Chapter 412: Chapter 388, Avoiding Sight_1
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“Did that brat annoy you?” Gu Jian asked his apprentice.
Every time his apprentice came over, the goshawk would signal her nephew, something the apprentice knew.
Now, having drugged the goshawk to unconsciousness, did she not wish to see her nephew?
Daohua held the drugged goshawk, offering a sheepish smile without saying a word.
At that moment, Granny Gu also came out and, smiling, beckoned to Daohua. When Daohua approached, Granny Gu took her hand and walked her inside, saying as they went, “Tell Granny, did Xiao Yeyang make you angry? If that’s true, next time he comes, Granny will help you beat him up.”
Daohua shook her head, “Granny, Master, don’t overthink it, there’s no disagreement between me and Xiao Yeyang.” After saying this, she quickly changed the subject, “Granny, Master, I came this time to tell you some good news, my elder brother passed the imperial examination.”
Granny Gu and Gu Jian, seeing Daohua did not want to talk more about Xiao Yeyang, followed her lead without further pushing.
“Your grandmother always praised your big brother for his scholarship, and now that he’s passed, she must be thrilled, right?”
“Isn’t that the truth? Ever since she found out big brother passed, our grandmother’s smile hasn’t faded. Granny, Master, it’s almost noon, I’ll go cook for you.”
After Daohua entered the kitchen, Granny Gu and Gu Jian exchanged glances.
“Those two kids must have had a quarrel.”
Gu Jian stroked his chin, “Xiao Yeyang is quite accommodating to Daohua, he shouldn’t have angered her, should he?”
Granny Gu, “…Let the children solve their own problems, we shouldn’t meddle, lest we make things worse.”
Yan Residence.
Yan Wenkai and others returned to the Yan Residence on the third day after receiving the news at the Yan Family.
They had thought they would definitely see Daohua this time, but they were informed that she had gone out. Xiao Yeyang could no longer restrain himself, and in front of everyone, he directly asked the old lady of the Yan Family, “Old Madam, where has Daohua gone?”
Madam Li felt Xiao Yeyang’s direct inquiry about the daughter’s whereabouts was somewhat abrupt, her brows furrowing slightly.
The old lady of the Yan Family was about to answer, but Madam Li cut in before her, “She went to her uncle’s estate.”
The old lady glanced at her eldest daughter-in-law with a somewhat puzzled expression but ultimately did not refute her, simply nodding and smiling at Xiao Yeyang.
Yan Wenkai, “What’s this, why did big sister go to the uncle’s estate?”
Madam Li smiled vaguely, “She probably had something to ask him.” Then, she swiftly changed the subject, “Wenxiu is probably not going to be back until mid-September, and we’ll be hosting a banquet at that time. You all must come.”
Xiao Yeyang didn’t respond but simply nodded absently, his brow furrowed as if lost in thought.
Dong Yuanxuan, seeing the atmosphere turning a bit stiff, couldn’t help but speak up to lighten the mood, “Aunt, Wenxiu is joining the Spring Examination next year, isn’t he?”
Madam Li shook her head, “He might have to wait until the next time. Wenxiu is still too young and hasn’t experienced much. Your uncle wants him to get two more years of experience first.”
Dong Yuanxuan carried on the conversation, and with Yan Wenkai and Su Hongxin joking alongside, the atmosphere became more bearable.
While everyone in the room laughed and chatted, Xiao Yeyang remained disconnected.
Xiao Yeyang forcibly suppressed his eagerness, sitting for a quarter of an hour, before standing up to take leave, “Old Madam, Madam, I’ll go check on the Glass Factory, so I will take my leave first.”
Yan Wenkai and the others stood up at once, having not yet visited the Glass Factory since it was built. This was a good opportunity for them to take a look.
However, Xiao Yeyang shook his head at them, “I’m going to check the accounts this time; I won’t bring you along. You stay here and keep the old lady company.”
Having said that, he paid his respects to the old lady and Madam Li, then left with De Fu.
Yan Wenkai muttered, “The Little Prince can check his accounts, and we can visit our Glass Factory, there’s no conflict!”
Dong Yuanxuan laughed, “The Glass Factory strictly forbids outsiders from entering; it’s better for us not to go.”
Su Hongxin nodded, “That’s right. Many families have been looking for an opportunity to enter the Glass Factory but have all been refused by the Little Prince; it would not be good for us to start asking now.”
Hearing this, Yan Wenkai did not persist, “Then let’s not go for a visit.” Saying this, he laughed and looked at Dong Yuanxuan and the others, “My elder brother passed the examination; today, let’s drink to our heart’s content.”
