Chapter 529: Chapter 488, Settling_1
“Where can we find suitable people so easily?”
Yan Wenkai curled his lips and then, with a twirl of his eyes, leaned in toward Xiao Yeyang with a smile, “Little Prince, we’ve caught so many people this time, and many of them are useful. How about you give me and Third Brother a few as well?”
Xiao Yeyang smiled lightly and glanced at Yan Wenkai, “If you want people, go talk to Mr. Wu yourself.”
Yan Wenkai immediately fell silent. If Mr. Wu were easy to talk to, would he need to compete with his own sister for people?
As he spoke, he glanced at his sister, who was looking through the personnel files, and said with a hint of hopelessness, “Big Sister, those people come with families, and there are quite a few of them. If you think that’s too many…”
“Not too many!”
Daohua cut in directly, “I’ve added two more estates this year. When spring plowing comes next year, we’ll start planting, and it’s exactly when we need people.”
Seeing that her fourth brother still wanted to say something, Daohua hurriedly added, “Fourth Brother, you and Third Brother often run around outside; you can always choose people who suit your own tastes, whereas it’s different for me. I always stay in the back yard, and the circle I come in contact with is just that small. Even so, you still want to compete with me for people.”
Yan Wenkai scratched his head awkwardly, “I just feel that One-Eye, Bald, and a few others are somewhat wasted in your hands.”
Xiao Yeyang snorted, “Just hurry up and eat your Laba porridge. The people are Daohua’s, how she uses them is her business, you don’t need to worry unnecessarily.”
Daohua nodded repeatedly, her face showing agreement, “Exactly.”
Meanwhile, Yan Wenxiu and Yan Wentao silently sipped their tea, watching as their younger brother was squeezed by their big sister and Xiao Yeyang without intervening.
In their family, it had to be said that the fourth brother had the thickest skin and was the most headstrong. Whether it was the big sister or the Little Prince, either one could easily out talk him, yet he still insisted on provoking both at the same time.
Why bother!
Xiao Yeyang looked at Daohua, “Alright, look at your files and don’t pay attention to this guy.”
Daohua laughed and nodded, “Mhm.” She then began to go through the list of personnel one by one.
The people Xiao Yeyang had selected, including One-Eye and Bald among them, all had families. When people have families, they have ties, and having such ties makes them more cautious in their actions, which makes them easier to control.
“I’m very satisfied with these people.”
Seeing Daohua happy, Xiao Yeyang was also happy and asked with a smile, “How are you going to arrange them?”
Daohua pondered for a moment, “First, send them to the estate in Taohua Village. I’ll also have my master take a look at them. After the new year, I’ll rearrange their placements. Where are they now?”
Xiao Yeyang, “Do you want to meet them now? Should I have Defu bring them over?”
Daohua shook her head, “No need, just send them directly to Taohua Village. Anyway, I’ll be visiting my master and Granny Gu in a few days, so I can see them then.”
Xiao Yeyang was indifferent, “As you arrange.”
Seeing that the matter was nearly settled, Yan Wenxiu began to urge Daohua to go back to the back yard.
Xiao Yeyang, although very reluctant at heart, had no choice but to watch Daohua leave.
Meanwhile, in the Yan Family’s guest courtyard.
“Hexu, hurry and get your second sister’s birth time and date over here.”
Old Master Han urgently shouted at Han Hexu.
Han Hexu showed surprise, “Second Uncle, what’s going on?”
Seeing Han Hexu and Feng Hao both looking at him with astonished faces, Old Master Han realized he had lost his composure and steadied himself before speaking slowly, “We have been at the Yan family for some time now, and it’s time to discuss your second sister’s marriage with Wenxiu.”
Han Hexu was even more surprised, “Second Uncle, didn’t you say just a few days ago in the letter from my parents that we should wait a bit longer, so as not to make the Yan family think we are too eager to become relatives?”
Old Master Han choked and glared irritably at his oldest nephew.
Feng Hao’s expression changed slightly, and he asked with a smile, “Uncle, do you recognize the man who stood with the Little Prince today?”
