Chapter 225: Chapter 207, Must Not Provoke_1
“Heh, I told you two were alike, just look at yourselves, even your clothing styles are nearly identical.”
In the temporary palace, Daohua and Dong Yuanyao changed into men’s attire and came out, Zhou Jingwan immediately clapped her hands with laughter.
Daohua and Dong Yuanyao exchanged glances, sizing up each other’s clothes.
Yep, they really did look quite similar.
The same moon-white robes, the same folding fans in hand, the same affected air of suavity…
“Whoosh, whoosh!”
Simultaneously, they flicked open their fans, fanning and averting their gazes.
Seeing this, Zhou Jingwan and the maids in the room all bowed their heads and covered their mouths to giggle secretly.
Daohua quickly fanned herself several times, speaking calmly, “Alright, let’s go out now, don’t keep big brother and the others waiting too long.”
At this moment, the lead senior maid said with a smile as she stood up: “Misses, the eunuch in charge mentioned that if you like the riding attire, you’re welcome to take it with you.”
The three ladies exchanged glances and decisively turned to get the clothes.
“Getting both a horse and clothing, this feels really good. I truly wish Little Prince would invite us out for fun more often.” Zhou Jingwan handed the clothes to the accompanying maid with a delighted expression.
Daohua and Dong Yuanyao looked at each other once again, sharing a smile, but said nothing.
By the time the three arrived at the entrance of the temporary palace, Xiao Yeyang and the others had already been waiting there for a while.
“Girls are just so troublesome, always slow in whatever they do, not the least bit efficient.”
Yan Wenkai’s comment immediately drew three hostile glances.
Daohua spoke with a displeased tone, “Fourth Brother, what did you just say? Your voice was too soft, I didn’t catch it, say it again.”
Zhou Jingwan also pouted and looked at Yan Wenkai: “Yan Fourth Brother is the most boring, not considerate at all like Yan Big Brother and Yan Third Brother.”
Dong Yuanyao, trying not to laugh, said, “If Yan Fourth Brother finds us such a bother, he’d better never marry.”
Yan Wenkai, feeling the combined fire of the three ladies directed at him, with an expression suggesting he wouldn’t like what would happen if he dared to say more, suddenly felt intimidated.
At the same time, he felt somewhat wronged.
Was it not just a single complaint?
While waiting earlier, it wasn’t just him who commented on the inconvenience of girls.
Why was he the only one being targeted?
Yan Wenkai had the intention to retort, but seeing the dangerous glances of the three ladies, he swiftly admitted defeat, turned his head aside, and played the quail.
Seeing this, the three young ladies exchanged a victorious smile.
What’s more audacious, Daohua raised her palm, and as soon as Dong Yuanyao and Zhou Jingwan saw this, they immediately followed suit, and the three ladies then high-fived each other in front of everyone’s gaze.
“Incredible, incredible, the young ladies nowadays are not to be provoked!”
Turning his back, Su Hongxin spoke to Xiao Yeyang and the others, and to avoid the same treatment as Yan Wenkai, he kept his voice very low.
Hearing this, the others showed expressions of agreement.
Dong Yuanxuan laughed, “It’s getting late, let’s go.”
The three ladies returned to the port to join their elders, while Xiao Yeyang and his companions headed back to the academy, which happened to be on the way.
…
Huayang Prefecture’s port.
Yan Zhigao and others were already waiting there, sitting on the Dong Family’s pleasure boat chatting. Compared to when they arrived, the group had grown considerably, as it was the Double Ninth Festival and many had come out to climb the mountain and enjoy the views.
“Zhigao, the Imperial Court’s decree has been issued. The grain seeds you reported are to be requisitioned for use in several prefectures that still haven’t recovered from the drought of the past few years. I think it won’t be long before someone arrives in Xingzhou to collect the seeds, so you should be prepared for that,” said the Provincial Governor Dong Jiancheng, who had also arranged to climb Wuhua Mountain with friends that day and had met Yan Zhigao and his group, so they had joined up for the outing.
Yan Zhigao nodded, “The seeds have always been carefully stored in the Prefectural Governor’s Office warehouse. I will make sure to check again after I return today to ensure there are no mistakes.”
Dong Jiancheng cast a glance at Yan Zhigao, who was respectful yet neither servile nor overbearing, and showed a pleased expression, “I am confident in your ability to handle affairs. The Emperor has personally inquired about the grain seeds. Put in the effort, I have high hopes for you.”
