Chapter 105: Chapter 92, Stay Overnight i
In order to entertain Xiao Yeyang, Daohua had spared no expense and prepared the meals using almost exclusively ingredients from her own space, except for the meat.
Even Xiao Yeyang, who had tasted various exotic delicacies, couldn’t help but praise the meal served by the Yan Family.
Both Dong Yuanxuan and Zhou Chengye, who never used to have second servings at home, ate two bowls of rice each and seemed to want more. If it had not been for their status, they both felt they could have eaten more.
After the meal, Daohua asked Wang Manman to serve freshly picked jasmine tea to everyone.
Xiao Yeyang held the teacup and observed the jasmine blossoms within, surrounded by the rich aroma of the tea, he acknowledged, “Your family’s flower tea is quite good.”
Daohua said, “If you like it, I’ll pack some for you to take with you when you leave.”
Xiao Yeyang didn’t decline and took a sip of the tea, hmm, the taste wasn’t bad either, something he could enjoy from time to time.
Inside the room, everyone echoed Xiao Yeyang’s words. Regardless of whether they truly appreciated the jasmine tea, they didn’t stint in their praise. Meanwhile, Madam Li was unsure whether Xiao Yeyang and his companions were going to stay the night. She came looking for Daohua to discuss the preparations for the guest rooms, prompting Daohua to step away for a while. Madam Li said, “You’re more familiar with that distinguished guest, so please tell me, how should we prepare the lodging? Are there any particular taboos we should be aware of?”
Daohua was at a loss; she didn’t have a clue but seeing Madam Li’s nervousness, said, “Mother, I think it’d be best to follow the usual rules you have for preparing it.”
Madam Li immediately objected, “How can that suffice? He is a member of the Imperial Family.”
After thinking for a moment, Daohua suggested, “How about I ask De Fu, Xiao Yeyang’s attendant?”
Madam Li replied, “Then please do so quickly.”
Daohua reluctantly returned to the living room, only to find the atmosphere somewhat amiss—a maid was trembling as she knelt on the ground.
“What happened?” Daohua asked, looking towards Xiao Yeyang.
Xiao Yeyang glanced at Daohua but said nothing.
At that moment, De Fu came forward and reported, “This maid has been clumsy and dropped a piece of Master Qi’s artwork on the floor.”
Daohua looked at the fan lying beside Xiao Yeyang and picked it up. She examined the landscape painting on it, nodded, and commented, “Not bad.” Then, tilting her head, she asked doubtfully, “Who is Master Qi?”
If Xiao Yeyang wasn’t mindful of etiquette, he would have rolled his eyes at Daohua right then. Was she really a daughter of an official’s family, not knowing even Master Qi?
“Master Qi, ah…”
Xiao Yeyang, too, was a lover of painting and he spoke incessantly and admiringly of Master Qi.
After listening to him, Daohua smiled and asked, “You admire this Master Qi a lot?”
Xiao Yeyang replied, “Of course.”
Seeing he was about to launch into another lengthy discourse, Daohua swiftly interrupted him and said, “Wait a moment,” before turning to De Fu, “Eunuch, my mother is unsure of how to prepare the guest room. Could you please go over and give some guidance?”
De Fu didn’t answer immediately, first glancing at Xiao Yeyang. Seeing no objection, he understood that the Little Prince intended to stay with the Yan Family, “Yes, this servant will go right away.”
When he left, Daohua smiled at Xiao Yeyang, then turned to the kneeling maid and said, “You may leave too.” She then opened the fan again and held it up to Xiao Yeyang’s eyes, smiling, “Alright, now you can tell me about Master Qi’s painting style. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll become a great painter myself.” Xiao Yeyang glanced at her sideways and disregarded the fact that she had taken it upon herself to release the maid.
Though his temper was not the best, he would not trouble a maid without reason. However, Daohua had taken a rather long time to leave just now, and not everyone in the Yan Family had the acumen to flatter and pander to him, which greatly annoyed him.
He couldn’t vent his irritation on those few individuals, so he took the opportunity to direct it at the maid who had just made a mistake, lest those people think he was indeed easy to talk to.
“You still want to become a great painter? First, you should get some common knowledge into your head,” he critiqued, “You don’t even recognize the Qi Family. I’m embarrassed for you.”
Daohua righteously retorted, “What’s the issue with not recognizing the Qi Family? I’ve never studied in this area; isn’t that normal? Now that you’ve told me, don’t I know?”
It was only then that Xiao Yeyang remembered that Daohua had grown up in the countryside and had very limited exposure to the world. At that moment, he stopped berating her, and seeing her holding the fan and looking at him pitifully, he put aside his status and started to explain the painting on the fan to her.
In the room, everyone else saw Xiao Yeyang’s face lighten with a smile and immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
Yan Zhigao looked at Master Lin and Yan Wenjie with some dissatisfaction. If it weren’t for these two unaware of their manners, the Little Prince would not have gotten angry.
Dong Yuanxuan and Zhou Chengye tacitly lowered their heads to sip tea. Knowing that Xiao Yeyang would stay the night with the Yan Family, both felt somewhat restless.
Dong Yuanxuan had guessed that Xiao Yeyang would not leave Xingzhou City today and had prepared accommodations in the city in advance. Little did he know, it was all for naught.
Zhou Chengye, on the other hand, felt a bit disappointed. He had wanted to invite Xiao Yeyang to stay with the Zhou Family. After all, when compared to the Yan Family, the Zhou Family was not just a little bit inferior.
Alas, he had been shut down by a single sentence from the eldest daughter of the Yan Family.
Zhou Family.
Old Master Zhou, seeing that his eldest grandson had not sent any message back, said to his eldest son, “Tell your wife not to bother preparing anymore; the Little Prince won’t be coming over.”
Zhou Eldest nodded, “The Dong Family also has properties in Xingzhou City. It’s understandable that the Little Prince won’t come to our house.” The Zhou Family was indeed inferior to the Dong Family.
Old Master Zhou felt both disappointment and helplessness at his eldest son’s one-sided way of thinking. Fortunately, his second son was more capable; otherwise, the Zhou Family would have been on a downward trajectory in their generation.
“You only considered the Dong Family. Haven’t you thought that the Little Prince might stay with the Yan Family?”
Zhou Eldest showed surprise, “How could that be?”
Old Master Zhou said irritably, “How could it not be?” Pausing momentarily, he continued with a meaningful tone, “Sometimes, a person’s luck is very important. Yan Zhigao offended the consultant Du and his career was practically halted at the County Magistrate level. But look now, he’s turned his fortunes around, hasn’t he? People should make more good connections.” Zhou Eldest nodded, seemingly understanding yet not.
Seeing him like this, Old Master Zhou simply said, “The Yan Family has just arrived in Xingzhou and has many matters to deal with. If you could lend them a hand at this time, they would be grateful. Have your wife mingle more with the Yan Family’s ladies. And isn’t Jingwan friends with the eldest young lady of the Yan Family? Young girls can also associate with each other.”
Zhou Eldest hesitated, “Father, is that necessary? I’ve inquired, and the Yan Family doesn’t have any impressive background. They are just from a humble origin.”
Old Master Zhou immediately grew angry, “So what if they are from a humble background? Didn’t our Zhou Family ancestors also come from a humble origin? Look not just at the present, my son. As long as the Yan Family maintains a relationship with the Little Prince, who knows how high they might rise?”
“I’ve heard that when Yan Zhigao became County Magistrate, he received an umbrella from tens of thousands. To earn the genuine love and respect of the people shows he’s a man who gets things done.. Such a man, once given an opportunity, has limitless potential!”