Chapter 163: Chapter 148, Venison_1
“Miss, your writing is getting more and more beautiful!”
In Daohua Pavilion, Daohua sat in the study carefully tracing in red, while Wang Manman stood beside her, grinding ink and watching with a smile as her miss wrote.
She was no longer the ignorant little girl she had been; after following by her miss’s side, she had learned quite a few things. Madam was worried that she wouldn’t serve the miss well and had specifically asked Sister Ping Tong to teach her for a good while.
Moreover, when the miss had classes, she would take her along, and she too would listen in. Although she couldn’t remember most of it, she was no longer completely illiterate.
Daohua smiled, “You can tell again?”
Wang Manman: “Although this servant can’t write, I can still see. Oh right, Miss, the writing instruments the master sent are really good; even the ink is fragrant.”
Daohua dipped her fingers into the ink and continued tracing in red, “They are all renowned inkstones and inksticks, of course, they’re good.”
Wang Manman laughed, “I heard the maids talking, the Fifth Master also wanted this set of writing instruments, but unfortunately, master gave them to you. This shows that master is liking you more and more.”
Daohua’s hand paused for a moment as she wrote, then she smiled lightly, “Maybe.”
Her foster father’s love for Yan Wenbin and Yan Yishuang was from the heart. As for her… let’s just say he valued her.
Seeing that Daohua seemed not that interested in this topic, Wang Manman changed the subject, “Madam has bought another batch of maids and servants for the house, we will be getting new people in our courtyard too, right?”
Daohua nodded, “Mm, there’s a lot to do at the end of the year, mother thinks there aren’t enough hands around the house. Oh, if new people come to our courtyard, you need to keep an eye on them for me, don’t let them mess with my things.”
Wang Manman assured her with utmost sincerity, “Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of the place. Miss, it’s already past the twentieth of the twelfth lunar month, how come the young masters haven’t had their holidays yet?”
Daohua: “They should be in the next couple of days.”
…
At Wangyue Academy.
“Finally, vacation time!”
Walking out of the classroom, Yan Wenkai let out a huge sigh of relief; this period had really been stifling for him.
There was no helping it. Ever since his last visit home, the Little Prince had been keeping a cold face, making him too scared to speak carelessly.
Yan Wenkai, dragging Wen Tao along, rushed back to their lodging to pack up their things. They had only gotten halfway through packing when Su Hongxin came looking for them, “You’re heading back already?”
“Of course, what’s the point of staying here if not to go home?” Yan Wenkai said while continuing to pack.
Su Hongxin: “Alright, take a break, the Little Prince is asking for you.”
Yan Wenkai’s face suddenly changed, and he asked nervously, “The Little Prince isn’t in a bad mood today, is he?”
Su Hongxin was somewhat speechless, “Look at you, anyone who doesn’t know better would think the Little Prince has done something to you.”
Yan Wenkai laughed awkwardly, “I’m just nervous, you never know how scary the Little Prince can be with a stern face.”
Su Hongxin pursed his lips, “That’s because the Little Prince has given you too many smiles.” Back when he had first started as the Little Prince’s study companion, he had been on pins and needles every day, not daring to joke around or make a fuss like Yan Wenkai did with the Little Prince.
“Hurry up, don’t keep the Little Prince waiting.”
Soon, the three of them arrived at Xiao Yeyang’s courtyard.
Upon arrival, they found Dong Yuanxuan, Yan Wenxiu, and Zhou Chengye were also there.
In the courtyard lay several freshly killed wild deer.
Seeing everyone had arrived, Defu stepped forward with a smile, “The Governor sent over several deer. The Little Prince thought, with the New Year just around the corner, it would be good for everyone to share and consider it an addition to the menu.”
Dong Yuanxuan’s face stirred slightly as he looked at Xiao Yeyang, who sat quietly to the side. He chuckled, “This venison definitely needs to be roasted, that’s when it tastes best. Speaking of roasting meat, I can’t help but recall the meat grilled by Yan Big Sister on the Double Ninth Festival.” As he spoke, he exaggeratedly sucked in his saliva.
“I really want to eat it again!”
Having said that, he desperately signalled Yan Wenkai with his eyes.
Little did he know, this fellow was gazing at the wild deer, saliva almost dripping, “Indeed, I would love to eat that again.”
Dong Yuanxuan was speechless, who cares if you want to eat; this dunce, couldn’t catch on to a hint.
After a moment’s thought, he turned to Yan Wenxiu, hoping he would understand his intention.
As for Yan Wentao, forget it; he was an honest man, Dong Yuanxuan had no expectations there.
Yan Wenxiu, after all, had been tutored by Yan Zhigao for many years, and instantly caught the implication in Dong Yuanxuan’s words. He immediately responded with a smile, “Indeed, eating roasted venison while admiring the snow in winter is one of life’s great pleasures.”
“Little Prince, now that the Academy is on break and everyone is free, why not come over to my place? It’ll be lively if we all gather for a barbecue.”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yeyang’s expression flickered, but remembering that Daohua hadn’t shown her face last time at the Yan Family, he pursed his lips and remained silent.
At that moment, Yan Wenkai, utterly entranced by the thought of barbecued meat, received a sharp pinch on his waist from Zhou Chengye and finally snapped back to reality.
“Yes, Little Prince, please come to our home. My Big Sister has never had venison before.”
Xiao Yeyang finally looked up, “Why hasn’t your family even allowed her to taste venison?”
Yan Wenkai replied, “It’s because venison is so rare, and nobody in our family hunts. Moreover, Big Sister always lived in the countryside; she never had the chance to have it.”
“Little Prince, let’s go, let’s go. My Big Sister loves to eat; she’ll drool over the venison for sure.”
Imagining Daohua salivating at the sight of venison, a smile finally appeared on Xiao Yeyang’s face. Then, as the smile faded, he reluctantly said, “Alright then, I’ll accept your sincere invitation and visit.”
Seeing this, Dong Yuanxuan and the others exchanged knowing smiles.
….
To avoid a repeat of the last incident, Yan Wenxiu sent a servant ahead to the mansion to inform Yan Zhigao and Madam Li that the Little Prince would be visiting.
Receiving the news, Yan Zhigao was pleased and told the Yan Family members, “When the Little Prince arrives, everyone should go and welcome him.”
After speaking, he specifically glanced at Daohua, about to remind his eldest daughter of something, but he was interrupted by Yan Zhiyuan.
“Big Brother, relax. When the Little Prince arrives, we must treat him well. Last time, Yihuan and Yileu had a good chat with him. This time, let them keep him company too. You know Yihuan, she is gentle and won’t cause any upset to the Little Prince.”
Having been interrupted, Yan Zhigao felt somewhat uncomfortable, his brow furrowing slightly, “That would be for the best. It’s an honor for our family to host the Little Prince. Everyone, go and prepare.”
No sooner had he finished speaking than Yan Zhiyuan and the Sun Family hurried away with Yan Yihuan and her sisters, muttering about getting washed up and dressed without even saying goodbye.
Seeing them act like this, Yan Zhigao’s displeasure grew.
Back in their own part of the house, Yan Zhiyuan urged the Sun Family to dress Yan Yihuan and her sisters, while he himself sat nearby, incessantly giving instructions.
“When the Little Prince comes, you must do your best to please him, and don’t anger him…”
At that moment, Yan Zhiyuan’s heart was ablaze with eagerness. After the Sun Family told him about using the Little Prince’s connections to secure an official position, he had been fixated on the idea and was becoming more convinced of its feasibility.