Chapter 266: All Better Now

 Chapter 266: All Better Now

On the deck, Daohua chatted and laughed with everyone for a while. She saw her fourth brother teaching two of her cousins how to use binoculars to view the distant scenery. Her second uncle and three cousins were talking to her eldest brother. After glancing around, she realized that Xiao Yeyang was nowhere to be found.

"Why are you sitting here alone?" Daohua asked.

She had searched around and found Xiao Yeyang sitting alone at the stern, drinking tea. He stared absentmindedly at the distant river. Thinking of his family background, she suddenly felt a sense of pity for him.

Xiao Yeyang glanced at Daohua when she spoke. Remembering how she cherished the whip that Dong Yuanxuan gave her earlier, he didn't want to talk to her. He turned his head back without saying a word.

Seeing his reaction, Daohua was confused and didn't understand what he was upset about. However, she didn't mind and smiled as she sat down across from him. Noticing the teapot on the table, she poured herself a cup of tea.

"It smells so fragrant. What kind of tea is this?" Daohua took a deep breath of the tea's rich aroma and took a sip. After savoring it for a moment, she nodded and said, "It’s refreshing, smooth, and fragrant. Delicious!" She immediately drank a large gulp.

Seeing her like this, the discomfort Xiao Yeyang felt eased a little. "This is Wuyi rock tea. If you like it, I'll have Defu bring you some," he said.

Daohua didn’t hesitate at all and nodded repeatedly. "Sure, sure!"

In ancient times, transportation was not convenient, and many local specialties couldn’t circulate. Only the powerful could get their hands on famous products from various regions. Clearly, the Yan family didn't have that ability yet.

Seeing her act so casually, Xiao Yeyang's mood improved even more. He also took a sip of tea.

Behind him, Defu noticed that his master’s mood had improved and smiled silently, then quietly retreated.

Xiao Yeyang saw Daohua sipping her tea slowly, looking content. After a moment of thought, he couldn’t help but casually say, "You handled that whip pretty well just now."

Upon hearing this, Daohua immediately smiled brightly, her eyes sparkling.

Xiao Yeyang said, "...It seems you really like the whip that Yuanxuan gave you?"

Daohua didn’t think much about it and nodded. "That whip is quite light, easy to handle when I dance with it," she said, then paused, "But it’s a bit too expensive."

Xiao Yeyang remained silent for a moment. "Since you think it’s expensive, try not to use it too often in the future. It might attract the wrong sort of attention."

Daohua nodded in agreement. "That’s what I think too. It’s best not to flaunt wealth! And that whip has gold thread, it’s so luxurious, I’m reluctant to even let it touch the ground."

Hearing this, Xiao Yeyang’s lips unconsciously curled up. "Well... I happen to have quite a few whips. I’ll send you one later."

Daohua quickly refused, "No need. I can buy one myself; whips are easy to find."

Xiao Yeyang paused, then said, "Why bother with the trouble? The whips outside aren’t as good as the ones I have. Besides, it’s just a whip. You don’t need to be so polite."

Daohua thought for a moment, then smiled, "That’s true!"

Seeing her agree, Xiao Yeyang’s lingering discomfort completely vanished. He even drank his tea faster than before.

More than an hour later, they arrived at Wuhua Mountain.

"Do you want to eat here before heading back?" Xiao Yeyang asked Daohua.

Daohua shook her head. "No need, we have snacks on the boat, and we’re not that hungry yet."

Yan Wenxiu also nodded in agreement.

Xiao Yeyang looked at Daohua, then at the others. "Alright, I know you're eager to go home, so I won’t try to persuade you anymore," he said, turning to disembark.

"Wait," Daohua called out.

Xiao Yeyang turned back. "Is there something else?"

Daohua said, "During this time, you can practice martial arts, but don't overdo it. You’ve recovered from your illness, but your body is still weak. You need to nourish it for a while. When I get back home, I’ll have someone send you some food, and remember to eat light. Understand?"

