Chapter 79: Chapter 66, Visiting Uncle l
“Lord Prefecture Governor, have a safe journey!”
Yan Zhigao, along with Master Xiao and Li Shounian, smiled as they saw off Prefect Dong and his son from the courtyard, and only after the two were out of sight did they prepare to return to their rooms.
As they turned to leave, the ever-waiting postmaster sprang forward with a smile: “Lord Yan, I apologize for the offense caused yesterday. We have prepared a new courtyard for Your Lordship. Please honor us with your visit.” Yan Zhigao glanced at the postmaster, whose face was plastered with flattering smiles, and felt a well of emotions as he chuckled, “Thank you for the trouble,
Postmaster.”
Seeing no blame from Yan Zhigao, the postmaster finally relaxed, “It’s the least we could do. It’s our fault for not doing our job well, causing inconvenience to Your Lordship and your sons. Please forgive us for not being faulted for this, we are deeply grateful.”
Yan Zhigao smiled again: “Postmaster, you’re taking it too seriously, it’s not a major issue. It’s understandable that the post station is busy with many officials coming to Shangfu City for their duties.
The postmaster nodded repeatedly, visibly moved, “Thank you for your consideration, My Lord.”
Without further ado, Yan Zhigao dismissed him: “Go on with your work; we are
fine here!”
Postmaster: “Yes, I will not disturb Your Lordship any longer.”
As he watched Yan Zhigao return to the courtyard, the postmaster pulled out a handkerchief and wiped the fine sweat from his forehead.
Who could have imagined that the County Magistrate from a remote county had such a formidable backing?
When he saw the distinguished young master getting along so well with the Yan family’s young sons yesterday, his legs had turned to jelly from fear.
“You lot, be sharp-eyed, and help Lord Yan and his sons move to the new courtyard carefully without any negligence,” the postmaster once more instructed the government officials following behind him, before he turned to leave.
In the room.
Daohua and Yan Wenxiu were inspecting the silver notes left by Prefect Dong.
Yan Wenkai exclaimed with amazement, “Prefect Dong is really generous, just for a few potted plants, he gave us five hundred taels of silver!”
Hearing this, Daohua was displeased: “Fourth brother, what do you mean ‘just a few potted plants’? Those were nurtured with great effort by me and third brother, intended as gifts for our uncles! They represent the affection I have for my uncles. Do you understand what affection is? It cannot be bought with a few hundred taels of silver.”
Just as Yan Zhigao, Master Xiao, and Li Shounian entered the room, they heard what Daohua had to say.
Master Xiao laughed, “The eldest misses is right, the affection in one’s heart cannot be measured with money.”
Seeing Master Xiao agree with her, Daohua’s eyes and brows relaxed, her lips curving up to reveal two shallow dimples.
Observing Daohua’s cheerful countenance, Li Shounian’s gaze flickered, and glancing at Yan Zhigao, he thought to himself how fortunate the County Magistrate was for having such fine and attractive children.
Master Xiao continued, “I’ve looked over it, and the plants the eldest miss has raised are quite rare in the market. Even five hundred taels of silver might not be enough to buy them.”
This touched Daohua’s heart truly.
The plants in those pots were all grown in the special space, their branches lush and leaves verdant, the flowers delicate, absolutely of superior quality.
Seeing his eldest daughter gazing at Master Xiao with kinship and understanding, Yan Zhigao felt an urge to facepalm, but instead approached and snatched the silver note from Daohua’s hand, “Once your father is finished with his tasks, I will take you to the market to pick new gifts.”
“Alright, now all of you go back to your rooms to pack your belongings; we’ll be moving to a new courtyard soon!” After saying this, he gestured for the young ones to hurry off.
Upon hearing they were relocating, Daohua and the others were very responsive. There was no helping it, the current courtyard was simply too run-down, making for an uncomfortable night’s sleep.
With the help of the government officials provided by the postmaster, Daohua and the others soon moved to the new courtyard.
The new courtyard was far superior in terms of the number and size of rooms, furnishings, and scenery compared to before; the profit-driven nature of the world was evident.
Just as Yan Zhigao finished tidying the room, a servant came to report that two uncles from the Li family had arrived.
Upon hearing this, Yan Zhigao immediately went out to greet them and ordered the servant, “Quick, go tell the young masters to come to the main hall to meet their two uncles.”
Shortly after, Daohua saw the two uncles, talking and laughing with her nominal father in the main hall.
One was refined and composed; the other, hearty and humorous.
“Greetings to both uncles!”
Yan Wenxiu entered the room and immediately paid his respects to Li Xingchang and Li Xingnian.
