Chapter 298: Apologizing

 Chapter 298: Apologizing

"Young Prince, why did you follow us?"
As the two ships drew closer, Yan Wenkai shouted across, using his loud voice to ask Xiao Yeyang.

Xiao Yeyang, feeling irritated, shot a glare at Yan Wenkai and snorted, "Follow you? I’m heading to Ningmen Pass where my uncle is stationed. I just happen to be on the same route as you."

"Oh~"
Yan Wenkai dragged out the "oh" and then, with a regretful tone, turned to Daohua and said, "I thought the prince came to apologize to my sister, considering how he made her look bad in front of so many people. That really wasn’t appropriate. But I guess I was wrong."

Seeing her fourth brother making faces, Daohua found it amusing. She couldn’t help but smile, but quickly suppressed it, rolling her eyes and muttering, "Apologize? Fourth Brother, are you thinking too highly of him!"

"Some people, just because of their esteemed status, might think that throwing a tantrum at others is a privilege, and they probably think it's an honor to others."

Yan Wenkai, looking disapproving, replied, "That’s no honor at all. A young lady’s reputation and dignity are the most important things. If that's what he calls an honor, then I’d say, let someone else take it. We don’t want it."

Daohua secretly gave Yan Wenkai a thumbs up.

On the side, Yan Wenxiu and Yan Wentao watched helplessly as the two siblings teamed up to tease the young prince.

Meanwhile, Xiao Yeyang’s face had already turned pale with anger.

Defu, standing behind, couldn’t help but feel a bit sympathetic toward Yan Wenkai.

"Fourth young master Yan, enjoy it while you can. If the young master can’t deal with Miss Yan, what can he do to you?
Clearly not the sharpest tool in the shed!"

Seeing the increasingly dangerous look in Xiao Yeyang’s eyes as he stared at his foolish younger brother, Yan Wenxiu sighed and decided to intervene. After all, this was his direct younger brother, and he wasn’t the sharpest. If Xiao Yeyang got too upset, he might end up with a real beating.

"Young Prince," Yan Wenxiu said with a smile, "Sister has prepared some tea and snacks. They’re quite good. Why don’t you come over and try them?"

Xiao Yeyang glanced at Daohua. She was tilting her head, not even looking at him, which only made him feel more upset.

Defu, noticing his master’s stubbornness, quickly added, "Master, we still have several hours to go to Ningmen Pass. If you go over to join Miss Yan and Lord Yan, at least the journey won’t be so dull."

Since Young master Yan has already extended the ladder, it’s time for the master to get down from his high horse.

"Cough, cough~"
Xiao Yeyang cleared his throat, awkwardly and a bit embarrassed, "I am a little thirsty. Since you have tea and snacks, I’ll just go over and have a seat."

A while later, Xiao Yeyang, accompanied by Defu, boarded the Yan family’s ship.

Yan Wenxiu greeted him with a smile and poured him a freshly brewed cup of tea.

Xiao Yeyang absentmindedly sipped his tea, occasionally glancing out at the deck, his mind debating whether to go outside.
If he went out, he’d definitely have to apologize. But, would that be too humiliating?

If it were just him and Daohua, it would be fine, but in front of Yan Wenxiu and his two younger brothers…

Suddenly, Xiao Yeyang found Yan Wenxiu and his two brothers extremely annoying, especially Yan Wenkai, who had been goading Daohua to mock him.

Hmph, let them have their moment. After I’ve coaxed Daohua, I’ll settle the score with him later.

Xiao Yeyang shot a glance at Yan Wenxiu and his brothers who were sitting nearby, mentally grumbling, No sense of awareness!

Defu, who knew his master so well, immediately understood what Xiao Yeyang was thinking. With a smile, he walked over to Yan Wenxiu and asked, "Lord Yan, you’ve probably already assumed office, right?"

Yan Wenxiu nodded.

