Chapter 295: Chapter 276: Gap in Status_1
The day after Yan Wenkai’s birthday, Xiao Yeyang and Dong Yuanxuan, Su Hongxin, and others were set to leave, and Li Xingnian was also taking the Li sisters, Li Zixuan and Li Zixin, back to the provincial capital on this day—it so happened that they could travel part of the way together.
At the dock, Li Zixuan and Li Zixin were holding Daohua’s hand, their faces full of reluctance.
“I really don’t want to go home so soon!”
Daohua: “I don’t want you to leave either. If I’d known, you really should have come to play with me sooner.”
She had already heard from Madam Li that her great-aunt and second-aunt had found a suitable match for Sister Zixuan, and after the New Year, they just waited for Sister Zixuan to have a look before they would finalize the marriage arrangement.
In the future, they wouldn’t have many opportunities to play together.
On the other side, Yan Wenxiu, Yan Wenkai, and Yan Wentao were also saying their goodbyes to Xiao Yeyang and the others.
Xiao Yeyang had intended to say a few words to Daohua before leaving, but seeing that it was almost time to board the ship and the Li sisters were still clinging to Daohua, he became extremely frustrated.
Daohua was also to be blamed for not taking the initiative to come over and say goodbye or anything.
Ultimately, until the ship set sail, Xiao Yeyang never got the chance to speak with Daohua alone.
Looking at Dong Yuanxuan and others laughing and talking behind him, Xiao Yeyang suddenly found these people somewhat bothersome. Without them, he could have talked with Daohua a little more.
“It seems I should bring fewer people with me in the future.”
No sooner had he muttered this to himself than Su Hongxin came over, puzzled, “Little Prince, what did you just say?”
Xiao Yeyang gave him a glance, “I said the scenery around here is really nice.”
Su Hongxin looked left and right, scratching his head in confusion: “What’s nice about it?” He hadn’t noticed any change; after so many trips back and forth, it looked just the same to him.
Soon, he stopped fretting about this and said with a smile, “That fellow Yan Wenkai, he used to say he wouldn’t eat anything made by my sister, but look at him now, eating his words. The Ruyi cakes made by Shiyu, he ate the most.”
Dong Yuanxuan laughed and said, “That guy is a glutton; he can eat anything that’s edible.”
Su Hongxin stubbornly replied, “It must also be because my sister’s cooking is delicious.”
Suddenly, a breeze blew in.
“Sniff, sniff!”
Su Hongxin’s nose twitched a few times: “What’s that fragrance? Who’s burning incense?”
Dong Yuanxuan also sniffed carefully: “It’s not incense, it’s the scent of medicine.”
To the side, Xiao Yeyang said nothing, but the image of Daohua applying medicine to him in the garden pavilion flashed through his mind, and he couldn’t help but smile at the corners of his mouth.
Dong Yuanxuan noticed Xiao Yeyang tighten his sleeve, and his eyes flashed.
Yesterday, the Little Prince had left alone again, ostensibly to sit in the pavilion with Miss Yan for quite some time.
Meanwhile, in the cabin, Li Xingnian was also speaking with Li Zixuan and Li Zixin.
Li Xingnian asked with a smile, “Did you enjoy yourselves at your aunt’s house?”
Li Zixin immediately nodded, “Yes, it was fun. Usually, we not only attended classes with our cousin but also joined her for several banquets and visited the garden estates.”
Li Xingnian: “So were you only focused on playing? Did you learn the proper manners from Master Shen?”
The main reason they had placed both sisters under their aunt’s care was to let them learn proper manners. Compared to official and aristocratic families, a merchant’s rules and etiquette were unfortunately lacking.
This time, Li Zixuan was the one to respond.
“Daughter understands the intentions of mother, father, and uncle and aunt. My sister and I have earnestly studied etiquette and manners.”
Li Xingnian nodded with satisfaction, “That’s good to hear. Learning more about manners and etiquette can never do harm. Being overly courteous is not objectionable. With reason on our side, we needn’t fear wherever we go.”
Li Zixuan nodded her head.
During this short stay at her aunt’s place, she had truly learned a lot of things, many of which she had never encountered before.
Take banquets for example, the daughters of merchants gathered together, with conversations revolving around clothes and jewelry, eating, drinking, and pleasure, always showcasing and comparing.
Although daughters from official families might also do this, they were more restrained, no matter what they thought inside, they always managed to maintain a façade and would not make a scene, showing more consideration for the larger picture and overall situation!
Thinking that her engagement might be settled once she returned home, Li Zixuan felt some trepidation. Hearing the hearty laugher from the deck, she couldn’t help but stand up and look outside.
Watching the noble Little Prince, Dong Yuanxuan with a scholarly smile, and the forthright and direct Su Hongxin, Li Zixuan’s features showed a trace of melancholy.
Which girl doesn’t harbor spring feelings? There was a time when the man of her dreams also looked like this, yet such graceful young men were out of her reach.
Only because she was a merchant’s daughter!
Previously, because she had not encountered it, she did not have a strong sense of the disparities in social status, but after meeting people like the Little Prince with her cousin, she realized the chasm between merchants and distinguished aristocratic families was one that could not be bridged.
Such a vast difference in status, it was fated not to come together.
With these thoughts, Li Zixuan’s gaze quickly fell onto Xiao Yeyang.
The Little Prince and the cousin…
She hoped it wasn’t what she thought it was, otherwise, her cousin would probably end up heartbroken.
There was no helping it, the Little Prince’s status was too exalted. Even though her uncle was an Imperial Envoy, the difference in status was still too great, unless her cousin was willing to become a concubine.
But knowing her cousin’s temperament, how could she possibly agree to that?
Fortunately, her cousin currently didn’t have any special feelings for the Little Prince, and she hoped it would stay that way.
…
Yan Residence.
After the Li sisters had left, Daohua kept to herself, no longer attending gatherings or going out shopping. She simply holed up in the courtyard dealing with accounts.
Yan Yile was somewhat unaccustomed to this: “Ah, it was better when the Li sisters were here. That way, we could still go out and have fun from time to time.”
Main Courtyard.
Since Yan Zhigao was due to go to Beijing to report for duty after the new year, Madam Li had to start preparing in advance.
“Mother, you have been packing for half a month now, how come you’re still busy?” Daohua asked when she saw Madam Li bustling about tirelessly.
Madam Li didn’t stop working: “Your father will need to meet some colleagues in Beijing this time, so Mother must get all the necessities prepared. We can’t let him lose face.”
Daohua nodded: “Yes, yes, Mother, you’re right. Oh, and don’t forget to send someone to clean up our house in Beijing in advance.”
Madam Li gave Daohua a sideways glance with a smile: “Do you think your mother needs reminding? A few days ago when we sent the New Year’s gifts to your aunt, I had someone go there as well to clean up the house. That way, when your father arrives, he can move in directly.”
Daohua flattered: “Mother thinks of everything.”
Madam Li was too lazy to deal with her daughter’s antics and continued: “This time your elder brother will also go to Beijing with your father to see the world.”
Daohua was somewhat surprised: “Is that necessary?”
Madam Li: “Of course, it’s necessary. Your brother has been a Scholar for a few years and has studied at Wangyue Academy for three years. His learning is solid enough, but he lacks experience. Letting him see more is only beneficial and not harmful.”
After pondering, Daohua recalling scenes from novels and dramas she had seen in her past life, reminded: “Then, Mother, make sure to have someone keep an eye on elder brother so he doesn’t end up bringing a wife back.”
Madam Li glared at Daohua: “Do you speak of your elder brother like that?”