Chapter 480: Chapter 449, Wood Institute_1
After enjoying their tea, Yan Wenxiu, noticing that their arrival had made his sisters feel uneasy, smiled and suggested, “Let’s go to the garden to appreciate the flowers.” Having said that, he was the first to stand up.
Seeing this, everyone else also stood up.
Xiao Yeyang glanced at Daohua without saying anything, and was the first to leave the pavilion. Yan Wenkai hurried to follow, and pulled Yan Wentao, who remained seated, to his feet.
With the three men gone, Yan Wenxiu led the others out as well.
Only when everyone had left did the girls in the pavilion breathe a sigh of relief.
Yang Xiujun turned to Daohua and asked, “Sister Yiyi, was the gentleman in the blue robe just now the Little Prince from Prince Residence of Ping?”
Daohua nodded, “Mhm.”
Yang Xiujun smiled and said, “That Little Prince doesn’t seem as defiant and unruly as the rumors suggest.”
Daohua looked over, “You know of Xiao Yeyang?”
Yang Xiujun was a bit surprised that Daohua referred to Xiao Yeyang by name, but she quickly said, “Yes, I heard about the Little Prince at another family’s banquet. People said he is capricious and rough, often hitting and scolding others without good reason, very difficult to get along with.”
Upon hearing this, Daohua immediately frowned.
Even when she first met Xiao Yeyang, he had been at most a little prideful and sometimes petulant, not even close to the exasperating child her cousin had described. How exaggerated her words sounded!
The Yang Family’s social circle in Beijing wasn’t very large, but if even they spoke in such a way about Xiao Yeyang, it was a testament to how poor his reputation was in the capital.
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“Rumors often exaggerate the truth; they are hardly convincing,” she said, her tone somewhat cold.
Yang Xiujun looked at Daohua with surprise. Was it her imagination, or did Sister Yiyi seem upset? “What you say is true,” she agreed.
Zhou Jingwan overheard their conversation. Knowing that the slander against the Little Prince had upset Daohua, she leaned in and whispered, “Isn’t it just people echoing each other in the capital? Is it worth getting angry over?”
Daohua looked askance and replied, “Who’s angry?”
Zhou Jingwan pursed her lips, “Yes, yes, you’re not angry. I misspoke, alright?” She then changed the subject and asked with a smile, “Is it true that your elder brother Yan is set to marry the second young lady from Earl Zhaode’s Residence?”
Daohua shook her head, lowering her voice, “Not yet. The Han Family elders came to sound out our situation. As soon as they arrived, my parents sent someone to Beijing to gather information about the Han Family as well.”
Zhou Jingwan nodded, “As they should, the matter of marriage is significant, especially since your elder brother is the eldest son. Choosing the right bride for him is even more important, as she will be entrusted with the family’s future.”
Daohua, reminded of something, smiled, “I heard from my father that he got acquainted with the Han Family through your uncle’s introduction. If our families really become relatives, your uncle will become the matchmaker.”
Zhou Jingwan nodded with a smile, “I’ve heard my grandfather mention this as well.”
Remembering the sentiment of her own third brother, Daohua contemplated and then tentatively said, “It would be great if our two families could also form a marriage alliance. That way, our relationship would become even closer.”
Upon hearing this, Zhou Jingwan’s mind was suddenly filled with the image of Yan Wentao looking at her with an adoring smile, and she couldn’t help blushing. She gave Daohua a perturbed glance, “Just because we don’t have a marriage alliance, does that mean our relationship is not good?”
Seeing her reaction, Daohua smiled demurely, “Of course it’s good. But wouldn’t it be even better to take a step further?”
Yang Xiujun, seeing the two girls talking intimately, wanted to join the conversation but couldn’t find an opportunity. She hesitated a few times and then gave up, sipping her tea with a forlorn expression.
Yan Yishuang, observing all of this, pondered for a moment before sitting beside Yang Xiujun with a smile, striking up a conversation.
The two shared a love for poetry and soon found themselves laughing together.
Yan Yunxi and Yan Yunyan had arrived early and were already familiar with Yan Yihuan and Yan Yile; at that moment, Yihuan and Yile were sitting at the table, teaching Yunxi and Yunyan how to brew tea.
Consequently, the atmosphere in the pavilion became congenial.
…
In the garden, Yan Wenxiu led everyone to appreciate the flowers for a while, and then they proceeded to the front courtyard.
Along the way, as he watched Xiao Yeyang chatting amicably with Yan Wenkai and Yan Wentao, Han Hexu attempted several times to join the conversation, but found no appropriate opportunity.
Seeing this, Feng Hao, walked at the rear together with Han Hexu, suggesting in a low voice, “Stay calm. Although the Little Prince isn’t as difficult to approach as the rumors suggest, he isn’t someone you can just approach casually. Our main purpose here is regarding our second cousin’s marriage and to ascertain the situation of the Yan Family.”
“The Little Prince is good friends with the Yan brothers, and if our second cousin eventually becomes betrothed to Wenxiu, we can then use the Yan Family’s connection to get to know the Little Prince, and it won’t be too late.”
Han Hexu nodded, “I got distracted. I’m glad I have you, cousin, to remind me.”
Feng Hao smiled at his cousin’s acknowledgment and said no more.
Yan Wenxiu glanced back and relaxed slightly, seeing that Han Hexu was no longer trying to get close to the Little Prince.
