Chapter 285: Chapter 266, Better Again_1
On the deck, Daohua chatted and laughed with everyone for a while. Seeing her fourth brother teaching two cousins how to use a telescope to look at the distant scenery, and her second uncle and three cousins talking with her eldest brother, she looked around and realized there was no sign of Xiao Yeyang.
“Why are you sitting here alone?”
Daohua looked around and found Xiao Yeyang sitting by himself at the stern, drinking tea. Observing him staring blankly at the distant river, and recalling his family background, she suddenly felt sorry for him.
Xiao Yeyang glanced at Daohua and, remembering how she cherished the whip Dong Yuanxuan had given her, didn’t feel like talking to her. Without saying anything, he turned his head away again.
Seeing him act this way, Daohua was somewhat puzzled, not understanding what was making him sulk again. However, she didn’t mind; she laughed and sat down opposite him, saw the teapot on the table, and poured herself a cup of tea without asking.
“This smells so good, what kind of tea is this?” Daohua took a deep breath of the fragrant tea aroma, took a sip, savored it for a while, and nodded, “Crisp, sweet, and richly fragrant, delicious!” she said, immediately taking a big gulp.
Seeing her like this, Xiao Yeyang felt a bit better: “This is Wuyi Rock Tea. If you like it, I can have Defu get some for you.”
Without any politeness, Daohua nodded repeatedly: “Oh, yes, please!”
In ancient times, transportation was inconvenient, and many local delicacies couldn’t be circulated easily, only the powerful elite could get their hands on famous products from various places; evidently, the Yan Family didn’t have the capability yet.
Seeing how at ease she was, Xiao Yeyang felt even better and took a sip from his teacup as well.
Behind them, Defu, seeing his master’s mood improve, silently smiled and quietly withdrew.
Xiao Yeyang noticed Daohua sipping tea in small gulps, looking fully content, and after thinking for a moment, he still couldn’t resist and pretended to say casually, “The way you used that whip just now wasn’t bad.”
Upon hearing this, Daohua immediately beamed with a smile, her eyes curving.
Xiao Yeyang: “… You seem to really like the whip Yuanxuan gave you?”
Without thinking much, Daohua nodded and smiled, “That whip is quite handy and feels smooth to wield.” she said, then paused, “It’s just that it’s a bit too precious.”
Xiao Yeyang fell silent: “If you find it too valuable, then it’s best to avoid using it in the future, so as not to attract petty criminals.”
Daohua’s face showed agreement, and she nodded: “That’s what I was thinking. One shouldn’t flaunt riches! Besides, the whip is inlaid with gold threads, too luxurious; I wouldn’t bear to use it on the ground.”
Hearing this, Xiao Yeyang couldn’t help but lift the corners of his mouth slightly: “Well… I do have quite a few whips. I’ll send you one later.”
Daohua immediately declined: “No need, I can buy one myself. After all, whips can be found everywhere.”
Xiao Yeyang paused: “Why go through such trouble? The quality of the whips outside can’t possibly match mine. Besides, it’s just a whip; you don’t need to be so courteous with me, do you?”
Daohua tilted her head in thought, then cheerfully replied: “That’s true!”
Seeing her agree, Xiao Yeyang’s slight discomfort completely vanished, and he drank his tea a little faster than before.
An hour and a half later, they arrived at Wuhua Mountain.
“Do you want to have something to eat here before going back?” Xiao Yeyang asked Daohua.
Daohua shook her head: “No need, we have snacks on board, and nobody is really hungry right now.”
Yan Wenxiu also nodded along.
Xiao Yeyang looked at Daohua, then at the others: “Alright then, I know you’re eager to get home, so I won’t insist.” Saying this, he was about to leave the ship.
“Wait.”
Daohua stopped him.
Xiao Yeyang turned back: “Is there something else?”
Daohua: “During this time, you can practice martial arts, but don’t overdo it, nor exert yourself too much. You’ve just recovered from an illness, and though you’re better, your body is still weak. You need to take care to nourish it for a while. Once I get home, I’ll send over some food for you; remember to eat light, okay?”
