âWhat, do you think Iâm not worthy of being your sister?â
Daohua looked at Xiao Yeyang with a dangerous glint in her eyes.
Xiao Yeyang fell silent, ââ¦Thatâs nonsense, donât spout such things.â Having said that, he quickly left under the pretense of finding some rope.
Watching Xiao Yeyang hurriedly depart, Daohua curled her lip, âHmph, this guy must think he, as a member of the Imperial Family, isnât suited to call a Magistrateâs daughter his sister. As expected, he still looks down on people deep down.â
Behind her, Wang Manman wanted to say something but hesitated. After a moment, she couldnât help but speak up, âMiss, I donât think the Little Prince is like that.â
Daohua turned around, âThen why did he react like that just now? If not disdain, then what is it?â She finished, kicking the swingâs railing in frustration.
âBang!â
The newly repaired railing was kicked straight to the ground.
When Xiao Yeyang returned with the rope, he saw this scene, âYan Yiyi, what are you doing?â
Daohua, realizing she had done something wrong, hurriedly smiled sheepishly, âI was just checking if it was sturdy.â
Xiao Yeyang was furious, âI just fixed it, sturdy my foot!â
Daohua took a few steps back, âWe can just fix it again, whatâs with the anger? Oh right, Brother Xiaoliu said my estate is ready, I should go down and check it out. You can handle this.â
Having said that, she quickly took off with Wang Manman in tow.
Xiao Yeyang looked at the fallen railing, took several deep breaths to calm himself, and then resignedly went forward to set it up again.
Dé Fú watched from the side and once again couldnât help but sigh.
Only Miss Yan would dare to do something like this. If it were someone else, just try!
At lunchtime, Xiao Yeyang stealthily cornered Gu Jian at the entrance to the dining hall.
Gu Jian frowned, âWhat are you doing?â
Xiao Yeyang glanced at Gu Jian, then looked back at Daohua busy in the kitchen, and asked in a low voice, âMaster Gu, do you want to take me as your disciple?â
Gu Jian was startled, âWho told you that?â
Xiao Yeyang, âDaohua said it.â
Fearing that Gu Jian might say yes, Xiao Yeyang hurriedly clarified his stance, âMaster Gu, I know you care for me, but I cannot become your disciple. Of course, I will treat you with the respect due to a master.â
Anyway, he didnât want to be anything like siblings with Daohua.
Gu Jian looked at Xiao Yeyang with a strange expression, speechlessly saying, âWho wants to take you as a disciple? Donât flatter yourself.â With that, he pushed past Xiao Yeyang and walked into the dining hall.
Hearing this, Xiao Yeyang immediately breathed a sigh of relief and a brilliant smile spread across his face.
âWhatâs with the silly grin, come help serve the dishes!â
âOh, right away!â
â¦
In late April, Daohuaâs estate was fully completed, with furniture also being added progressively.
With the Dragon Boat Festival approaching, Madam Li sent people to Madam Yan and Daohuaâs place, and Xiao Yeyang also received a letter from Governor Guo, indicating it was time for him to leave as well.
âGrandmother, Master, I will visit you often in the future, donât miss me too much.â
âMaster, itâs inconvenient to use water up on the mountain, so Iâve already told the people in the estate to bring water up every morning. Also, you shouldnât have to go out to buy food anymore, I will arrange to have fresh vegetables and fruits delivered to you regularly.â
â¦
Taohua Temple had been lively for over a month, and as the time for the trioâs departure drew near, Granny Gu and Gu Jian truly felt a bit of reluctance.
Seeing the old folks smiling through their emotions, Xiao Yeyang felt a pang of compassion and cheerfully said, âI will come to see Granny and Master Gu when I have time.â
Granny Guâs eyes brightened as she nodded with a smile.
Gu Jian gave him a sideways glance, âNever make promises you canât keep. Once words are spoken, you must follow through. Donât just say things to curry favor with us.â
The sister takes things to heart; if this lad doesnât show up, she will be disappointed.
