Chapter 376: Chapter 354, Repetition_1
“Master, Granny, I’ll come to see you again in a few days; take good care of yourselves!”
Daohua checked once more that in the coming days the two elders wouldn’t lack anything for their food, clothing or daily needs before she bid farewell to the old couple.
Granny Gu smiled and nodded, “Go on, if you don’t leave now, the sun will get too hot, and it’s already the hottest time of the year. Be careful not to get heatstroke. Oh, and when you get home, give my regards to your grandmother.”
Daohua smiled and agreed.
Gu Jian glanced at Daohua and said sternly, “Now that you’re a grown-up girl, don’t be so rash in your doings; you can’t eat too many cold things like watermelon. Don’t let your good health lead you to ignore the risks.”
With an awkward smile, Daohua said, “Granny, Master, I am leaving.” After her words, she bowed to the elderly couple and then left with Wang Manman, fleeing as though escaping.
Xiao Yeyang watched from the side, amused. As he smiled, Gu Jian immediately gave him a sidelong glance, “You too, be mindful of your behavior. A girl’s reputation is of utmost importance, if you dare to mess around, humph!”
Xiao Yeyang’s facial expression stiffened, and he looked somewhat uncomfortable, “Master Gu, I haven’t…”
Gu Jian gave him a sidelong look, “Do you think I’m unaware of your little schemes?” Looking at his young disciple who was already some distance away, he spoke seriously, “I’m reminding you that at your age, you’re just beginning to experience romantic feelings. Some things you can’t even control yourself—however…”
“If you can’t guarantee a future for that girl, then don’t go stirring up her emotions. Consider your identity and then think of hers; are you certain that those people in Beijing could accept her?”
Hearing Gu Jian’s words, Xiao Yeyang felt embarrassed at first, but as he listened on, a sudden shock ran through him, and he stared at Gu Jian in a daze.
During this time, all he had wanted was to be close to Daohua, to be good to her. He hadn’t thought about what Master Gu was saying.
Seeing him like this, Granny Gu sighed and did not stop her brother from admonishing.
She had seen how close the two children were, but the matters of this world require more than just feelings, especially in the imperial family; marriage involves far too many considerations.
Gu Jian continued, “You are the legitimate son of Prince Ping, the emperor’s nephew; every move you make is under scrutiny. There are many who have their eyes on you.”
“If you behave too intimately with that girl in front of others, you’re courting trouble and calamity for her. If a real issue arises, are you sure you can protect her?”
With that, his face showed a hint of scorn.
“Know this: everything you have right now has been given to you by others. The moment you displease them, they’ll take it back just as easily.”
“Don’t be deceived by your current standing; you’re barely holding together. If you can’t even protect yourself, how could you protect someone else?”
At this moment, Xiao Yeyang’s heart swelled with tumultuous waves. He wanted to refute Master Gu’s words and claim that he would protect Daohua, but a voice inside him confirmed that everything Master Gu had said was the truth.
Seeing Xiao Yeyang’s dazed appearance, Gu Jian felt it was futile to say more, “Think it over for yourself. Now be off with you!”
Xiao Yeyang came back to his senses, looked at Gu Jian, bowed to him and Granny Gu, and then turned and left without a word.
Once the figures had gone, Granny Gu looked at her brother reproachfully, “Your words were too harsh just now.”
Gu Jian sighed, “The harsher, the better. It makes him face reality sooner. We don’t want to see either of the children get hurt.”
“Yangyang can’t make his own decisions about his marriage; it’s better for him to realize this earlier to avoid hurting himself and others.”
Granny Gu sighed, “I see that Yangyang is very fond of Daohua; I’m afraid he won’t be able to let go.”
Gu Jian replied, “If he can’t let go, then he better start making plans early. If he’s truly determined, who’s going to stop him?”
Seeing Granny Gu’s worried face, Gu Jian quickly added, “Sister, you shouldn’t worry yourself over the children’s affairs.”
Granny Gu gave him a sidelong glance, “How can I not worry? We’ve had a turbulent life, and it wasn’t easy to find some solace from these kids; how could I stand to see them get hurt?”
Gu Jian, feeling helpless, “Things aren’t as serious as we think. From what I see, it’s just Yangyang who is infatuated. That girl Daohua seems to be avoiding his affections; maybe she has no interest in him at all.”
Grandma Gu: “Then doesn’t Yangyang still end up getting hurt?”
Gu Jian said indifferently, “In this life, who can avoid some setbacks? Going through the trials of affection might actually be a good thing for Yangyang.”
“Ah… I hope both kids end up alright.”
…
On the boat returning to the Prince’s estate, Daohua sat in the cabin looking at Xiao Yeyang, who stood on deck in silence, and felt rather puzzled. She turned her head and asked Wang Manman to summon De Fu.
“What’s wrong with your master?”
De Fu showed a bitter smile and shook his head.
Daohua: “Did my master say something to him when we were leaving?”
De Fu looked up at Daohua and nodded.
Of course, he did, and he said it quite harshly. Didn’t you see the master looking like he has lost his ancestors?
Daohua looked puzzled: “My master’s temper is well known to that guy; he’s all bark and no bite. Is he really taking it to heart?” Saying this, she called out to the deck.
“Xiao Yeyang, the sun is so strong outside, aren’t you afraid of getting sunburned?”
When Xiao Yeyang heard Daohua’s voice, he turned his head to look at her. Looking at her bright and pretty face, the more he thought about what Master Gu had just said, the more irritated he became.
Some things can be dispensed with if not thought about, but thinking about them only causes confusion.
Having grown up in the Imperial Palace, how could he not know it was a place filled with entwined interests?
He didn’t want those people, those things, to ruin this happiness in any way.
But could he protect her?
Xiao Yeyang took a deep look at Daohua, then turned around to gaze again at the swiftly flowing river behind him.
Seeing that Xiao Yeyang didn’t respond and even turned away again, Daohua was truly perplexed. After thinking it over, she went out and tilted her head to look at him: “Xiao Yeyang, did my master scold you?”
Xiao Yeyang glanced at Daohua with a somewhat evasive look: “No, it was just that I thought of some troublesome matters on my own.”
Daohua laughed: “Oh, our Little Prince has worries too? Come on, share them with me so I can have a laugh.”
Hearing her teasing with a smile, Xiao Yeyang almost laughed and lifted the fan in his hand as if to knock on her head.
Seeing this, Daohua quickly covered her head with her hands, warily eyeing him.
Looking at Daohua covering her head and watching him, Xiao Yeyang’s gaze grew profound. He tightened his grip on the folding fan, slowly lowered his hand, and said softly with a smile, “Alright, I was just playing with you, I won’t hit you.”
Daohua lowered her hand and looked at Xiao Yeyang with some confusion: “Xiao Yeyang, why do I feel that you are acting strangely today, you really do have something on your mind? Is it about the Glass Factory?”
Xiao Yeyang smiled and shook his head: “Don’t worry, I’m fine.”
Daohua fell silent for a moment, and then said thoughtfully: “There’s nothing in this world that can’t be overcome. Even if you encounter a bump in the road, as long as you don’t give up, you can grit your teeth and get through it.”
“Besides, you have friends. Two heads are better than one. If you’re willing to tell me, I’d be more than happy to help you.”
Xiao Yeyang turned his head to look at Daohua, his eyes and brows filled with a smile: “Alright, I’ll remember what you said.”