Chapter 557: Chapter 510, You Are My Sunshine_1
“What are you thinking about?”
Seeing Xiao Yeyang lost in his thoughts, Daohua walked over and waved her hand in front of his face a few times.
Xiao Yeyang came back to his senses and looked towards Daohua, suppressing the turmoil in his heart, “Have you finished washing up?”
Daohua nodded her head, “Mhm.”
Xiao Yeyang, “Then let’s go.”
“Alright, it’s about time to head back,” Daohua agreed, glancing once more at the Zhuang Family’s main gate. She had wanted to say goodbye to the bride before leaving, but seeing her hurried away by the butler, she dropped the idea.
On the way back, Daohahua couldn’t help but sigh, “This matter of marriage really can’t be taken lightly. If the bride’s family had thoroughly investigated the Zhuang son’s character before becoming relatives, they wouldn’t have let the bride fall into such an embarrassing situation today.”
Defu, “All families tightly conceal their dirty laundry. It might not have been possible to find anything.”
Wang Manman, “Marrying a man like the Zhuang son, the bride really is pitiful.”
Daohua, “The ceremony hasn’t even been completed, and today’s events will certainly reach the bride’s family. It remains to be seen how her family will decide.”
Wang Manman, “The bridal sedan chair has already entered the Zhuang Family’s home. Could the bride really reject the Zhuang son?”
Daohua, “Why not? Even after marriage, divorce is still possible. The Zhuang son would rather risk his life for another woman. Who could bear to be with him under such circumstances? The sooner she leaves, the better. I’m just afraid the bride’s family might be greedy for the riches of the Zhuang Family, and knowing full well they’re pushing her into a fire pit, they’d still force her to jump in.”
Wang Manman, “The Zhuang Family also brought that lady in white into the house. I wonder how they’ll accommodate her?”
Daohua, “Who knows?” she said, pausing. “Speaking of which, that lady in white is quite pitiable too. The despicable one is that Zhuang son. Why stir trouble if he couldn’t offer the lady a future? After causing the trouble, he couldn’t even protect her, ultimately forcing the lady to take her own life, while he tries to follow suit and ends up with a good reputation.”
While saying this, Daohua noticed Xiao Yeyang had been silent the entire way and felt puzzled. She tugged at his sleeve, “Hey, what’s the matter with you? Don’t you have any thoughts on what happened today?”
Xiao Yeyang looked up at Daohua and after a moment of silence said, “That Zhuang son is nothing but a coward, both stupid and weak.”
Stupid because he made his beloved known before he could convince his parents, placing her in danger and an awkward position.
Weak because, under the pressure exerted by his parents, he had no power to fight back, and when his beloved was under attack from slander, he did nothing to stand up for her or resolve the situation.
Hearing this, Daohua nodded in agreement, “You’re right. When I saw the Zhuang son crash into the stone pillar, I thought, if he could give up his life for the lady in white, why didn’t he oppose the marriage arrangement at home with more determination and firmness beforehand?”
“If he’s not afraid to die, how could he not avoid an arranged marriage?”
“Frankly, it’s because that Zhuang son is not independent enough. Knowing that he needs to rely on his parents for his future life, without the confidence to stand on his own, he dares not openly defy them.”
Wang Manman nodded, “Miss is right. However, the Zhuang son being willing to commit suicide for the lady in white does show that his love was deep.”
Daohua was dismissive and shook her head with a sneer, “What’s the use of love if you’re dead?”
Xiao Yeyang glanced at Daohua. He too was shocked by the Zhuang son’s act of following his beloved in death.
It is not uncommon for a woman to follow a man in death; but for a man to do the same for a woman is much rarer. This must mean the Zhuang son truly loved Miss Dong.
However, just love is not enough, especially when there is a significant disparity in social status between the two people, as this love can easily turn into a death knell.
The events of today between the Zhuang son and Miss Dong involuntarily made Xiao Yeyang think of himself and Daohua.
Between them, the difference in social status was also vast.
If the wealthiest family in a small town could cause bloodshed over a marriage, what more for him, a member of the Imperial Family with even more and larger interests tied to him?
His own marriage… though he did not wish to admit it, it appeared that it truly wasn’t up to him to decide.
Am I really going to give up on Daohua just like that?
Every time he thought about Daohua marrying someone else, he felt as if his chest was tight and he couldn’t breathe.
But if he, like Young Master Zhuang, informed his elders about his relationship with Daohua, would they definitely agree? Or would it put Daohua in danger, just like what had happened to Miss Dong?
The mere thought of Daohua, like Miss Dong, being forced into a bloody mess on the ground sent piercing pains through his heart.
He couldn’t imagine what he would do if Daohua was gone one day.
“Xiao Yeyang, what’s wrong with you?”
Seeing that Xiao Yeyang was deep in thought with a grimace on his face, and not responding even after being called several times, Daohua waved her hand in front of him with a touch of worry.
“Daohua!”
Xiao Yeyang grabbed Daohua’s hand and pulled her into a tight embrace.
Daohua was stunned for a moment, feeling as if Xiao Yeyang was afraid of something. She quickly patted his back to comfort him, and after a while, she asked, “Xiao Yeyang, what’s wrong with you?”
Xiao Yeyang did not answer immediately and after a moment, he uttered three words, “Trust me.” I will absolutely not let anything happen to you.
Daohua’s expression became rigid, and almost instantly she understood what Xiao Yeyang was trying to convey.
Should she trust him?
She believed in his sincerity at the moment, but she wasn’t sure whether he could stay true to his initial resolve as time passed.
Even if the initial resolve remained unchanged, in the face of harsh realities and the greater context, human effort often seemed too trivial and insignificant.
Daohua slowly raised her hand, intending to embrace Xiao Yeyang, but halfway through, she hesitated and stopped.
Xiao Yeyang still held Daohua tightly, “Yiyi, do you remember the sunflower fields you gave me? I think I am like the sunflower, and you are my sunlight.”
Upon hearing this, Daohua’s heart trembled and her hands, held up in mid-air, instinctively tightened, wrapping around Xiao Yeyang.
On the side, Wang Manman and the four others watched the two suddenly embrace and shared puzzled glances.
In the end, it was Wang Manman who felt uneasy, coughing a few times to bring the two back to reality.
Xiao Yeyang let go of Daohua and, without changing his expression, took her hand and walked toward Taohua Village, “Aren’t you planning to open a seed shop in Beijing? I will help you find a shop.”
The vegetables and fruits produced in Daohua Manor were of good quality and high yield. If these seeds were promoted, it would certainly be beneficial to the country and the people.
Whether it was known to the Imperial Uncle or the common people, it would boost the Yan Family’s prestige.
There was a gap in status between him and Daohua, and if he wanted to marry her, apart from working hard to improve his abilities and distinguishing himself in service, he also needed to elevate the Yan Family’s status.
Daohua replied, “Sure, but I have specific requirements for the shop; I want two adjacent rooms. One to sell vegetables and grains, essentially as a showcase; and the other to sell seeds, ideally with a backyard where workers can live and which will be convenient for me to inspect later.”
“Any other requirements?”
“Not for now.”
“Right, that intercepted letter from Sishan Village, I haven’t decoded it yet. When we get back, could you help me take a look?”
“Sure, no problem.”
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