Chapter 237: Flood Disaster
Watching Yan Zhigao leave in a hurry, the Yan family lost their appetite for the meal.
After returning to her courtyard, Daohua immediately headed to the study. She searched for a while before finding the map of Jiguang Province. After studying it for a moment, she frowned and said, "The Grand Canal also flows through Jiguang Province. If the dam there breaches, how many people will suffer?"
Wang Man'er, Gu Yu, and Li Xia all looked worried. "Miss, will the dam breach in Jiguang Province affect us here?"
Daohua remained silent for a while before replying, "Jiguang Province is upstream from Zhongzhou, so a breach up there will still have some impact downstream. But since it’s quite far from us, there’s no need to worry too much."
Wang Man'er furrowed her brow. "How could a dam breach like this happen?"
Gu Yu snorted, "What else could it be? Not every official is as diligent and people-loving as our master. It’s probably because the officials in Jiguang Province embezzled the money meant for repairing the dam."
Daohua glanced at Gu Yu. "It's fine to say such things here in the courtyard, but you mustn't speak carelessly outside."
Gu Yu immediately lowered her head. "I understand, Miss."
Daohua said no more. She warned Gu Yu not only to prevent her from causing trouble but also because, based on her father’s experience when he took over Xingzhou, even if some officials wanted to do their work, they were powerless if the funds were withheld or delayed from above.
One couldn’t blame all officials in the same way.
For the next few days, Yan Zhigao was extremely busy, leaving early and returning late, and they hardly saw him.
"Mother, what has Father been so busy with these past few days?"
One day, Daohua arrived early at the main courtyard to greet her mother, only to find that her father had already gone to the office. She couldn't help but ask Madam Li.
Madam Li said, "He's busy reinforcing the riverbanks."
Daohua frowned. "Didn't Father say the riverbanks under his jurisdiction were very stable?"
Madam Li's face grew serious. "Your father is worried. He’s concerned that the riverbanks won't hold up when the floodwaters come, so he's been working overnight to reinforce them."
She sighed as she spoke.
"Your father received news that several places along the upper reaches of the Grand Canal in Jiguang Province have already had dam breaches. The damage is severe, and the flood this year is both sudden and fierce. Your father has to be extra cautious."
Daohua's face showed concern. "It's that serious?"
Madam Li nodded heavily. "When the Grand Canal’s dams breach, it's always serious. But you don’t need to worry about it. After breakfast, hurry and go to your lessons."
Daohua nodded and didn’t say anything more.
That afternoon, just after class, Daohua was still organizing her incense tools when she saw Wang Man'er quickly approaching her. She whispered, "Miss, young Master sent a letter back. After Madam read it, she became furious."
Daohua immediately looked surprised.
Her mother’s temperament was very gentle and she rarely became angry. If she had gotten so upset, what had her older brother done?
Daohua quickly finished tidying up, handed her things to Li Xia, and hurried to the main courtyard.
On the way, she ran into Ping Tong.
"Miss, are you looking for Madam? She's not in the main courtyard right now; she's in the Grandmother's courtyard."
Hearing this, Daohua immediately changed direction and quickly headed to the Grandmother's courtyard.
Not long after, Daohua arrived at Songhe Courtyard. As soon as she stepped into the room, she noticed that both her grandmother and mother looked upset.
"Grandmother, Mother, what happened? What did my older brother do to upset both of you?"
Old Madam Yan gave her a glance and motioned to the letter on the table with a jerk of her chin. "You can see for yourself."
Daohua hurried over, opened the letter, and quickly read it. By the time she reached the end, she understood why her mother and grandmother were so angry.
"My older brother and the others want to go to Jiguang to help with disaster relief. This is… this is also a rare opportunity for experience."
Before Daohua could finish speaking, Old Madam Yan interrupted her angrily, "Experience? What experience? We’re not trying to stop your brothers from gaining experience, but they could at least choose a better place!"
"Last time, they went to that place where bandits were rampant in Fenxi, and this time they’re going straight to a flood-affected area! Do they think their lives are too easy? Why do they always go where it’s most dangerous?"
Seeing that her grandmother was truly angry, Daohua stopped defending her three brothers.
Old Madam Yan stretched her neck, looking outside. "Why hasn't the eldest returned yet?"
Madam Li explained, "Master should be busy with something at the moment. He should be back soon."
As soon as she finished speaking, Yan Zhigao entered.
Old Madam Yan pointed at Daohua. "Go, give this letter to your father."
Daohua quickly handed the letter over.
Yan Zhigao took the letter and, after reading it, immediately furrowed his brows. He remained silent for a moment before looking at his mother and Madam Li. "It's rare that Wenxiu and the others have this intention. If they want to go, let them go."
Old Madam Yan immediately became enraged. "What are you saying? Floodwaters are merciless. When they come, they can kill people!"
Yan Zhigao sighed. "Mother, I know. But Wenxiu and the others are with the Young Prince. The Young Prince has plenty of guards around him, so their safety is guaranteed."
"Besides, this is also a rare experience. Since the children were born, although our family can't be considered very wealthy, we've never had to worry about food or clothing. These children have never tasted hardship. It’s a good opportunity for them to see the suffering of the world," Yan Zhigao said.
Old Madam Yan was still reluctant. "It’s too dangerous."
Yan Zhigao patiently replied, "Mother, the children have to grow up. Wenxiu is the eldest son of the Yan family, and he’ll need to establish his own household in the future. Wenkai and Wentao are also boys. A boy’s growth can’t be without any hardship."
Old Madam Yan remained silent, then finally turned to Madam Li. "What do you think?"
Madam Li, though deeply unwilling, understood that boys should travel and experience more when they are young. Only through such experiences can they shoulder the responsibilities that lie ahead. She softly said, "I will listen to your decision, Master."
Upon hearing this, Old Madam Yan sighed. "Fine, fine. If you, the parents, aren't worried, why should I, an old woman, worry so much? You may do as you wish. However, you must personally go to Zhiqiang and Wu Shi’s house to talk to them."
Madam Li immediately stood up. "Don't worry, Mother, I’ll go speak to Third Brother and Third Sister-in-law right now."
Old Madam Yan waved her hand, signaling them to leave.
After they left, Daohua sat beside her grandmother, leaned on her, and smiled. "Grandmother, don’t worry too much. You know Third Brother is an excellent swimmer in Yan Family Village. He’s the one who taught me how to swim."
Old Madam Yan scolded her, "You still dare bring that up? You're a girl, and yet you learned to swim like a boy! Your third brother didn’t stop you, but actually helped you. Last time, I really went too easy on you."
Daohua shook her grandmother’s arm playfully. "Oh, grandmother, swimming is a survival skill. Think about it, if I fell into the river, wouldn't I have a better chance of surviving than someone who can't swim?"
Old Madam Yan huffed, "I can't argue with you."
Seeing her grandmother's anger fade, Daohua smiled and said, "Grandmother, I need to go prepare some common medicines for the three brothers. I must make sure they don’t get sick. I’ll come back to have dinner with you later!"
Watching her granddaughter dash off, Old Madam Yan shook her head helplessly. "Thankfully, she’s a girl. Otherwise, she’d be even more troublesome than her three brothers."
(End of Chapter)
