Chapter 234: Chapter 216, Accidentally Overthought_1
Four Seasons Fruits and Vegetables Shop’s backyard.
Madam Yan sat in the principal seat of the main house, with Daohua standing beside her, looking at the servant before her with surprise and puzzlement; he was bowing his head as if afraid to meet anyone’s gaze. “I remember you, your name is De… De…”
The servant remained silent for a moment: “Replying to Miss, this servant’s name is Deshou.”
Daohua immediately clapped her hands: “Right, Deshou.”
No wonder she remembered him; Xiao Yeyang had a few people around him who appeared quite frequently. Defu was needless to mention, always serving closely by his side, following Xiao Yeyang wherever he went.
As for the person before her, Daohua had seen him several times as well; whenever there was food involved, this man was sure to be present, likely responsible for matters pertaining to food.
Looking at Deshou, who was almost bowing his head to his chest, Daohua felt somewhat speechless. Was she really that frightening? “Are you here to buy vegetables from my family?”
Deshou nodded, then remembering his master’s instruction not to let Miss Yan find out about the vegetable purchase, he hurriedly shook his head.
Seeing his silence, Daohua had no choice but to continue: “What’s the matter, weren’t the vegetables and fruits I sent to your master enough?”
First Deshou nodded, and then he shook his head again.
At this point, not only Daohua felt worn out, but Madam Yan also thought that this young servant was being too indecisive and hesitant.
Daohua: “In October, aside from the food we delivered together with my elder brother and the others, he came over in the middle of the month to arrange for grains and seeds, and I prepared a cartload of food for him then too. It couldn’t possibly be insufficient. Did he use it to entertain someone?”
At this thought, Daohua’s mind suddenly raced to the three strange women she had encountered on the peak of Wuhua Mountain.
At that time, Xiao Yeyang and Brother Dong’s reactions were very odd, as if they were not worried about those three women at all. Later, her fourth brother had told her that outsiders were not allowed on the main peak of Wuhua Mountain.
Not outsiders, then they must be acquaintances.
Immediately, Daohua thought of the separate residence on the peak. Could it be that those three were staying there?
If that was the case, the identity of that madam was far from simple.
Who could it be?
An imperial consort left behind by the Emperor in the common world?
In a flash, Daohua’s thoughts spread far and wide, now weaving a tragic tale of unattainable love between the Emperor and a common woman, now the sorrowful destiny of imperial consorts cast away to separate residences after angering the Emperor…
Regardless of the scenario, it seemed that the madam did not wish to remain unnoticed in the separate residence. Hence, there was that feigned fainting episode designed to entrap Xiao Yeyang on the Double Ninth Festival.
Was it all for the purpose of returning to the Imperial Palace?
If that was indeed the case, Xiao Yeyang must have faced no small amount of harassment.
As the nephew of the Emperor, Xiao Yeyang had to oblige, probably for some unknown reason, to send things to the separate residence, including the food she provided.
As Daohua contemplated this, she nodded, seemingly convinced of the possibility. With a smile, she looked at Deshou: “Is your master planning to send something to the separate residence?”
Deshou’s heart trembled, and he suddenly lifted his head, his face full of shock.
How could Miss Yan know about this?
Ever since the Dragon Boat Festival, his master would intermittently send some food and drinks to the separate residence, a secret known only to Defu and himself.
Seeing his expression, Daohua immediately revealed a knowing smile: “Xiao Yeyang, he really should have told me if he was sending things to that madam in the separate residence. Now look, you’ve run out of food, haven’t you?”
“From your appearance, it seems you must have run back and forth here quite often, not finding it bothersome at all!”
Deshou hung his head low, almost on the verge of crying.
He hadn’t said a word, so how could Miss Yan have found out about the existence of the former Princess Consort?
He’s done for; his master will probably beat him to death when he goes back.
After all, his master wasn’t particular about mentioning the former Princess Consort.
Daohua watched Deshou with a smile: “Wait here a moment, I’ll have someone pick fresh vegetables from the farm.” She paused, then added, “Will one cart be enough?”
