Chapter 284: Chapter 265: Feeling Unwell_1
“First Aunt, Second Aunt!”
As soon as Daohua stepped into Madam Dong’s room, she saw her First Aunt and Second Aunt seated and drinking tea, along with two of her cousins.
As soon as the Fan Family and the Jian Family saw Daohua come in, they immediately set down their teacups, stood up, and walked over, sizing her up from head to toe for a while.
Dong Yuanyao timely let go of Daohua and sat down next to Madam Dong.
After a while, the Fan Family tapped Daohua on the forehead, “You girl, why are you so bold?” She dared to run off to the Xingyun Prefecture where an epidemic had erupted, and when she first heard the news, she truly was shocked.
Madam Dong laughed and continued, “Indeed, Yiyi is better in this regard, at least she told the family. My girl deserves a spanking for sneaking off without telling us.”
Dong Yuanyao immediately retorted, “Mother, I did leave a letter.”
Madam Dong glared at Dong Yuanyao, “Still talking, you went ahead without authorization, hmph, just wait, I will deal with you later.”
Dong Yuanyao shrank her neck and exchanged a look with Daohua, who was also being scolded, giving her a look of shared misfortune.
The two aunts took turns lecturing Daohua, and she listened quietly, nodding from time to time, and only after they had finished did she smile and ask, “First Aunt, Second Aunt, what brings you here?”
The Fan Family laughed, “Your eldest uncle heard that you had returned and were staying at the Provincial Governor’s residence. Your uncles are worried about you and didn’t want to miss you, so they boldly dropped by to visit you.” Saying that, she glanced apologetically at Madam Dong.
Madam Dong immediately laughed, “What are you saying, Madam Li? Yuanyao and Yiyi are close friends, and our families should indeed visit each other more in the future.”
The Fan Family smiled but did not reply.
She understood in her heart that this was Madam Dong’s polite remark. The Li Family was a family of merchants, while the Dong Family belonged to the Ducal House. The status difference between the two families was too great. They wouldn’t dare to pay a visit if it were not for the children being with them this time.
Later, while the two aunts conversed with Madam Dong, Daohua introduced her two cousins to Dong Yuanyao. They exchanged greetings and became acquainted with each other.
“Are you going to your aunt’s house later?” Madam Dong asked Daohua.
The Fan Family laughed and took over, “Not this time. The elder Madam at home and my sister must be getting anxious waiting for us. We dare not keep them and their siblings.”
Madam Dong smiled, “If that’s the case, you will probably be leaving by boat later. These two girls haven’t eaten yet, let them go have something to eat first.”
The Fan Family nodded towards Daohua, “Go ahead, once you have finished, your brother and the others probably will have gotten ready as well.”
Dong Yuanyao led Daohua to the dining hall, and Daohua also took her two cousins with her.
During the meal, Daohua said to the sisters Li Zixuan and Li Zixin, “Sister Zixuan, Sister Zixin, would you like to come to my house and play for a while?”
Li Zixuan and Li Zixin looked at each other, both showing interest.
Seeing this, Daohua immediately said, “If you want to go, then hurry up and talk to the two aunts. Have them instruct someone to go back and pack.”
Li Zixuan hesitated, “Will it disturb Uncle and Auntie?”
Daohua, “Disturb what? Once you’re at my place, you’ll just be attending classes with me. It won’t bother my mom and dad at all.”
Dong Yuanyao also said with a smile, “Why hesitate when you have the chance to go out and have fun? If it weren’t for the fact that I had just left home a few months ago, I would be off to Xingzhou with Yiyi now.”
Li Zixuan thought for a moment, “Alright then, we will go talk to Mother now.”
Daohua nodded her head, “Go on, then.”
After the two left, Dong Yuanyao said with envy, “Ah, I wish I could go along too.”
Daohua directly responded, “Don’t even think about that for now, it’ll just add to your worries.”
Dong Yuanyao’s face fell, “Yan Yiyi, can’t you give me a word of comfort?”
“I’m doing this for your good, to have you face reality in time, without making unrealistic hopes, so you won’t end up heartbroken!”
“Hmph, you might as well not have said anything. My mother hasn’t even punished me yet, and with what you’re saying, I can already foresee the miserable days locked up in the backyard.”
