Chapter 661: Chapter 595, Seeking a Marriage Alliance_1 Chapter 661: Chapter 595, Seeking a Marriage Alliance_1 Back at the Yan Residence, Daohua followed Yan Wenkai and Su Shiyu to Songhe Courtyard to meet the senior family members and the visiting Madams Dong and Su, then returned to her own courtyard.

“Is Yuanyao not with me?”

Upon returning to the courtyard, Daohua immediately asked Guyu, who was directing the maids in cleaning.

Guyu replied with a smile, “She’s here. Miss Dong seemed a bit tired and is resting on your bed.”

Daohua nodded and quickly entered the room.

At this moment, Dong Yuanyao was lazily lying on Daohua’s bed, holding a storybook in her hand, but her mind was elsewhere, and the book was upside down.

Seeing this, Daohua chuckled as she approached to take the storybook out of her hand, “What are you so engrossed in thinking?”

Dong Yuanyao was startled at first, but upon seeing it was Daohua, she gave her a smirk and said, “Nothing.” As she spoke, she snatched the storybook back.

Daohua did not continue to wrestle with her for the book, instead reaching out to feel her forehead for temperature.

Dong Yuanyao laughed, “Bi Shi came back and prepared ginger soup for me as you instructed, and I drank a large bowl. I won’t catch a cold.”

Seeing that Dong Yuanyao had no fever, Daohua withdrew her hand, “You’ve been drenched today; you still need to be careful.” She then smiled and added, “You really should have joined us at the Glass Store today. Sister Su got several nice pieces of glazed glassware.”

Dong Yuanyao shook her head, “Yan Wenkai was picking out gifts for Shiyu, what place did I have there?”

Noticing Dong Yuanyao’s lack of enthusiasm, Daohua pulled over a pillow to lie down and after a moment of silence, she asked, “You weren’t frightened today, were you?”

Dong Yuanyao shook her head, “I was a bit scared at the time, but now that I think about it, it wasn’t so bad.” Lying down next to Daohua, she continued, “Yiyi, don’t you find it strange that every time I encounter Sun Changze, something unexpected happens?”

After recalling the few encounters between Dong Yuanyao and Sun Changze, Daohua replied with a laugh, “You didn’t mention it, and I hadn’t realized it, but now that you mention it, it really does seem so.”

Dong Yuanyao fell silent for a while before asking, “Yiyi, Sun Changze has saved me three times. Once or twice may be a coincidence, but what about three times? Do you think that means we have a kind of fate?”

Daohua pursed her lips and did not reply; she did not know how to answer.

If she said they did have a destiny, she feared Yuanyao would become even more infatuated with Sun Changze; to say they didn’t seemed a bit forced.

Dong Yuanyao continued, “Yiyi, I think I made a mistake before. I shouldn’t have spoken to you that way about you and the Little Prince.”

Daohua looked surprised and turned to her, “Hmm?”

Dong Yuanyao gazed at the canopy overhead, “Initially, when I saw the Little Prince so attentive to you, I advised you to keep your distance from him. Now that I reflect on it, I shouldn’t have. Matters of the heart often escape our control.”

Daohua silently observed Dong Yuanyao.

Was Yuanyao projecting her feelings onto others?

Had she become so concerned about Sun Changze?!

After a while, Daohua finally spoke, “I know you meant well for me.”

Dong Yuanyao suddenly turned to Daohua, “Are you worried about it? I can tell that you are also very concerned about the Little Prince now. But he will return to Beijing one day. Have you thought about what you’ll do then?”

Daohua fell silent for a long while, “My father’s achievements these past two years have been fairly good. I think it’s very possible that he might be posted to Beijing.”

The gold mine, the iron mine, and cracking the case of the Eighth Prince’s message trafficking–all had warranted her commendation. Xiao Yeyang had said that chances of the credit falling to her were slim, but it could benefit her father and brothers.

Dong Yuanyao, “…But even in Beijing, the gap in status between you and the Little Prince would still be vast. What if, for instance, the Empress Dowager or the Emperor decided to arrange a marriage for the Little Prince?”

Daohua pressed her lips together, her tone slightly tense, “That’s Xiao Yeyang’s matter to sort out himself.”

Dong Yuanyao was stunned for a moment, “Are you angry?”

Daohua shook her head, “I just think he’s too troublesome.”

Dong Yuanyao was silent for a moment, feeling like she’d let the Little Prince take an unfair blame, “There are two sides to everything. As a member of the Imperial Family, definitely there are more shackles to bear than others.”

With a sigh, she continued.

“Having too low a status isn’t good either.”

Daohua turned to look at her, “Are you talking about Sun Changze?”

Dong Yuanyao hesitated before confessing, “I quite like him.”

After contemplating, Daohua finally said, “Yuanyao, I also think Sun Changze isn’t bad. However, it might just be that we’re attracted to the qualities he displays that are different from those of other aristocratic officials’ offspring.”