Chapter 105: There is Room For the Poor Daughter
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Chapter 105: Limited Experience
The same day they returned from the flower shop, Daohua received three pots of flowers—peonies, daffodils, and orchids—delivered by someone on behalf of Zhou Jingwan. The entire Yan family happened to be present when the flowers arrived.
"Why would Miss Zhou send you flowers?"
It was Yan Zhiyuan who spoke first, and the others looked on curiously as well. Although ever since the Young Prince stayed overnight at their home, the prominent families of Xingzhou City had shown them more respect, interactions had remained formal. None had gone out of their way to show special closeness, not even the Zhou family.
Daohua, noticing all eyes on her, smiled and explained, "I happened to meet Grandpa Zhou and Zhou Jingwan at the shop today. We chatted for a while, and when they left, I gifted them a few pots of flowers. This is probably a return gift."
Hearing this, Yan Zhigao and Madam Li exchanged a quick glance.
Old Master Zhou was famous in Xingzhou for his love of flowers—a fact well known even to the Yans, who had learned about it after moving to the city.
The three flower pots before them were all rare and valuable species, clearly cultivated with care. If Zhou Jingwan sent these, it must have been under Old Master Zhou’s instruction.
Yan Zhigao looked at his eldest daughter, who was cheerfully showing the flowers to her grandmother, and sighed inwardly. This daughter of his truly had good fortune, managing to earn Old Master Zhou's favor.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have received these flowers.
"I heard that when Old Master Zhou retired, the emperor gifted him many rare flowers, and he brought them all back to his hometown," Yan Zhigao remarked. "Many in Xingzhou covet his collection, hoping to bask in their imperial connection, but only a handful have ever succeeded in getting anything from him."
At this, Daohua’s attention shifted from the flowers. Surprised, she asked, "Really? Then could these three pots be—"
"What are you thinking?" Madam Li laughed, shaking her head. "Anything gifted by the emperor is treated as a treasure. These three pots are likely ones Old Master Zhou cultivated himself."
Daohua’s eyes sparkled mischievously. "Maybe they’re grafted from the emperor’s flowers."
Madam Li considered this, then asked, "Peonies, daffodils, and orchids are all renowned flowers. Should we prepare a return gift for Miss Zhou?"
Daohua tilted her head. "Is it necessary? The flowers I gave today may not be as prestigious as these, but there were more of them—five pots that Zhou Jingwan chose and three that Grandpa Zhou picked. I gave them all away."
"Of course it’s necessary!"
Yan Zhiyuan interjected before Madam Li could respond. "These three pots are rare and not comparable to the ordinary flowers you grow. Just one of them is worth more than ten from your shop."
Daohua frowned slightly, feeling a bit displeased.
It was true that her flowers didn’t have the same fame as peonies or orchids, but their quality was excellent. Didn’t Old Master Zhou seem absolutely delighted with them?
Yan Zhiyuan continued, "Besides, since they went out of their way to send you something, sending a return gift will deepen your friendship with Miss Zhou and bring our family closer to theirs."
Daohua glanced at her father, who didn’t object, then turned to Madam Li. "Mother, what do you think I should send?"
Madam Li smiled warmly. "This is between you young girls. We adults won’t interfere. You can send whatever you like."
At this moment, Yan Zhiyuan spoke up again. "Why not send the grape wine? I think it’s pretty good. Old Master Zhou—"
Before he could finish, Madam Li abruptly stood up, cutting him off with a smile as she walked over to the old lady. She turned to Daohua and said, "You go prepare whatever you’d like. Dinner is about to be served, so don’t take too long."
Although she understood Yan Zhiyuan’s intentions to foster closer ties with the Zhou family, she felt that being too eager might make them appear subservient.
Daohua didn’t like being told what to do either, so she responded cheerfully and left the room with Wang Man’er.
"Miss, should we send the grape wine like Second Master suggested?" Wang Man’er asked on the way.
Daohua shook her head. Although grape wine was just fruit wine, the word "wine" carried weight. Her relationship with Zhou Jingwan wasn’t that close yet, and gifting alcohol to a young lady felt inappropriate.
