Chapter 306: Chapter 287, Speechless_1
After applying the eye medicine to Dong Yuanyao, Daohua and the rest of the group left the separate courtyard and then headed back to their respective homes.
In the carriage, Daohua looked at Yan Wentao, “Third Brother, how come you’re in the provincial capital?”
Yan Wentao replied, “Both eldest brother and fourth brother were not at the Academy. The Little Prince saw me alone and dragged me over.”
Daohua asked again, “So, was it his idea to go to the brothel today?”
Yan Wentao shook his head, “It wasn’t the Little Prince, it was Hongxin. He said that we’re old enough and that we should go to the brothel to get some experience.”
Daohua questioned, “Then what did you all do after entering the brothel?”
Yan Wentao responded, “We didn’t do much. Hongxin ordered the Oiran for company, and also called a few top girls…”
“Cough cough~”
Li Chenyi coughed frantically and gave Yan Wentao a somewhat speechless look.
This Third Brother Yan, why does he answer everything the cousin asks him?
Is this the kind of thing you can talk to a young girl about?
Yan Wentao caught Li Chenyi’s cue and immediately closed his mouth.
Seeing this, Daohua was silent for a moment, then turned to Li Chenyi with concern, “Big Cousin, are you sick?”
Li Chenyi forced a smile, “No, my throat is just a bit uncomfortable. A few coughs and I’ll be fine.”
Daohua nodded seriously, “A sore throat might not be serious, but still, you can’t take it lightly, Big Cousin. After you get back, you should see a doctor. Otherwise, if you keep coughing and interrupt our conversation, that’s one thing, but what if there are elders present? Not only does it seem disrespectful, but it’s also impolite.”
Li Chenyi’s smile froze on his face as he looked at his cousin, who was subtly mocking him.
The others in the carriage lowered their heads and snickered.
After that, Daohua didn’t bring up the brothel again, but asked Yan Wentao about the things happening at home.
“The major gifts have already been managed by Second Uncle and sent to Ningmen Prefecture.”
“Great Uncle will return to Xingzhou in the next few days. After handing over duties to the newly appointed Prefectural Governor, he’ll head directly to Ningmen Prefecture to take up his post.”
“Great Aunt has packed up the valuables and will go to Ningmen Prefecture with Grandmother.”
Daohua listened attentively, and soon the carriage arrived at the restaurant where Li Zixin was staying: “I’ll go call Cousin Zixin. You guys wait here, okay?”
After Daohua left the carriage, Li Chenliang couldn’t help but click his tongue in amazement, “Cousin Yiyi’s tongue is really powerful. Just look how she left Big Brother speechless a moment ago.”
Yan Wenkai looked over, “A word of advice, don’t mess with my big sister. She’s not one to take a loss lying down. Even if she has to give in at the moment, she’ll make sure to get even later. The Little Prince has never beaten my big sister.”
At those words, Li Chenyi’s eyes flickered then casually said, “The Little Prince seems to have a pretty good relationship with Cousin Yiyi!”
Yan Wenkai spoke with pride, “Of course. Who else’s sister would she be?”
Seeing him like this, Li Chenyi was speechless for the second time, sighing inwardly about how tiring it was to talk with Cousin Wenkai.
You have to be crystal clear and straightforward; anything slightly subtle and he won’t understand.
It’s one thing to answer off topic, but then he ends up going on various tangents.
Soon, Daohua returned with Li Zixin.
The two boarded the carriage, and they headed towards the Li Residence.
As they got closer to the Li Residence, Daohua couldn’t help but remind everyone, “You guys better explain the brawl at the theater nicely. Otherwise, I might just mention your little trip to the brothel.”
Faced with the threatening look in Daohua’s face, Li Chenyi reluctantly nodded, “Don’t worry. I’ll tell mum and dad that we took you to the theater, and it was someone else who started the fight. The injuries on your faces were accidental.”
This was the story Daohua and Dong Yuanyao had agreed upon.
There was no way around it. The rounds of the city’s government officers had caused a commotion by arresting someone, and since their faces were injured, it was impossible to hide the truth. Thus, they could only downplay the matter so that they wouldn’t be subjected to severe punishment.
