Chapter 620, Shameless
After returning to the Yan Mansion, Daohua first went to see Old Lady Yan, left some lychees, and asked Wang Maner to send the rest to the main courtyard to be distributed to others by Madam Li. She then returned to her own courtyard and planted the Jingsui grass seeds in the space.
"Bishi, go find me a porcelain basin. Oh, and ask Guyu to clean up a room."
The growing environment of Jingsui grass is harsh. She can't just do nothing and then take out the grown Jingsui grass for no reason. She still has to do it if necessary.
After the house was cleaned up, Daohua asked Yan Shouhou to collect some soil from the mountains, forests, and some fertile places. He also took out some soil from the space, mixed the various soils together, and put them into a porcelain basin.
Afterwards, ice cubes were placed in the room to adjust the indoor temperature.
This took several days to complete.
However, Daohua was quite satisfied. With these foundations, she had something to say when others asked her how she grew the Jingsui grass.
Given the rarity and preciousness of the Jingsui grass, Daohua also took out a notebook to record how many times the plant was watered every day, how much ice was put in, and the time for sun exposure and ventilation.
Since the arrival of Mrs. Guo and her daughter, Governor Guo has returned to Ningmen Mansion more often. In mid-July, Xiao Yeyang learned that Governor Guo was in the mansion. Thinking that he had not visited Mrs. Guo since her arrival, he brought a basket of lychees to pay him a visit.
When Mrs. Guo saw that Xiao Yeyang brought so many lychees, a smile appeared on her face. She and her daughter both loved lychees, which were difficult for them to eat in the capital in previous years.
"Xue Ming, hurry up and serve tea to your cousin Ye Yang." Mrs. Guo signaled her daughter to take the initiative, then smiled at Xiao Ye Yang, "I haven't seen you for a few years. Ye Yang has become more and more successful. He can even get so many rare fruits."
Xiao Yeyang smiled faintly: "This is nothing, I just brought some back when I was transporting Liuli to the south."
Mrs. Guo smiled and said, "You are already in charge of a Liuli Factory at your age. You are already very impressive. Unlike your two cousins, they still don't have any serious jobs."
Hearing this, Governor Guo on the side was unhappy: "Why don't Jinghua and Jingyi have important tasks? Aren't they doing well in the Five Cities Military Command?"
Mrs. Guo snorted, "That's not a good job at all. One is from the sixth rank and the other is from the seventh rank. I'm embarrassed to tell anyone about it."
Governor Guo was silent for a moment. "The Five Cities Military Command is responsible for the security of the capital. It's a heavy responsibility. How can it be measured solely by rank?"
Xiao Yeyang glanced at Madam Guo and Governor Guo, and knew in his heart that the prestige of the Duke Dingguo's Mansion in the army was too high, and the emperor's uncle would not allow the Guo family to hold high positions forever.
The Guo family should have gradually declined by my uncle's generation. My cousins and their officials would probably not exceed the third rank in the future.
Seeing Xiao Yeyang playing with the teacup, Guo Xueming smiled and asked, "Cousin Yeyang, what are you usually busy with?"
Xiao Yeyang said casually: "Nothing, just running around."
Mrs. Guo glanced at her daughter and took over the conversation: "Since you are not very busy, you should come to our house more often. You have been away from Beijing for many years. It just so happens that Xueming knows a lot of Beijing food. I will ask her to cook for you." As she spoke, she quickly glanced at Governor Guo, motioning him to help speak.
Governor Guo received the hint and quickly said with a smile: "Yes, come to my house more often in the future."
Xiao Yeyang stood up and saluted: "Although I usually deal with trivial matters, these matters cannot be left without me. I hope my uncle and aunt will forgive me."
Seeing that Xiao Yeyang refused, Mrs. Guo's smile became a little stiff, and Guo Xueming was also a little disappointed.
Governor Guo didn't care. He knew his nephew's job was more than just managing a Liulichang. He smiled and said, "Business is important, but you should still come visit your aunt and cousin more often when you have time."
Xiao Yeyang just nodded casually and didn't respond.
After that, the four of them talked about other things.
Halfway through, Mrs. Guo found an excuse to take Governor Guo away, leaving only Xiao Yeyang and Guo Xueming in the living room.
Guo Xueming thought of the news he had received not long ago and asked, "Cousin Yeyang, Ma's son is getting married next month. Did you know about this?"
Xiao Yeyang frowned slightly and said "Oh" nonchalantly.
Guo Xueming was silent for a moment, then tentatively said, "Cousin Yeyang, I know you're angry with Ma and Xiao Yechen, but I think you should write back to congratulate them."