Xiao Yeyang listened patiently, feeling the concern in her words. A warm feeling passed through him, and he smiled, nodding. "Is there anything else?"

Daohua thought for a moment and shook her head. "Not for now."

Xiao Yeyang smiled, turned to leave, but after walking a couple of steps, he was called back again.

"Your binoculars!" Daohua said, holding out the binoculars to him.

Xiao Yeyang didn’t take them. "You keep them. Play with them," he said, then paused and teased, "You’re not going to call me back again, are you? Should I just go with you to your house?"

Daohua immediately agreed, "Sure, since you’re going back to the palace alone anyway."

Hearing this, Xiao Yeyang’s eyes flickered. Thinking of the people waiting at the other residence, he shook his head. "Forget it. When your family is having a reunion, I don’t want to be a nuisance."

He glanced at the others who were a little further away, then chuckled softly. "This time, I’m really leaving. Don’t call me back. Otherwise, I might think you’re reluctant to part with me."

Daohua immediately scoffed, "Who’s reluctant to part with you?" If it weren’t for the fact that Prefect Magistrate Guo was still in Jiguang, and Xiao Yeyang didn’t have any elder to look after him, she wouldn’t have spent so much time advising him.

Seeing the teasing look on Xiao Yeyang’s face, Daohua waved her hand impatiently. "Hurry up and leave, don’t delay us from going back."

Xiao Yeyang laughed, shaking his head, and finally turned to leave.

Soon, the boat started moving again. Xiao Yeyang stood on the shore, watching for a while. He didn’t leave until he could no longer see Daohua on the deck. Then, he mounted his horse and returned to the palace.

On the deck, Daohua held the binoculars and watched until Xiao Yeyang disappeared from the dock before turning back to the cabin.

As soon as Daohua entered, her cousins Li Zixuan and Li Zixin surrounded her, staring at the binoculars in her hands. "Cousin, the young prince is really good to you, giving you such a rare thing," they exclaimed.

Daohua casually replied, "We’re friends. If he has something good, he gives it to me, and if I have something good, I give it to him."

Li Zixuan glanced at Daohua’s expression, noticing that her face was calm, without any hint of discomfort. She immediately smiled and shook her head.

Perhaps she had been overthinking it?

Li Xingnian also took a glance at Daohua. He too felt that the binoculars were quite precious, and wondered if Daohua and Xiao Yeyang were getting too close.

However, seeing that the Yan brothers had no reaction, he held back his thoughts.

Daohua was only twelve this year, and Xiao Yeyang was just fifteen. They were both at an age where they enjoyed playing and being mischievous. Perhaps they simply had a lot in common and played well together.

It wasn’t until the fourth watch that Daohua and the others returned to Xingzhou City.

Once inside the city, Zhou Chengye separated from the Yan siblings.

"You unruly ones, finally decided to come back?"

Looking at the waiting Old Madam Yan and the rest of the Yan family outside the gate, Yan Wenxiu and the others hurriedly got off the carriage, about to kneel. However, they were stopped by Madam Li.

"Just glad you’re back, just glad you’re back!"

Madam Li took hold of Yan Wenxiu with one hand and Yan Wenkai with the other, her eyes reddened.

As for Daohua, she jumped off the carriage and immediately threw herself into the Old Madam Yan’s arms.

The Old Madam Yan examined Daohua from head to toe. "You’ve lost weight. Your face is smaller now."

Daohua rubbed her cheeks, feeling like there wasn’t any less of it.

However, she wasn’t about to argue with the Old Madam Yan at this point. She leaned on her shoulder and coquettishly said, "Grandmother, you have to properly make up for me. I haven’t had much to eat these past few months."

Upon hearing this, the Old Madam Yan’s heart immediately ached. She pulled Daohua inside without noticing the others, like Li Xingnian and the rest, who had followed along.

"Let’s go, grandmother will make you something delicious."

(End of chapter)