Zhou Chengye, noticing, chuckled softly, “Your future brother-in-law doesn’t seem very savvy, does he?”
Yan Wenxiu glared at him, “Don’t talk nonsense about things that aren’t settled.”
Zhou Chengye laughed, “It looks to me like Han’s second master and his eldest son think highly of you, and are quite satisfied with your family. The match between you and the Han’s second young lady is very likely to happen.”
Yan Wenxiu pursed her lips without speaking, and his face lacked the joy and longing that one might expect when discussing matrimonial affairs.
Seeing this, Zhou Chengye showed a look of surprise, “What’s the matter, are you dissatisfied with the Han Family?”
Yan Wenxiu fell silent for a long moment, “Since ancient times, marriage has been a matter decreed by parents and arranged by matchmakers. What choice do I have to be satisfied or not?”
Hearing this, Zhou Chengye was genuinely shocked, “You are the eldest son of the Yan Family. When you get married, Uncle Yan and Aunt Yan will definitely take your opinions into account. If you are not satisfied…”
Before he could finish, Yan Wenxiu cut him off with a smile, “When did I say I was not satisfied? Come on, the Little Prince and Wenkai have already gone into the yard, we should hurry up too.”
Zhou Chengye saw that Yan Wenxiu did not wish to talk more about it and did not continue, smiling as he went to catch up with Xiao Yeyang and the others.
That evening, with the sky beginning to let down thick, featherlike snow, Xiao Yeyang conveniently stayed over at the Yan Residence and didn’t leave.
Early the next morning, Zhou Jingwan got up and saw a thick layer of snow accumulated on the roof and the ground. She quickly dragged Daohua, clamoring about making snowmen.
Daohua shivered, “Aren’t you cold?”
Zhou Jingwan said loudly, “We won’t be cold if we move around, come on, come on, we’ll each build a snowman and see who does it better.”
Seeing Zhou Jingwan’s eager demeanor, Daohua was somewhat helpless and glanced at the maids and old women in the courtyard. After thinking for a moment, she said, “There’s too much foot traffic in my courtyard. Let’s go to the timber yard; it’s more spacious there.”
Zhou Jingwan, indifferent, urged, “Then you better hurry up!”
Daohua signaled for Wang Manman to bring over the cloak. After putting it on, she was pulled out of the yard by Zhou Jingwan.
The timber yard.
Zhou Jingwan glanced at the huge tree in the courtyard and asked with a smile, “Is this yard named the timber yard just because of this big tree here?”
Daohua nodded with a smile, “There are too many courtyards in the Governor’s Office, it’s too troublesome to give them all unique names. Timber yard is easy to remember and pronounce.”
Zhou Jingwan approached the tree and exclaimed with joy, “There’s even a swing!” Saying this, she sat on it and began swinging vigorously.
Daohua walked over with a smile, “This swing was made by my third brother. He said I could come over and sit on it whenever I was bored.”
Zhou Jingwan immediately praised, “Your third brother is really thoughtful.”
Daohua agreed wholeheartedly, “Although my third brother is somewhat reserved and doesn’t talk much, he is particularly attentive and considerate.” Saying this, she glanced at Zhou Jingwan and sighed, “The lady who marries my third brother will certainly be very happy.”
Zhou Jingwan suddenly fell silent at the thought of Yan Wentao, who had been so caring towards her, marrying another girl. She felt very uncomfortable, noticing that the swing wasn’t swinging very high. She quickly said to the maids, “Push me.”
“Higher!”
“Even higher!”
Seeing the swing swinging higher and higher, Daohua started to worry, “Don’t swing so high, be careful not to fall off.”
But Zhou Jingwan retorted, “I’m holding on tight to the ropes; I won’t fall.” After saying this, she turned to the maids, “Put some strength into it.”
The maid, feeling helpless, had to push harder.
The constant rising and falling made Zhou Jingwan gradually forget the troubles in her heart. Delighted, she shouted for even more force.
Daohua hurriedly stopped her, “You can’t go any higher, be careful not to be thrown off.”
No sooner had the words fallen, when several figures appeared at the entrance of the courtyard.
“Oh, swinging on a swing!”
Just as Daohua was about to turn around, she saw Zhou Jingwan flying out of her view, causing her heart to contract in sudden fear, “Jingwan!”
“Ah~”
Zhou Jingwan was flung through the air, scared out of her wits at the thought of breaking her arms or legs, and couldn’t help but scream in agony.
In the timber yard, the screams continued for quite a while.
Zhou Jingwan, her voice somewhat hoarse, gradually stopped shouting.
Expecting pain that never came, Zhou Jingwan slowly opened her eyes and then saw Yan Wentao looking at her with a face full of concern, “Third Brother.”
Yan Wentao hastened to soothe her, “Don’t be scared, you didn’t fall.”
Zhou Jingwan moved a little and realized she was being held in Yan Wentao’s arms. She turned her gaze and saw Daohua, the Little Prince, and Yan Wenkai standing beside them with indescribable expressions.
Yan Wenkai looked at Zhou Jingwan with admiration, “Sister Zhou, you’ve got quite the powerful voice.” After saying this, he even gave Zhou Jingwan a thumbs up.
Embarrassed by her previous predicament, Zhou Jingwan’s face turned red.
Yan Wentao shot Yan Wenkai a cold glance, then carefully set Zhou Jingwan down.