Su Hongxin immediately responded, “Great, but make it wine; that’s my favorite.”
…
“Master, shall I go right away to check where the Li Family estate is?”
As soon as they left the Yan Residence, De Fu, seeing his master’s face looking terribly upset, immediately asked.
Xiao Yeyang shook his head, “No need, go directly to Taohua Village.”
De Fu was stunned for a moment, then his eyes widened, “Is Miss Yan in Taohua Village?”
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Xiao Yeyang said nothing, he simply mounted his horse and with a flick of the reins, rode off.
Defu hurriedly followed after him.
Taohua Temple.
Grandma Gu and Gu Jian sat silently inside the room, watching Daohua take personal care of the few flowerbeds in the courtyard.
Gu Jian furrowed his brows and said, “This girl, these past two days, if she’s not tending to the flowerbeds, she’s going down the mountain to check on her land. Before going to sleep, she still heads to the pharmacy to process medicinal herbs; she’s much busier than before.”
Grandma Gu replied, “That’s because she doesn’t want to have any idle time.”
Gu Jian, looking puzzled, uttered, “Hmm?”
Grandma Gu sighed, “Only when she’s busy can she avoid aimless thoughts. The girl has worries on her mind.” After speaking, she glanced at the eagle hawk locked in the bamboo cage and shook her head.
Around noon, just as Daohua was preparing to cook, Qin Xiaoliu hurriedly ran up the mountain.
Seeing him, Daohua’s face showed hesitation. After being silent for a moment, she still walked towards the main house, “Grandma, Master, I’m going back.”
Both Grandma Gu and Gu Jian wore surprised expressions.
Gu Jian glanced at the sky, “What’s the rush? It’s nearly noon.”
Daohua vaguely said, “Something came up suddenly, I’ll come back to keep you company in a few days.”
Gu Jian looked at her and after being silent for a while said, “Go then, be careful on the way.”
Daohua nodded, paid her respects to the two elders, and quickly went down the mountain.
On the way, Qin Xiaoliu said to Daohua while walking, “This morning, the third and fourth masters came back to the residence with the Little Prince. The Little Prince didn’t stay long before he left the residence, heading straight this way. He should be arriving soon.”
Daohua nodded and said to Wang Manman, “Pack up, we’re returning to the residence immediately.”
Wang Manman looked at her young lady, her lady was determined not to meet the Little Prince!
In a short while, Daohua boarded the boat, “Let’s take a detour, avoid the main river.”
Hearing this, Qin Xiaoliu was stunned for a moment and looked at Wang Manman.
Wang Manman showed a look of helplessness. She didn’t know why her young lady suddenly didn’t want to meet the Little Prince anymore, “Set sail then.”
The boat slowly started moving.
Now in the autumn season, the scenery on both sides of the river bank was just right, but Daohua had no interest in watching. She stood on the deck for a while then went into the cabin.
…
Taohua Temple, two tea times after Daohua left, Xiao Yeyang came rushing over.
“Grandma, Master Gu!”
Xiao Yeyang first paid his respects to the two elders, then looked around, “Where is Daohua?”
Seeing Xiao Yeyang panting heavily, Grandma Gu quickly poured him a cup of tea, “Have a drink of tea to calm down.”
Xiao Yeyang took the tea, gulping it down in one go, and then asked again, “Grandma, Master Gu, where is Daohua?”
Seeing his urgent look, Gu Jian frowned discontentedly, “Get your breath smoothed out. You’re an adult, yet at the slightest thing, you panic. A man should remain unflustered even if Mount Tai were to fall before him.”
Grandma Gu gave Gu Jian a glare and pulled Xiao Yeyang to sit down, asking, “Did you and Daohua have a misunderstanding?”
Xiao Yeyang shook his head, clearly frustrated, “I don’t know. I haven’t seen her since after the Mid-Autumn Festival. These days, whenever I go to the Yan Family, she just avoids me; I don’t know what I did to offend her.”
Hearing this, Grandma Gu and Gu Jian quickly exchanged glances.
Xiao Yeyang turned towards Grandma Gu, “Grandma, I came here this time to clarify things with Daohua. Please tell me where she is.”
Grandma Gu hesitated, “Daohua has already left by boat. Didn’t you run into her?”
Xiao Yeyang stood up abruptly, hurriedly paying respects to Grandma Gu and Gu Jian, “Grandma, Master Gu, I’m off to chase Daohua. I’ll come back later to apologize.”
After speaking, he ran off like a puff of smoke.
“Slow down a bit!”
Grandma Gu and Gu Jian worriedly chased out of the yard.
“What on earth are these two kids up to?”