Chapter 367: Chapter 345, Avoiding Suspicion_1
Having stayed at the Yan Family for one night, the next day, Madam Zhou took Zhou Jingwan and left, with Daohua escorting them all the way to the docks.
Looking at the two girls’ reluctance to part with each other, Madam Zhou smiled, “Alright, it’s not as if we won’t see each other again. Yiyi, your elder brother Zhou will be getting married soon, and when that time comes, you’ll have to stay at my place for a few days.”
Daohua replied cheerfully, “Auntie, you better not think I’m too noisy when the time comes.”
Madam Zhou looked at Daohua with a smile, “Don’t worry, we already have a monkey at home, having one more won’t make a difference.”
After sending the two off with laughter, Daohua leisurely made her way back to the residence.
Once back in the courtyard, Daohua noticed the silk pouch used for carrying lychees was missing and asked immediately, “Guyu, where’s the silk pouch for the lychees?”
Guyu thought for a moment, “It seems that Miss Zhou took it away.”
Wang Manman was puzzled, “Why would Miss Zhou take an old silk pouch? And it’s even a man’s style.”
Upon hearing this, Daohua felt a sudden thump in her heart.
Don’t tell me Jingwan actually has feelings for my third brother?
After giving it some thought, Daohua realized that her third brother seemed to treat Zhou Jingwan a bit differently, which instantly gave her a headache.
Would the Zhou Family regard my third brother as suitable?
Even though my third brother is currently studying martial arts at Wangyue Academy, he doesn’t seem to be within the scope of suitors the Zhou Family would consider. My fourth brother might be a possibility, but as for my third brother… in the end, he’s just my father’s nephew, and in the eyes of others, the relationship is always seen as somewhat lesser.
Ah, in ancient times, because men and women had fewer opportunities to interact, familiarity between the sexes could easily lead to affection.
My third brother is an honest and dependable person, the type who gives a strong sense of security, so it’s not surprising that Jingwan is attracted to him.
“It would be nice if father’s official rank were a bit higher.”
Just a bit higher, and even as a nephew, he would be seen as a very good match for many families.
Thinking this, Daohua asked Wang Manman to call for Qin Xiaoliu.
“Miss, did you call for me?”
Qin Xiaoliu arrived swiftly. He had been busy lately with the selling of watermelons from the estate and often running around outside, which made him somewhat tanned. Seeing him drenched in sweat, Daohua hurriedly asked Guyu to pour him a cup of tea.
“Thank you, miss,” Qin Xiaoliu said with a grin, taking the tea and then, without minding the heat, drank it all in one gulp.
Seeing this, the maids in the room all started to laugh.
Wang Manman walked over, took the teacup, and glanced at Qin Xiaoliu, “This Biluochun tea was sent especially for the miss by the Little Prince. It’s meant to be savored slowly. You, on the other hand, drink it like you’re chewing on peony, all in one breath.”
Daohua smiled and waved her hand dismissively, “What’s with all the fuss? Go and pour another cup.”
“Yes!” Wang Manman complied and refilled the cup, handing it back to Qin Xiaoliu, “Drink slowly, don’t burn yourself.”
Qin Xiaoliu smiled as he looked at Wang Manman, said nothing, and sipped the tea slowly.
Daohua’s gaze wandered back and forth between the two of them and then she silently looked away.
It seemed like she was just fed a handful of dog food!
Once Qin Xiaoliu had set down his teacup, Daohua said with a smile, “Brother Xiaoliu, you’ve been working hard recently. I’ve looked at the account books, and the income from this year’s watermelons is very good.”
Qin Xiaoliu immediately replied, “Miss, you’re overstating it. It’s not that hard; this is what I should be doing. The watermelons sold well today, mainly because the fame has spread over to Xingzhou.”
“As soon as May comes, we have traders coming to buy, ordering tens of thousands of pounds each time. Our estate’s watermelons are somewhat in short supply now. Fortunately, those from Taohua Village are also ripening one after another, which saved us from running out of stock.”
