Chapter 273: Uncomfortable

 Chapter 273: Uncomfortable

Every time Daohua sent food, Xiao Yeyang would personally inspect it. This time, he noticed that the items seemed more complete than what had been sent before, which made him quite happy.

Defu, looking pleased, smiled at Xiao Yeyang and said, "I’ve inquired about it, and only the master and the three young masters of the Yan family have this fermented rice. The sons of the Dong and Su families do not have any. Also, we have more black rice, glutinous rice, and fresh fruits here than elsewhere."

Although Xiao Yeyang was pleased inside, he pretended to be indifferent on the outside. "What’s this about? Why is she suddenly so kind to me?"

Defu laughed and said, "Isn’t it because the master has been kind to Miss Yan? Miss Yan is just returning the favor!"

Xiao Yeyang felt a little displeased hearing this. It seemed like Daohua didn’t want to owe him anything. If he gave her something, she had to give something in return.

Couldn’t it just be that Daohua cared about him?

Thinking about it, Xiao Yeyang froze. He realized that, without even noticing, he had started to care about Daohua’s thoughts.

The discomfort surged in his heart again, and he suddenly felt a bit irritated. He couldn’t quite understand where this vague, unexplainable feeling was coming from. He wanted to figure it out but didn’t know where to start.

Seeing that Xiao Yeyang suddenly wasn’t happy, Defu looked puzzled. What was going on? Wasn’t everything fine just a moment ago?

Looking at the jar of fermented rice, Defu smiled and said, "Master, it’s almost time for dinner. Should I have someone make some of the fermented rice for you to drink?"

Hearing this, Xiao Yeyang suppressed his frustration and quickly nodded. "Make more. Daohua’s fermented rice is really good." After a pause, he added, "When it’s ready, send some to the other courtyard as well."

Defu’s face lit up. "Yes, Master!"

Since Miss Yan started sending food to the other courtyard, the relationship between the master and the former princess had improved a lot. After returning from Xingyun Prefecture, they even sat down together and talked for a while.

The master no longer treated the former princess with the same bias he used to.

Although born into the royal family, Xiao Yeyang had never truly enjoyed much parental love. Defu knew that the master had always been concerned about the former princess. Ever since he learned to paint from the eldest prince, his first painting had been of her.

Whenever Defu saw Xiao Yeyang looking at the former princess’s portrait, feeling sad, it made him feel heartbroken.

Now that the relationship between Xiao Yeyang and the former princess was slowly improving, Defu thought, no matter what, it was a comfort for the master.

"What are you still standing there for?" Xiao Yeyang urged, snapping Defu out of his thoughts.

"At once, Master."

Defu quickly turned and headed for the kitchen, glancing back at the master who had already picked up his military books to read.

Ever since coming to Zhongzhou, the master had changed. He had become more composed and restrained. Defu thought that, even if the eldest son of the family tried to provoke him now, the master wouldn’t lose his temper like he used to.

After leaving the chaos of the capital behind, the master had become a lot better.

At the academy, he had companions like Young Master Dong and 3 Yan young masters. In Xingzhou, Miss Yan cared for him constantly. All the dissatisfaction and frustration in his heart seemed to have been soothed.

Especially Miss Yan—she had truly been a blessing to the master.

Not only had she saved him twice, but she also played a significant role in easing the tension between him and the former princess.

Now, Defu even felt a bit thankful to Ma Feiyu. If he hadn’t provoked the master back then, Xiao Yeyang wouldn’t have stormed off alone and ended up in Zhongzhou.

Thinking about this, Defu smiled and made his way toward the kitchen.

By November, snow began to fall intermittently in Xingzhou.

Daohua had no choice but to stay indoors.

On the 13th, the sky cleared up for a rare sunny day.

Zhou Jingwan immediately ran to find Daohua, asking her to go horseback riding in the countryside.

Considering that she had gotten along well with Yan Yihuan, Yan Yile, and the two cousins over the past month, Daohua asked Madam Li for permission and spent most of the day outside with them.

In the evening, Yan Yihuan and Yan Yile returned to the second house, both looking delighted.

Seeing her daughters’ flushed faces, Sun Shi quickly pulled them to the brazier. "It’s so cold outside; warm yourselves up," she said as she helped take off their cloaks.

Yan Yile rubbed her hands and laughed. "Mother, we’re not cold at all."

Yan Yihuan nodded with a smile.

Yan Zhiyuan sat nearby, observing his two daughters. It was clear that they had truly enjoyed their day out, and he smiled as he asked, “What did you two do with Daohua today?”

Yan Yile immediately responded enthusiastically, “Big Sister let us ride Da Hongzhao!”

Upon hearing this, Sun Shi’s expression immediately changed. She was about to say something when Yan Yihuan interjected, “Don’t worry, Mother and Father. We only sat on the horse’s back, and Qin Xiao Liu led the horse for us.”

Hearing this, Sun Shi finally relaxed.

Her two daughters didn’t have the physical strength or courage that Daohua did. What if they fell off the horse?

Yan Zhiyuan chuckled, “Look at you. Daohua knows what she’s doing. Do you think she’d let you fall?”

Sun Shi rolled her eyes at him, “I’m just worried.”

Then, Yan Yile continued, excitedly talking about how after riding the horse, they had wandered around the city and even gone to a restaurant for a meal, her face glowing with excitement.

Yan Zhiyuan quietly listened. After his youngest daughter finished speaking, he said, “Daohua is a generous girl. In the future, you should try to get closer to her.”

Yan Yile immediately nodded, “I used to think Big Sister was very proud, but after spending time with her, I realized she’s a really good person.”

Sun Shi smiled, “Relationships between people are built through getting along with each other. You’ve treated Miss Li kindly and showed respect to your aunt and Big Sister, so of course they will return the favor. Haven’t they often invited you to play recently?”

Yan Yihuan nodded in agreement.

She had also realized that Big Sister was the kind of person who would treat you well if you treated her well.

In the past, their family had only complained that Big Sister hadn’t helped her brother get into Wangyue Academy, but they had never considered that they hadn’t helped Big Sister either.

That kind of expectation and thought was really unreasonable.

Back in the main courtyard, Daohua had returned with Li Zixuan and Li Zixin when she saw her mother looking at an invitation. “Mother, whose invitation is this?”

Madam Li smiled and looked at them. “It’s from the family of Zhu Jiaoyu. In a few days, it will be Madam Zhu’s birthday, and they’ve invited us to celebrate.”

As soon as Daohua heard it was from Zhu Jiaoyu’s family, her interest immediately waned.

Seeing this, Madam Li felt a bit helpless. Her daughter still held a grudge. After thinking for a moment, she said to Li Zixuan and Li Zixin, “You two go wash up and rest in your courtyard for now.”

Once the sisters left, Daohua couldn’t help but ask, “Mother, do you have something to tell me?”

Madam Li motioned for her daughter to sit beside her before slowly saying, “Your cousin Zixuan is fifteen this year.”

Daohua nodded, “I know. I even gave her a gift for her birthday.”

Seeing that her daughter hadn’t thought of anything else, Madam Li had to be more direct. “Once a young lady reaches the age of marriage, she can be courted.”

Daohua’s eyes widened in surprise.

“So, your mother thinks you should accompany your two cousins to more gatherings of young ladies. First, you’ll meet more people, and second, you’ll broaden your horizons. After all, the circles your cousins usually interact with are mostly from merchant families, and they haven’t had much exposure to the social gatherings of official families.”

(End of chapter)