Chapter 519: Chapter 478, Bad Taohua_1
The banquet was set in the main courtyard. Daohua arrived a little later, and by the time she came, everyone had already settled down. Just as she was looking around for where to sit, Zhou Jingwan, seated next to the host, stood up and gestured to her, “Yiyi, over here!”
Daohua smiled and walked over, taking a seat next to Zhou Jingwan and Dong Yuanyao, then nodded to Su Shiyu, who was seated beside Zhou Jingwan, and to the young ladies from other families at different spots, as a way of greeting.
Su Shiyu asked with a smile, “Why have you just arrived?”
Daohua glanced towards the entrance of the courtyard and happened to see Chen Jiarou helping Old Madam Chen over. Turning her head back, she said with a faint smile, “I was delayed on the road by someone.”
Dong Yuanyao, Zhou Jingwan, and Su Shiyu followed Daohua’s gaze and looked in that direction.
Zhou Jingwan said in a low voice, “I just can’t understand, with Madam Chen’s way of dealing with people, how the Chen family has managed to establish itself in Beijing.”
Dong Yuanyao laughed, “I heard from my grandmother that the Chen family’s social circle in Beijing isn’t as extensive as we might think. In Beijing, it’s the Old Madam Chen who’s in charge of the family’s affairs. After all, Old Madam Chen was the Emperor’s wet nurse, and people are willing to give her some face, so the Chen family has been living in peace.”
Daohua said indifferently, “That Old Madam Chen isn’t so great either, she always likes to lecture others as soon as she opens her mouth.”
Zhou Jingwan curled her lips, “Maybe she’s been flattered too much and has forgotten who she really is. A wet nurse, to put it bluntly, is just a servant after all.”
Su Shiyu laughed lightly, “In Beijing, where the powerful are numerous, the Chen family probably knows to hold back, but once out in the regions, relying on their connection to the Emperor, I guess they start to get carried away.”
Daohua looked at Su Shiyu with a smile, “Sister Su has a good explanation.”
Dong Yuanyao said, “Alright, let’s not talk about these unpleasant things anymore. All the dishes have been served; let’s eat.” Knowing that Daohua’s right hand was inconvenient, she personally served her a bowl of meatball soup.
Zhou Jingwan noticed Daohua eating with her left hand and immediately asked, “What happened to you?”
Su Shiyu also looked over.
Daohua said softly, “My right hand got scraped a bit.”
Zhou Jingwan and Su Shiyu had a slight change of expression. It’s not just a scrape, is it? Otherwise, she wouldn’t even be able to use chopsticks. It seems that the last accident made Sister Daohua (Daohua) suffer a bit outside.
Moreover, Auntie Li is usually kind-hearted; today, as the host, she directly confronted the Chen family in front of so many people, probably because she was so annoyed.
After lunch, Daohua and the others went to rest in the pavilion.
Su Shiyu said, “By the way, it wasn’t appropriate to ask during lunch, but when did you all return yesterday? We didn’t even know.”
Dong Yuanyao said, “By the time we returned, it was already dark. We thought you had retired for the night, so we didn’t disturb you.”
Zhou Jingwan interjected, “Then why didn’t you come to find us this morning? Why wait until midday to show up?”
Dong Yuanyao looked at Daohua, and Daohua said with a smile, “Isn’t it just to make our entrance all the more stunning and eye-catching?”
“Hmm?”
Zhou Jingwan looked confused, but Su Shiyu quickly understood. She smiled at Daohua and Dong Yuanyao, “You two are really cunning.”
Rumors and gossip aren’t things one should address oneself, but if others bring them up, and then you fiercely hit back in public, that’s not a bad tactic.
Yiyi chose a very good moment today, not only did she expose Madam Xu’s ugly practice of spreading rumors but also made her speechless in public, deterring other meddlesome people.
Daohua said with a bitter smile, “We didn’t want it to be like this either, but there are just so many meddlers in this world.”
Dong Yuanyao frowned, “By the way, what’s the deal with Madam Xu? Isn’t Xu Tongzhi under Uncle Yan’s command?”
Daohua sighed, “Due to the issue of relocating refugees to Sha County, my father strictly controlled the settlement in Sha County, as well as various matters such as land transactions, which affected the interests of some local families. Madam Xu’s parental family is one of them. So there she was creating trouble.”
Zhou Jingwan scoffed, “Openly challenging a superior, and unjustly at that, is truly foolish.”
Su Shiyu smiled, “If Mr. Xu is aware of this, then he’s probably not very broad-minded or farsighted; if he doesn’t know, then after today, Madam Xu is probably not going to have an easy time at home.”
