Chapter 287: Speechless

 Chapter 287: Speechless

After applying the medicine to Dong Yuanyao’s eyes, Daohua and her group left the side courtyard and returned to their respective homes.

In the carriage, Daohua looked at Yan Wentao. "Third Brother, why did you come to the capital?"

Yan Wentao answered, "Big Brother and Fourth Brother are not at the academy, so His Highness the Prince asked me to come with him."

Daohua then asked, "So, did you all go to the brothel because of His Highness’s suggestion?"

Yan Wentao shook his head. "No, it was Hongxin. He said that we were all grown up, and it was time to go and see the brothel."

Daohua continued, "So, what did you do once you were there?"

Yan Wentao replied, "We didn’t do much. Hongxin ordered the courtesan to accompany us, and he also called a few of the top girls."

Cough cough~

Li Chenyi suddenly started coughing loudly, casting a bewildered glance at Yan Wentao.

This Third Brother of his, why is he answering so honestly to his cousin’s questions? Can you talk about these things with a young lady?

Yan Wentao noticed Li Chenyi’s hint and immediately stopped talking.

Seeing this, Daohua was silent for a moment before looking at Li Chenyi with concern. "Cousin, are you feeling sick?"

Li Chenyi forced a smile. "No, it's just a bit of a sore throat. A few coughs and I’ll be fine."

Daohua nodded, her expression serious. "Though it’s not a big problem, you should still be careful. When we get back, go see a physician. If you keep coughing like this, it’s not just going to disturb our conversation, but if any elders are around, it’ll come off as disrespectful and improper."

Li Chenyi’s smile froze, and he was left speechless, looking at his cousin with a bit of astonishment.

The others in the carriage lowered their heads, stifling their laughter.

Afterward, Daohua didn’t bring up the brothel anymore, instead focusing on asking Yan Wentao about the family matters.

"The large gifts have already been taken care of by Second Uncle and sent to Ningmen prefecture."

"Uncle will be returning to Xingzhou in the next couple of days. After handing over the position to the new Prefect Magistrate, he’ll go directly to Ningmen Prefecture to take up his post."

"Once Aunt finishes packing up, she and Grandmother will also go to Ningmen Prefecture."

Daohua listened carefully, and soon the carriage arrived at the restaurant where Li Zixin was staying. "I’m going to call cousin Zixin. You all wait here."

Once Daohua got out of the carriage, Li Chenliang couldn’t help but comment, "Your little sister’s tongue is really sharp. Just now, she left Big Brother speechless."

Yan Wentao looked over. "Just a reminder, don’t provoke my little sister. She’s not someone who will take the loss. Even if she has to back down, she’ll find a way to make up for it later. His Highness the Prince has only ever lost to her."

Upon hearing this, Li Chenyi’s gaze flickered, and he casually said, "It seems like His Highness the Prince and your little sister have a pretty good relationship!"

Yan Wentao smirked proudly. "Of course, just look at who’s sister she is."

Seeing this, Li Chenyi was once again left speechless. He couldn’t help but sigh internally. Talking to his cousin was really exhausting.

You have to be very clear and direct in saying what you mean, or he won’t understand. Answering a question with an answer that makes sense, only to have him go off-topic and make it all more complicated.

Soon, Daohua returned with Li Zixin.

The two of them got into the carriage, and they headed to the Li residence.

As they neared the Li residence, Daohua couldn’t help but remind them, "You must make sure to explain what happened at the theater properly. Otherwise, I might tell everyone about your trip to the brothel."

Upon hearing Daohua’s tone of threat, Li Chenyi helplessly nodded. "Don’t worry, I’ll tell my parents that we took you to the theater, and the fight was started by someone else. Your injuries were just an accident."

This was the story Daohua had discussed with Dong Yuanyao earlier.

It couldn’t be helped. The patrol officers had arrested people, causing a big scene, and their faces were injured. They couldn’t hide it, so they had to downplay it. This way, they wouldn’t face too severe a punishment.

Seeing Daohua looking out of the carriage curtain frequently, Yan Wentao couldn’t help but say, "Big sister, you don’t need to worry. Uncle and Aunt won’t punish you. If you want, I can take your place—"

Before he could finish, Daohua raised her hand to interrupt. "Fourth Brother, I appreciate your kindness, but please, when we see Uncle and Aunt later, don’t speak. I’m afraid if you open your mouth, you’ll ruin the story we’ve prepared."

"Poof~"

Li Zixin couldn’t hold back and laughed.

This cousin is like that—whenever he opens his mouth, nothing stays hidden.

Yan Wentao snorted. "I didn’t want to say anything."

Before long, they arrived at the Li family’s residence.

After Li Chenyi explained everything to Li Xingnian, Li Xingchang, and the two matriarchs, they nodded in understanding and didn’t say much. They simply told Daohua and the others to go rest.

Seeing how easily it was handled, Daohua was somewhat surprised. She pulled Li Zixin aside. "Cousin Zixin, do you think Uncle and Aunt believe us?"

Li Zixin also seemed unsure. Her parents had been much easier to talk to this time.

Daohua sighed. "Well, as long as we’re not punished, I’m fine with it."

After Daohua and the others left, Li Xingnian turned to Li Chenyi. "Now, tell me what really happened."

Li Chenyi sighed. He knew he couldn’t hide it from his parents and his second uncle and aunt, so he told them everything that had happened that day.

After hearing that Daohua had gone to the theater to investigate Fang Liangji, Li Xingchang immediately smiled. "Daohua really didn’t disappoint."

Li Xingnian shot him a glare. "Don’t be so flippant. A young girl going to the theater and even fighting—if your sister finds out, she’ll definitely lecture us about it."

Fang Shi laughed. "Alright, I see Daohua knows what she’s doing. However, today’s actions were wrong. She should be punished."

Jiang Shi added, "Daohua likes to play, so punish her by not letting her go out before Zixuan’s engagement."

Fang Shi immediately agreed, "That’s a good idea."

So, not long after returning to Li Zixuan’s courtyard, Daohua received a message from Fang Shi.

"Miss, the madam says you’re not allowed to go out these days."

Upon hearing this, Daohua slumped on the desk. "I knew I couldn’t escape. Aunt’s punishment is so harsh, directly grounding me!"

Seeing Daohua’s dejected expression, Li Zixuan and Li Zixin couldn’t help but laugh.

Before long, it was time for the Fang family to send the official engagement gifts to the Li family.

Hearing the sounds of bustling outside, Daohua and Li Zixin stood in the inner courtyard, watching as the servants brought in the engagement gifts.

"The Fang family seems quite wealthy."

Li Zixin nodded. "How could they not be wealthy? The Fang family in Zhongzhou is one of the top merchant families. My father was surprised when he heard that my elder sister was getting engaged to their eldest son."

Daohua sighed. "It’s a pity. Last time, I went to the theater, but I still couldn’t figure out what kind of person Fang Liangji is."

Li Zixin smiled. "You’re still thinking about that? My mother said that on the third day after we returned, Fang’s wife bumped into my mother and Second Aunt at the jewelry store. She personally explained why Fang Liangji was at the theater."

"He didn’t go to the theater on purpose. He was there to pick up his uncle, who was watching the performance."

"My mother said the Fang family comes from the Ji Guang Fang clan. Compared to other merchant families, they pay more attention to rules. Second Uncle agreed to the engagement because he values that."

Daohua nodded. This was actually a good thing. In this era of arranged marriages, marrying into a family that values rules and propriety is better than marrying into a family that lacks them.

(End of Chapter)