Chapter 207: Chapter 189, The Arrogant Parrot_1
With Xiao Yeyang’s increasingly frequent visits to the Yan Family and his growing closeness to the three Yan brothers, Yan Zhigao no longer rushed over from the state yamen every time to receive him as he had before. Now, everyone interacted with less formality, somewhat like how good friends would visit each other’s homes.
In the Prefectural Governor’s Office.
Seeing Yan Zhigao handling official business with calm and composure, and not rushing home to receive the Little Prince upon his arrival, everyone felt both envious and wistful.
“The Little Prince is so intimate with the Yan Family?”
Zhu, the instructing master, hasn’t been here for long, and most of what he knew before were rumors and hearsay. Now, witnessing it all firsthand, he realized that the Yan Family was indeed on the rise.
If not for their closeness, how could Master Yan remain so serene?
“Don’t you know? The two young masters of the Yan Family are the Little Prince’s study companions, they are together every day, of course their relationship has grown close.”
“Because of the Little Prince, the three young masters of the Yan Family are also on good terms with the sons of the Provincial Governors, the son of Advisor Su, and the sons of the Zhou Family. Which one of these families is not a prominent noble house?”
“It might not be apparent now, but think about it, once these young masters start their careers in the court, they will all become a great asset to the Yan Family.”
“Certainly, Dong Yuanxuan is even from the Marquis Yongjia’s household in Beijing, a family deeply favored by the Emperor. The Su and Zhou Families are also prestigious families in Zhongzhou. As long as the Yan Family continues their good relations with these families, how can they lack prospects?”
Hearing the discussions of his colleagues, Zhu, the instructing master, regretted in his heart, wishing he had restrained his wife and daughter previously so they wouldn’t have completely offended Madam Li and Yan Wenkai’s sister from the Yan Family.
Now, they didn’t even have a suitable reason to visit.
At the back courtyard of the Yan Residence.
“In the future, don’t pinch your sister’s cheeks anymore; her skin is delicate and cannot withstand such pinching.”
A group went to Songhe Courtyard, and the Old Madam Yan, seeing the marks on Daohua’s face, took the opportunity to admonish Yan Wenkai while they were there.
Yan Wenkai stood obediently to the side, listening to the reprimand.
Making matters worse, Xiao Yeyang and others found his sheepish demeanor amusing and couldn’t help but laugh at the sight.
That evening, Xiao Yeyang and his companions didn’t leave, but stayed in the courtyard belonging to the Yan brothers, Yan Wenxiu and Yan Wenkai.
The next day, when Daohua arrived at the Old Madam’s courtyard, the dining room was already set with bowls of longevity noodles.
Seeing the noodles, Daohua knew they were freshly made by the Old Madam early in the morning. She hurried into the house and then threw herself into the Old Madam’s embrace, rubbing her head against her and cooing sweetly, “Grandmother!”
The Old Madam patted Daohua’s back and said with a laugh, “You’re already an eleven-year-old girl, why are you still so clingy?”
Daohua looked up seriously and replied, “Grandmother, I’m only eleven, not big yet, still small!”
The Old Madam saw her granddaughter’s wide-open eyes earnestly proving she was still a child, and burst out laughing, “Yes, yes, you’re still little, still a little girl needing to be cherished in your grandmother’s palm.”
Only then did Daohua nod her head, satisfied with a smile.
The Old Madam took Daohua by the hand, “Let’s go, have the noodles before they get soggy and less tasty.”
In the dining hall, Xiao Yeyang and the others had gradually come in, sitting on guest chairs and conversing in quiet whispers.
On the opposite side, Yan Yihuan and her two sisters sat quietly alongside them.
Since the last incident when she angered Xiao Yeyang, Yan Yile was relatively well-behaved this time; however, she did attempt to join the conversation a few times, but aside from Dong Yuanxuan—who felt the need to prevent the atmosphere from becoming too awkward and responded to her a few times—Xiao Yeyang did not glance at her once throughout.
“The Little Prince must still be angry with me.” Yan Yile kept glancing in Xiao Yeyang’s direction, looking like she wanted to speak to him but didn’t dare.