Defu continued, "As for Ningmen Prefecture, I know a bit about it. Our governor is stationed at Ningmen Pass, which is within the jurisdiction of Ningmen Prefecture. Ningmen Pass is a renowned and strategically important fortification, famous for its danger."

As Defu spoke, the three brothers of the Yan family became intrigued by the topic.

Seeing this, Xiao Yeyang breathed a sigh of relief and quickly walked toward the deck.

Seeing him emerge, Wang Man’er and Gu Yu, who were nearby, wisely moved aside.

Daohua glanced at him but didn’t acknowledge him, instead casually playing with the embroidered handkerchief in her hand.

Xiao Yeyang hesitated for a moment before walking over to her.

As soon as he approached, Daohua stepped back a few paces.

Seeing this, Xiao Yeyang sighed and tried to move closer again.
Daohua took another step back.

This continued several times until she had no more room to retreat. Daohua, fuming, glared at Xiao Yeyang, "What are you doing? The deck is so spacious. Why do you have to keep coming closer to me?"

Xiao Yeyang glanced quickly at the cabin, saw that Yan Wenxiu and his brothers weren’t looking their way, and immediately bent slightly and said, "I was wrong."

Seeing him like this, Daohua couldn’t help but smile, her effort to suppress it failing.

Wang Man’er and Gu Yu, witnessing the scene, couldn’t hold back their laughter and covered their mouths as they chuckled.

Xiao Yeyang looked up at Daohua’s face, seeing her smile, and finally let out a sigh of relief. Hearing the sounds from the cabin, he quickly straightened up.

"Poof~"
Seeing Xiao Yeyang pretending to be calm and unaffected, Daohua couldn’t help but laugh out loud, "Tell me, what did you do wrong?"

Yes, what did he do wrong?

He didn’t know!

Clearly, it was him who had made the mistake by suspecting her of having a maid, and that’s what made him angry.

Xiao Yeyang looked at Daohua with an innocent and confused expression.

Daohua’s smile faded, and she asked, "Did you not reflect on what you did wrong when you went back?"

Seeing that she was getting upset again, Xiao Yeyang quickly thought of a response and blurted out, "It’s my fault for making you angry."

Though it wasn’t the answer in his heart, hearing him say this made Daohua smile again. She raised two fingers and said, "Xiao Yeyang, this is the second time you’ve ignored me and walked away in public."

Xiao Yeyang: "Uh…"

Daohua pouted, "Do you realize that because of your status, wherever you go, people will pay attention to you? When you get angry at me, how do you think others will see me?"

"No matter what caused the disagreement, no one will blame you, but they’ll be suspicious, ridicule, or mock me. Some gossipers might even make up nasty rumors to slander me."

"If you keep doing this, I won’t dare to hang out with you anymore!"

Xiao Yeyang hurriedly replied, "I didn’t think of that. I won’t do this again." Then, after a brief pause, he glanced at Daohua and muttered, "If you didn’t mess with me, I wouldn’t get angry."

Daohua was confused, "How did I mess with you?"

"You said I have…" Xiao Yeyang’s expression became uncomfortable, and he muttered, "I don’t have a concubine."

Daohua was speechless, "If you don’t have one, then just say so. Why get upset?"

Xiao Yeyang was momentarily stunned.

Yes, why was he upset?

Seeing his reaction, Daohua shook her head helplessly, "Xiao Yeyang, we’re friends, right?"

Xiao Yeyang bit his lip and nodded.

Daohua continued, "Between friends, we should be equals. You have to be open to different opinions. You can’t just get angry and walk away because my views are different from yours."

"I…"
Xiao Yeyang was at a loss for words. He wanted to say he was angry because she doubted him and didn’t trust him, but somehow, it felt odd, so he chose to stay silent.

Forget it. Although Yan Wenkai might not be very bright, he did say one thing right: a lady’s dignity is precious, and it’s better to indulge her. Why get hung up on the reasons? Could he really argue with her?

(End of Chapter)