Yan Zhigao bowed slightly, “Thank you for your support, sir.” Although he felt a surge of excitement hearing that the Emperor had inquired about the grain seeds, he maintained a composed demeanor, “Sir, may I ask who will be receiving the grain seeds?”
Dong Jiancheng replied, “Governor Guo is in charge of military affairs for several provinces in the north; it will most likely be him overseeing the escort.”
Yan Zhigao silently took note of this, preparing to get the grain seeds ready once he was back.
Not far away, Lord Zhou laughed and joked with others, while occasionally glancing at Dong Jiancheng and Yan Zhigao who were conversing in low voices on the deck.
He sighed internally, Yan Zhigao’s career was indeed going well.
Having been promoted to Prefectural Governor just over a year ago, he developed high-yield grain seeds, which attracted the Emperor’s attention; and because of the Little Prince’s influence, his three children became classmates with the Dong family’s son.
Owing to their frequent interactions, even the Provincial Governor now viewed him with favor.
“My lord, the young master and the others are coming,” a voice said.
In the distance, a group of vibrant young men approached, among whom the three shortest each led a fine young horse by the reins. Lord Zhou immediately recognized one of them as his daughter.
…
As they were about to reach the port, Xiao Yeyang slowed down, waiting for Daohua to catch up leading the horse, before whispering, “Don’t worry about those three we encountered today; they pose no threat to me.”
After saying this, he didn’t wait for Daohua to respond and swiftly walked ahead, clearly not wanting to elaborate further.
Seeing his reaction, Daohua frowned thoughtfully.
Did Xiao Yeyang know those three people?
“I won’t be heading to the dock,” Xiao Yeyang told Dong Yuanxuan and the others, then glanced at Daohua leading the horse, “The horse will surely be uneasy on the ship, don’t lead it yourself to avoid being kicked into the river.”
Daohua nodded, “Don’t worry, as long as I’m not on its back, a horse won’t be able to take advantage of me.” With a raised eyebrow, she added, “Don’t forget my past victories,” she said.
Zhou Jingwan joined in, “What victories? I remember today is also your first time riding, isn’t it?”
Daohua smiled without further explanation, “Regardless, I’m very capable.”
Seeing her confidently self-assured, Xiao Yeyang shook his head with a chuckle, knowing that she was referring to the time during the Lantern Festival when they climbed over a wall and she used sleeping powder on two hounds.
Daohua turned to Xiao Yeyang with a serious tone, “You need to be careful yourself. You must always carry what I gave you.” After saying this, she threw him a ‘you know what I mean’ look.
Xiao Yeyang quickly looked away, admitting to himself it was somewhat embarrassing that he gave Daohua’s sleeping powder and itching pills to the Imperial Physician to replicate. The physician managed to figure out the formula, but the produced pills and powder were never as effective as what Daohua provided.
For safety, he now indeed carried her pouch with him every day.
Yan Wenkai glanced at his sister, then at Xiao Yeyang, and moved swiftly beside Daohua, “Big sister, I don’t care if you don’t share your good stuff with others, but you can’t leave out my share.”
Daohua, believing that sleeping powder and itching pills were not items a lady should possess, resolutely shook her head, “I don’t have any good stuff.”
Xiao Yeyang hurriedly changed the subject, “Let’s go over there. Your parents are waiting. I’ll be heading back to the Academy.” With that, he left with De Fu.
Seeing her eldest brother still wanting to say something, Daohua quickly turned to Su Hongxin, who stood still, “Big Brother Su, my brothers are escorting us and will pay respects to the elders by the way, but why aren’t you walking with Xiao Yeyang?”
Su Hongxin responded dryly, “I need to pay my respects to my family’s elders as well.”
Daohua was curious, “Your family has people here too?”
Dong Yuanyao looked toward the dock and exclaimed, “I see the Su family’s pleasure boat. It seems Aunt Su and the others are also here; is Shiyu visiting Wuhua Mountain today too?”
Su Hongxin nodded, “My mother and sister came at my aunt’s invitation.”
Dong Yuanyao was puzzled, “If Shiyu is here as well, why not have her join us at the horse field for some fun?”
Su Hongxin rolled his eyes, “With my sister’s temperament, do you think she can ride and horseplay like you do?”
Dong Yuanyao nodded, “True. Shiyu is indeed too demure and graceful.”
Su Hongxin curled his lip.
Aren’t you three the unruly ones?
He thought his sister was just fine the way she was.
Dong Yuanxuan said, “Let’s go quickly. We shouldn’t keep the elders waiting.”