Chapter 514: Chapter 475, Different _1
The boat slowly started to move, and as the figure of Xiao Yeyang on the dock became more and more distant, Daohua felt a heaviness in her heart. She was growing increasingly loath to such scenes of parting.
“Miss Jiang, Miss Chen, the boat is about to depart, please go and rest in the ship’s cabin. Your bedrooms have been prepared!”
Dong Yuanxuan politely said to Jiang Wanying and Chen Jiarou and then turned to Dong Yuanyao and Daohua, “You two sisters should also go inside, as the night is deep and the dew is heavy, it’s cold outside.”
Chen Jiarou, with a smiling curtsy, thanked him and looked up to appraise Dong Yuanxuan. Only upon closer inspection did she realize that though Master Dong may not possess the noble air of the Little Prince, he too was like a bright moon on a breezy night, especially gentle when speaking, which made one feel a warm affinity and fondness.
In the past, she had believed that all the worthy men resided in Beijing, but after venturing out, she realized how shallow her understanding had been.
Beijing, nourished by the dragon’s vein, was a place of exceptional people and a blessed land that fostered countless young talents. But this place too was endowed with natural beauty, and each family’s sons had their own strengths.
Chen Jiarou took another glance at Dong Yuanxuan and saw that his gaze was only on Dong Yuanyao and Yan Yiyi, his brows slightly knitting. For her and Jiang Wanying, the young master was merely polite, treating them as if part of his duty, whereas his concern was evident in every word he directed at Dong Yuanyao and Yan Yiyi.
It made sense with Dong Yuanyao, after all, she was his younger sister, but Yan Yiyi…
Chen Jiarou quickly looked at Daohua, and upon seeing her pretty face, she felt somewhat downhearted and shifted her gaze away. It seemed that not only did the land here nurture men but women too.
“Yiyi, shall we go inside?”
Hearing Dong Yuanyao’s voice, Daohua glanced one last time at the silhouette on the dock. The sky had already darkened, and she knew that Xiao Yeyang wouldn’t leave as long as she stood on the deck, but there was still a long way to go back to Sishan Village. With this thought, she nodded and followed Dong Yuanyao into the cabin.
On the dock, upon seeing Daohua enter the cabin, Defu led the horse over, “Master, shall we also leave?”
Xiao Yeyang took the reins, mounted the horse nimbly, and before riding off, he turned to gaze one more time at the departing boat, then spurred his horse away.
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On the ship, Daohua entered her room and sat by the window looking out at the dock. Wang Manman, concerned that she would catch a chill, quickly brought over a white fox fur cape to drape over her, then filled a copper hand stove with silver-thread charcoal, covered it with a matching fox fur sleeve, and placed it in Daohua’s hands.
“It’s good that the Little Prince was attentive. He had Defu prepare everything for the young lady in advance. Otherwise, in this cold weather, you would have suffered.”
Daohua, holding the hand stove, felt warmth spreading through her fingertips and into her heart. She smiled lightly and said, “You’re exaggerating, aren’t you?”
As Wang Manman brewed tea, she laughed, “Although I exaggerated a bit, it’s still not as convenient as now. Look, miss, those two food boxes were specially prepared for you by the Little Prince, fearing you wouldn’t eat well on the boat.”
Daohua glanced at her, took the hot tea she offered, “You girl, always speaking so freely, those food boxes are surely not just for me. If someone heard what you said, it could cause a misunderstanding.”
Wang Manman didn’t mind, her smile unwavering, “I’m not talking nonsense. We really are the only ones who have them. These items were secretly given to me by Defu. The others only have what Master Dong has prepared.”
At those words, a smile filled Daohua’s eyes, and she took a sip of tea to hide the joy in her expression.
Wang Manman took another look at her mistress and continued to smile, “Before boarding the ship, the Little Prince took me aside and instructed me carefully to take good care of you and to make sure you don’t hurt your arm.”
Daohua’s lips curled upward, her words insincere, “He needn’t trouble himself.”
Hearing this, Wang Manman just looked down and smiled quietly, without responding.
As night fell, Daohua left the window, and Wang Manman immediately closed it, “Miss, would you like to rest now?”
