Chapter 157: Chapter 157: 142: Don't Take Yourself Too Seriously_1

Daohua Pavilion.

Daohua sat in front of the window, carefully pruning a pot of Hong Mei with scissors.

Behind her, Wang Manman watched, wanting to speak yet stopping herself. She endured and endured but at last could not hold back, “Miss, the Little Prince should have already arrived at the old lady’s courtyard by now, don’t you want to go and see him?”

Daohua’s hands did not stop moving, “What’s there to see? With so many people over there, is there a fear of neglecting him?”

Wang Manman was taken aback and hesitated before asking unsurely, “Miss, are you angry with the Little Prince?”

Daohua turned to look at her, “Do you think I shouldn’t be angry with him?” When he left in front of so many people, raging with anger, anybody would think she had offended him.

He simply walked away, leaving her alone to face the mockery and verbal abuse of others.

If Xiao Yeyang had ever considered her a friend, he wouldn’t have done this.

After all, in his heart, she was the same as everyone else, and there was no need to care for her feelings.

Wang Manman didn’t know how to respond.

She felt that her own miss was not wrong, yet at the same time she felt that, given the Little Prince’s noble status, it was not a problem for everyone to flatter him a bit.

Forget it, the matter is too complicated, don’t want to think about it anymore.

In the old lady’s courtyard.

Xiao Yeyang and Dong Yuanxuan first paid their respects to Madam Yan, then they took their seats in turn.

As soon as Xiao Yeyang entered the room, he looked all around, sizing up everyone inside. Upon discovering that Daohua wasn’t there, his expression instantly became somewhat obvious.

The others also noticed this.

Dong Yuanxuan gave Yan Wenxiu a look, signaling for him to quickly call over their eldest sister.

Why did the Little Prince come today? Wasn’t it specifically to see their eldest sister? With the main person absent, wouldn’t it be a wasted trip?

With a sigh in his heart and knowing his eldest sister too well, Yan Wenxiu was certain she had deliberately avoided showing up. But seeing the Little Prince’s helpless glances towards the doorway, he braced himself and stepped outside.

Once outside, Yan Wenxiu looked up at the sky.

He suddenly realized, with a pang of sadness, that he might not be able to call his big sister over!

He, as her brother, truly didn’t have much authority.

Xiao Yeyang was somewhat silent, responding only when the old lady spoke, otherwise he was lost in thought.

Seeing this, the others did not dare to joke too much.

Seeing the atmosphere becoming somewhat awkward, Dong Yuanxuan tried to lighten the mood with a laugh, “Madam, today is Laba Festival, we must have some of your family’s Laba porridge.”

The old lady smiled and nodded, gesturing for Madam Li to serve the Laba porridge.

At this moment, Yan Wenkai joined the conversation, “Little Prince, let me tell you, our family’s Laba porridge is personally cooked by our eldest sister. It’s really delicious, I guarantee you’ll want to come back for more next year.”

Hearing this as she was serving the Laba porridge, Madam Li’s expression paused, uncertain if she should continue or not.

Upon hearing that Daohua made it, Xiao Yeyang became interested, “Then I must taste it well.” He approved of Daohua’s cooking skills, although a bit rough in method, the taste was indeed good.

Seeing that Madam Li hesitated and didn’t move, Yan Wenkai was a bit puzzled and could only stand up himself. He took the Laba porridge from the maid behind her and efficiently served Xiao Yeyang and Dong Yuanxuan, and then he eagerly started himself.

After one sip, Yan Wenkai frowned, then tried another sip, and immediately looked up at Madam Li, “Mother, was the Laba porridge not made by big sister?”

Xiao Yeyang and Dong Yuanxuan also had a taste.

Hmm… the flavor was really mediocre, but to save face for the Yan Family, both had no choice but to force themselves to eat a few more spoonfuls.

Madam Li explained with a smile, “Your big sister wasn’t feeling well. This year’s Laba porridge was made by the cook.”

“Daohua is sick?”

“What’s wrong with big sister?”

Xiao Yeyang and Yan Wenkai asked simultaneously.