Xiao Yeyang quickly assured them, âI truly mean no deceit.â
Seeing Xiao Yeyangâs earnestness, Granny Gu immediately soothed, âGranny believes in you, pay no mind to Master Daohua, his bark is worse than his bite.â
Gu Jian âhmphedâ once, and said no more.
After the farewells, Master Daohua and the other two prepared to descend the mountain.
Before descending, concerned by the fact that only Granny Gu and the master would remain on the mountain, Daohua spoke again, âMaster, should I arrange for someone to come up and take care of you?â
Gu Jian shook his head, âNo need, I can still move around.â
Daohua then looked towards Granny Gu.
Granny Gu also smiled and shook her head, âIf we need anything, we will ask for your help.â
Daohua, helpless, had to comply with the two, âGranny, Master, if you ever tire of living on the mountain, you are welcome to move into my house. Iâve prepared your rooms alreadyâ¦â
âAlright now, are you leaving or not? Youâre endless chatter is too much!â
Impatient, Gu Jian waved his hand dismissively at Daohua, âGo on, if you return too late, you wonât even catch dinner time.â
âElder sister, weâre off then!â
Madam Yan smiled, nodded at Granny Gu, and then led her granddaughter and Xiao Yeyang down the mountain.
â¦
As Daohua and Xiao Yeyang boarded the boat, they looked back towards Taohua Mountain, where they could still see Granny Gu and Gu Jian standing in the pavilion, gazing out at them.
Seeing this, Madam Yan sighed.
Granny Gu and Master Gu are pitiful, such an old age with not a single child by their side, itâs truly a bitter thought.
âYou all must visit them often in the future.â
Daohua nodded, âOf course.â Walking over to Madam Yan, she took her arm, âGrandmother, letâs come here more often for short stays.â
Madam Yan shot her granddaughter a teasing look, âIs that what youâve been thinking about all along? Youâve always loved to wander ever since you were young, and it seems you havenât changed a bit, have you?â
Daohua shrugged her shoulders, âThis trait is innate, Iâm afraid I canât change it!â
Madam Yan spoke in exasperation, âItâs fine now while youâre at home, but what about after you get married?â
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yeyang quickly glanced over, his grip on his fan tightening.
Daohua pouted, âThen Iâll find someone who indulges me. If they canât accept this, then I wonât marry.â
Madam Yan glared at Daohua, âWhat nonsense!â Seeing Xiao Yeyang nearby and reluctant to say more, she shook her head and entered the cabin.
Once the elder lady left, Xiao Yeyang approached Daohua and asked, âHas your family started talking about your marriage prospects?â
Daohua shook her head, âNot at all, Iâm only twelve years old, still so young. What marriage talks could there be? The elder brothers above me havenât even been betrothed yet, thereâs plenty of time.â
Hearing this, Xiao Yeyangâs expression relaxed. Seeing Daohua acting like a little child, he couldnât help but smile, âNot so young anymore, youâll be thirteen this year.â
At thirteen, in some large families, they were already discussing marriage prospects.
Daohua immediately said, âThirteen is also very young, alright? My mother said she wants to keep me around for a few more years, Iâm in no rush to marry.â Pausing, she turned to look at Xiao Yeyang.
âYouâre about to be sixteen, arenât you?â
Xiao Yeyang nodded, âRight!â
Daohua asked curiously, âHas your family started talking about your marriage prospects?â
Xiao Yeyangâs mouth twitched slightly, and he raised an eyebrow, âWhy do you ask?â
Daohua, âJust finding out the situation.â
Xiao Yeyang couldnât help but chuckle, âWhy do you need to know about my situation?â Could it be that this fellow had thoughts about him?
Daohua, âSo I know when youâre returning to Beijing, and I can see you off!â
Xiao Yeyangâs smile stiffened, and he glared at Daohua before turning away, fanning himself vigorously.
Seeing his reaction, Daohua was at a loss for words, continuing, âIf you get betrothed, you must let me know, so I can prepare a gift for you.â
Xiao Yeyang âhmphedâ and said through gritted teeth, âThank you very much.â With that, he shook his fan and also went into the cabin.
âWhatâs the matter, are you unhappy about receiving a gift?â