Chapter 270: It’s the Right Thing to Do

 Chapter 270: It’s the Right Thing to Do

Wangyue Academy.

Looking at the food box that Yan Wenkai placed on the table, Xiao Yeyang smiled and asked, "What tasty snacks has Daohua prepared this time?" He was about to open the box.

Yan Wenkai shook his head. "It's not a snack, it's a medicinal meal, specially prepared to help you regain your health."

Su Hongxin, who overheard this, immediately asked, "What about us?"

Dong Yuanxuan also looked over.

Yan Wenkai shrugged. "My big sister said that you all have family and elders with you, who will take care of everything for you, so there's no need for her to prepare anything for you."

Su Hongxin and Dong Yuanxuan were both speechless.

What kind of excuse is this?

Well, it’s an excuse, at least.

But who says that the young prince doesn’t have elders watching over him?

Isn't there the one at the other residence?

That one was the same person who, when trapped in Xingyun House, led a group into the city and almost forcibly took the young prince away.

Their families weren't that forceful!

Su Hongxin grumbled, "The food prepared by our families is the heartfelt gesture of our relatives, while Daohua's is just her personal favor. You can't compare the two, right? I think Daohua is biased—she’s treating the young prince way better than us."

Yan Wenkai couldn’t stand anyone speaking ill of Daohua, so he immediately retorted, "What are you talking about? Every time my big sister sent food to us, didn’t she send some to you too?"

Su Hongxin immediately responded, "But the young prince’s portion was larger than ours."

Yan Wenkai raised his voice confidently, "That’s only right. First, the young prince knew my big sister before you did. Second, the young prince treats my big sister much better than you do. Third..." He trailed off with no further explanation.

"Anyway, my big sister has a better relationship with the young prince, so it’s only natural that she treats him better."

At that moment, Xiao Yeyang had never felt that Yan Wenkai was so good with words. He couldn’t help but smile, not stopping him, and allowed him to argue with Su Hongxin.

Seeing Xiao Yeyang in a good mood, Dong Yuanxuan’s eyes flashed, and he quickly lowered his gaze.

Yan Wenxiu, not wanting the group to continue discussing his younger sister, quickly changed the subject. "We’ve been gone for several months. I wonder if we’ll be able to catch up with Master Shen’s progress?"

Su Hongxin, not interested in discussing academics, walked toward the food box and curiously asked, "Young Prince, you can’t be eating all of it by yourself. Daohua’s medicinal meal must be delicious. You should share some with us. Next time, when my sister makes something good, I’ll bring it to you too."

Yan Wenkai also leaned in, looking at Xiao Yeyang with eager eyes. "Young Prince, my big sister’s medicinal meals are really tasty. Open it up, and let’s eat together."

Xiao Yeyang, wary of their intentions, waved his hand and called over Defu. "Take the food box away. After they leave, I’ll talk to you."

Once the others had left, Xiao Yeyang said, "That’s meant for my health. You two are shameless to even think about eating it."

Looking at Xiao Yeyang's radiant face, both Su Hongxin and Yan Wenkai were speechless.

When it came to good things, who had more than the young prince?

Xiao Yeyang, too lazy to deal with them, waved his hand, signaling them to leave. "Alright, alright, let’s stop here for today. You’ve just returned to the academy; hurry up and go back to your rooms to organize yourselves."

Yan Wenxiu and the others exchanged helpless glances before turning to leave with a chuckle.

After they left, Xiao Yeyang immediately ordered Defu to bring the medicinal meal.

Defu smiled and said, "Master, the medicinal meal that Miss Yan brought is raw. Shall I have the kitchen start cooking it?"

Xiao Yeyang nodded. "Yes, I’ll have it tonight."

Defu turned to give instructions.

Meanwhile, Xiao Yeyang ran to the storeroom and started rummaging through the shelves.

When Defu returned, he found his master had made a mess of the storeroom. He quickly asked, "Master, what are you looking for?"

Xiao Yeyang, without turning around, replied, "A whip!"

Defu immediately understood. "I know where it is."

Xiao Yeyang stopped his search. "Well, hurry up and get it!"

Soon, Defu placed several sandalwood boxes in front of Xiao Yeyang.

Xiao Yeyang opened the boxes and looked at the whips inside with a dissatisfied expression. "It can’t be too fancy!"

Hadn’t he just shot himself in the foot?

Previously, he had said that the whip Yuan Xuan sent was too extravagant and unsuitable to carry around, but now that it's here, it's even more luxurious.

Defu thought for a moment, then went to the corner of the warehouse to retrieve a dark red whip. "Master, how about this whip from the Western Region?"

Xiao Yeyang's eyes lit up. He picked up the whip and snapped it a few times. "This one is good. It's delicate without being too extravagant, and its color is just like red dates. Daohua will definitely like it."

Defu immediately said, "Then I'll have someone deliver it to Miss Yan."

