Chapter 275: Prodigal

 Chapter 275: Prodigal

On the 17th of the twelfth lunar month, the academy closed for the holidays, and the three brothers of the Yan family returned home. This year, due to the plague, they had caused their elders much worry and needed to spend more time with their family.

The 20th of the twelfth month marked the 15th birthday of Yan Wenkai. On this day, Xiao Yeyang, along with Dong Yuanxuan and Su Hongxin, arrived.

Li Xingnian also came, partly for his nephew’s birthday and partly to bring Li Zixuan and Li Zixin back home.

With the New Year approaching, the two young ladies could not remain in the Yan family’s house for too long.

“You’re giving me more land again?”

In the Yan family's garden, looking at the document Xiao Yeyang handed her, Daohua folded her arms and rejected him, saying, “Tell me, what’s the reason this time?”

Xiao Yeyang was speechless: “I said, Miss Yan, can you at least look at what it is before talking?”

Daohua was stunned and awkwardly said, “Isn't this a land deed?” She reached out to take the document, and after reading it, her expression was hard to describe.

What was the difference between a house deed and a land deed?

“The last time, because of the grain seeds, I could understand you gifting me land. But now, what’s the reason for gifting me a house?” And not just any house, a three-entry residence, in the capital!

Xiao Yeyang was frustrated. No one had ever given gifts like he did. He took a deep breath and explained, “Your father is about to go to the capital for official business. Where will he live?”

Daohua fell silent. She had never thought about it. “The capital is so big. Surely, there must be somewhere to stay? A guesthouse? Or worst-case scenario, I can stay with my aunt’s family.”

Xiao Yeyang: “Whether it’s a guesthouse or a relative’s house, it will be inconvenient. It’s better to have your own place.”

Daohua shook her head: “That’s true, but I can’t take your house.” She pushed the deed back into Xiao Yeyang’s hands.

Looking at the deed now back in his hands, Xiao Yeyang didn’t know what to say.

At this moment, Daohua rested her chin on her hand and thought for a moment. “You make a point. My big brother will definitely need a place in the capital when he goes for the imperial exams. Having a house there would certainly be more convenient.”

“That’s it, I’ll go tell my mother to buy a house in the capital. Since my father is going there anyway, it will be a good opportunity for him to look.”

Xiao Yeyang: “You don’t know the capital at all. Even if you find a place, it will likely be on the outskirts, far from the city center. It would be far more convenient if you just accepted my house.”

He pushed the deed back into her hands and added, “If you feel bad about it, we can pretend I’m selling it to you.”

This time, Daohua didn’t reject as strongly as before. She looked at Xiao Yeyang and asked, “How much silver?”

Xiao Yeyang was caught off guard. He wasn’t sure about the price, but after glancing at his servant, Defu, who gave him a two-finger sign, Xiao Yeyang figured it out and, knowing Daohua’s love for wealth, said, “Two thousand taels.”

Upon hearing this, Defu almost fell to his knees.

The house Xiao Yeyang was offering was worth at least twenty thousand taels, not two thousand. Even though the house wasn’t large, its location in the capital made it worth much more.

He felt that the price had already been lowered as a favor to the Yan family, but Xiao Yeyang had slashed it even further.

This was truly wasteful!

“Two thousand taels isn’t expensive!”

Daohua wasn’t very familiar with house prices, but knowing that more than two thousand taels could buy a mid-sized estate, she figured a three-entry house should be affordable.

She looked at Xiao Yeyang: “Did you give me a discount?”

Xiao Yeyang, who had spent a considerable amount of time with Daohua, understood what she meant by a “discount.” He nodded: “Can’t I give you a discount, considering our relationship? Don’t worry, I didn’t let you take too much advantage.”

When Defu heard this, he rolled his eyes. He was so tired of dealing with his master’s eccentricities.

Daohua, satisfied, smiled: “Alright, you wait here. I’ll go get the silver from my mother.” With that, she happily ran towards the main house with the deed in hand.

Seeing this, Xiao Yeyang sighed in relief. Finally, the house was accepted!

At this moment, Defu spoke up: “Master, the house costs more than thirty thousand taels.”

Xiao Yeyang casually slapped Defu on the head: “Keep this to yourself, don’t let Daohua hear it.”

Defu hesitated but then said, “I don’t think it’d hurt to tell Miss Yan. What’s the harm in her knowing?”

Xiao Yeyang: “Do you really think Daohua would spend twenty or thirty thousand taels to buy a house?”

Defu went silent.

Given Daohua’s love of money, it didn’t seem likely she’d spend that much.

Xiao Yeyang wasn’t bothered: “Think about it. The house was originally going to be a gift for Daohua. Now she’s giving us two thousand taels, so we actually came out ahead.”

Defu was taken aback.

Had they really come out ahead?

It sounded like it made sense, but something about it felt off.

“Two thousand taels?!”

When Madam Li heard that a three-entry house in the capital only cost two thousand taels, she was stunned.

Daohua smiled: “It’s definitely worth more than two thousand taels. I’d say at least three or four thousand. But this is Xiao Yeyang’s goodwill, so we shouldn’t refuse his gesture.”

Is that so?

Madam Li still felt it was a bit cheap, but since she had never been to the capital, she didn’t know much about the place. Seeing the “outskirts” written on the deed, she assumed it was a more remote location.

“If it’s on the outskirts, it might indeed be cheaper.”

With that thought, she waved for Ping Tong to bring the silver notes.

Soon, Daohua returned to the garden with two thousand taels in silver notes and a small embroidered bag.

“What’s this?”

Xiao Yeyang told Defu to take the silver notes while he stared at the embroidered bag in Daohua’s hand.

Daohua glanced at Xiao Yeyang’s wrist, noticing a bruise, and quickly pulled out a small round box from the bag. She opened it, and a medicinal fragrance immediately filled the air.

“This is a blood circulation ointment. With your martial arts training, you’re bound to get hurt. This will help heal faster.”

Xiao Yeyang took the box, smelled it, and then looked up and smiled: “Thank you.”

Daohua looked at his wrist: “You should try it.”

Xiao Yeyang froze. Noticing her gaze, he realized the bruise on his wrist had been exposed. He tugged at his sleeve, about to say he’d apply it later, but then had a thought and looked at Daohua: “I can’t apply it with one hand. How about you help me?”

Daohua was not one to spoil others, especially someone as lazy as Xiao Yeyang. She raised her arm and demonstrated: “It’s on your arm. It’s easy to apply.”

Xiao Yeyang’s face stiffened.

At this point, Defu quickly stepped forward to ease the awkwardness: “Master, let me help you.”

“Who did this to you?”

Seeing all the bruises on Xiao Yeyang’s arm, Daohua immediately leaned in.

Defu had quick reflexes, retreating and placing the box in Daohua’s hands, although she didn’t seem to want to help apply the ointment.

Xiao Yeyang wasn’t bothered: “It’s from practicing martial arts. You can’t avoid injuries.” He hissed from the cold and urged, “Hurry up and apply it.”

Daohua looked at the ointment in her hands, helplessly sitting next to Xiao Yeyang and starting to apply it.

Seeing her so close, Xiao Yeyang’s breathing slowed, and the cold sensation on his arm made him feel strangely uncomfortable.

“Don’t train so hard.”

As she applied the ointment, Daohua softly advised him.

“You’re still growing. Don’t ruin your body.”

“Ah, it’s not good without an elder around to watch over you. Defu and the others won’t stop you, but you should be careful and not be so reckless.”

At first, Xiao Yeyang listened patiently, but gradually, Daohua’s tone made him feel uneasy.

What was this about?