Xiao Yeyang, after helping Daohua with the dishes, finally noticed the stupefied Defu standing at the entrance of the courtyard and immediately walked over, âDid you buy the gifts I asked you to?â
Defu came to his senses and rubbed his stiff cheeks.
Stay calm, stay calm, itâs just tidying up some dishes, right?
In front of Miss Yan, the master had done things that did not fit his status not only once or twice. Last time, on Miss Yanâs birthday, he even personally made longevity noodles, nothing surprising there.
Although he thought this way, Defuâs expression was still a bit unnatural.
âIâm speaking to you, what are you daydreaming for?â
Seeing Defuâs face changing colors continuously without responding to him, Xiao Yeyang couldnât help frowning.
Seeing his master showing impatience, Defu quickly gathered his wits and replied hurriedly: âMaster, Shahe County is really too poor, I searched the entire county and couldnât find any decent gifts, so I could only bring back some fresh food.â
Xiao Yeyang glanced at the fresh food Defu had brought back and quickly averted his gaze, âThese wonât do.â After thinking for a moment, he turned and went to the kitchen.
Defu hurriedly followed with the items.
In the kitchen, Wang Manman was washing dishes, while Daohua was arranging the cupboard.
Defu was also slightly surprised to see Daohua tidying up herself.
But with his own master setting the example first, he quickly accepted it.
Seeing Xiao Yeyang entering, Daohua asked, âIs there something you need?â
Xiao Yeyang: âThat book of swordsmanship Master Gu gave me, I had my uncle look it over, and he said that this set of swordsmanship could be considered a unique mastery, even some martial arts aristocratic families that have passed down their skills for generations couldnât produce such a martial arts manual.â
Daohua was a bit surprised: âThat powerful?â
Xiao Yeyang nodded, a hint of pride on his face: âAfter practicing that set of swordsmanship, my martial arts improved very quickly. Even the trusted aides by my uncleâs side are no match for me now.â
Daohua thought for a bit: âIf it has been that much of a help to you, then you really should express your gratitude properly.â
Xiao Yeyang showed agreement: âThatâs what I think too.â He then glanced over to the main room and lowered his voice, âMaster Guâs⦠temperament is a bit eccentric, isnât it? Iâm afraid that if the gift isnât to his liking, he would outright refuse it.â
Daohua considering her own masterâs temperament, nodded: âThatâs indeed possible.â
Xiao Yeyang tapped Daohuaâs shoulder lightly: âHeâs your master, isnât he? Tell me, what should I give him?â
This really stumped Daohua.
What would her adoptive master like? She didnât know either.
âWhat my master cares about the most is Grandma Gu. If you give gifts to him, it would be better to give them to Grandma Gu. As long as you win over Grandma Guâs heart, my master will definitely be pleased.â
Xiao Yeyang quickly asked, âThen what does Grandma Gu like?ân/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Daohua propped her chin in thought: âGrandma Gu isnât in the best of health, and she has never really shown any particular preferencesâ¦â Suddenly, Daohua had an idea, clapped her hands together, and smiled, âI know what to give now, guaranteed youâll win over my masterâs heart.â
Xiao Yeyang eagerly asked, âWhat is it? Tell me quickly.â
Daohua: âYou should build a path up the mountain for my master and Grandma Gu!â
Xiao Yeyang was startled: âBuild a path?â
Daohua nodded: âYouâve seen, there is no proper path on Taohua Mountain, and climbing up and down is very troublesome. My master and Grandma Gu are both old and living on the mountain, itâs really inconvenient.â
After listening, Xiao Yeyang also felt this was a good idea, as compared to sending over gold and jewelry, it would indeed be better to build the elderly couple a path.
âThen letâs do as you say. Taohua Mountain isnât very high nor steep, so it will be convenient to construct the path. It probably wonât take more than a few days to complete. I will have Defu look for road workers right away.â
Daohua nodded with a beaming smile: âYou got off easy. Originally, this was something I planned to offer as a gesture of filial piety to my master and Grandma Gu myself.â
Xiao Yeyang laughed: âWho among us is keeping score? Whether you give it or I give it, isnât it all the same?â
As soon as these words were spoken, both Defu and Wang Manmanâs faces revealed an odd expression.