Old Master Han glanced at Feng Hao and then couldn’t help but glare at his own nephew again. Why couldn’t they have the same keen eye as others?
“Hmm, I have seen that man from afar at a banquet held by Prince Rui. If I am not mistaken, he should be the Left Commander of the Five Armies Commanders Office, Wu Jingyi.”
As soon as these words came out, both Feng Hao and Han Hexu’s eyes widened simultaneously.
Han Hexu swallowed hard, “Uncle, are you sure you haven’t mistaken him for someone else?”
Old Master Han glanced at his nephew and couldn’t be bothered to mince words with him.
Feng Hao was stunned for a moment and then muttered, “Wenkai said… that Commander Wu is his and Wentao’s half-mentor. I didn’t hear it wrong, did I?”
Old Master Han frowned and nodded, “You heard right.”
Han Hexu was still somewhat in disbelief, “The Yan Family… How could the Yan Family know Commander Wu?”
Feng Hao fell silent for a moment, “It seems likely that the Little Prince pulled the strings.”
Old Master Han nodded in agreement, “That should be the case. With Ningmen Prefecture discovering a gold mine, the Emperor would undoubtedly send someone to investigate. Thus, it’s not strange for Commander Wu to appear here.”
With that, he paused.
“Before, I only thought Wenxiu from the Yan Family was somewhat decent; I didn’t expect that I had misjudged. Yan Wenkai and Yan Wentao must have some extraordinary qualities to gain recognition from Commander Wu.”
Han Hexu said, “Both Wentao and Wenkai are very skilled in martial arts.” He added with an embarrassed face, “Despite being younger than me, I might not be their match in a full-force fight.”
Feng Hao took over the conversation, “Not only are they strong in martial arts, but one is quick-witted and the other is steady and meticulous. They are both rare talents indeed.”
Old Master Han narrowed his eyes, “Come to think of it, Commander Wu is someone who handles the dispatch of troops across the country. Such a person wouldn’t be impressed with mere brute strength.”
Both Feng Hao and Han Hexu nodded.
Old Master Han sighed, “With such excellent younger generations, the future of the Yan Family looks very bright.”
Previously, he had been reserved because he felt that even though Wenxiu was already a successful candidate in the imperial examinations and had a father who was a Magistrate to rely on, the Yan Family’s foundation in the officialdom was too weak, and without support from within the family, their prospects might not be smooth, potentially offering little support to the Han Family.
But now, his two brothers had connected with Commander Wu; with this relationship, the Yan Family would have a certain guarantee when they enter Beijing in the future.
As long as the Yan Family entered Beijing, given their relationship with the Little Prince, the Han Family could benefit from it. With this in mind, they couldn’t afford to be reserved anymore.
This time, Han Hexu picked up on his second uncle’s implied meaning—he wasn’t going to be aloof anymore, “Should I go and fetch my younger sister’s birth characters now, then we go and make our intentions clear to the Yan Family?”
Old Master Han glared at Han Hexu, “Of course, we cannot be so direct, otherwise your sister would really become a ‘cabbage’. Today happens to be Laba Festival, I’ll drop a hint during dinner. If the Yan Family is truly interested in forging a marriage alliance with us, they will take the initiative to approach us.”
When it comes to marriage, it’s better for the man’s side to be the one to propose.
…
The day after Laba Festival, Taohua went to Songhe Courtyard to have breakfast with Old Madam Yan, and upon entry, she saw the old lady happily chatting with Yan Siyu.
“Grandmother, what makes you so happy?”
Before Old Madam Yan could reply, Yan Siyu spoke with a smile, “Yiyi, you are about to have a sister-in-law. Are you happy?”
Taohua was taken aback for a moment, “The Han Family agreed?”
Old Madam Yan nodded with a beaming smile, “Old Master Han revealed his intentions last night, and after dinner, your parents came over and told me about it.”
Taohua uttered an ‘Oh’ sound, “So the matter between my eldest brother and the Han Family’s second young lady is settled?”
Old Madam Yan said with a smile, “First, we match the birth chars. If they are compatible, then we will set the arrangement. Come spring next year, I will have your second uncle accompany your eldest brother to Beijing to formally propose to the Han Family.”