Hearing the sounds from the dining hall, the Li sisters, Li Zixuan, and Li Zixin, who had just walked out, were surprised.
“Our cousin has become so familiar with Miss Dong.”
“Cousin is outgoing; she and Miss Dong happen to have compatible personalities.”
“Sister, do you think Mother will agree to let us go to Aunt’s house?”
“She should, right? Stop worrying about it, let’s go ask and find out.”
In Madam Dong’s room, after hearing their daughters’ words, Fan Family and Jian Family agreed without hesitation, “Since Daohua has invited you to play, you should go and have fun for a few days.”
…
Just like Daohua, Yan Wenxiu also invited a few cousins to the Yan Family’s house for a visit. Li Xingnian came along this time, partly because he was worried about the children, but also to congratulate his brother-in-law.
The Emperor had rewarded his brother-in-law, and they were aware of it, so it was fitting that they pay a congratulatory visit.
Finally, the group got on the boat at the fourth quarter of the 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM period (10 a.m.).
In the cabin, when Li Zixin saw the box that Wang Manman always held in her hands, she smiled and asked, “Cousin, what is that thing your maid is holding?”
Daohua laughed, “It’s a birthday gift Dong Yuanyao made up to me.”
Li Zixin immediately asked, “Can we take a look?”
Daohua laughed, “Of course you can. There’s nothing that can’t be looked at.” Saying this, she signaled Wang Manman to open the box.
“What a beautiful whip.”
Li Zixin quickly took the whip out. She studied dance and knew how to perform ribbon dances. Looking at the whip, her hands itched to try it and she immediately said to Daohua, “Cousin, can I dance with it? I’ve never danced with a whip before.”
Daohua nodded, “Of course.”
Seeing Daohua’s permission, Li Zixin immediately took the whip and ran to the deck, then began to twirl it around.
Daohua and Li Zixuan followed her, smiling.
The men in the cabin, including Xiao Yeyang, saw this and came out to watch.
Dancing with a whip requires both strength and skill. Although Li Zixin practiced dance, her strength wasn’t very strong, and she lost interest after a while.
“Ouch, this whip is nothing like the ribbon. I can’t do it; I feel like I might accidentally hit myself.” With that, she returned the whip to Daohua.
Daohua accepted the whip with a smile.
At this moment, Li Zixuan suddenly spoke up, “Cousin, aren’t you able to dance with the whip? Why don’t you show us?”
Seeing her two cousins looking forward with anticipation, Daohua glanced at the deck and saw that there was plenty of space. She smiled and nodded, “Alright, I’ll show you my skills.”
With that, she quickly moved her body and with a few spinning steps, reached the center of the deck. With a flick of her arms, she snapped the whip out crisply.
Then, coordinating her movements with steps, flips, and spins, Daohua wielded the whip with power and flair, making it whistle through the air.
Not only were sisters Li Zixuan and Li Zixin captivated, but Xiao Yeyang and others, who practiced martial arts, also brightened up involuntarily, revealing looks of admiration.
“Good!”
Yan Wenkai couldn’t help but shout out in praise, and Xiao Yeyang and the others showed their admiration as well.
Once Daohua put away the whip, Zhou Chengye laughed, “Yan sister, I didn’t expect you to be so skilled with the whip.”
Daohua smiled, “Uncle Qin said my strength is still not strong enough, and my precision isn’t high enough either. I need to keep practicing.”
Yan Wenkai walked over with a smile, “That’s impressive, big sister. If you keep practicing like this, I’ll have to be careful when we spar in the future.” With that, he took the whip from Daohua’s hand.
“This is a fine whip. When did you buy it?”
Daohua replied, “Dong Yuanyao gave it to me, said it was a make-up birthday gift.”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yeyang’s smile immediately turned into a frown.
Yan Wenkai swung the whip a couple of times and then returned it to Daohua, “Dong Yuanyao is considerate, knowing that you needed a good whip. You can use this when you ride horses in the future.”
Daohua smiled and nodded, casually wrapping the whip before putting it back in the box.
Standing by, Xiao Yeyang saw Daohua lovingly put away the whip as if it were a treasure and, for some reason, felt an inexplicable discomfort in his heart, his face clouding over as he returned to the cabin.