Yan Wenxiu saw that the Dong Family girl was overwhelmed by the teasing from his own sister, and felt a headache coming on. He quickly stepped forward and pulled her aside.
âThatâs enough!â
Yan Wenxiu glared at Daohua, who still wanted to get closer to Dong Yuanyao, and immediately spoke up to stop her.
Daohua pouted, âLook at all of you with your gloomy faces, as if Iâve committed some unforgivable crime. I was just joking with Sister Dong, wasnât I?â
Upon hearing this, Dong Yuanyao immediately widened her eyes and pointed at Daohua, âYou knew I was a girl all along, didnât you? So you were deliberately trying to irritate me, right?â
Daohua quickly shook her head, speaking earnestly, âItâs because I like Sister Dong so much that I wanted to make a lasting impression on her.â
At these words, Xiao Yeyang and the others all looked up to the heavens.
To tell such a blatant lie, no one could beat that!
However, the impression was indeed memorable; Dong Yuanyao probably wouldnât forget it for a while.
âHmph!â
Dong Yuanyao stomped her foot at Daohua, âWho asked for your affection?â
Daohua shrugged, âYou canât blame me for that. If anyone is to blame, itâs because Sister Dong, youâre too beautiful, causing me to fall for you at first sight, and to forget the ways of the world.â
Hearing this, Dong Yuanyao was at a loss whether to accept the compliment or not. Her lips were pursed high, and she looked at Daohua with a face full of displeasure.
âHehe~â
Dong Yuanxuan stood there with an embarrassed expression, trying to smooth things over. He smiled and turned to Dong Yuanyao, âYouâve met your match today, havenât you? Letâs see if you dare to tease others so casually in the future!â
Dong Yuanyao pouted, her face full of arrogance, âOthers might wish for me to tease them, but theyâre not good enough!â
Daohua rolled her eyes on the side. So, she should thank her for deeming her worthy enough to come tease her specially?
Dong Yuanxuan shook his head, then smiled at Daohua, âSister Yan, this is my sister, Dong Yuanyao, a year older than you. You should get along well in the future, alright?â
Daohua glanced at Dong Yuanyao, and Dong Yuanyao also glanced at Daohua.
Their eyes met in mid-air and quickly diverted.
Seeing both of them turn their heads away and ignoring each other, Dong Yuanxuan felt a headache coming on and glanced at Yan Wenxiu, who gave him a meaningful look.
Yan Wenxiu glanced at his sister, who was standing with her hands behind her back, her head held high, looking like she had won a great victory, and shook his head at Dong Yuanxuan.
Seeing that he wasnât going to step in, Dong Yuanxuan was somewhat frustrated and had no choice but to reluctantly look at the two young girls.
No matter how you looked at it, it was his sister who started it.
âYuanyao, as an older sister, you should be more accommodating to Sister Yan, you know?â
Dong Yuanyao glanced at Daohua and sniffed, without saying a word.
Dong Yuanxuan then turned to Daohua, âSister Yan, I know youâve always been magnanimous. Please donât stoop to the same level as your Sister Dong!â
Daohua looked at Dong Yuanyao and smiled, âBig Brother Dong, donât worry. I really like Sister Dong and will take good care of her.â
âUhâ¦â
Dong Yuanxuan decided to keep quiet, fearing that if the conversation went on, he wouldnât be able to handle it either.
Dong Yuanyao snorted, âSmooth talker.â
Daohua immediately retorted, âThatâs nothing compared to your frivolous and impudent behavior.â If she dared to lift her chin with a fan, hmph, she would have returned the favor today if she had a fan.
âHmph!â
Dong Yuanyao glowered at Daohua and then turned away, refusing to look at her.
Seeing this, Daohua smiled and, noticing Xiao Yeyang was looking at her, immediately flashed him a triumphant grin.
Xiao Yeyang felt somewhat embarrassed and quickly averted his gaze.
