Chapter 333: Chapter 311, Road Construction_1
Xiao Yeyang, after helping Daohua with the dishes, finally noticed the stupefied Defu standing at the entrance of the courtyard and immediately walked over, “Did you buy the gifts I asked you to?”
Defu came to his senses and rubbed his stiff cheeks.
Stay calm, stay calm, it’s just tidying up some dishes, right?
In front of Miss Yan, the master had done things that did not fit his status not only once or twice. Last time, on Miss Yan’s birthday, he even personally made longevity noodles, nothing surprising there.
Although he thought this way, Defu’s expression was still a bit unnatural.
“I’m speaking to you, what are you daydreaming for?”
Seeing Defu’s face changing colors continuously without responding to him, Xiao Yeyang couldn’t help frowning.
Seeing his master showing impatience, Defu quickly gathered his wits and replied hurriedly: “Master, Shahe County is really too poor, I searched the entire county and couldn’t find any decent gifts, so I could only bring back some fresh food.”
Xiao Yeyang glanced at the fresh food Defu had brought back and quickly averted his gaze, “These won’t do.” After thinking for a moment, he turned and went to the kitchen.
Defu hurriedly followed with the items.
In the kitchen, Wang Manman was washing dishes, while Daohua was arranging the cupboard.
Defu was also slightly surprised to see Daohua tidying up herself.
But with his own master setting the example first, he quickly accepted it.
Seeing Xiao Yeyang entering, Daohua asked, “Is there something you need?”
Xiao Yeyang: “That book of swordsmanship Master Gu gave me, I had my uncle look it over, and he said that this set of swordsmanship could be considered a unique mastery, even some martial arts aristocratic families that have passed down their skills for generations couldn’t produce such a martial arts manual.”
Daohua was a bit surprised: “That powerful?”
Xiao Yeyang nodded, a hint of pride on his face: “After practicing that set of swordsmanship, my martial arts improved very quickly. Even the trusted aides by my uncle’s side are no match for me now.”
Daohua thought for a bit: “If it has been that much of a help to you, then you really should express your gratitude properly.”
Xiao Yeyang showed agreement: “That’s what I think too.” He then glanced over to the main room and lowered his voice, “Master Gu’s… temperament is a bit eccentric, isn’t it? I’m afraid that if the gift isn’t to his liking, he would outright refuse it.”
Daohua considering her own master’s temperament, nodded: “That’s indeed possible.”
Xiao Yeyang tapped Daohua’s shoulder lightly: “He’s your master, isn’t he? Tell me, what should I give him?”
This really stumped Daohua.
What would her adoptive master like? She didn’t know either.
“What my master cares about the most is Grandma Gu. If you give gifts to him, it would be better to give them to Grandma Gu. As long as you win over Grandma Gu’s heart, my master will definitely be pleased.”
Xiao Yeyang quickly asked, “Then what does Grandma Gu like?”
Daohua propped her chin in thought: “Grandma Gu isn’t in the best of health, and she has never really shown any particular preferences…” Suddenly, Daohua had an idea, clapped her hands together, and smiled, “I know what to give now, guaranteed you’ll win over my master’s heart.”
Xiao Yeyang eagerly asked, “What is it? Tell me quickly.”
Daohua: “You should build a path up the mountain for my master and Grandma Gu!”
Xiao Yeyang was startled: “Build a path?”
Daohua nodded: “You’ve seen, there is no proper path on Taohua Mountain, and climbing up and down is very troublesome. My master and Grandma Gu are both old and living on the mountain, it’s really inconvenient.”
After listening, Xiao Yeyang also felt this was a good idea, as compared to sending over gold and jewelry, it would indeed be better to build the elderly couple a path.
“Then let’s do as you say. Taohua Mountain isn’t very high nor steep, so it will be convenient to construct the path. It probably won’t take more than a few days to complete. I will have Defu look for road workers right away.”
Daohua nodded with a beaming smile: “You got off easy. Originally, this was something I planned to offer as a gesture of filial piety to my master and Grandma Gu myself.”