Xiao Yeyang nodded in satisfaction. "Don't forget the Wuyi rock tea. She enjoys it. She drank almost half a pot on the boat that day! Also, send two sets of Ruyao tea sets along with it."

Defu smiled. "Master really has prepared everything for Miss Yan."

Xiao Yeyang smiled slightly. "That girl has always been unconcerned about such things. If I didn't prepare it for her, she might even use a bowl to brew tea."

He laughed at his own words.

After a moment, he added, "Besides, she cares so much about me, even preparing medicinal meals for me. I should be thoughtful for her, shouldn't I?"

Thinking of how Miss Yan had sent not only vegetables and fruits but also rice and flour, Defu nodded in agreement. Indeed, Miss Yan had been considerate toward the young master.

"I'll take care of it right away."

---

At the Yan residence, after Li Xingnian and others left, the Li sisters, Li Zixuan and Li Zixin, followed Daohua to study, learning etiquette and rules. Occasionally, Madam Li would guide them on how to manage household affairs.

Though Daohua was not always by their side, and they often heard Yan Yile's sour remarks and saw Yan Yishuang's arrogant expression, they were generally content.

One afternoon, Zhou Jingwan came to ask Daohua for help.

She had borrowed a shop from Madam Zhou and, following Daohua's example, started managing it herself. However, she wasn't very good at bookkeeping, so she came to seek Daohua's advice.

Daohua saw that it would take a while, so she sent Li Zixuan and Li Zixin to the school, promising to join them later.

But when Daohua arrived at the classroom after about half an hour, she found Yan Yishuang scolding the Li sisters. Yan Yile was watching with delight, occasionally fueling the fire, while Yan Yihuan sat quietly to the side, saying nothing and not trying to stop the argument.

Yan Yishuang sneered at the Li sisters. "Some people are really thick-skinned. They've come to play for a few days, but it's been over half a month and there's no sign of them leaving. Are they treating this place like their own home?"

Thinking about how, because of her older sister, her uncle, aunt, and grandmother could no longer visit them, resentment grew in her heart.

Since her uncle's family couldn't come, why should the Li family be allowed to stay here?

With that thought, Yan Yishuang became even ruder. "This is the back courtyard of the state Prefectural office, where the official ladies live. Do you think you're worthy of living here with your status?"

At this point, Daohua couldn't hold back anymore. She walked in with a stern face.

Everyone in the room was stunned when they saw her.

The Li sisters were embarrassed by Yan Yishuang's words. Li Zixin had tried to defend herself earlier but, fearing it might cause trouble for Madam Li, she had mostly been tolerant.

When Daohua entered, Li Zixuan was calm, but Li Zixin showed some signs of grievance.

Daohua ignored Yan Yishuang and smiled at the Li sisters. "Two cousins, the flowers and plants in the yard are growing quite well. You should go and admire them."

Li Zixuan looked at Daohua's expression. Seeing her smiling faintly, she was unsure of Daohua's thoughts and wanted to say something, but didn't know how. After recalling her father's earlier instructions, she nodded and led Li Zixin out of the classroom.

Once they left, Daohua's smile faded, and she coldly looked at Yan Yishuang. "Third sister, your attitude is getting worse. I see that your studies are going backward. You don't even know basic manners when receiving guests!"

After the Li sisters were sent out, Yan Yishuang felt a little uneasy. But remembering what her mother had said about the Li family's low status, even her father looked down on them, she gained some confidence.

"Big sister, I know you dislike me, but there's no need to always find fault with me, is there?"

Yan Yishuang looked at Daohua defiantly. "Big sister, you don't have to lecture me. Let me ask you, if my uncle's daughter came to our house to study, would you treat her with respect?"

"Of course!" Daohua replied firmly. "Any guest of the Yan family, as the hostess, I will treat them with respect. It's proper etiquette and preserves the Yan family's dignity. However..."

Daohua paused and looked at Yan Yishuang indifferently. "Lin Shiye's children would never come to our house to study."

Yan Yishuang immediately retorted, "Why not?"

Daohua smiled mockingly. "Because Concubine Lin is just a concubine. Have you ever seen a family treat the relatives of a concubine as equals to the legitimate relatives?"

Yan Yishuang's face turned pale. She bit her lip, tears welling up in her eyes, looking both angry and helpless.

Seeing her like this, Daohua snorted coldly, too lazy to continue the argument. She said directly, "Third sister, your manners are lacking. When you've gotten rid of that unnecessary arrogance, you can come back to class."

Yan Yishuang was shocked and immediately said, "I disagree!"

Daohua laughed coldly. "Who asked for your agreement? I'm just informing you."

Yan Yishuang glared at Daohua. "I'm going to tell father about this."

Daohua was indifferent. "Do as you wish. If you dare tell father everything that happened here today, I'll have more respect for you."

(End of chapter)