Chapter 115: There is Room For the Poor Daughter
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Chapter 115: A Chance Meeting
"I was wondering why I couldn't find you; turns out you're here enjoying some peace and quiet!" Zhou Jingwan teased as she finally extricated herself from the crowd of young ladies and went searching for Daohua.
Daohua smiled. "I'm not the host, so I don't have to entertain guests. Naturally, I have more free time."
Zhou Jingwan approached her. "You're really good at enjoying life. The cabin is too noisy—I can still hear the buzzing in my ears."
Daohua just smiled without responding.
Nearby, Yan Yihuan finally found an opportunity to chime in. She grinned and said, "Miss Zhou, your skin seems to have improved."
Hearing this, Zhou Jingwan's face lit up with joy. She grabbed Daohua's hand and exclaimed, "That moisturizing cream you gave me is amazing! Feel my skin—isn't it soft and smooth?"
Daohua obligingly touched her cheek. "Wow, it's so smooth, just like a freshly peeled boiled egg."
Zhou Jingwan beamed, holding her face in delight. Though her skin wasn't as fair and radiant as Daohua's, which was as luminous as jade, it was much better than before. With continued care, it would surely improve even more.
Yan Yihuan glanced at the two of them and curiously asked, "What kind of moisturizing cream?"
Daohua replied casually, "The one I made myself—the same one I gave you all, but none of you wanted."
She recalled the time when she had made the cream in the old madam's courtyard. Yan Yihuan and the other two had happened to see it and come to greet her. Daohua had handed each of them a box on a whim, but they hadn't shown any interest.
Yan Yihuan's expression stiffened. She remembered that incident clearly. Back then, she had thought it unwise to use something homemade, so she declined.
"Come on, let's head to the third-floor deck. The view's much better up there," Zhou Jingwan suggested, feeling that the view from the second-floor deck was inadequate. She grabbed Daohua's hand, pulling her along.
"Slow down!" Daohua quickly waved for Yan Yihuan to follow.
Soon, the three of them reached the third-floor deck.
On the boat, the first floor was for the madams to chat and laugh, the second for the young ladies, and the third was the quietest, with hardly anyone around. At this moment, Daohua and her companions had the entire deck to themselves.
"How is it? Isn't the view much better here?" Zhou Jingwan spun around on the deck, clearly delighted.
Daohua was just as happy. With no one else around, she felt less restrained. She stood at the bow, stretched out her arms, and closed her eyes, letting the moist breeze caress her face and body.
Seeing her like this, Zhou Jingwan grew excited and mimicked her pose.
Yan Yihuan, standing off to the side, was tempted to join but felt too self-conscious in public. She held onto the railing instead, but even so, she felt a surge of joy.
Looking out from a height really did lift one's spirits.
Meanwhile, about a kilometer away, an even grander and more luxurious boat was also gliding down the Grand Canal.
On its third-floor deck, Xiao Yeyang was holding a telescope, surveying the scenery.
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, he let out a surprised sound, lowered the telescope to glance with his naked eye, then raised it again to confirm. When the familiar green figure reappeared in the lens, a smile spread across his lips.
"Yan Wenkai, is your sister out enjoying the river today as well?"
Yan Wenkai, who was arm wrestling with Su Hongxin, froze mid-match upon hearing this. Seizing the opportunity, Su Hongxin pushed his arm down decisively.
"I win!"
Under normal circumstances, the competitive Yan Wenkai would have demanded a rematch. This time, however, he hurriedly got up and left.
"Really? Where? Let me see!"
Xiao Yeyang handed the telescope to Yan Wenkai and pointed in the direction he had seen.
It was the Chongyang Festival, and the Grand Canal was crowded with more than a few boats.
"It's true! It's Daohua! Big Brother, Third Brother, come quickly—Daohua is on the boat behind us!"
Hearing the commotion, Yan Wenxiu and Yan Wentao also walked over.
Yan Wenkai glanced at Zhou Chengye. "It seems there's a young lady from your family too. Come and see if it’s her." Yan Wenkai had only seen Zhou family’s young lady once before and wasn’t entirely sure.
Zhou Chengye quickly stepped forward. Yan Wenkai handed him the telescope, motioning for him to take a look.
"Yes, it's our Jingwan."
Zhou Chengye put down the telescope and promptly returned it to Xiao Yeyang. Unlike Yan Wenkai, he wasn’t as thick-skinned to casually use something belonging to the young prince.
"That’s our family’s boat. It seems my mother has invited everyone for an outing," Zhou Chengye explained to Xiao Yeyang.
Xiao Yeyang nodded and continued looking through the telescope.
Seeing Daohua standing with her arms spread wide, her face filled with enjoyment, he couldn’t help but smile.
Unfortunately, it didn’t last long. A maid soon entered the frame and called her away.
After some thought, Xiao Yeyang turned to Zhou Chengye. "Go and find out what plans your mother has arranged."
Zhou Chengye quickly left to investigate and returned shortly after with a report. "My mother has organized an outing for the ladies to ascend Xiangxia Mountain and enjoy the scenery."
Hearing this, Xiao Yeyang’s expression shifted slightly. "I’ve heard that Xiangxia Mountain is famous for its autumn red maples. Since that’s the case, we should go and have a look too."
Dong Yuanxuan, who was in charge of the trip, immediately began making arrangements.
Xiangxia Mountain
By the time the Zhou family’s boat arrived, many others were already docked at the foot of the mountain.
"Wow, that boat is even grander than the Zhou family’s. Could it belong to someone important?"
The various ladies murmured quietly amongst themselves.
As they disembarked, Madam Zhou glanced back. Seeing her daughter chatting intimately with Miss Yan while holding hands, she smiled and made her way over to Madam Li.
"My little rascal hasn’t caused you any trouble, has she?"
Madam Li was surprised by Madam Zhou’s enthusiasm but kept her composure. She smiled and replied, "Miss Zhou is bright and clever, truly likable. She hasn’t caused any trouble at all."
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This novel is translated by the Eternal Novel Hits translators. Please read it at https://eternalnovelhits.blogspot.com
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Madam Zhou took Madam Li’s hand and led her down the boat. "That’s good to hear. You wouldn’t believe how much trouble this girl gives me at home."
Behind them, Daohua watched the two women disembarking together, a bit surprised. Zhou Jingwan was equally taken aback.
The reason became clear soon enough.
At the foot of the mountain, they saw Zhou Chengye and Yan Wenxiu waiting.
"Big Brother!"
Daohua and Zhou Jingwan’s faces lit up with delight as they ran over hand in hand.
"What are you doing here?"
Yan Wenxiu smiled. "The young prince is out on an excursion, so we accompanied him."
Daohua’s eyes sparkled. "Xiao Yeyang is here too? Where is he?"
Zhou Chengye answered, "Earlier, your fourth brother suggested a mountain climbing race. He’s probably halfway up the mountain by now."
Daohua covered her mouth and chuckled.
"What are you laughing about?" Zhou Chengye asked curiously.
Daohua grinned confidently. "I can guess who’ll win!"
Zhou Jingwan’s eyes widened. "How can you guess? We don’t even know who’s participating!"
Zhou Chengye couldn’t bear to watch his sister’s naivety.
Who would win?
Of course, it would be the young prince! Who would dare challenge him for first place?
(End of Chapter)
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