Daohua shook her head, “I’m not sleepy yet.”
Wang Manman laughed, pulled out a bundle, and took out several story and travel books.
Seeing them, Daohua’s eyes suddenly brightened, “Good girl, it’s fortunate you prepared these, now I can pass the time.”
Wang Manman handed over the books, “I’ve been cooped up in the inn these past few days with no chance to go out and buy story books.” She then simply watched her mistress with a smile.
Daohua snatched the books and glared at Wang Manman, who was full of jest, “Alright, you may leave. There’s nothing for you here. Go keep Bi Shi company in the outer room.”
Wang Manman didn’t immediately leave, “Miss, the Little Prince said, since you’re injured, you need to rest more and shouldn’t stay up too late.”
Daohua glared over, “Who exactly is your master? Why are you so obedient to others?”
Wang Manman chuckled softly, “Whoever treats the master well, the servant listens to them.”
Daohua couldn’t be bothered to talk more, waved her hand indicating for her to leave quickly.
Wang Manman smiled, turned around, and went out.
The stories sold at the market were not long, Daohua quickly finished one, felt sleepy, and went to bed.
…
The next morning, Dong Yuanyao came to Daohua’s room early.
“Did you sleep well last night?”
Daohua was sitting in front of the dressing table combing her hair, turned with a smile, “Pretty peacefully, how about you?”
Dong Yuanyao’s expression was indifferent, “I was alright too, only last night Jiang Wanying got seasick and threw up late at night. My brother couldn’t go to see her, so he asked me to check on her. It really bothered me for a while, I didn’t sleep well for the rest of the night.”
Daohua showed sympathy, “In the future, we should try to stay as far away from her as we can.”
Dong Yuanyao strongly agreed, nodding her head, “Such a delicate young lady, if this happens a few more times, I really won’t be able to stand it.” With that, she picked up a piece of pastry from the table and began eating.
“Mmm, the pastries here are tastier than those in my room!” Soft and tender, just the right amount of sweetness, not sticky, she picked up another piece after finishing one.
Daohua said with a smile, “If you like them, eat more.”
Dong Yuanyao nodded, her gaze shifting to spot a food box in the room, she quickly walked over to open it and saw all sorts of food, immediately feeling depressed.
“Everyone says my brother is meticulous, but sometimes, the Little Prince is even more detailed and thoughtful than he is.”
The things her brother prepared were not few, but the snacks the young lady liked to eat were not included.
Wang Manman smiled to herself thinking how can these be the same, the Little Prince had placed their young lady at the very pinnacle of his heart, naturally, everything revolved around her. As for Master Dong, he was merely responsible for sending them back, as long as he delivered them safely, his task was considered complete. Whether they ate or slept well on the way was not within his consideration.
On the boat, everything was simple, the cook only prepared a bit of vegetable congee and steamed buns for breakfast. Since the cook was hired temporarily, her skills were not that great, so the ladies only ate a little.
“Thank goodness there’s plenty of food here, otherwise, I would have starved,” Dong Yuanyao said while holding a storybook in one hand and a marinated chicken claw in the other, leaning back in a reclining chair, swaying leisurely, very contented.
Daohua glanced at her with a smile and shook her head, “Your mother would definitely punish you if she saw you like this.”
Dong Yuanyao put down the storybook and sighed, “I am not naturally gentle and demure. No matter how long or well I pretend, I will eventually give myself away.”
Daohua casually joined in, “Then you can’t marry someone too stern and serious in the future.”
Upon hearing this, Dong Yuanyao suddenly fell silent. After a while, she murmured, “But that’s not something I can control.” Even if her family doted on her, she had no choice when it came to marriage.
Daohua’s expression stiffened at that and she too fell silent.
Women in ancient times did not have much say in the choice of their husbands.
At this moment, voices were heard from outside.
Soon after, Wang Manman came in and said, “Miss, Miss Jiang would like to invite you and Miss Dong to her room to chat.”
Daohua and Dong Yuanyao exchanged glances, knowing that this was to discuss their prepared statements regarding their abduction.
Daohua nodded, “Alright, we’ll get ready and head over in a bit.”