Chapter 210: Chapter 192, Lucky Star_1
“How did you two end up here playing chess, making us search high and low for you!”
Having not seen Daohua and Xiao Yeyang return for a while, Yan Wenkai brought a large group of people to look for them and, seeing the two in the pavilion, he followed them in.
Seeing the crowd approaching, Daohua and Xiao Yeyang each set down their chess pieces.
“Haha, what kind of chess are you two playing? Forgive my poor eyesight, but I didn’t understand it at all.”
Looking at the messy chess pieces on the board, Yan Wenkai was completely baffled.
Dong Yuanxuan and a few others glanced at the chessboard and were also somewhat astonished.
To play the pieces in such a disordered fashion was indeed a talent of its own.
Everyone noticed that neither of them seemed very happy, which left them puzzled – had they quarreled again?
Daohua, not wanting her mood to affect the others, smiled and scattered the chess pieces on the board: “I was just playing with Xiao Yeyang.”
Yan Wenkai came over, patted Daohua on the shoulder, and joked, “Big sister, your chess skills are somewhat atrocious. Even I can’t lose to you.”
Daohua immediately retorted, “That’s because I wasn’t playing seriously. If I were serious, it would be quite frightening,” she said, waving her fist in the air.
At that moment, Xiao Yeyang joined in, “Losing in less than ten moves, isn’t that quite frightening?”
Daohua wasn’t annoyed and, with a raised eyebrow, replied, “That’s because I encountered a freak. Against a normal person, I would definitely be awesome.”
Seeing her proud rather than embarrassed, Xiao Yeyang chuckled and did not argue with her.
Everyone saw that the two were fine and also laughed along.
Daohua took Zhou Jingwan by the arm and said with a smile, “Alright, let’s head back. It’s almost time for dinner.”
Only then did everyone gradually leave the pavilion.
…
The front courtyard.
“How are things, nothing went wrong, right?” Yan Zhigao asked Butler Sun.
After delivering the Blood Swallow Cake to Shuangxin Courtyard, Butler Sun, worried that something might have happened, quickly went to the front courtyard to report his encounter with Daohua to Yan Zhigao.
Yan Zhigao knew the Blood Swallow Cake was made by his eldest daughter, and knowing there wasn’t much of it – just barely two platters – only enough for the old lady and Madam, the latter of whom, concerned for his health, had given him hers. Yet he had given it to the Lin Family, and had been caught red-handed by his daughter, leaving him feeling somewhat uneasy.
Butler Sun quickly replied, “Nothing’s wrong. The eldest miss and the Little Prince were sitting in the pavilion for a while, and after talking for a bit, they’ve now gone to the old lady’s courtyard.”
Yan Zhigao breathed a sigh of relief, stood up, and paced back and forth in the room before saying to Butler Sun, “A few days ago, I heard from Qian Tongzhi that a new dessert shop has opened in Xingzhou City, and the taste is not bad. Go buy some and send it to Madam.”
Butler Sun hesitated for a moment, then asked, “Just for Madam?”
Yan Zhigao paused, then nodded, “Yes, only for Madam. Say that I found it delicious and want her to try it.”
A shock went through Butler Sun’s heart.
It should be noted that in the past, whatever was bought, if there was a portion for Madam, there would certainly be one for the mistress of the Lin Family.
After everyone left, Yan Zhigao sat there, somewhat lost in thought.
Before, incidents like today’s would not have bothered him in the slightest, but this time, he felt a sense of guilt and remorse.
‘Mother busies herself for this family from morning till night, what has the mistress from the Lin Family done?’
‘Father, the one who has supported this family with you, is my mother.’
‘You shouldn’t overlook Mother’s contributions, nor should you take them for granted.’
‘Son, a hundred years from now, the one buried with you in the Yan Family ancestral grave will be of the Li Family, that Lin Family mistress is merely a concubine. Be clear about who is the main wife and who is subordinate.’
Remembering the eldest daughter’s accusations and his mother’s earnest advice, Yan Zhigao rubbed his temples with a headache.
Just then, Mr. Lin from the Liao Family entered with a smile, “Brother-in-law, I heard that my sister recently can only eat with some pickles, and my mother made some. I’ve brought some over for her and I’ll deliver them in a bit, and check on her, too.”
