Chapter 349: Chapter 327, Underestimating_1
Xiao Yeyang perfunctorily greeted Zhongzhou officials like Jiang Advisor and Dong Yuanxuan, exchanged a few polite words, then headed to the frontmost observation deck.
“Go, call Daohua… Dong Yuanxuan and the others over; the view of the race is more unobstructed from here.”
Defu immediately nodded in agreement.
These days, his master’s countenance had never looked good, keeping his heart constantly on edge.
Despite his master tempering his impulsive nature over the years, the inherent defiance in his bones hadn’t changed. As soon as Lord Jiang and his wife arrived, showcasing the air of elders, he could distinctly feel his master’s patience nearing its breaking point.
He truly feared his master would lose patience, disdain engaging with Lord Jiang and his wife, and abruptly turn and leave.
However, the Jiang Family could not be slighted; if his master wished to inherit the title of the Prince Residence smoothly, he couldn’t do without the Empress Dowager’s support.
For this reason, Governor Guo had personally summoned him several times, charging him to counsel and remind his master whenever he could bear no more.
But what ability did he have to do that?
Even Governor Guo didn’t dare to discuss these matters in front of his master, and yet, he, a mere servant, was expected to do so. Wasn’t this just taking advantage of his honesty?
Defu felt utterly exhausted. Just yesterday, because he forgot to remind his master to pick up Miss Yan, his master flew into a rage. Punished for the first time in a long while, he had to kneel for over two hours, and even now, his legs were in unbearable pain.
Thinking of his swollen knees, Defu felt pitifully sorry for himself.
When he learned that Miss Yan had made her way to the provincial governor’s residence on her own today, he almost jumped for joy.
Someone who could tame his master had finally arrived!
Defu limped outside; he needed to bring Miss Yan over quickly.
However, before he could leave the observation deck, Jiang Wanying approached with a smile, “Yeyang, who are you going to call?”
Xiao Yeyang did not reply but instead said, “Why have you come here? You’re not well; you should have stayed by Madam Jiang’s side. It’s windy over here.”
Jiang Wanying gave him a coquettish look, “Yeyang, are you saying you don’t welcome me?” She then pursed her lips and smiled, “Don’t worry, Yeyang, I’m not made of paper. The weather is nice today, and a bit of wind is no trouble at all.”
Xiao Yeyang did not respond but looked toward Defu, “What are you still standing there for? Hurry up, won’t you?”
Seeing Defu’s mobility impaired, Jiang Wanying extended her hand to stop him, smiling at Xiao Yeyang, “I’m asking mercy for Defu. Yeyang, why don’t you send someone else.”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yeyang pursed his lips and glanced at Defu, noting Defu’s legs were hardly straight, and kept silent.
Just then, a maidservant with a beautiful appearance and graceful figure stepped forward, bowing to Xiao Yeyang and Jiang Wanying, “Master, shall I go? It would be faster that way.”
Xiao Yeyang remained noncommittal, but Jiang Wanying presumptuously agreed on his behalf, “Rui Zhu, you go.”
Rui Zhu glanced at Xiao Yeyang, and seeing he had no objection, quickly agreed with a smile, then briskly made her way toward the observation deck where Dong Yuanxuan and others were located.
…
Su Hongxin came to watch the Dragon Boat Race with his sister, Su Shiyu; after speaking to their mother, the two walked toward Daohua and the others.
On the way, they also brought along Zhang Nanyan from among the ladies.
There was no helping it, since Zhou Chengye was here as well.
“Sister Su, Sister Zhang!”
“Sister Dong, Sister Yan, you’re all here too.”
Upon meeting, the young ladies affectionately gathered together. Daohua introduced Su Shiyu and Zhang Nanyan to the sisters Li Zixuan and Li Zixin, and then the ladies eagerly began to discuss the dragon boat race.
Su Hongxin sidled up to Yan Wenkai and, seeing that he was only concerned with the race below, felt somewhat speechless. He nudged him with his elbow, “Why aren’t you and Little Prince together this time?”
Yan Wenkai glanced over at Xiao Yeyang and shrugged his shoulders, “Haven’t you seen that Little Prince is accompanying someone else?”
Having a loud voice by nature, everyone heard him speak.
Seeing everyone look over, Yan Wenkai looked innocently puzzled, “What? I’m not wrong, am I? Little Prince is indeed with someone else. Without him, we can watch on our own, right? What’s the issue?”
Yan Wenxiu tried to suppress the urge to facepalm, and Dong Yuanxuan’s mouth twitched.
