Chapter 212: Chapter 194: Daohua is a little sun_1
The glass mirror, Daohua had given to Old Madam Yan. The old lady was advanced in age, and her eyesight was not very good, so using the glass mirror to adorn herself helped her see more clearly.
And the glass wine set, Daohua gave to Madam Li.
Madam Li commonly had many social engagements, and just so, her family also brewed grape wine, which was perfectly suited for the glass cups to hold, adding prestige when entertaining guests.
The main courtyard.
When Daohua brought the glass wine set over, Madam Li nevertheless refused, “This set of wine utensils is exquisite and delicate, you should keep it for yourself. I have a fine set of Dehua kiln white porcelain here that is more than enough for entertaining guests.”
Daohua had Wang Manman put down the box and said with a smile, “Madam, you should keep it anyway, lest I accidentally break it. That would be a waste.”
Madam Li laughed, “It’s not so easy to break, just be careful.”
Daohua shrugged her shoulders and quickly changed the subject. Seeing a plate of pastries she had never seen before on the table, she immediately picked up a piece and tasted it, “Madam, did you have the kitchen make a new pastry? This tastes pretty good!”
Madam Li smiled, “It wasn’t made by the kitchen, but by your father. He had someone bring it over saying that he found it delicious and wanted me to have a taste too. If you like it, take some with you later.”
Daohua paused with the pastry halfway to her mouth, “Father sent this?”
Madam Li smiled and nodded.
Thinking about when she had run into Butler Sun delivering the Blood Swallow Cake during the day, Daohua scoffed, “You gave Father the Blood Swallow Cake, and he repaid you with two plates of pastries that could be bought anywhere outside. Quite a profitable exchange.” After speaking, she placed the pastry in her hand back down.
Madam Li glanced at her daughter, “What are you saying about your father? He sends me pastries because he has me in his thoughts; how is that a business transaction?”
Daohua moved her lips, wanting to tell Madam Li about the cheap father giving the Blood Swallow Cake to Concubine Lin, but seeing the blissful expression on her face, her throat tightened and she could not get the words out.
Madam Li uttered a surprised ‘huh’, “How did you know I gave the Blood Swallow Cake to your father?”
Daohua averted her gaze and said softly, “I heard it from Butler Sun.”
Madam Li did not mind when she heard this.
Afterward, Daohua’s mood seemed somewhat listless. Thinking she was tired, Madam Li said, “You have also been busy all day, you should go back and rest.”
Daohua nodded, rose, and left with Wang Manman.
After exiting the room, she faintly heard Madam Li and the maid Ping Tong’s voices coming from inside.
“The eldest daughter is truly filial, letting go of such nice things like the glass mirror and glass cups without even blinking, not even considering to keep them for herself.”
“That girl is generous,” Madam Li’s voice was filled with hearty laughter. “Take good care of this set of glass wine utensils. It will be useful when the master entertains guests.”
“Madam always thinks of the master in everything, but the master often thinks of Madam as well. The moment he tasted a good pastry, he immediately had it sent to Madam. I heard from Butler Sun that the other courtyard, Shuangxin, did not have this, which shows the master cares for Madam the most…”
Daohua did not continue to listen and briskly walked out of the main courtyard with Wang Manman.
On the way back, Daohua’s mind kept picturing Madam Li’s beaming smile, feeling an indescribable mix of irony and melancholy.
Passing the pavilion where Xiao Yeyang was playing chess, Daohua frowned and stopped for a while.
The words she had spoken to Xiao Yeyang that day were partly out of feeling that Madam Li deserved better, and also out of worry for her own future.
In ancient times, even if she could earn money and support herself, societal norms and family would not allow her to remain unmarried.
Just thinking about having to marry someone like her cheap father, her heart filled with resentment and reluctance.
Having been in ancient times for over ten years, although she had always tried to integrate into this era, the deeply ingrained modern thoughts were something she could never forget, and of course, she did not want to forget.
Bound by the rules of the era, sometimes she lived in great conflict—on one hand trying hard to adapt to this time, and on the other unable to resign herself like a native ancient woman, willing to dedicate and sacrifice herself for her family.
“Ah…”
Daohua sighed deeply, wishing the days would pass slower, not wanting to grow up so fast.
At home, with her grandmother and mother’s protection, and despite her cheap father favoring his concubines, he was still indulgent towards her. For now, she could still live somewhat freely, but if she were to marry…
Thinking of her explosive temper and her reluctance to be restrained, she could already imagine what a chaotic life she’d lead once married to someone from the ancient times.
Behind her, Wang Manman watched Daohua with concern.
She could feel that the young lady was in low spirits.
It was truly heartbreaking to see someone who was normally so cheerful suddenly become so dejected.
“Miss, let’s go back; the parrot Little Prince sent is waiting for you to feed it!”
Upon hearing about the parrot, Daohua’s attention was diverted somewhat, “Oh right, I forgot about that little thing. Let’s go, back home.”
Daohua Pavilion.
When Daohua arrived back with Wang Manman, Guyu and Lixia were trying to play with the parrot, but sadly, it was too aloof and didn’t utter a word to them.
“Miss, you’re back. Ever since this parrot came to our courtyard, it hasn’t spoken, acting all aloof,” said Lixia with a quick smile.
Daohua walked over with a smile, “Is that so? Let me see, I hope this parrot hasn’t become mute.”
“Who’s a mute? You’re the mute!” retorted the parrot immediately.
“Ouch, finally it speaks. It seems only the lady has the way,” Guyu and Lixia laughed immediately.
Daohua approached under the eaves, smiling as she stood opposite the parrot and stroked its little head.
The parrot, as if feeling slighted, swiftly turned away, presenting Daohua with its backside.
At this, everyone burst into laughter.
“Just like the one who raised you, you both have outrageously big tempers,” Daohua teased as she tapped the parrot’s head with a feeding spoon, taking the sunflower seeds that had just been brought out by Wang Manman, and said grinningly, “I might not be able to handle him, but can’t I train you, you little rascal?”
“Come on, say something auspicious, and if you make me laugh, you’ll have all the sunflower seeds you want. If not, I’ll let you go hungry for a couple of days.”
The parrot had already turned back, glanced at the sunflower seeds and then at Daohua, decisively succumbing, “Daohua is so cute!”
“I know that myself; I don’t need you to tell me,” she retorted.
“Daohua is so beautiful!”
“I know that too.”
“Daohua is a little fairy!”
“Haha, that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but it is nice to hear. Here, have a little treat… keep going!”
“Daohua is a cute, beautiful little fairy.”
“Are you sticking with that? No way, change it up, it gets boring hearing the same thing.”
“Daohua is a little sun, shining wherever she goes.”
“Oh, that’s nice. You deserve a reward!”
Behind her, Wang Manman and the others watched as Daohua and the parrot chatted back and forth, all of them laughing heartily.
Guyu covered her mouth and laughed, “Isn’t this parrot just a flatterer?”
Wang Manman laughed as she joined in, “This is a parrot meant for amusement, specially given by Little Prince to cheer up the lady,” she said, glancing over at Daohua.
Seeing her brows relax again, she heaved a sigh of relief.
She thought to herself, indeed, Little Prince understood the lady better; his gift had truly won her heart.
‘Daohua is a little sun!’
Wang Manman suppressed a smile; such words, the little parrot surely couldn’t have come up with on its own—it must’ve been taught by Little Prince, and it had picked them up.