At this, Yan Zhigao’s frown deepened and he asked with a displeased tone, “What did you call me?”
Mr. Lin’s smile froze for a moment, “I meant, no, lord…”
Yan Zhigao sat up straight, his expression serious, “Remember your status; I don’t want to hear such inappropriate and undisciplined titles again.”
“And, you should avoid entering the back courtyard in the future. Now that a member of the Liao Family is living there, it’s truly inconvenient for you to visit.”
“If there’s really something you need from your sister, you’d better speak to Madam first. If she permits it, then you may see your sister.”
“Just leave the pickled vegetables on the table. I will have someone send them to your sister’s place later.”
With each statement Yan Zhigao made, the color drained from Lin Family’s master’s face incrementally, his heart a turmoil of panic.
Now that sister is pregnant, shouldn’t the elder be more affectionate towards her?
But looking at it now, why does it seem like he’s becoming averse to her?
Could it be that the new arrival from the Liao Family has caught the elder’s eye?
That shouldn’t be. The last time I heard from my sister, the elder hadn’t even visited that Liao lady’s room. Moreover, everything was fine just a couple of days ago; how could it suddenly change?
Lost in thought, Lin Family’s master walked out of the room, and Xiao Yeyang, who had come to see Yan Zhigao on some business, saw him and shook his head in slight mockery.
It’s one thing to be incapable, but it’s another to lack self-awareness. That’s truly annoying.
…
After lunch, Xiao Yeyang and his group were ready to return to the Academy.
“Do you like crabs?”
On their way out, Xiao Yeyang suddenly asked Daohua.
At the mention of crabs, Daohua’s eyes lit up fiercely, and she nodded voraciously, drooling at the prospect, “I love them, I particularly love hairy crabs.”
Seeing her almost salivating, Xiao Yeyang found it a bit amusing, “The hairy crabs from Yang Lake are quite good. Now in August is the season for crabs. Later, I’ll have someone send you several boxes.”
Daohua nodded enthusiastically, then felt somewhat embarrassed, “You already gave me a parrot, and now you’re giving me hairy crabs. I don’t know what to give you in return.”
Xiao Yeyang glanced at her, “You don’t have to give anything. I should be thanking you.”
Daohua was puzzled, “Thank me for what?”
Xiao Yeyang’s gaze dropped; he did not respond but walked away, fanning himself.
“What exactly are you thanking me for? You could’ve at least made yourself clear!”
Listening to Daohua’s grumbling, the corners of Xiao Yeyang’s mouth curled upward. The long-hidden sorrows in the depths of his eyes vanished, revealing a sense of relief.
De Fu, his eunuch, smiled and bowed to Daohua, then followed his master briskly.
As Xiao Yeyang’s personal eunuch, he naturally understood the meaning behind his master’s words and noticed the master’s relaxed and cheerful mood.
Miss Yan truly is a blessing for the master.
She saved the master’s life before, and now she has unraveled a burden that has weighed on his heart for many years. It is only right to take good care of her.
Hmm, when I get back, I must make sure the hairy crabs are delivered to her as soon as they arrive.
“Daohua.”
After seeing off Xiao Yeyang and the others, Zhou Jingwan clung to Daohua.
Daohua: “What’s up?”
Zhou Jingwan pouted, “I want to eat hairy crabs too.”
Surprised, Daohua replied, “It’s somewhat justifiable that my family can’t get hold of hairy crabs, but yours shouldn’t lack for such things, right?”
Zhou Jingwan rolled her eyes, “My family isn’t short on crabs, but we can’t get the ones from Yang Lake. The hairy crabs from Yang Lake are tribute items and are not available to the public.”
Daohua was hearing of this for the first time: “Is that so? In that case, am I taking advantage of Xiao Yeyang once more?”
Zhou Jingwan watched Daohua with a speechless expression, who appeared to be reveling in her good fortune, “I was standing right there, and the Little Prince really should have offered to send some to my family too.”
Daohua patted Zhou Jingwan on the shoulder, “Don’t worry, as soon as the hairy crabs arrive, I’ll call you over to eat!”