Chapter 645: Chapter 581, Heartstring Fluctuations_1 Chapter 645: Chapter 581, Heartstring Fluctuations_1 The Prince came out of the Imperial Palace and took a detour to Chang’an Street. Seeing that the Four Seasons Seed Store was still crowded, a thoughtful expression appeared on his face. After a while, he suddenly slapped his forehead, “Ah, this prince knows why the fruits and vegetables from the Four Seasons Fruits and Vegetables Shop are always in short supply.”

Shunzi hurriedly asked, “Master, why is that?”

The Prince revealed a look of realization on his face, “I ask you, do you want to eat the fruits and vegetables sold at the Four Seasons Fruits and Vegetables Shop?”

Shunzi promptly nodded, “Yes, ever since the Four Seasons Fruits and Vegetables Shop started selling watermelons, they would cut a watermelon every morning for everyone to taste for free. I was fortunate enough to have a piece, and even thinking about the taste now makes my mouth water.”

The Prince continued, “But what if you can’t buy their fruits and vegetables because there’s only so much available each day? What would you do then?”

Without thinking, Shunzi said, “Wait, and then come early the next day to line up and buy.”

The Prince gave Shunzi a look of disappointment, “Even if you come early, only a few will be able to buy any.” He said while turning his gaze towards Four Seasons Seed Store.

“If you can’t buy the ready-grown, you can settle for the next best thing by buying some seeds to grow yourself. No wonder such good seeds are priced so low; my imperial brother is indirectly guiding everyone to buy seeds!”

After saying this, he showed a look of admiration, “The emperor truly has the people’s interests at heart!”

Unable to help himself, Shunzi asked, “If the emperor wants to promote seeds so as not to directly issue a decree, wouldn’t this be faster?”

The Prince choked and paused, realizing, yes, issuing a decree would be faster. Why go through all this trouble?

“…Perhaps my imperial brother wants to experience the joy of running a shop? Or maybe he wants to see how people react?”

…

Ningmen Prefecture.

On the afternoon of the fourth day of May, Provincial Governor Dong and Madam Dong brought Dong Yuanxuan and Dong Yuanyao to the Yan Family, accompanied by the entire Su Family.

The arrival of the Su Family pleased Madam Li. Although the Su Family had shown a willingness to accept the match before, until the marriage was confirmed, Madam Li’s heart was not at ease.

This visit from the Su Family was a perfect opportunity to have the Master and Su Family Elder discuss the young son’s marriage.

Madam Li warmly led Madam Dong and the wife of Su Family Elder toward the grandmother’s courtyard.

Behind them, Daohua excitedly took Dong Yuanyao and Su Shiyu, “I really didn’t expect to spend the Dragon Boat Festival with you this year.”

Dong Yuanyao smiled, “It’s all thanks to my big brother that we could come. He strongly persuaded my parents to visit, saying that once we return to the capital, there will be fewer chances to visit Zhongzhou and we should take the opportunity to see more.”

Daohua agreed, “That makes sense.”

Su Shiyu glanced at Daohua’s foot and asked, “What happened to your foot?”

Daohua smiled, “A few days ago, I went to the mountains to gather herbs and accidentally sprained it.”

Dong Yuanyao quickly asked, “I hope it’s nothing serious?”

Daohua, “No, a few days of rest and it will be fine.”

Soon, everyone arrived at the Songhe Courtyard.

Old Madam Yan was all smiles interacting with Madam Dong and the wife of Su Family Elder. When the younger generation came forward to offer their greetings, she affectionately pulled Su Shiyu in for a conversation and even gave her a piece of exquisite warm jade.

Seeing this, Dong Yuanyao promptly pulled on Daohua’s sleeve, “Why is your grandmother so nice to Shiyu?”

Daohua glanced at the wife of Su Family Elder, who was smiling and prompting Shiyu to accept the warm jade. With a sense of reassurance, she whispered, “My fourth brother likes Sister Su.”

Dong Yuanyao’s eyes widened, and then with a look of realization, she said, “I was wondering why Yan Fourth Brother kept going over to Shiyu’s side. However…” She suddenly stopped mid-sentence.

Understanding her unfinished words, Daohua mentioned her fourth brother’s intention never to take a concubine due to the significant social status difference between the Yan Family and the Su Family.

After hearing this, Dong Yuanyao said enviously, “Yan Fourth Brother values Shiyu so much, she really is fortunate.”

Daohua smiled and took her hand, “You’ll meet a gentleman you fancy in the future too.”

Dong Yuanyao’s expression turned slightly bitter, “I fear I won’t have such luck.” She shook her head, “Forget it, let’s not talk about this. Let’s talk about something else. By the way, did the Jiang Family and Guo Family cause any trouble when they were at Ningmen Prefecture?”

Daohua spoke lightly, “Each family held a banquet and had a bit of a covert competition, but other than that, it was quiet.”

Dong Yuanyao asked, “I heard you had a public confrontation with a nanny from the palace, is that true?”

Daohua nodded and briefly recounted the incident.

Dong Yuanyao looked at Daohua admiringly, “You’re quite bold. But you did the right thing. People like Nanny Jia love to bully others in the name of authority, and if you don’t stand up to her, she will bully you again. Just be careful, people from the palace are very cunning and malicious. Be careful she doesn’t trap you in some scheme.”