Xiao Yeyang laughed: “Who among us is keeping score? Whether you give it or I give it, isn’t it all the same?”
As soon as these words were spoken, both Defu and Wang Manman’s faces revealed an odd expression.
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Are they the same?
They are not the same, are they?
Wang Manman glanced at her own daughter and saw that the girl was still naively responding, with an indescribably complicated expression on her face. She always felt that the Little Prince was taking advantage of her daughter.
As for De Fu, he was staring up at the sky while rolling his eyes dramatically.
Ever since his master had visited the brothel, it seemed as if he had suddenly become enlightened and had managed to learn how to flirt with girls without being taught.
It was only because Miss Yan was straightforward and had not thought much of it, but if other young ladies had heard him, they would have been so embarrassed that their faces turned bright red.
Thinking of this, De Fu stealthily glanced at Daohua.
This glance was unexpectedly dazzling.
Unintentionally, Miss Yan had matured into an ever more graceful and elegant figure. Not only had she grown much taller, but her features had also become more defined, and even in her simple cloth dress, her beauty was hard to conceal.
In another two years, who knew into what kind of sweeping beauty she would blossom?
It’s no wonder that his master had been lingering around Miss Yan in recent years.
…
“What did you say, you want to build a road on Taohua Mountain?”
Before building a road on Taohua Mountain, it was necessary to give Gu Jian a heads up, so Daohua took Xiao Yeyang to the main hall to discuss this idea.
Who would have thought, after hearing it, Gu Jian showed some surprise, but he did not look pleased at all, while Old Madame Gu watched Xiao Yeyang with a look of relief.
Seeing Xiao Yeyang somewhat embarrassed, Daohua hastily explained, “Master, there’s no road on Taohua Mountain, it’s inconvenient for you to go up and down the mountain, and even Old Madame Gu can’t take a walk whenever she wishes. Xiao Yeyang means well.”
Xiao Yeyang added, “Master Gu, I have no other intention but to express my gratitude for the swordsmanship you’ve bestowed on me.”
Old Lady Yan also smiled and said from the side, “Since it is the child’s heartfelt gesture, I think you should accept it, Master Gu.” As she spoke, she smiled at Old Madame Gu.
“Once Daohua’s manor is completed, Big Sister can often come and stay for a while. This girl loves flowers, so we built a flower pavilion right on the estate, and when the flowers bloom, we can all enjoy them.”
Old Madame Gu’s face showed interest, and she looked up at her brother.
First, it was a gesture from her grandson, and second, with a road on the mountain, it would truly be more convenient for her brother to move about.
Gu Jian remained silent and did not speak. After a while, he looked at Xiao Yeyang, “Do you really want to build a road for my sister and me?”
Xiao Yeyang hurriedly nodded, “Of course, it will make things more convenient for you and Old Madame Gu as well.”
Gu Jian asked, “How do you plan to build it?”
Seeing him soften, Xiao Yeyang breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, “I have already asked the people around me to look for laborers. We can start tomorrow…”
Gu Jian raised his hand to interrupt Xiao Yeyang, “If you are truly sincere, then you will build the road by yourself. If you find others to do it, then you might as well not bother!”
At these words, Xiao Yeyang was stunned into silence.
Even Daohua and Old Lady Yan wore surprised expressions as they looked at Gu Jian.
Taohua Mountain wasn’t particularly tall, but to have Xiao Yeyang build a road by himself, wasn’t that asking too much of him?
Old Madame Gu’s eyes flickered. While she also felt her brother’s demand was a bit excessive, she said nothing.
Gu Jian stood up and looked at Xiao Yeyang, “This road is for my sister and me to walk on. If you build it yourself, then we will accept your sentiment.” After saying this, he walked straight out the door.
Xiao Yeyang turned to look at Daohua, his eyes conveying a ‘did I hear that correctly?’ shock.
De Fu, standing outside, had his mouth agape in astonishment.
Did that strange monk understand his master’s identity?
Expecting a Prince’s legitimate son to build him a road, how could he be so presumptuous?
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