Chapter 523: Chapter 482: Sending Someone Off_1
After breakfast, Madam Dong, Madam Su, and Madam Zhou sat for a short while before leaving with their daughters. Madam Li escorted them to the gate, while Daohua followed Yan Wenxiu to send them off at the pier. They watched the boat sail away before turning back towards home.
Upon returning, Daohua learned that her aunts were in the main courtyard, so she went there directly. As she entered, she noticed several new chests and trunks arranged in the yard.
“What are these?”
With the rise of the Yan Family, Daohua’s discernment had also grown day by day. She quickly recognized that the chests and trunks in the courtyard were all crafted from fine huanghuali wood.
Ping Tong was busy organizing with the maids. Seeing Daohua coming, she smiled and answered, “These are the pieces of furniture Madam had Uncle Lord custom order, prepared as engagement gifts for the eldest master. I am just tallying them to see if there are enough. If not, another batch will need to be ordered.”
Daohua was slightly startled, “Has it already been decided it’s the Han Family?” She didn’t wait for Ping Tong to respond and walked directly into the main room, where she heard her eldest aunt speaking.
“Your elder brother has replied to the letter, saying that the second daughter of the Han Family is quite good. He accompanied Lord Zhou the Second on three visits to the Han Family, and each time, the young lady greeted the guests gracefully and was very dignified and well-mannered.”
Seeing Daohua enter, everyone in the room turned their gaze toward her.
Daohua smiled and approached to pay respects to her two aunts, then sat down beside Madam Li and asked cheerfully, “Did my grand uncle go to Beijing?”
Fan Family smiled and nodded, “Your grand uncle has some business in Beijing. It’s his first time managing it there, and he was worried that the butler couldn’t handle everything, so he personally went to take care of it.”
Madam Li continued, “Since mother couldn’t personally go to Beijing to see the Han Family girl, she entrusted your grand uncle to take a look. He always has good judgment. With him helping, mother feels more at ease.”
Although they had Lord Zhou the Second as a matchmaker, the Zhou Family was still somewhat distant from them. As it concerned her eldest son’s lifelong affair, she was still a bit uneasy. Yet, Madam Li had great faith in her own brother.
Fan Family said teasingly, “Absolutely. Your elder brother indeed has an excellent eye. Remember, your husband was also chosen by him, and look how well you’re living now!”
Madam Li lowered her head with a smile, feeling truly grateful to her elder brother.
Daohua sat to the side listening without interrupting. Her grand uncle had always been excellent at business, whatever he deemed suitable was surely so. Of course, it didn’t rule out the possibility that the second daughter of the Han Family might be pretending.
She wondered when Xiaoliu would return and if he had gathered any news about the Han Family’s second daughter.
Madam Jiang said with a smile, “The Han Family must surely understand the intention behind Lord Zhou the Second’s visits with your elder brother. Since they allowed their daughter to greet the guests, it seems there shouldn’t be any problems. Has the second Lord Han or the eldest Han son let slip any hints?”
Madam Li shook her head, “Not yet. They stayed at our home for quite some days, and they should have inquired about everything by now… They’re probably waiting for a response from Beijing.”
Fan Family laughed, “With your family’s current status, there’s a very high chance this marriage will happen. I heard from Cheng Yi and the others that both second Lord Han and the eldest Han son are beaming every day, which clearly shows they are satisfied with your family. You should start preparing the engagement gifts for your future daughter-in-law.”
…
The Li Family left after lunch, and Feng Liangji, who was engaged to Li Zixuan, left with them. Since they weren’t married yet, he came alone this time.
Feng Liangji and Feng Hao were relatives. When they left, Feng Hao and the eldest Han son also came to see them off.
Feng Hao looked several times at Daohua, who was walking arm in arm with the Li Family girl in the front.
The young girl appeared lively and spirited; her brows were still bold and unrestrained, indicating that the events of the past few days hadn’t affected her.
Although the Jiang Family had personally clarified that the reason the four young ladies left that day was due to Jiang Wanying’s illness, since they lived in the Yan Family house, it was somewhat predictable to guess that things weren’t so simple.