Seeing Daohua frequently peeking outside the curtain, Yan Wenkai couldn’t help saying, “Big sister, there’s no need to be nervous. Uncle and the others won’t punish you. How about this, I’ll speak for you…”
Before he could finish, Daohua raised her hand to interrupt him, “Fourth brother, I appreciate your kindness, but when we meet uncle and aunt later, please, I beg you, do not speak. I’m afraid the story we’ve carefully crafted will be ruined by you just like that.”
“Pfft~”
Li Zixin couldn’t hold back and burst out laughing.
Cousin Wenkai is just like that; the moment he opens his mouth, everything is out in the open.
Yan Wenkai snorted, “I didn’t even want to speak!”
Soon, they reached the Li Family.
After Li Xingnian, Li Xingchang, along with the Fan Family and Jian Family listened to Li Chenyi’s explanation, they nodded and didn’t say much, just told Daohua and the others to go and rest.
Seeing how easily they had gotten off, Daohua couldn’t believe it and tugged at Li Zixin, “Cousin Zixin, do uncle and aunt really believe us?”
Li Zixin, too, was somewhat uncertain; this time, their parents had been surprisingly agreeable.
Daohua sighed, “Well, as long as we’re not being punished, it’s all good.”
It was only after Daohua and the others had left that Li Xingnian turned to Li Chenyi, “Tell us, what exactly happened?”
Li Chenyi let out a sigh, knowing he couldn’t keep it from Dad, Mom, and his second uncle and second aunt, so he relayed all the day’s events without omitting a single detail.
Upon hearing that Daohua had gone to the opera house to test Feng Liangji, Li Xingchang couldn’t help but laugh, “Daohua, that girl, hasn’t been doted on for nothing.”
Li Xingnian gave him a glare, “Don’t change the subject. It’s disgraceful for a young lady to go to an opera house and get into a fight; if your sister hears about this, she’ll undoubtedly come to us to discuss it sternly.”
The Madam Fan chuckled, “Alright, I think Daohua is still sensible in her actions, but what she did today was indeed wrong, and she must be punished to set things right.”
Jian Family took over the conversation, “Daohua enjoys having fun, so let’s punish her… by not allowing her to go out until Zixuan’s engagement is settled.”
Madam Fan immediately agreed, “That’s a good idea.”
Thus, not long after returning to Li Zixuan’s courtyard, Daohua received the message from Madam Fan.
“Cousin, the Madam says that you are not to leave the house these days.”
Upon hearing this, Daohua collapsed on the table, “I knew I couldn’t escape it. Aunt is so strict, grounding me just like that!”
Looking at Daohua’s dejection, both Li Zixuan and Li Zixin found it somewhat amusing.
…
In the blink of an eye, the day arrived for the Feng Family to present their betrothal gifts to the Li Family.
Hearing the bustling noises outside, Daohua and Li Zixin stood in the inner courtyard, watching as the servants carried in gift after gift.
“The Feng Family sure is wealthy,” remarked Daohua.
Li Zixin nodded, “How could they not be? The Feng Family ranks among the top merchants in Zhongzhou. This time, for big sister to be engaged to their eldest legitimate son, my father was even a bit surprised.”
Daohua sighed, “It’s a pity, though. Last time we followed him to the opera house, we couldn’t figure out what kind of person Feng Liangji is.”
Li Zixin smiled, “You’re still thinking about that? My mother said, on the third day after we returned, the lady from the Feng Family by coincidence met my mother and second aunt in the jewelry store and personally explained why Feng Liangji was at the opera house.”
“He didn’t go to the opera house on purpose but was there to pick up a cousin from his paternal family who was watching the opera.”
“My mother said that the Feng Family descends from the Jiguang Feng Clan and holds their family rules in higher regard than other merchants. Second uncle chose the Feng Family for big sister exactly because of this reason.”
Daohua nodded. That actually wasn’t bad; in this era of arranged marriages, marrying into a family that valued decency was certainly better than one with no principles at all.