Xiao Yeyang listened patiently and felt warmed by her concern. He smiled and nodded, then gently asked, “Anything else?”
Daohua thought for a moment and shook her head, “Not at the moment.”
Xiao Yeyang smiled, turned to leave the ship, but had only taken two steps before he was called back.
“Your telescope!”
Looking at the telescope Daohua handed over, Xiao Yeyang didn’t take it, “You keep it to play with.” Saying this, he paused, then teased, “You’re not going to stop me again, are you? Otherwise, I might as well go home with you.”
Daohua immediately nodded, “Sure, you would be alone if you went back to the residence anyway.”
Hearing this, a glint appeared in Xiao Yeyang’s eyes as he thought of the people waiting for him in the separate courtyard, he shook his head, “Never mind, I wouldn’t want to be in the way during your family’s reunion.”
With that, he glanced at the others who had moved a distance away and said in a low voice with a laugh, “I’m really leaving this time, don’t call me back again, otherwise, I might think you can’t bear to let me go.”
Daohua immediately huffed, “Who can’t bear to let you go?” If it hadn’t been for Governor Guo still being in Jiguang, and this guy having no elders looking after him, she wouldn’t have bothered giving him such long and detailed instructions.
Looking at the teasing expression on Xiao Yeyang’s face, Daohua waved her hand impatiently, “Get going, don’t delay our return.”
Xiao Yeyang chuckled and shook his head, then finally turned and disembarked.
Soon after, the ship started up again, and Xiao Yeyang stood on the shore watching for a while, until Daohua was no longer visible on deck. He then mounted his horse and returned to the residence.
On the deck, Daohua held the telescope, watching as Xiao Yeyang vanished from the dock, then finally turned back into the cabin.
The moment she entered, Li Zixuan and Li Zixin, the sisters, crowded around her, looking at the telescope in her hand with amazement, “Cousin, the Little Prince is really good to you, giving you such a rare item so easily.”
Daohua said offhandedly, “He and I are friends. If he has something nice he gives it to me, and if I have something nice, I would also give it to him.”
Li Zixuan glanced at Daohua’s face, seeing that her expression was calm and devoid of any peculiarities, burst into laughter and shook her head.
She must be overthinking it, right?
Li Xingnian also glanced at Daohua, feeling that the gift of the telescope from Xiao Yeyang was indeed precious, and wondering if Daohua was getting too close to the Little Prince?
However, seeing the Yan Family brothers seemingly unsurprised, he swallowed back his concerns.
Daohua was only twelve this year, and the Little Prince was just fifteen, both at an age for playfulness. Perhaps, they simply got along well because of their similar temperaments.
It wasn’t until the fourth quarter of Wei (2 p.m.) that Daohua and her group finally returned to Xingzhou City.
After entering the city, Zhou Chengye parted ways with the Yan siblings.
“You troublesome bunch, finally decided to come back?”
Seeing the Yan Family matriarch and other members waiting outside the main gate, Yan Wenxiu and the others quickly got off the carriage and were about to kneel, but were stopped by Madam Li.
“It’s good that you’re back, good that you’re back!”
Madam Li held onto Yan Wenxiu with one hand and Yan Wenkai with the other, her eyes reddening.
As for Daohua, she jumped off the carriage and threw herself into the Yan Family matriarch’s embrace.
The matriarch looked Daohua over from head to toe, “You’ve lost weight; your face has gotten thinner.”
Daohua rubbed her cheeks, not feeling any thinner herself!
Yet, at that moment, she wouldn’t dare contradict the matriarch. She immediately leaned on her grandmother’s shoulder and acted spoiled, “Grandmother must give me a good nourishing, I’ve hardly had any good food these past few months.”
Hearing these words, the matriarch immediately felt heartbroken and pulled Daohua into the house, not even noticing Li Xingnian and the others who had followed.
“Come, grandmother will cook something delicious for you.”