Of course, it was the kind of thing people knew in their hearts.
“Yiyi, you must come early to my house after the New Year!” Li Zixuan said softly to Daohua.
Daohua nodded with a smile, “Don’t worry, I’ll certainly come early to send my cousin off.”
Li Zixuan gave Daohua a glance, “You’re teasing me. In a couple of years, it’ll be your turn.”
Hearing this, Daohua chuckled and quickly changed the subject.
Soon, the group arrived at the front gate, and after saying their goodbyes, they watched the Li Family climb into the carriage and leave. Daohua then followed Madam Li back to the backyard.
In the morning they had seen Dong Yuanyao and her group off, and in the afternoon the Li Family, leaving Daohua exhausted from the day’s events. She had just sat down in the main courtyard to catch her breath when she saw Yan Yunxi and Yan Yunyan walk in hand in hand.
“Please don’t tell me you’re here to bid farewell too?” Daohua looked at them with wide eyes.
Yan Yunxi and Yan Yunyan bowed to Madam Li.
“Auntie, we have imposed on your hospitality for quite some time now, and it is time for us to return home.”
Madam Li quickly urged them to sit down, “Stay a few more days. There have been so many things to deal with at home lately, and I haven’t taken good care of you. You mustn’t be angry with me.”
Yan Yunyan hurriedly said, “What are you talking about, Auntie? You have taken great care of us. We are very grateful for everything – the food, clothing, and all our needs for us siblings.”
Seeing the two becoming anxious, Daohua smiled, walked over, and sat beside them, pretending to be helpless, “I wanted to spend time with you, but who would have thought, I’m such a busy person. Next time, when you come again, I’ll definitely accompany you properly.”
Yan Yunyan smiled and said, “We all understand. By the way, Yiyi, how is your master doing? Has he gotten any better?”
Daohua was startled for a moment but quickly recovered. In the days when she and Yuanyao were not present, Madam Li had told people that they had gone to Taohua Village to visit Gu Jian.
“He’s better now.”
Yan Yunyan, not doubting, nodded, “That’s good to hear.”
Yan Yunxi joined in, “Yiyi, when will you visit Yan Family Village again? I’ll join you and walk around the fields.”
Daohua asked with a smile, “Why, aren’t you afraid of getting a tan?”
Yan Yunxi’s expression stiffened, “…Getting a tan for a day or two won’t hurt. Just cover up, and it’ll fade back.”
Madam Li chatted and joked with the three young ladies for a while before finally saying, “The year-end is approaching, and I know you’re all homesick, so I won’t keep you any longer. However, you should stay a few more days, so I can prepare modest gifts for the elders in your clan.”
Yan Yunxi and Yan Yunyan nodded, “We’ll do as you say, Auntie.”
Meanwhile, at the Yan Family guesthouse.
Second Master Han was chatting and drinking tea with Han Hexu and Feng Hao in the room.
“Judging from Old Madam Yan’s birthday banquet, the Yan Family’s connections are certainly not weak. The Dong Family from the Marquis Yongjia Residence, the Zhou Family of the former Grand Secretary, and the scholarly Su Family—each of these families is savvy, yet they all maintain good relations with the Yan Family, indicating that the Yan Family truly has something to offer.”
Han Hexu immediately said, “Uncle, about the matter between my sister and Wenxiu…” He genuinely thought Yan Wenxiu was a good match—upright and talented, certainly good enough for his sister.
Second Master Han raised his hand to stop him, “There’s no rush on this matter. I’ve already written to your parents to explain the Yan Family’s situation clearly. We need to listen to their opinion on this.”
In his view, the Yan Family was good but not so outstanding that they needed to push for a match vigorously.
With that, he turned towards Feng Hao.
“Oh, about the rumors that were rampant a few days ago, what do you think?”
Feng Hao laughed, “Since they are rumors, they are naturally not to be believed.”
Second Master Han nodded and didn’t say more.
Whether true or false, since the Jiang and Dong families were able to suppress it, it might as well not have happened.