This unfiltered truth…
Daohua hummed softly, imperceptibly, and turned her head to glance over at Xiao Yeyang.
Just then, Xiao Yeyang was also looking this way.
Their gazes collided, Daohua pouted her lips and quickly averted her eyes.
On the other side, Xiao Yeyang saw Daohua turn her head away instantly and felt a slight sense of loss, followed by some apprehension.
This time, forgetting to pick up Daohua, with that guy’s temperament, she would definitely be angry with him.
How should he explain it to her later?
Suddenly, Xiao Yeyang’s eyes lit up; the Jiang Family had brought many gifts bestowed upon him by the imperial uncles, the Empress Dowager, and the Empress, including a pot of ornamental red fruit said to be a tribute from foreign lands.
That guy liked such things; perhaps using it to coax her would help to appease her anger, right?
…
“This servant Rui Zhu greets all the young masters and young ladies.”
Rui Zhu came before Dong Yuanxuan and his group with a smile, giving them a proper curtsy.
Dong Yuanxuan raised his hand, “Does the Little Prince have any instructions?”
Rui Zhu nodded, “The master has sent this servant to invite the gentlemen over.”
Aside, Daohua tugged at Dong Yuanyao and whispered, “Who is this maid I’ve never seen before? She seems somewhat different.”
Dong Yuanyao leaned close and replied, “Of course, you haven’t seen her; she came over from Beijing with the Jiang Family. It is said that, like De Fu and a few others, she has served the Little Prince since childhood. This time she came here, apparently personally appointed by the Empress Dowager, naturally holding a higher status than ordinary maids.”
Daohua nodded.
At that moment, Rui Zhu turned to Dong Yuanyao and the others, smiling, “Miss Dong, Miss Su, Miss Zhang, Miss Jiang is also over there, why don’t you all join as well? The view of the dragon boat race is clearer and more open from where the master is, and it’s also nice for everyone to get together and chat.”
After finishing, she looked towards Daohua and the Li sisters: “I wonder who these three young ladies are?”
Daohua glanced at her, her status must be extraordinary, looking at that tone and demeanor, it all carried a sense of superiority.
Seeing Daohua not speaking and turning her head away, Rui Zhu frowned slightly and was about to say something when Dong Yuanxuan spoke up, “This lady is the daughter of Magistrate Yan from Ningmen Prefecture, and these two are Miss Yan’s cousins.”
Rui Zhu’s eyes flickered.
The daughter of the Magistrate of Ningmen Prefecture, merely the daughter of a fourth rank official, sure does put on airs.
“I was short-sighted, Miss Yan, why don’t you join us as well?” As for the two cousins who didn’t announce their households, they likely are commoners, not worth her attention.
Hearing the condescending tone, Daohua immediately scoffed, “No need, I have a pretty good view from here.”
This straightforward rejection left Rui Zhu momentarily stunned.
Did the daughter of the Magistrate of Ningmen Prefecture know whom she was refusing?
Although she was a maid, she was sent by the Empress Dowager herself to serve the master—her invitation represented the master’s invitation.
She dared to refuse the master’s invitation?
Rui Zhu inwardly sneered, officials’ families from the provinces really weren’t fit for high society. She then smiled lightly, “If the young lady does not wish to come, then I shall not persuade further.”
Having said that, she turned her gaze to Dong Yuanxuan and the others.
“Young masters, young ladies, let us go now.”
Seeing Daohua was not going over, Dong Yuanxuan’s eyes flickered, but he didn’t persuade further. He looked at Yan Wenxiu, “Wenxiu, let’s head over.”
Yan Wenxiu glanced at his sister, didn’t say much, nodded, and with a tug on his eager younger brother, followed Dong Yuanxuan and the group.
Dong Yuanyao watched Rui Zhu with an almost mocking smile, whispering to Daohua, “People from Beijing are like that, with eyes only for status. Don’t take it to heart.”
Daohua nodded, “I’m not going to upset myself over such a trivial matter. You should go now; I’ve seen your mother looking this way several times.”
Su Shiyu looked at Daohua, “We’ll go over, say a few words, and then come keep you company.”
“I’ve got my cousins with me, you don’t need to worry about me; go on, go on.”
Daohua smiled and pushed Dong Yuanyao and Su Shiyu outwards.
Rui Zhu stood to the side, silently observing with a touch of amazement in her heart. Why did it seem that Dong Yuanxuan and the others were looking at her somewhat strangely?