Chapter 128: Chapter 114, Cold Reception_1

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The port was just outside Xingzhou City, and once everyone had gathered at the city gate, they quickly set off for the port. It didn’t take long to reach the port and start disembarking from their carriages to board the ship.

“The Zhou Family’s riverboat is really huge!” The Yan Family’s carriage was a bit behind; meanwhile, Daohua, curious, couldn’t help but lift the curtain to look outside.

“This is still one of the smaller ones. To speak of size and grandeur, the ship that the Prince used to inspect the Dayuan River was truly large—it had a full four decks.”

The sound of conversation came from the carriage behind. Daohua turned around and saw that it was Zhou Jingwan: “What are you doing here?”

“Where else would I be if not here?” Zhou Jingwan and Daohua were already familiar with each other, so she immediately got down from her own carriage and jumped into Daohua’s.

“Madam Li, I hope you are well.”

Madam Li smiled and helped Zhou Jingwan settle into her seat.

Only then did Daohua continue, “I thought you would be one of the first to board the ship.”

“That was the plan, but I left home a bit late, so my mother went ahead without me.” Zhou Jingwan leaned towards Daohua, “Today, we need to have a good time. I’ve wanted to ride on a riverboat for a long time.”

Daohua: “What? Doesn’t your family have a riverboat that you could use more often?”

Zhou Jingwan pursed her lips: “Unless my mother accompanies me, when do I have the chance to ride it? I’m not my brother, who can often invite friends to enjoy the boat and appreciate the scenery.”

Daohua nodded, understanding. In ancient times, young ladies were not permitted to go out at will, especially those from large households with stricter rules.

“In the future, I’ll send you an invitation, and we can go play at my villa.”

Zhou Jingwan nodded repeatedly: “You can’t forget it.” She was restless and hated being cooped up at home all the time.

Noticing that Yan Yihuan was sitting to the side, unable to join the conversation, Daohua quickly included her: “This is my second sister. Do you remember her?”

Zhou Jingwan glanced at Yan Yihuan and greeted her with a smile: “Hello, Yan Family’s second sister.”

Yan Yihuan promptly replied: “Hello, Zhou Family sister.”

Zhou Jingwan smiled and quickly whispered into Daohua’s ear, chuckling: “I still remember that your family has a sister who loves to cry. Did you not bring her along?”

Daohua rolled her eyes at Zhou Jingwan: “What little girl doesn’t cry? Have you never?”

Next to them, Yan Yihuan’s cheeks turned slightly red. She knew that the young lady from the Zhou Family was referring to Yi Shuang and was also surprised that her older sister would defend Yi Shuang in front of others.

She could see clearly that ever since her older sister returned to the estate, Yi Shuang had been openly and covertly competing with her for attention and favor, and Aunt Lin often used her older sister as a pretext to cause trouble.

By rights, her older sister should dislike Yi Shuang, shouldn’t she?

In contrast to Yan Yihuan’s confusion, Madam Li looked at her daughter with approval.

Family conflict should stay internal. It doesn’t matter how lively fights are at home; don’t reveal them in front of outsiders—don’t give them extra fodder for amusement.

In the midst of the conversation, it was the Yan Family’s turn to board the ship.

Madam Li alighted from the carriage first, followed by the three girls.

The women from various families who were already on board and those still waiting to get on all glanced over when they saw Zhou Jingwan emerge from the Yan Family’s carriage.

Madam Tongzhi from the Qian Family, being close by, immediately pulled Qian Bilan over.

After exchanging pleasantries, Madam Qian pushed Bi Lan towards Daohua: “You girl, you’re always talking about Miss Yan at home. Now that you’ve finally met her, you should get to know each other better.”

Qian Bilan smiled shyly at Daohua and then glanced at Zhou Jingwan, standing next to her.

“All right, let the young ladies spend time together while we adults head over there; many madams are already gathered.” Madam Qian smiled and glanced towards Madam Zhou.

Madam Li nodded and, looking at Daohua and Yan Yihuan, admonished, “Take good care of your sister.”