â`
Are they the same?
They are not the same, are they?
Wang Manman glanced at her own daughter and saw that the girl was still naively responding, with an indescribably complicated expression on her face. She always felt that the Little Prince was taking advantage of her daughter.
As for De Fu, he was staring up at the sky while rolling his eyes dramatically.
Ever since his master had visited the brothel, it seemed as if he had suddenly become enlightened and had managed to learn how to flirt with girls without being taught.
It was only because Miss Yan was straightforward and had not thought much of it, but if other young ladies had heard him, they would have been so embarrassed that their faces turned bright red.
Thinking of this, De Fu stealthily glanced at Daohua.
This glance was unexpectedly dazzling.
Unintentionally, Miss Yan had matured into an ever more graceful and elegant figure. Not only had she grown much taller, but her features had also become more defined, and even in her simple cloth dress, her beauty was hard to conceal.
In another two years, who knew into what kind of sweeping beauty she would blossom?
Itâs no wonder that his master had been lingering around Miss Yan in recent years.
â¦
âWhat did you say, you want to build a road on Taohua Mountain?â
Before building a road on Taohua Mountain, it was necessary to give Gu Jian a heads up, so Daohua took Xiao Yeyang to the main hall to discuss this idea.
Who would have thought, after hearing it, Gu Jian showed some surprise, but he did not look pleased at all, while Old Madame Gu watched Xiao Yeyang with a look of relief.
Seeing Xiao Yeyang somewhat embarrassed, Daohua hastily explained, âMaster, thereâs no road on Taohua Mountain, itâs inconvenient for you to go up and down the mountain, and even Old Madame Gu canât take a walk whenever she wishes. Xiao Yeyang means well.â
Xiao Yeyang added, âMaster Gu, I have no other intention but to express my gratitude for the swordsmanship youâve bestowed on me.â
Old Lady Yan also smiled and said from the side, âSince it is the childâs heartfelt gesture, I think you should accept it, Master Gu.â As she spoke, she smiled at Old Madame Gu.
âOnce Daohuaâs manor is completed, Big Sister can often come and stay for a while. This girl loves flowers, so we built a flower pavilion right on the estate, and when the flowers bloom, we can all enjoy them.â
Old Madame Guâs face showed interest, and she looked up at her brother.
First, it was a gesture from her grandson, and second, with a road on the mountain, it would truly be more convenient for her brother to move about.
Gu Jian remained silent and did not speak. After a while, he looked at Xiao Yeyang, âDo you really want to build a road for my sister and me?â
Xiao Yeyang hurriedly nodded, âOf course, it will make things more convenient for you and Old Madame Gu as well.â
Gu Jian asked, âHow do you plan to build it?â
Seeing him soften, Xiao Yeyang breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, âI have already asked the people around me to look for laborers. We can start tomorrowâ¦â
Gu Jian raised his hand to interrupt Xiao Yeyang, âIf you are truly sincere, then you will build the road by yourself. If you find others to do it, then you might as well not bother!â
At these words, Xiao Yeyang was stunned into silence.
Even Daohua and Old Lady Yan wore surprised expressions as they looked at Gu Jian.
Taohua Mountain wasnât particularly tall, but to have Xiao Yeyang build a road by himself, wasnât that asking too much of him?
Old Madame Guâs eyes flickered. While she also felt her brotherâs demand was a bit excessive, she said nothing.
Gu Jian stood up and looked at Xiao Yeyang, âThis road is for my sister and me to walk on. If you build it yourself, then we will accept your sentiment.â After saying this, he walked straight out the door.
Xiao Yeyang turned to look at Daohua, his eyes conveying a âdid I hear that correctly?â shock.
De Fu, standing outside, had his mouth agape in astonishment.
Did that strange monk understand his masterâs identity?
Expecting a Princeâs legitimate son to build him a road, how could he be so presumptuous?
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