Xiao Yeyang's face suddenly darkened, and he sneered in a cold voice, "My cousin asked me to congratulate Xiao Yechen?"
Seeing Xiao Yeyang's expression change immediately, Guo Xueming was stunned for a moment, but he quickly calmed down. "I'm not asking you to congratulate Xiao Yechen. I just think you should pretend to do it for Prince Ping and the world to see, so that others won't use this as an excuse to accuse you of being ignorant of etiquette."
Logically speaking, cousin Yeyang should return to Beijing when his eldest brother gets married, but this may be a bit difficult.
Seeing Xiao Yeyang's face becoming increasingly ugly, Guo Xueming felt that he was doing this for his own good, and since honest advice always hurts, he continued:
"Brother Yeyang, I know you may not like what I'm saying, but I'm genuinely doing this for your own good. You're far away from the capital, and your relationship with Prince Heping is already estranged. If we don't keep in touch, how can the relationship between you and your son ever be repaired?"
"This time Xiao Yechen's marriage is a good opportunity. If you write a letter to congratulate him and also send your regards to Prince Ping, I think Prince Ping will be very happy. It will also let the other families in the capital see your magnanimity. When you return to the capital in the future, Prince Ping will not be too biased towards Xiao Yechen in the succession of the royal title."
Xiao Yeyang grew angrier as he listened, not caring whether Guo Xueming could save his face or not. He stood up with a sneer and said, "So, cousin, you like to worry about other people's affairs. But I won't bother you with how I get along with my father and Ma's mother and son."
After saying that, he ignored the stunned Guo Xueming and turned around and left the living room.
When Mrs. Guo and Governor Guo heard the maid say that Xiao Yeyang and Guo Xueming had quarreled for some unknown reason, they hurried over and just saw Xiao Yeyang striding out.
"Yeyang, I asked the servants to prepare lunch. Let's have a few drinks at noon today." Governor Guo called Xiao Yeyang.
Xiao Yeyang turned around and bowed, saying, "Uncle, I have something else to do. Let's do it next time. Next time I'll prepare some wine and food and come to find you in the barracks."
Governor Guo saw that Xiao Yeyang was determined to leave, so he didn't try to stop him. He just said, "Your cousin is spoiled by your two cousins. If she offends you in any way, for your uncle's sake, don't take it to heart."
Xiao Yeyang's complexion improved a little: "Uncle is in a serious condition, I'll leave first."
Governor Guo watched Xiao Yeyang leave before turning back into the living room. He saw his daughter, her face flushed with shame, twisting her handkerchief with her head down. He asked in confusion, "You've always been a steady child. What did you say to Yeyang just now? He looked really unhappy."
Guo Xueming's face was red. She had never felt so embarrassed in her life. She never expected that her cousin Ye Yang would turn against her so suddenly. He really didn't leave her any face at all.
After a long silence, Guo Xueming said a little aggrievedly, "My daughter didn't say anything. She just mentioned Xiao Yechen's marriage and wanted him to write a letter back to congratulate her and send his regards to Prince Ping."
Upon hearing this, Governor Guo slapped his thigh fiercely. "Why does Yeyang look so grim?" He looked at Guo Xueming and said, "Kid, why are you talking to him about this? Don't you know how much Yeyang hates the Ma family? Asking him to congratulate Xiao Yechen is like stabbing him in the heart."
Mrs. Guo was unhappy: "My daughter is doing this for Yeyang's own good. Should we let him and Prince Ping remain in this stalemate forever? Prince Ping now has two legitimate sons. If Yeyang doesn't bow his head first, he won't have a share of the royal title in the future."
Governor Guo sighed, "How can Ye Yang's knot with Prince Ping be untied just by saying so?"
Mrs. Guo snorted, "Even if that's the case, Ye Yang shouldn't have embarrassed Xue Ming like this. He really has no manners at all. I thought he was a nice guy before."
Governor Guo looked at his daughter and said, "You were a little reckless today."
Guo Xueming looked at Governor Guo in surprise.
Governor Guo explained, "Although you and Ye Yang are cousins, there isn't much affection between you. Ye Yang has a stubborn personality. If you start admonishing him right away, he won't be happy with you."
Guo Xueming lowered his head: "It's my daughter's fault."
Seeing that his daughter had heard it, Governor Guo nodded.
Mrs. Guo said, "I think it's because Ye Yang hasn't had an elder to look after him these years that he's developed this temper of getting angry whenever he hears someone's advice. If he doesn't know how to restrain himself, what will happen to him when he returns to Beijing in the future?"
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