Yan Yihuan tugged at her sister’s sleeve and shook her head as if to tell her to stop talking.
Yan Yishuang observed the actions of the two sisters and couldn’t suppress a mocking smirk.
It was clear that the Little Prince had no interest in engaging with their younger sister, yet she shamelessly persisted in trying to get closer; it was as if she had no pride left at all.
Yishuang was tempted to snipe at her, but just then, she saw the Old Madam arriving with Daohua in tow.
“Happy birthday, Miss Yan.”
Upon seeing Daohua, Dong Yuanxuan and the others all stood up from their seats, each of them smiling and offering her their blessings.
“Thank you.”
“Ahem~”
After everyone had had their say, Xiao Yeyang slowly got to his feet, “I heard from Wenkai just before coming that today is your birthday, and didn’t have time to prepare a gift. So, I brought the parrot I’ve been keeping under the eaves. It’s quite an amusing bird, and can keep you entertained when you’re bored.” Having said this, he glanced at Defu.
Defu immediately went out with a smile and, after a moment, came back carrying a birdcage. In the cage, a brilliantly feathered parrot was looking around curiously.
Seeing the parrot, Dong Yuanxuan and Su Hongxin exchanged a quick glance.
This parrot was a tribute from local officials to the emperor, known for its excellent mimicry. The emperor had gifted it to the Little Prince, who had decided to leave it at Wangyue Academy while he studied. Whenever he had time, he would use it for a bit of fun.
And now, he had given it to Miss Yan!
“Ahem~”
Xiao Yeyang coughed while clenching his fists, as if signaling the parrot, which immediately began to squawk.
“Daohua, happy birthday!”
“Daohua, happy birthday!”
Daohua was already attracted to the beautiful, small parrot, and hearing it speak now just increased her fondness. She hurried over to tease the parrot with her hand.
“Say it one more time, let’s hear it again.”
Unfortunately, the parrot was just as haughty as Xiao Yeyang. No matter how Daohua teased it, it would not speak again, eventually just turning its back on her.
Seeing Daohua’s disappointment, Xiao Yeyang smiled, “It’s been moved to a new environment, so the parrot might be a bit shy. Give it a few days to get used to you.”
As he finished speaking, the parrot quite disrespectfully added, “Impossible, impossible!”
Seeing this, Daohua was genuinely amazed, “This parrot not only mimics human speech but also responds?”
Xiao Yeyang, seeing her seemingly clueless expression, considered seizing the chance to tease her a bit, but thinking better of it, lest he annoy her, he promptly altered his approach, “The parrot is quite clever. Spend enough time with it and it’ll pick up some of its owner’s habits.”
Daohua immediately asked with a smile, “So, it’s haughty because it learned from you?” Without waiting for his response, she laughed to herself.
“Actually, being a bit haughty isn’t so bad; it’s quite cute.”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yeyang’s stiff face slowly softened as he saw how much Daohua liked the parrot, and the corners of his mouth tilted up slightly.
Daohua patted the parrot’s head, beaming, “You haughty little parrot, from now on you’re mine. Stick with me and you’ll have plenty to eat.”
“No meat, no meat!” retorting, the parrot turned its backside to Daohua.
At this, Daohua was even more amused and quietly gave Wang Manman an instruction; then, Wang Manman turned and left.
After taking the birdcage from Defu, Daohua said to the parrot with a wide, wolfish grin, “You little thing, let’s see how I train you in the days to come!”
“You little thing, Daohua is a little thing!”
Hearing this, Daohua was startled, then looked up at Xiao Yeyang and exclaimed in admiration, “This parrot is bewitched, it even changed my words!”
“Haha~”
Yan Wenkai laughed heartily, approaching Daohua, “Big sister, be careful with this one. The parrot has a slick tongue and even knows how to scold people. It has scolded me too!”
“You blockhead, Yan Wenkai is a blockhead!”
The parrot, quite obligingly, echoed Yan Wenkai’s remark.
Yan Wenkai, fuming, glared at the parrot, “You’re the blockhead, your whole family are blockheads!”