Zhou Jingwan suddenly laughed out loud, “Madam Xu is also someone who is outwardly strong but inwardly weak. Daohua cornered her in just a few sentences, making her act like a complete clown.”
Daohua glanced sideways, “Where did I corner Madam Xu? I simply convinced her with reason.”
At this, Su Shiyu and Dong Yuanyao also started to laugh.
Zhou Jingwan laughed heartily, “Right, right, of course you are the most reasonable.”
At this moment, Yan Yihuan arrived with Li Zixuan, Li Zixin, and Yang Xiujun, along with a few other girls.
“Sister Zixuan, Sister Zixin!” Daohua immediately greeted them with a smile.
Afterward, the group of girls sat in the pavilion, drinking tea and chatting.
In the late afternoon, Daohua stood up and, with the group of girls, went to the old madam’s courtyard, presenting the Ba Xian He Shou cake she had made early in the morning.
“This is the dessert I made. Please, ladies and girls, have a taste.”
The cake was cut into small pieces and handed out to the various madams and girls; it had three layers, and some were even sent to the front yard.
Yan Siyu held a slice with a carved longevity peach on it and glanced at Daohua, who was joyfully chatting amidst the girls, then, smiling, said to the Old Madam Yan, “Yiyi’s handiwork is really exquisite.”
Old Madam Yan nodded continuously with a smile, “That girl may be a bit lively, but her cooking and needlework are outstanding in every aspect. Otherwise, your eldest sister-in-law and I wouldn’t indulge her so.”
Seeing her mother’s unabashed favoritism, Yan Siyu glanced at her daughter; although her mother also cherished Xiujun, she still took second place to Yiyi, the direct granddaughter.
…
While distributing the cake, Daohua noticed that Madam Li was absent and knew she was busy in the main courtyard, so she took a piece of cake to her. It wasn’t until Madam Li had eaten the cake and returned to her busyness that Daohua headed back to Songhe Courtyard.
Little did she know that she would run into her cousin Yang Hongrui halfway.
“Cousin Yiyi.”
Seeing Yang Hongrui, Daohua was somewhat surprised and curtsied with a smile, “Cousin Hongrui, what brings you to the back courtyard at this time?”
Yang Hongrui looked somewhat uneasy, “I came to see my mother about something.”
Daohua made an ‘Oh’ sound, “Do you need me to call aunt for you? There are many ladies at grandmother’s place right now; it might not be convenient for you to go there.”
Yang Hongrui shook his head repeatedly, “No need, actually, it’s nothing urgent or important.”
Daohua said, “…Well, in that case, I should go to grandmother’s place.” She then turned to leave.
Yang Hongrui hastily called her back, “Wait a moment.”
Daohua turned back around, “Cousin Hongrui, is there something else?”
Yang Hongrui hesitated for a moment, “That is… Are you alright?” Although his uncle and aunt said Cousin Yiyi went to the country estate, he knew that wasn’t true, because he happened to be standing next to Cousin Wenxiu that day and overheard the servants’ reply.
Daohua raised an eyebrow, “I’m fine. What could be wrong with me?”
Yang Hongrui looked at Daohua and, seeing her in good spirits, smiled, “It’s good to hear you’re fine.” Seeing that Daohua’s hands were empty, he passed the hand warmer he was holding to her.
Daohua stepped back a few paces, “Cousin Hongrui, what is this?”
Yang Hongrui quickly explained, “Cousin, please don’t misunderstand, I saw that you didn’t bring a hand warmer in the dead of winter, and I wanted to give you mine.”
Daohua tugged at the corner of her mouth, “Thanks, Cousin, but I don’t need it. You should keep it for yourself, and if you find you don’t need it, give it to Cousin Xiujun. I have many hand warmers in my room and they are more than enough. Grandmother must be looking for me; I have to go. Please excuse me.”
Without waiting for Yang Hongrui’s reaction, she hurriedly walked away.
Watching Daohua’s hastening departure, Yang Hongrui felt a slight sense of loss and turned silently to head toward the front courtyard.
On the other hand, Wang Manman, recalling Yang Hongrui’s earlier actions and observing Daohua’s expression, muttered, “The young master couldn’t possibly have been waiting there specifically for you, could he?”
Daohua furrowed her brows, “Nonsense.” She paused for a moment before adding, “Don’t mention what just happened; act as if it never occurred. Also, in the future, if Cousin Hongrui is around, remember to remind me to keep a distance.”
She certainly did not want to attract any messy suitors.
Wang Manman nodded with a smile.
Apart from the Little Prince, she had never seen the girl accept anything privately from any man before.