Daohua nodded, indicating that she would take good care of Yan Yihuan.

As hosts of the gathering, the Zhou Family was the center of attention, and Zhou Jingwan quickly became popular among the young ladies.

Daohua, with Yan Yihuan who was a bit nervous, followed behind, showing a fittingly gracious smile and acknowledging all the young ladies one by one.

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Don’t think that just because these girls are young and naive, they do not understand the hierarchy and social circles.

Especially the girls raised by aristocratic families are well-versed in etiquette from a young age, grasping exactly what level of face to maintain with what kind of people.

The guests invited by the Zhou Family this time included many from the aristocratic families of Xingzhou; these families either have members holding office in the capital or important positions within the provincial government.

Among them, the Yan Family hardly stood out.

While being courteous to Daohua and Yan Yihuan, the girls quickly moved on to engage in conversation with other young ladies.

Even Qian Bilan, who had been sent over by Madam Qian, swiftly left upon seeing some familiar girls.

“Let’s go sit on the deck.”

After the social niceties, Daohua, not interested in pleasing a group of young girls, led Yan Yihuan away from the crowd.

Yan Yihuan seemed hesitant to speak.

Daohua smiled and asked, “What do you want to say?”

Yan Yihuan: “Big sister, is it alright for us to just leave like this?”

Daohua smiled and, as they walked, said, “Second sister, when interacting with others, comfort and ease are what matter. Were you comfortable amidst those young ladies pushing and pulling?”

Yan Yihuan shook her head.

Daohua: “Well, there you have it.”

At this point, the two had left the cabin and arrived on the deck.

A gentle breeze greeted them, instantly lifting Daohua’s spirits.

Sitting with those chattering girls could not compare to the comfort of feeling the breeze and admiring the majestic Dayuan River.

On the other hand, Madam Li’s reception was not much better than that of Daohua. After the initial introductions led by Madam Qian to the other madams, the group subtly overlooked her presence.

Madam Zhou was quite friendly and jovial with Madam Li, but given the large number of people around her, there were inevitably some oversights.

Nearby, Madam Wang of the Consultant and Madam Qian sat together, laughing and talking.

Seeing Madam Li sitting alone, Madam Qian stood up to invite her over but was quickly pulled back by Madam Wang.

“Sister Qian, no offense, but even if Magistrate Yan is the superior of our husbands, we needn’t go out of our way to ingratiate ourselves with his merchant-born wife. It’s an unnecessary lowering of our own status.”

Madam Qian glanced at Madam Wang and, not particularly pleased herself, sat back down. After a pause, she still asked in a low voice, “Does your family know about the Yan brothers’ situation at Wangyue Academy?”

Mentioning Wangyue Academy irritated Madam Wang, as her family had used Consultant Du’s connections but still failed to get their eldest son enrolled in the Academy.

“Without anyone from our family studying there, how could we know what’s happening inside? Why, have you heard something?”

Madam Qian awkwardly shook her head: “My family’s news is even more out of date than yours.”

After hearing this, Madam Wang did not inquire further.

Indeed, though none of the Qian and Wang families were from the original aristocracy of Zhongzhou, the Wang Family, thanks to the connection with Consultant Du, and the Qian Family, due to their prolonged stay and wider acquaintance in Xingzhou, were slightly better placed than the Yan Family.

As for gathering information, they could only grasp the superficial details.

Madam Qian looked again at Madam Li, contemplating whether the news from her husband was true? Had the Yan brothers indeed become companions to the Little Prince?

Her thoughts turning, Madam Qian glanced at Madam Zhou once more.

This time, she clearly felt that Madam Zhou’s warmth towards Madam Li had increased significantly. The Zhou family’s eldest son was studying at the Academy, and must have received some news.

Alas…

Madam Qian looked at Madam Li reproachfully; though the latter came from a mercantile background, she was incredibly tight-lipped, whether about their family’s relationship with the Little Prince or the Yan brothers’ situation at the Academy, not a single detail had been divulged.

This left Madam Qian uncertain of how to treat her.