Chapter 146: Chapter 146: 132, Celebrating a Birthday_1

“Such a waste of heaven’s gifts!”

Xiao Yeyang told the Imperial Physician how the Yan brothers were using the medicinal packets, and the physician immediately became so angry that he blew his beard and glared, “Little Prince, I’ve checked, and the efficacy of these medicinal packets is very high. If boiled, a single batch could easily suffice for baths for three men at once.”

“The sons of the Yan Family are truly squandering their wealth. Even if they invited fellow martial arts students to share the bath, it would be better than such wastefulness!”

All the ingredients in the medicinal packets were precious herbs. Just thinking about them being wasted like this made the old physician’s heart ache unbearably.

Hearing this, Xiao Yeyang’s cheek twitched. Imagining several grown men stripping naked and soaking together, he shuddered suddenly.

Imperial Physician: “Little Prince, allow me to boil the medicinal packets for you. After you’ve taken your bath, let two other people use it. Who do you think those two should be?”

Having others bathe in his used medicinal bath…

Xiao Yeyang felt that it seemed somewhat dirty.

Yet, seeing the serious look on the Imperial Physician’s face and knowing that the medicinal packets were truly beneficial for the body, he thought for a moment and said, “You can ask Defu and Zhao Ergou, see if they’re willing?”

“Of course they’d be willing. The Little Prince always looks out for them in good things; how could they not be?” The Imperial Physician stated matter-of-factly, then hurriedly turned and went to prepare the medicinal bath.

The next day, there were several more people looking rejuvenated on the martial arts training grounds.

The Instructor, learning that the Little Prince and Dong Yuanxuan had used the medicinal bath packets given by the Yan brothers and had become so invigorated, gave the two brothers several thoughtful glances.

He had originally thought that the Yan Family, coming from a humble background, had only risen by attaching themselves to the Little Prince by a stroke of luck. Little did he realize, they had some substance of their own.

Having practiced martial arts from a young age, he knew full well how precious a good medicinal bath recipe could be!

Many a martial family’s recipes were handed down from one generation to the next.

Xiao Yeyang knew that he had to ask Daohua about the medicinal formula. As he was pondering when to visit the Yan Family again, Zhou Chengye presented him with the opportunity that very day after class.

Zhou Chengye handed out invitations to Xiao Yeyang and a few others: “Next month, my grandfather will be celebrating his birthday. I sincerely invite all of you to grace the occasion with your presence.”

Xiao Yeyang accepted the invitation, flipped through it, then handed it to Defu standing behind him: “As old Lord Zhou is celebrating his birthday, we should certainly go and offer our congratulations.”

Yan Wenkai said with a smile, “This will be a good opportunity for us to visit home as well.”

The others: “…”

This straightforward fellow, are some thoughts not better kept to oneself? Why speak them aloud?

Zhou Chengye shook his head with a smile and did not take offense.

Since he couldn’t withstand the rigors of martial training and focused on scholarly subjects, he had become quite familiar with Yan Wenxiu, often gathering to discuss and inquire together. He also understood the character of the Yan brothers well.

…

In the back courtyard of the Yan Family.

Daohua also received the invitation sent by Zhou Jingwan, opening it while asking, “What brings the young miss herself here? Oh, is it Lord Zhou’s birthday coming up?”

Zhou Jingwan smiled while munching on the fruits in Daohua’s room. Her family was not short of fruits, but for some reason, she felt that the fruit here tasted incomparable, “Yes, what gift do you plan to give my grandfather?”

Daohua rolled her eyes at Zhou Jingwan, handed the invitation to Wang Manman to give to Madam Li, and then turned to Zhou Jingwan, “How bold of you, asking for gifts so openly?”

Zhou Jingwan with a face full of entitlement: “I’m doing this for your own good, don’t fail to recognize kindness! Think about it, when giving gifts, shouldn’t you give what the recipient treasures the most?”

“As my grandfather’s most beloved granddaughter, I know better than anyone what he likes. If you tell me, I can help you choose the right gift!”

Daohua wore an expression of ‘please, continue your performance’ as she looked at Zhou Jingwan.

Zhou Jingwan, not minding at all, cheerfully pointed at a pot of lush green chrysanthemums in Daohua’s room and said, “I think this pot of green chrysanthemums is quite nice. The weather is getting colder, and it’s approaching snowfall, making it the perfect time to appreciate such green flowers.”

Daohua rolled her eyes: “You do have good taste!”

Zhou Jingwan put down the fruits, sat next to Daohua, and nudged her arm, “Dear Daohua, we don’t have this color of chrysanthemum in our garden, and if you were to give it to my grandfather, he would surely be overjoyed.”

Daohua feigned a troubled expression.

Zhou Jingwan, willing to humble herself for her grandfather, spent the better part of the day flatteringly cozying up to Daohua and finally wore her down into nodding in agreement.

