Chapter 215: Chapter 197, Only What You Have Is Truly Yours_1
After the Mid-Autumn Festival, life returned to its usual state. Daohua attended her classes, practiced with the whip, and every day was as busy and fulfilling as ever.
September arrived in the blink of an eye.
With the entrance of September, the weather cooled down, and the coming and going of visitors among the families increased. Madam Li received quite a few invitations, all for social visits to appreciate flowers and tea.
Daohua wasn’t very interested in these activities. She found it difficult to converse with a group of young ladies who had grown up immersed in the traditional values of “Three Obediences and Four Virtues.”
People like Zhou Jingwan were only more approachable because they were doted on at home and weren’t too tightly bound by rules and etiquette, allowing for some jokes and playful teasing.
If it were other young ladies, if Daohua joked too loudly, became too boisterous, or seemed too unconventional, she really feared she might startle them seriously.
“Why didn’t you go to the Wang Family’s chrysanthemum feast yesterday?”
The day before the Double Ninth Festival, Zhou Jingwan came to visit Daohua. She saw Daohua teasing a parrot under the eaves of the corridor and smiled as she joined her.
“Miss Zhou has come!”
Upon seeing Zhou Jingwan, the parrot immediately chimed in.
Zhou Jingwan laughed, “Ah, this little thing has finally remembered me.”
Daohua chuckled, “You run over here every couple of days; it couldn’t forget you even if it wanted to!”
The parrot had been with her for a while and could recognize the regular visitors.
After placing the nuts she held into the feeding tray, Daohua led Zhou Jingwan into the house, saying, “I just don’t click with those young ladies.”
Zhou Jingwan said, “You didn’t go yesterday, but your legitimate sister from your father’s estate really made quite a show.”
Daohua’s interest was piqued, “Oh? How did she make a show?”
Zhou Jingwan explained, “It was the Wang Family girl. She suggested a chrysanthemum poetry contest and even had all the ladies’ poems evaluated by their mothers. In the end, your legitimate sister took first place.”
Daohua smiled, not particularly concerned, “My third sister does have a real gift for poetry.”
Zhou Jingwan scrutinized Daohua closely and, seeing no sign of displeasure, shook her head and said, “You’re really generous-hearted. Aren’t you afraid your legitimate sister will overshadow you?”
Daohua replied, “What spotlight of mine is there to steal? Besides, everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. Third sister has her talents, and I have mine. There’s nothing wrong with shining in our own areas of expertise.”
Zhou Jingwan sighed, “Ah, I don’t have your broad-mindedness. If a legitimate sister in my family outshone me, I would definitely be unhappy.”
Daohua smiled, appreciating Zhou Jingwan’s outspoken nature, who wore her likes and dislikes on her sleeve with no need to guess at her thoughts.
“You, you just haven’t found what you love to do yet, that’s why you care about these irrelevant people and matters. If you were busy all day long, where would you find the time to worry about your step-sisters?”
Zhou Jingwan propped her chin in her hands and gazed at Daohua, “So, do you know what you like to do?”
Daohua nodded and said with a smile, “Of course I do. I like to save money to buy estates and open shops. I want to plant a variety of grains, vegetables, and fruits in the estate, to eat whatever I fancy.”
“The excess can also be sold in the shop. On the one hand, it earns Silver, and on the other, I can share the delicious things I enjoy with others.”
“Right, do you remember sunflower seeds? I’ve already started selling them in my shop. At first, not many people knew about them, so I had my clerks promote them in tea houses and theaters. Now, the business has really picked up.”
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“Every day, I have to attend classes, manage the estate’s shop, find time to practice sewing and embroidery, and get up early in the morning to practice whipping. There’s just no time to pay attention to my half-sister.”
Zhou Jingwan looked astonished, “You have to do so many things every day?”
Daohua nodded.
Zhou Jingwan said, “Several times at other families’ banquets, I’ve heard Aunt Yan say you had things to do at home and couldn’t make it. I thought she was just making excuses for you. I didn’t expect you were actually so busy.”
Daohua earnestly replied, “People, only when they’re busy do they feel fulfilled. Otherwise, you end up like you, with nothing to do and all day to think about things.”
“I’d rather spend my time properly managing the shop and earning more silver than squabbling with my half-sister and getting jealous.”
Zhou Jingwan exclaimed, “Why do you like saving silver so much?”
Daohua countered, “Don’t you like it?”
Zhou Jingwan fell silent for a moment, “It’s not a matter of liking or disliking, I just ask my mother for money when I need it.”
Daohua tapped her on the head, “The way you talk, I can tell you’ve never suffered from a lack of silver.”
“Let me tell you this, it’s much more satisfying to spend silver you’ve earned yourself. What comes from your parents is ultimately theirs; they give it to you, and you can ask, but if they don’t give it, you end up with no silver to spend. Besides, don’t you have to explain why every time you ask them for money?”
Zhou Jingwan nodded, “Indeed, my mother will give me the silver when I want to buy jewelry or materials, but it usually takes a lot of persuasion.”
Daohua said, “See, spending other people’s silver, even if it’s your parents’, is always inconvenient. It’s better to have your own, to spend it however you want, freely and with confidence.”
Zhou Jingwan listened and nodded, “I think you make a lot of sense. When I go back, I’m also going to think about it, see if I can start a shop like you, so I don’t run out of money in the future.”
Daohua smiled, “That’s great, if you start your shop, we can exchange business experiences with each other.”
Afterward, Zhou Jingwan talked to Daohua about some amusing incidents from other families’ banquets.
Before long, Ping Xiao came in with a smile, holding a letter, “Miss, this is a letter from Fourth Master for you.”
Daohua felt curious, “A letter from Fourth Brother?” Correspondences between the Academy and home had always been managed by the eldest brother, Yan Wenxiu.
Ping Xiao laughed, “Madam is currently looking at the letter from your eldest brother. This one is specifically for you; look, your name is written on the envelope.”
Daohua took the letter and seeing ‘For Yan Yiyi’s eyes only’ written on it, she laughed, “Fourth Brother must be craving something to eat and is looking to me for treats.” After saying that, she quickly opened the letter and began to read.
It wasn’t long before Daohua suddenly stood up, excitedly saying to Zhou Jingwan, “Jingwan, my Fourth Brother says that they are going to Wuhua Mountain’s horse grounds to ride horses tomorrow, and he’s asking if we want to go?”
“Really?!” Zhou Jingwan also stood up excitedly, craning her neck to look at the letter in Daohua’s hands.
Since it was just a family letter with nothing secretive, Daohua directly handed the letter to Zhou Jingwan, “Your brother’s letter should have already reached your home by now.”
After reading the letter, Zhou Jingwan returned it to Daohua and then excitedly grabbed her, “Are you going?”
Daohua said, “Of course, I’m going. It’s much more interesting to go out for some fresh air and ride horses than to admire flowers and drink tea in the ladies’ quarters. Why, aren’t you going?”
“Going, definitely going!” Zhou Jingwan nodded vehemently, “I tell you, every time I see my brothers riding horses, I’m so envious; it’s great that we can ride too tomorrow.”
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