Moreover, grape wine was rare on the market, and scarcity made things more valuable. Since she had already sent Zhou’s family ten pots of flowers, sending something too expensive now would seem excessive.
"Not long ago, I made a few boxes of rouge and moisturizing cream. I’ll send those instead!"
Zhou Jingwan had somewhat sensitive skin, and the moisturizing cream and rouge Daohua made were crafted from flowers and herbs grown in their own space, known for their excellent skincare and makeup effects. They would be practical for her.
Soon, Daohua prepared the return gift and had it sent to the Zhou family’s servants, then went back to the old lady’s room with Wang Man’er.
When Yan Zhigao and Madam Li learned what she had sent, they didn’t comment, but Yan Zhiyuan pouted in disdain. "A few boxes of rouge… Daohua, I’m not criticizing you, but isn’t this a bit too petty?"
This time, it wasn’t Madam Li, but the old lady who interrupted Yan Zhiyuan. "What’s wrong with sending simple gifts between young girls? Why does it have to be expensive?"
Yan Zhiyuan replied, "Mother, Big Brother, I’m not saying anything bad. I’m just worried that Daohua might damage her relationship with Miss Zhou."
Looking at her son, who had his lips stuck out in displeasure, the old lady stood up. "Enough. This is a matter between young girls; you, as an elder, should stay out of it. Now, sit down and eat."
"Mother, Big Brother, I know my words aren’t pleasant, but I’m truly thinking about the Yan family. We don’t have a strong foundation. If we can get closer to the Zhou family, it will help Big Brother in the official world later."
Daohua, trailing behind, couldn’t help but sneer inwardly at her second uncle still explaining himself to the old lady. She really couldn’t bring herself to like the second branch of the family.
If they wanted to suck up to others, no one would stop them, but bossing others around was simply annoying.
Suddenly, Madam Li’s voice rang in her ear. "He’s your second uncle, an elder. Even if you’re uncomfortable, don’t show it."
Daohua was startled, quickly adjusting her expression. "I understand, Mother."
Madam Li continued, "A young girl’s reputation is most important. Disrespecting elders is a grave mistake."
Daohua furrowed her brow. "So I should just endure it?"
Madam Li glanced at her husband, who was speaking softly to Yan Zhiyuan in front, then replied, "Don’t worry, your father is around. He may not be very sharp when it comes to matters within the household, but when it comes to the family’s interests, no one is more serious than him."
"Your second uncle, however, is a free agent with limited experience. He doesn’t realize that blindly flattering powerful people won’t earn respect; instead, it will make them look down on you. The gift you sent was perfect. You don’t need to listen to him."
Daohua nodded, understanding her mother’s advice.
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This novel is translated by the Eternal Novel Hits translators. Please read it at https://eternalnovelhits.blogspot.com
....
When the Zhou family received Daohua’s return gift, Zhou Jingwan was very pleased. Daohua had previously sent her some rouge, which she found worked even better than the one her second uncle had brought back from the capital.
She knew Daohua had made the rouge herself, and though they weren’t close enough for her to ask for more, Daohua had sent a few more boxes this time. For a young girl who loved beauty, this was a more meaningful gift than anything else.
Old Master Zhou, watching his granddaughter smile happily, turned to his son and daughter-in-law and said, "This eldest daughter of the Yan family is quite good. Jingwan should spend more time with her in the future."
From then on, Daohua and Zhou Jingwan interacted more often.
Although Zhou Jingwan could be a bit spoiled, she didn’t have any major flaws in her character. She was open, cheerful, and straightforward, with no hidden motives. She was easy to get along with, and Daohua enjoyed her company. They would often meet up, making Daohua’s otherwise dull life in the backroom a little more enjoyable.
Just before the Mid-Autumn Festival, when Zhou Jingwan came over to deliver her Mid-Autumn gifts and quickly started chatting and laughing with Daohua, Yan Zhigao glanced at his second brother, who looked uneasy, and patted his shoulder.
His second brother’s heart was with the Yan family, but some of his ideas and views didn’t quite suit the etiquette between high-ranking families. His eldest daughter, on the other hand, was very well-mannered, neither too humble nor too proud, which made her a pleasure to interact with.
(End of Chapter)
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