Daohua nodded, “Don’t worry, she won’t have the chance.”

Seeing Daohua’s confidence, Dong Yuanyao immediately thought of Xiao Yeyang. With the Little Prince being so concerned about Daohua, how could he allow others to bully her? He would surely personally teach that Nanny Jia a lesson.

Thinking about it, Dong Yuanyao couldn’t help but laugh and shake her head. She was really worrying too much. Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, she saw Su Shiyu being led by Madam Yan, answering with a shy face, and Dong Yuanyao felt a tinge of envy.

Now that she thought about it, Yan Wenkai seemed to have been protecting Shiyu since a very early time, and the Little Prince was the same, always openly showing special affection for Yiyi.

Being cherished and protected like that must be a very good feeling, shouldn’t it?

…

On the fifth day of May, because they were going to Ningmen Pass to watch the dragon boat races, Daohua and the others got up early. They set off for Ningmen Pass in a horse carriage early in the morning.

When the group arrived, the viewing deck for the dragon boat races was already filled with many people.

Yan Zhigao, the Provincial Governor Dong, and Mr. Su the Third, along with Yan Wenxiu, Dong Yuanxuan, and others went to the men’s section. Madam Li, together with Mrs. Dong and Mrs. Su the Third, led the girls to the women’s section.

Not long after they sat down, the Guo Family and the Jiang Family arrived one after another.

Everyone stood up to greet each other and exchanged pleasantries before sitting down again.

Dong Yuanyao glanced at Guo Xueming and whispered to Daohua and Su Shiyu, “This Guo Xueming knows how to conduct herself much better than Jiang Wanying.”

Daohua nodded without making any comments.

Unlike Jiang Wanying’s aloofness, Guo Xueming was warm and natural, yet proper and fitting in her behavior, and was very well-liked by the ladies. See, as soon as she arrived, she was surrounded by daughters from various families.

For someone who could take care of everyone in any situation, Dong Yuanyao admired her but did not wish to become too deeply involved with her.

Su Shiyu did not make any comments either, only smilingly asked, “I heard that the Little Prince hasn’t paid a visit to Madam Guo and Madam Jiang until now?”

Daohua nodded, “Perhaps he’s been busy.”

No sooner had she spoken than Dong Yuanyao and Su Shiyu exchanged a knowing glance. The Little Prince might indeed be busy, but they didn’t believe for a second that he was too busy to visit Madam Guo and Madam Jiang.

Speak of the devil, and he shall appear. Right after they finished speaking, Xiao Yeyang along with Yan Wentao and Yan Wenkai appeared at the bottom of the towers.

“Yeyang is here!”

Seeing Xiao Yeyang, Governor Guo was very happy, laughing as he pointed out the three figures below to Yan Zhigao.

The ladies heard the movement and all turned to look towards the entrance of the tower.

Guo Xueming couldn’t help peering in that direction as well.

Soon, the silhouettes of the three men appeared at the stairs.

Watching the handsome and majestic Xiao Yeyang, the bright and sunny Yan Wenkai, and the cool and reticent Yan Wentao ascend from below, the hearts of the ladies fluttered, and a few of the more bashful ones even blushed.

Dong Yuanyao nudged Daohua, “I feel like the Little Prince and your two brothers seem a bit different now.”

Daohua was perplexed, “Different in what way?”

Dong Yuanyao pondered for a moment, “They’ve shed their youthful airs, added a touch of resolve and restraint, becoming all the more eye-catching.”

Daohua looked carefully at the three men and the more she looked, the more they seemed to fit Dong Yuanyao’s description. After some thought, she smiled at Su Shiyu, “Sister Su, don’t you think my fourth brother has become even more dependable?”

Su Shiyu rolled her eyes at her but just chuckled without speaking.

Xiao Yeyang, Yan Wentao, and Yan Wenkai greeted the men’s section and then came to the women’s section.

“Yeyang pays his respects to the two madams.”

Seeing Xiao Yeyang greet both Madam Guo and Madam Jiang simultaneously, Daohua couldn’t help but laugh inwardly. He really was cunning; this way, he showed no bias to either side.

Though Madam Jiang wasn’t pleased with Xiao Yeyang for not visiting earlier, given the many onlookers, she couldn’t afford to lose face and merely smiled, asking him to rise.

Madam Guo’s smile was much more genuine. After all, her previous expectations of Xiao Yeyang had been very low, but now, seeing her nephew looking so commanding, she was truly surprised and delighted, enough to overlook everything else.

After paying respects to Madam Guo and Madam Jiang, Xiao Yeyang did not immediately leave but instead turned to Madam Li, Madam Dong, and Madam Su, and paid his respects to them too.

Once he finished, Madam Guo laughed and said, “Yeyang, come over and greet your cousin Xueming. It has been quite a few years since you two have seen each other.”

Guo Xueming stepped forward with an appropriately bright smile, “Greetings to you, cousin brother.”

Xiao Yeyang glanced at Guo Xueming then quickly averted his gaze, thinking that Daohua had exaggerated–while her cousin sister was undoubtedly graceful, she hardly fit the description of ravishing beauty. His vision was indeed lacking.

Catching Daohua looking over, Xiao Yeyang’s lips curled slightly, and he said to Madam Guo, “My uncle is waiting for me. I must be going now.”

After speaking, he turned and left.

Seeing this, the ladies all felt a slight sense of disappointment.