“Then I’ll take it back today to show my grandfather!”

“Wait a moment!” Daohua hurriedly called out to Zhou Jingwan, who was about to move the flower pot, “If you take it away now, what will I bring with me when Grandpa Zhou celebrates his birthday?”

Zhou Jingwan waved her hand dismissively, “We are so close to each other, there’s no need to mind these formalities.”

Daohua disagreed, “No, this is the gift I prepared, and I want to give it myself. I won’t let you curry favor with Grandpa Zhou.”

Zhou Jingwan said, “Good Daohua, doesn’t it amount to the same whether you give it or I give it?”

Exasperated by her insistence, Daohua thought for a moment and then said, “You can take the flower today, but on Grandpa Zhou’s birthday, I will also come to your garden to pick a kind of flower that I don’t have here. If you agree, you can take the flower away. If you don’t agree, then hurry back to where you came from.”

Zhou Jingwan pouted, “You really won’t allow yourself to be at a disadvantage at all. Fine, I agree. But let’s get it straight first, you can’t touch those few pots that my grandpa likes the most.”

Having achieved her goal, Daohua nodded her head with a smile.

…

The day when Old Master Zhou of the Zhou family celebrated his birthday soon arrived.

On that day, the main gate of Zhou Residence was exceptionally lively; it was said that many officials from the provincial government had come in person.

This time, the entire Yan Family participated.

In the main hall of the Zhou Residence’s back courtyard.

After paying respects to Madam Zhou, Daohua, concerned that Grandmother Yan might feel uneasy sitting among the various ladies, pulled Zhou Jingwan aside and said, “My grandmother and I are going to have a look in your garden.”

Zhou Jingwan nodded, “Okay, I’ll have a maid accompany you there.” She was busy hosting the young ladies from various families and couldn’t accompany them personally. “Oh, and we’ve invited an opera troupe today; you can listen to the performance after strolling in the garden.”

Daohua replied, “Great, go on with your duties; I’ll send for the maid if there’s anything.” She had visited the Zhou Residence several times before and was quite familiar with the place.

After informing Mrs. Li, Daohua led Grandmother Yan out of the room.

The Sun Family’s matriarch glanced their way, but after some thought, she decided not to let her daughters follow. With all the ladies present, it was an excellent opportunity for her daughters to make an impression.

Yan Yishuang also looked over but didn’t express the wish to follow. She quietly sat beside Mrs. Li, the picture of docility and obedience.

Before leaving, her aunt had instructed her to make a good impression in front of the other ladies, as it would be beneficial for her future marriage arrangements.

Thinking of marriage, Yan Yishuang felt a blush creeping onto her cheeks. She lowered her head and began listening carefully to the conversation among the ladies.

The Zhou family’s garden was vast and well-cared for. Although it was already November, there were still many flowers in bloom.

“Oh, aren’t these sunflowers?” Daohua exclaimed with surprise, gazing at the several sunflower plants in the corner of the garden.

The Zhou family’s maid smiled and said, “Miss Yan has a sharp eye. These flowers were brought back from overseas by the Old Master’s friend. They are lovely to look at, although they have a somewhat short blooming period.”

Daohua nodded, thinking to herself that she had never seen sunflower seeds in her hometown, nor had she seen them in Linyi County or Xingzhou City. It seemed that sunflowers were still only regarded as ornamental flowers at this time.

Daohua cheerfully said to Grandmother Yan, “Jingwan mentioned that this time I could choose any flower from their garden to take back with me, so I want to choose this one.”

Grandmother Yan hesitated slightly, “Isn’t that inappropriate? You said they were specially brought over from overseas by Old Master Zhou, must be quite precious, right?”

Daohua replied, “It’s fine. There are several plants here, and once I have grown them successfully, I can return many more in the future.”

After strolling in the garden for a while, Daohua, led by the maid, helped the old lady to the stage to listen to the opera.

Daohua wasn’t particularly fond of ancient operas, but that didn’t stop her from admiring the beauty.

Those who performed in operas, regardless of gender, had exquisite features and figures, making for a delightful viewing experience.

More people arrived gradually, including some elderly ladies of considerable age.

These astute individuals, upon seeing Grandmother Yan and knowing that she was the mother of the Prefectural Governor of Xingzhou, made a point of including her in the conversation.

Having lost her husband at a young age and raising several children by herself, Grandmother Yan was both shrewd and articulate. With each party exchanging words, the atmosphere remained quite pleasant.

Seeing someone entertaining her grandmother with conversation, Daohua focused even more on appreciating the beauties on the stage.

“Bang!”

Just as Daohua was engrossed in the performance, suddenly, her forehead was gently tapped. Looking up, she discovered it was that rascal Xiao Yeyang!