(End of Chapter)