Madam Li shook her head, “It’s not that she’s sick, just that it has been quite chilly lately, and that girl is getting lazy, disinclined to move.”

Xiao Yeyang nodded but said nothing.

Yan Wenkai, however, said, “Doesn’t big sister practice martial arts with Manman every day? She shouldn’t be afraid of the cold, should she?”

“Practice martial arts?” Xiao Yeyang raised an eyebrow, “Does Daohua actually need to practice martial arts?”

Yan Wenkai waved his hand, “It’s just messing about to get some exercise, nothing serious like the martial arts we talk about.”

Xiao Yeyang looked disapproving, “Practicing martial arts isn’t a joke. If it’s not done correctly, it can cause harm to the body. You had better have a proper talk with her about it.”

Yan Wenkai nodded, “Don’t worry, my big sister is more mindful of self-care than anyone. Just look at the vitality of my grandmother and you’ll understand.”

Hearing this, Xiao Yeyang smiled, reminded of the times during their escape when Daohua insisted they never drink unboiled water no matter how thirsty they were; they had to wait until the water was boiled before they could drink.

At that moment, Yan Wenxiu returned looking rather sheepish.

Seeing that Daohua wasn’t following behind him, Xiao Yeyang’s expression turned sour.

Did Daohua actually not want to see him?

The Little Prince, tasting the bitterness of rejection for the first time, felt quite uncomfortable. He wanted to rush out and confront Daohua for clarity, but concerns of etiquette and face held him back, forcing him to sit in silence.

Yan Zhigao hastily sent a meaningful glance to Madam Li.

In major matters, Madam Li still understood the importance of the situation; yet, she did not call for Daohua as Yan Zhigao hoped. Instead, she said with a smile, “That girl Daohua is getting lazier by the day. In this cold winter, she just loves to huddle in her room and not come out. Little Prince, please don’t take offense.”

After the embarrassment at the Zhou Family’s banquet, she didn’t want to appease the prince, even if the man before her was the distinguished Little Prince.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yeyang didn’t know what to say, so he could only smile awkwardly.

Seeing this, Yan Wenxiu thought for a moment and then suggested with a smile, “Little Prince, we have several pretty potted plants in the courtyard. How about we go have a look?”

“That’s right, the flowers my big sister raises are very beautiful!” Yan Wenkai chimed in at the right moment.

It was then that Xiao Yeyang nodded his head.

Subsequently, a group of them went to the courtyard. The adults of the Yan Family did not follow, but the younger ones, like Yan Wenjie and Yan Yishuang, did tag along.

Inside Daohua Pavilion, Wang Manman entered the room in a huff and saw Daohua leisurely flipping through a storybook. She immediately pouted and said, “Miss, the Little Prince is in the pavilion right now, composing poetry with the second and third misses. Are you really not going to take a look?”

Daohua paused in her reading, surprised, “Yiyi and the others are composing poetry with Xiao Yeyang?”

Wang Manman nodded, “Indeed, it was the eldest master’s suggestion. I glanced from afar, and the pavilion was full of laughter and joy.”

“Big Miss, you should really go and have a look. Don’t hold a grudge against the Little Prince; otherwise, the third miss and the others might take your place in his affections.”

Daohua chuckled dismissively, “What place do I have? What place could I possibly have? Besides, if they want to replace me, let them. Who cares, anyway?” she said, picking up the storybook again.

After a few glances, Daohua, feeling somewhat agitated, tossed the storybook aside.

Just as Wang Manman thought Daohua was about to leave, her mistress unexpectedly stood by the window, lost in thought.

“Huh?”

After a little while, Daohua shook her head with a smile. She was truly regressing, falling prey to a common human folly—taking herself too seriously.

Little did she know that in Xiao Yeyang’s eyes, she was nothing more than an expendable playmate, easily replaceable at any moment.

If she complied with his wishes, he would flash a smile her way, but once she displeased him, he would immediately turn away to find someone else.

How could she, accustomed to looking up to someone so high above, ever hope to have an equal friendship with him?