At this moment, Li Zixuan and Li Zixin walked over, âCousin, you scared us to death just now.â
Daohua then showed a hint of remorse, âIâm sorry, I should have told you beforehand.â
Li Zixuan patted Daohuaâs hand, âRemember not to run off on your own next time.â
Daohua immediately nodded and promised, âCousin, I wonât dare to do it again in the future.â
Seeing Daohuaâs pretense of being well-behaved, Dong Yuanyao immediately rolled her eyes, âPutting on an act.â
Daohua glanced at Dong Yuanyao, couldnât be bothered with her, and pulled Li Zixuan and her sister aside, âYou havenât released your lanterns yet, right? Letâs go do it now.â
âYes, letâs do it!â
Watching the three immerse themselves in fun, Dong Yuanyao also felt tempted and immediately called over a maid dressed as a servant boy, âI want to release lanterns too. Bring mine over quickly.â
With everyone having fun, Dong Yuanxuan and others finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Li Chenyi leaned over to Yan Wenxiu, âCousin, our cousin is really something!â She gave the Dong family girls quite a talking-to, and in the end, their brother had to step forward to smooth things over.
Yan Wenxiu looked at Daohua, a smile appearing in his eyes.
In fact, itâs quite fun when big sister plays around.
Being used to seeing knowledgeable and well-behaved young ladies, it was sisters like big sister who were more captivating.
After everyone released their lanterns, they gathered and chatted for a while.
âItâs the sixth period of the Hai hour (9:30 PM). We should head back,â Daohua said to Xiao Yeyang, their aunt and uncle must be getting anxious.
Dong Yuanyao glanced at the pocket watch Daohua wore on her chest and pursed her lips.
She didnât even have such a thing!
Xiao Yeyang nodded, indeed it was getting late, âThen Iâll have Zhao Ergou take you back.â
Daohua shook her head, âNo need to trouble him, the streets arenât that crowded now. We can go back by ourselves.â
Xiao Yeyang called over Zhao Ergou without further discussion.
Seeing this, Daohua didnât know what else to say, âBy the way, where are you staying?â
Xiao Yeyang glanced at her, âMy uncle has a residence in the provincial capital.â
Daohua nodded, âWe will be going back home the day after tomorrow. Are you coming with us?â
Xiao Yeyang shook his head, âMy uncle is coming back. I need to stay here and wait for him.â
Daohua, ââ¦Alright then, see you next time.â
After speaking, Daohua looked towards Dong Yuanxuan and the others and bid each of them goodbye.
Once Daohua and her group left, the remaining people also returned to their respective homes.
Dong Residence.
After personally seeing Xiao Yeyang off, Dong Yuanxuan then returned to his own home, only to find his father still up waiting for him.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Dong Jiancheng set down his teacup, looking at his increasingly steady eldest son with satisfaction, âNothing happened tonight, right?â
Dong Yuanxuan shook his head and smiled, âNothing happened. The Little Prince was quite happy when he went back.â
Dong Jiancheng was reassured and nodded, then furrowed his brows again.
Seeing this, Dong Yuanxuan immediately asked, âFather, whatâs wrong?â
Dong Jiancheng rubbed his temples, weary, âMa Feiyu was drugged at Nanfeng Pavilion, and now the news of his scandal has spread all over the provincial capital. It wonât be long before Beijing hears of it as well.â
Upon hearing this, Dong Yuanxuan showed a look of disgust and mocked, âThe Ma Family is really losing all sense of propriety.â
Dong Jiancheng glanced at his son, âSome things are better kept to yourself, donât speak them aloud.â He then fell silent for a while, âIt wasnât the Little Princeâs doing, was it?â
Dong Yuanxuan felt a jolt in his heart, recalling the Little Princeâs and Daohuaâs absence midway through.
But he quickly shook his head; even if the Little Prince were to cause mischief, he wouldnât take cousin Yan to Nanfeng Pavilion.
âIt wasnât.â
Dong Jiancheng did not probe further, âItâs better if it wasnât. Ma Feiyu wonât stay in the provincial capital for much longer. Keep the Little Prince away from him during this period.â
Dong Yuanxuan nodded, âI understand.â