Daohua nodded and then inquired, “How are the Chinese yams growing?”
If Sha County could get out of poverty by growing Chinese yams, her father could also deliver a fine achievement.
Qin Xiaoliu, “They are growing well. I’ve instructed the tenant farmers to keep a close eye on them and to report immediately if there are any issues.”
Daohua also said, “After selling the watermelons, go look around in various places. I’m thinking of buying another estate.” Tomatoes have already been planted in the space, and before long, she would be able to harvest a batch of seeds, which could then be planted and promoted.
Qin Xiaoliu nodded in agreement.
Afterward, Daohua inquired about the situations of the various estates and let him go. Wang Manman was the one to see him off, returning with her cheeks somewhat flushed.
Watching this scene, Daohua found it quite amusing but said nothing, letting the two develop their relationship on their own.
…
In mid-June, Yan Wenxiu and his two brothers returned from the Academy, followed by Xiao Yeyang, Dong Yuanxuan, and Su Hongxin.
“Why are you back at this time?”
Yan’s grandmother and Madam Li both looked surprised.
Yan Wenxiu replied, “Mother, I wanted to come back to our hometown a bit earlier.”
Madam Li said, “But the provincial exam is still nearly two months away. We’ve been away from our hometown for so long, you’ve returned too early. What if you’re not accustomed to it?”
Yan Wenxiu replied, “We don’t need to return that early. I plan to leave around mid-July. I’d like to stay at home these days and ask father and Master Xiao for advice on policy debates.”
Madam Li didn’t say much more, “We, both your grandmother and I, don’t really understand these matters. You can decide for yourself.” As she spoke, she turned her gaze toward Yan Wentao and Yan Wenkai.
“And what about you two?”
Yan Wenkai immediately said, “Mother, have you forgotten? Previously, my third brother and I told the family that we planned to follow the Little Prince to Governor Guo’s military camp for training this month.”
Madam Li nodded.
Indeed, the two young men had mentioned this before, and both their father and third uncle had agreed.
Yan’s grandmother felt a bit worried, “You two must take care of your health and be careful not to injure yourselves during training.”
Yan Wenkai assured her with a smile, “Grandmother, don’t worry, we’ll take good care of ourselves. Besides, Ningmen Pass is so close to home, my third brother and I will often return.”
Hearing this, both Yan’s grandmother and Madam Li felt pleased.
Yan’s grandmother smiled, “It’s good to come back often. I’ll have Daohua cook something delicious for you.”
Yan Wenkai quickly beamed, “Grandmother loves us the most.”
Yan’s grandmother gave her grandson a playful look, “Don’t your father and mother love you?”
Yan Wenkai replied with a naive grin, “They love us too, both of them.”
Seeing his reaction, both Yan’s grandmother and Madam Li couldn’t help but laugh.
That evening, Xiao Yeyang and the others stayed at the Yan Family residence.
During the meal, Xiao Yeyang was dismayed to find that they were seated in the outer courtyard.
Xiao Yeyang nudged Yan Wenkai, who was devouring food, and whispered, “What’s the matter? Didn’t we used to eat together before?”
That afternoon, he also hadn’t managed to find an opportunity to speak with Daohua alone.
Yan Wenkai spoke vaguely through a mouthful of food, “My mother said now that we are grown up, we need to maintain a proper distance.”
Xiao Yeyang frowned, “What’s there to avoid?”
Yan Wenkai grumbled, “It’s not us who need to avoid; it’s my elder sister and the others who need to. After all, you and Brother Dong are outsiders. It’s not appropriate to see each other too often.”
Hearing this, Xiao Yeyang instantly lost his appetite and had no desire to continue eating.
He had hurried to join his uncle’s army training precisely to spend more time with Daohua, hadn’t he?
Now, Auntie Li had directly blocked his way.