Deshou hurriedly nodded his head, “Yes, yes, that’s quite enough. Miss Yan is very thorough, packing each cart tightly; the amount in one of her carts is more than what most people would load into two.”
Who would have known that he would hear Daohua say, “Never mind, let’s make it two carts, one for your master and one for the madam at the other courtyard.”
That madam was staying in the other courtyard, and Xiao Yeyang was still sending her goods, which indicated she probably had some status. Perhaps she might return to the Imperial Palace one day.
Since they were sending goods, they might as well do it generously; only then would the favor be considered sufficient.
The elder Mrs. Yan spoke up, “While you’re at it, send some to Wenxiu and the others too.”
Daohua smiled and nodded, “Rest assured, Grandmother, I haven’t forgotten about Big Brother and the rest.”
Some time later, Deshou returned to Wangyue Academy with a sullen face, leading five carts filled with vegetables and fruits.
…
Wangyue Academy.
The courtyard where Xiao Yeyang lived.
Seeing the five carts of vegetables and fruits that Deshou had brought back, Xiao Yeyang felt somewhat annoyed, “Didn’t I tell you to be careful? How did Daohua still find out about this?”
Deshou looked wronged as he hung his head low, “Master, I really can’t be blamed, who would have thought Miss Yan and the elder Mrs. Yan would go out shopping and just happen to pass by the Four Seasons Fruits and Vegetables Shop.” He even recognized me!
Xiao Yeyang sighed, “It’s all right; now that she knows, she knows. At most, it will make Daohua think that I am a bit of a glutton.” Pausing, he frowned and looked at the five carts of produce.
“I do eat a bit more, but there’s no need for that Daohua to treat me like a pig, sending five carts at once—she might as well stuff me to death.”
The corner of Deshou’s mouth twitched as he hastily said, “Two of the carts are for the three Yan brothers, and one cart is for Young Master Dong and Young Master Su.”
Although the Academy had a dining hall, the taste of the meals was not very good. Therefore, families with a bit of wealth would rent a courtyard and cook their own food to eat better.
While the Yan brothers did not have their own courtyard, they were allowed to use the kitchen of Dong Yuanxuan and others.
Xiao Yeyang’s expression stiffened, and he dryly said, “Those two carts are also a lot!”
Deshou looked up at his master and took a deep breath before saying bravely, “One of the carts is for the madam of the other courtyard.”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yeyang’s eyes widened, as did Deshou, who looked over in astonishment.
Xiao Yeyang wore a look of disbelief, “What did you say? One of the carts is for whom?”
Deshou bent his knees and knelt down, “Master, I really didn’t say anything. Miss Yan just asked me if the food she sent was not enough, and I merely nodded.”
“After that, I don’t know what she thought of, but she assumed that Master had sent food to the other courtyard. Then somehow, she brought up the matter of the madam there, and as a result, sent an extra cart.”
Xiao Yeyang had a serious face as he looked at Deshou.
Deshou also immediately knelt down, “Master, I swear I haven’t said anything to Miss Yan.”
Xiao Yeyang knitted his brows; Deshou and Deshou had been with him for a long time, and he was aware of their loyalty.
But regarding his mother’s matter, besides them, only Dong Yuanxuan and Su Hongxin knew a bit.
Could it be that they had said something to Daohua?
Xiao Yeyang shook his head; those two knew that this was his taboo and would probably keep their mouths shut.
If so, it was Daohua who had come up with the idea on her own.
Her ability to concoct stories was first-rate; she might even bestow a messy identity on his mother by now.
Thinking of Daohua’s eyes, which were always rolling curiously and inquiringly, Xiao Yeyang became a bit frustrated.
That girl—she could be so clever that it was infuriating. If she kept probing, his mother’s identity might be completely uncovered by her.
Considering the poor opinion of his mother held by various families in Beijing, Xiao Yeyang wrinkled his brows with some worry.
Daohua liked the story of the Imperial Consorts; she wouldn’t view his mother in the same light as others, would she?