Chapter 320, Return Home

The Yan family's carriage drove into Ningmen Prefecture at a moderate speed, and soon stopped in front of the gate of the government office's backyard.

"Finally back!"

Mrs. Li, along with her two sisters-in-law, Ms. Sun and Ms. Wu, and Yan Yihan, were at the door to greet Old Lady Yan.

As soon as Old Lady Yan got off the carriage, her three daughters-in-law came forward to pay their respects, and then were supported by Madam Li and Sun on both sides as they entered the gate.

Daohua smiled and greeted her three sisters, then quickly followed.

Yan Yihan and the other two fell behind by a step, looking at the rice flowers in front of them with envy.

Yan Yile curled her lips and said, "Big sister is so lucky. She can go out and play whenever she wants. Unlike us, we can only stay at home."

As soon as these words came out, Yan Yihan glared at her and said, "Fourth sister, watch your mouth and don't talk nonsense. Big sister is going to supervise the spring plowing, how can she go out to play?"

Yan Yile was not convinced. Just as she was about to say something, Yan Yishuang burst out laughing and said unhappily, "Third sister, what are you laughing at?"

Yan Yishuang glanced at Yan Yihan and said, "I'm laughing. Second sister is becoming more and more like an older sister. Unlike before, she would not speak when it didn't concern her and would shake her head when asked. Now she knows how to discipline her younger sister. But, don't use too much force, or you might end up with something worse than what you intended."

After saying that, seeing Yan Yihan's expression change, he smiled and walked away slowly.

"What does she mean?"

Yan Yile glared at Yan Yishuang's back angrily, as if he wanted to rush up and argue with her.

Yan Yihan pulled her sister aside and said calmly, "She can be as vexed as she wants. Why would you care about her?"

The eldest uncle was promoted to prefect, and taking advantage of this happy event, the fifth brother and third sister ran to plead for Aunt Lin. Unfortunately, the two who had always been favored were rejected, and Aunt Lin is still under house arrest.

Over the years, as she gained more experience, she knew very well that her third sister was just a paper tiger. Without the favor of her uncle, she was really nothing in the Yan family's backyard.

Old Mrs. Yan was supported by her three daughters-in-law and returned to Songheyuan. She chatted with everyone for a while and then went to wash up and rest.

Daohua also returned to her own yard, washed and tidied herself, and then went to the main courtyard.

"Girl, have you been going crazy lately?" Mrs. Li smiled and pulled her daughter to sit beside her.

Daohua leaned on Madam Li's shoulder affectionately: "No, I've been helping Xiao Yeyang build roads for Master and Granny Gu all this time."

On the same day, Old Lady Yan asked Daohua to write a letter to Madam Li and Yan Zhigao to inform them about the matter of becoming Gu Jian's disciple.

Afterwards, when Yan Zhigao was on vacation, the couple made a special trip to Taohua Mountain to visit Gu Jian and Gu Po Po, and gave them many gifts as a token of respect.

When she saw her parents on Peach Blossom Mountain, Daohua realized how serious and important it was to become a disciple in ancient times.

Madam Li thought about the situation at Peach Blossom Mountain and nodded. "It's time to build a road." Then she turned her head to look at Daohua and asked, "Why would the young prince build a road when he's fine?"

Daohua explained, "Because my master gave him a sword technique book, he proposed to build the road in order to repay the favor."

Madam Li smiled and said, "The young prince is a good man. He knows how to repay kindness, and he's not like other royal relatives who are arrogant and condescending."

Daohua sensed something was wrong with her mother's tone and immediately asked, "Mom, have you met any other royal relatives?"

Mrs. Li thought that she might have contact with the Jiang family in the future, so she told them about the family of Jiang, the new councilor in Zhongzhou Province.

"The Jiang family is the natal family of the Empress Dowager and the Empress. The current Duke Cheng'en is the Empress Dowager's brother, the Crown Prince is the Empress's father, and the new Minister Jiang is the second oldest child in the family."

"He is accompanied by his wife and daughter. If you run into Mrs. Jiang and Miss Jiang at a banquet in the future, try to stay away from them."

Daohua was a little surprised: "The Empress Dowager and the Empress are from the same family? That's too much."

Madam Li quickly stopped Daohua: "Don't talk nonsense about royal affairs."

Daohua shook Madam Li's arm and said, "Mother, I know what's going on. I'm just chatting with you."

Madam Li: "You can't say it at home. There are more and more servants in the house now. If you meet someone who can't control his mouth and tells others what he heard, it will bring disaster to the family."

Daohua nodded quickly and said, "I'll pay attention next time." Then she looked outside the door and saw no one. Then she whispered, "Could it be that the prince is also marrying a daughter of the Jiang family?"

Seeing her daughter's curious look, Madam Li felt somewhat helpless, but she still said, "The Emperor is still in his prime and hasn't appointed a crown prince yet. Well, let's not talk about this anymore. It has nothing to do with our family anyway."

Daohua nodded, then wondered, "Why are these royal relatives coming to Zhongzhou instead of staying in the capital?"

Madam Li sneered: "Who knows? With the Empress Dowager and the Queen as their backers, it would only take a few words for the Jiang family to be sent out as officials."

Not wanting to continue this topic, Madam Li smiled and started talking about something else: "After coming to Ningmen Mansion, Mother bought another batch of people. During your absence, she has been training them. Now they have almost learned the rules. Tomorrow, you and Yihuan will go and pick some people."

Rice Flower: "I already have Man'er, Guyu and Lixia in my yard. Why do I still need to pick one?" She doesn't like being surrounded by too many people, as it will make her feel that she has no privacy at all.

Madam Li said unhappily, "There are only three of them. How is that enough? Tell me yourself, how many servants are there in Jingwan and Yuanyao's courtyards?"

Daohua: "Isn't our family not as well-off as theirs?"

Madam Li: "That was in the past. Now your father is a fourth-rank prefect. You have to live up to your status as the prefect's daughter. This concerns the reputation of your father and the Yan family. You can't be careless."

Daohua said in a muffled voice, "Yes, my daughter knows. So how many should we choose?"

Madam Li thought for a moment and said, "Four first-class maids, four second-class maids, four maids to clean the house, and four maids to do the rough work. You can count them yourself."

Daohua's scalp tingled when she heard this: "Do we really need so many people?"

Seeing her daughter's lack of attention, Madam Li patiently explained, "Our family doesn't have the background of a wealthy family. All the maids and servants were bought from outside. Whether they are loyal or not, they need to be trained by ourselves, which takes time."

"I'm going to tell you something today. These maids who serve you will accompany you to your husband's house in the future. You think it's too much, but I think it's not enough."

"So, when you choose the maid tomorrow, you have to be more careful."

Seeing her daughter frown, Madam Li tapped her head gently: "Did you understand?"

Daohua nodded: "I understand. I will choose carefully."

Although she didn't want to get married early, she also knew that she couldn't avoid it. In this case, she had to make adequate preparations before getting married.

Even if the person she marries in the future is not a good man, she has enough ability to deal with crises.

So, this girl will choose carefully.

(End of this chapter)