As for Yan Wenkai, he shouted with joy, “Uncle Li, Second Uncle Li, how come you’re here? I thought I had to wait for Dad to finish his work before I could see you!” After saying that, he ran over to Li Xingnian, acting very familiar and close.
Li Xingchang smiled as he helped Yan Wenxiu up, looked him over carefully, then turned to smile at Yan Zhigao, “Wenxiu has become even more composed than when I saw him two years ago, more and more like an adult.
Yan Zhigao smiled and nodded, “Once the New Year’s passed, he’ll be fifteen, indeed he can be considered an adult.”
-What about me, Uncle?” Yan Wenkai, seeing Li Xingchang only assessing his older brother and not him, immediately sought attention.
Li Xingchang smiled as he looked at his lively and active second nephew and laughed, “You, you’ve grown taller, but you’re still so noisy!’ After speaking about his two nephews, Li Xingchang’s gaze then fell on Daohua, who was dressed as a boy, and he said with a gentle expression, “This is Daohua, right?”
Yan Zhigao immediately and sternly said to Daohua, “What are you standing there for? Why haven’t you quickly greeted your two uncles?
Daohua stepped forward, initially intending to offer a formal curtsy to her uncles, but remembering she was in boys’ attire, she reconsidered and knelt directly, knocking heads to the ground, “Daohua pays respect to the two uncles!”
Li Xingnian, who had been silent, stood up, leaned over to help Daohua up, then simply looked at her silently, saying nothing.
Daohua was not intimidated and looked straight back at Li Xingnian.
At that moment, all she could think was that her second uncle was so tall and handsome; if he were in the present day, he would totally be a cool guy!
Li Xingnian, seeing the starry-eyed, infatuated expression in his niece’s eyes, cracked a smile, patted Daohua’s head, and chuckled, “This look, you’re like a little sister!”
Li Xingchang joined the conversation, “If you ask me, she’s even more like Zhigao. Look at those brows and eyes, almost identical to Zhigao’s.” Upon hearing this, Yan Zhigao took a closer look at Daohua. He hadn’t noticed before, but now that his brother-in-law mentioned it, he really thought his eldest daughter resembled him a lot.
Li Xingnian didn’t argue, only smiled and said, “Being the daughter of our sister and brother-in-law, she should naturally inherit both their best traits.” As he spoke, he took out a green jade bracelet and slipped it onto Daohua’s wrist.
“Luckily, the size is just right!”
The jade bracelet was light green, and Daohua liked it very much, immediately thanking him with a smile, “Thank you, Uncle, I like it a lot.”
Seeing Daohua’s eyes crinkling with real pleasure, Li Xingnian also felt pleased, “Good to hear you like it.”
Seeing that the jade bracelet was translucent and of high quality, Yan Zhigao immediately remarked, “She’s just a child; there’s no need for her to wear something so valuable.”
Li Xingnian replied, “Jade nourishes, and a girl should wear it from a young age.”
Yan Wenkai, feeling a bit envious, pouted and said, “Second Uncle, you’ve never given me any jade!”
Li Xingnian shot his second nephew a look, disapprovingly saying, “You’re a boy, what do you need jade for?”
Yan Wenkai protested, “Why can boys not wear jade? I’ve seen many young masters from other families wearing jade pendants, and look, sister’s jade pendant was even unfastened from a young master himself.
Li Xingnian glanced at the Qilin Jade Pendant hanging at Daohua’s waist, “May I take a look at it, Second Uncle?”
Without hesitating, Daohua took off the jade pendant and handed it to Li Xingnian, “Of course.”
Li Xingnian examined the jade pendant carefully before solemnly handing it to his older brother.
Upon receiving the jade pendant, Li Xingchang praised, “Fine jade, this is the extremely rare Hetian Jade, normally reserved for…” At this point, Li Xingchang quickly caught himself.
The imperial family was not a topic for a mere merchant to discuss. Daohua, curious, asked, “Uncle Li, reserved for what?” Li Xingchang smiled, “Reserved for high officials and nobility to wear. This jade pendant of yours is very precious; you must take good care of it, don’t knock or lose it,” he finished, glancing at Yan Zhigao.
The implication was clear without being spoken. After all, Daohua was just a child the jade pendant was precious, and the status of those who wore such jade pendants was even more distinguished; there could be no carelessness. Yan Zhigao understood his brother-in-law’s meaning and nodded, “When we get back, I’ll have her mother take good care of it.”
Daohua moved her lips, wanting to object, but seeing the serious expressions on the adults’ faces, she sensibly kept quiet..