Chapter 716, Regret
Dong Yuanyao was not affected by the family's decline, and Daohua was very happy for her. Except for the heavy topic at the beginning, the conversation between the two was quite light-hearted afterwards.
The two chatted until mid-afternoon before getting up and leaving the teahouse.
Daohua followed Dong Yuanyao towards the Dong family's current residence. When they were almost there, Daohua stopped and said, "Well, I won't be visiting the elders this time."
Hearing this, Dong Yuanyao smiled and nodded, not minding it at all. She knew that Yi Yi was doing this to save the face of the elders in the family. In the past few months since the Dong family had been in trouble, neither the grandparents nor the father or mother had actually gotten over it.
In Zhongzhou, because of the matter between her and Sun Changze, her grandmother had taken her anger out on Yi Yi. Now that everyone's status and position have changed, her grandmother is probably embarrassed to see Yi Yi.
Daohua signaled Wang Man'er and Bishi to take the gifts from the carriage. "These are fruits and vegetables from our farm. Take them back and try them."
Dong Yuanyao didn't hesitate and let Hongying take over with a smile: "I haven't eaten cherries and strawberries for a long time."
Daohua smiled and said, "If you like it, I'll send it to you next time."
Dong Yuanyao smiled and nodded, then looked at the sky: "It's getting late, you should go back quickly and don't let your uncle and aunt worry."
Daohua: "See you next time." As she said that, she walked towards the carriage. After a few steps, she turned around and looked at Dong Yuanyao, seeming to be hesitant to speak.
Dong Yuanyao asked with a smile, "What's wrong?"
Daohua hesitated for a moment, turned back, and whispered to Dong Yuanyao, "I've been in contact with Sun Changze for the past two years. After you returned to Beijing, the Sun family proposed marriage to him, but he refused. Now he's been traveling on the Grand Canal. Do you want to meet him?"
Dong Yuanyao was stunned for a moment, then smiled bitterly: "Forget it. My father almost killed him back then. Now my family is down and out, and I'm going back to look for him. What's the point of that?"
Seeing Daohua was about to say something, Dong Yuanyao smiled and said, "I know you're doing this for my own good, but I'm no longer the glamorous Miss Dong. I've been rejected by an engagement, so I'm no longer worthy of his love."
Daohua frowned, her face full of disapproval: "It's not your fault to cancel the engagement. If Sun Changze really likes you, he won't care."
Dong Yuanyao smiled uncertainly, "Who can say for sure whether I care or not?" Then, she looked at Daohua and said, "Yiyi, you don't have to worry about me. My family is in the situation now, and I really don't have the mood to think about these romantic matters."
Hearing this, Daohua said nothing more: "Then I will come to see you next time." After saying that, she said goodbye to Dong Yuanyao and turned to get on the carriage.
After watching the carriage go away, Dong Yuanyao and Hongying each carried two baskets and entered their yard.
The Dong family was no longer what they used to be. They now lived in a courtyard with only one entrance. Old Master Dong and Old Madam Dong lived in the upper room, the eldest wife lived in the east wing, and the second wife lived in the west wing. The other concubines lived in the adjacent courtyard.
"Hey, where are these cherries and strawberries? Let me try some! Poor thing, I haven't had anything good to eat in the past few months."
Seeing the basket in Dong Yuanyao's hand, Dong Yuanshun from the eldest wife's house immediately ran over and wanted to take it away.
Dong Yuanyao turned sideways and nimbly avoided Dong Yuanshun: "Second brother, if you want to eat, go to the street and buy it yourself." As he said that, he carried the basket into the west wing.
Before the Dong Mansion was stripped of its title, Dong Yuanshun was used to being spoiled by the Crown Prince's wife. He was always overbearing. When he couldn't get food, he immediately started yelling, "Dong Yuanyao, I'm your second brother. I asked you to get food, and you dared not take it?"
Dong Yuanyao ignored Dong Yuanshun in the yard. Because the second branch was implicated by the first branch, Dong Yuanxuan could not even take the imperial examination, so he hated the first branch very much. Although the Dong family has not split up, the two branches have separate food and accommodation.
Mrs. Dong Er heard the noise and came out of the room. Seeing the fruits, vegetables and herbs in the room, she asked with a smile, "Is your big brother Yan here again?"
Dong Yuanyao shook her head and helped Mrs. Dong sit down: "It's not Brother Yan, it's Yiyi."
Madam Dong was stunned for a moment, then she smiled and said, "Yi Yi has returned to Beijing?"
Dong Yuanyao nodded and sorted out the herbs that Daohua had sent. Seeing that they were all for conditioning, she immediately smiled and said, "Brother Yan must have told Yiyi about your and Grandmother's poor health, so Yiyi sent these herbs. I'll have Hongying boil them later."
Looking at the herbs, Mrs. Dong sighed, "Yiyi is so thoughtful." As she spoke, she couldn't help but think of her son's ex-daughter-in-law who had divorced and returned home just a few months after marrying him. She felt very upset and spoke after a while, "Remember to send some to your grandparents."
"I know."
Soon, Dong Yuanyao separated the herbs and fruits and personally delivered them to the upper room.
Seeing the fresh fruit, Mrs. Dong felt a rare appetite. She ate several strawberries in succession before asking, "Wen Xiu came to see your eldest brother again?"
Nowadays, the only family that is still willing to interact with the Dong family is the Yan family.
Dong Yuanyao: "Grandma, it's not Brother Yan, it's Yiyi."
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Dong's hand, which was reaching for the strawberries, suddenly stopped in mid-air. She was stunned for a long moment before silently retracting her hand.
After delivering the things, Dong Yuanyao returned to the west wing.
When Mr. Dong saw that Mrs. Dong had stopped eating, he couldn't help but ask, "Don't you like eating fruit? Why don't you eat it anymore?"
Mrs. Dong curled her lips and pushed the fruit plate toward Mr. Dong: "Eat more, don't let the child down."
Dong Yuanxuan didn't come back until dark. When he saw the cherries and strawberries on the table and learned that they were sent by Daohua, he was stunned for a long time holding a strawberry.
Mrs. Dong Er noticed this and her eyes were full of regret.
After returning home, Daohua told Old Lady Yan and Madam Li about her meeting with Dong Yuanyao today.
After hearing this, both of them fell silent.
"You should visit them more often in the future and help them if you can." Old Mrs. Yan said with a sigh.
In the evening, after Yan Wentao and Yan Wenkai came back, Daohua asked Yan Wentao about the situation of the Zhou family.
Yan Wentao didn't say much, but just assured Daohua: "Nothing serious will happen to the Zhou family."
Daohua didn't ask any more questions: "Third brother, I want to go see Jingwan, is that okay?"
Yan Wentao was silent for a moment: "Now that the Zhou family is under siege, it's best not to go. It won't be too late to go after the Zhou family is under siege."
Daohua nodded: "I understand."
Yan Wentao continued, "When I came back today, Yeyang told me that you wanted to buy land?"
Daohua nodded: "Yes, what's the matter? Is there any news about him?"
Yan Wentao smiled and took out a few pieces of paper from his pocket and handed them to Daohua: "These are the fields that Yeyang has investigated. They are all fields that can be purchased. Send someone to take a look at them and then decide which ones to buy."
Daohua happily took it and said, "Third brother, do you want to buy some together? If you don't have money, I can lend you some!"
Looking at his wealthy sister, Yan Wentao laughed and said, "No need. Ye Yang checked these for you. I also checked some myself. If you can't buy them all, just ask your aunt."
When Daohua heard him say that, she said no more: "Okay, I'll go talk to Mom."
(End of this chapter)
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