Chapter 675: Chapter 606, Accident_1 Chapter 675: Chapter 606, Accident_1 On the twentieth day of May, Mrs. Li rose early to get busy. Although this year the master was only celebrating his birthday quietly and the family had not planned a grand celebration, they had invited a few close families. Still, all the necessary arrangements had to be made to maintain proper etiquette.

At the beginning of the time around 9:00 AM, a maid came to report that Mrs. Zhu and the others had arrived. Upon hearing this, Mrs. Li hurriedly put down her work and sent someone to call for Mrs. Sun, and then the sisters-in-law went together to welcome the guests.

Seeing Mrs. Li and Mrs. Sun coming out in person to greet her warmed Mrs. Zhu’s heart. Although Mrs. Yan’s facial expression was not particularly welcoming, she believed that her daughter’s excellence would surely win her mother-in-law’s favor after marriage. Therefore, regardless of Mrs. Sun’s attitude, she tried her best to ingratiate herself with her.

Mrs. Zhu was adept at social interactions and, through continuous appeasement and choosing topics of interest to Mrs. Sun, gradually improved the latter’s mood.

Meanwhile, Daohua escorted Yan Yihuan and Yan Yile to greet Zhu Qiyun.

When Yan Yihuan realized that Zhu Qiyun might very well become her future sister-in-law, she showed her full respect. Upon arrival, she warmly took Zhu Qiyun’s arm, laughing and leading her inside.

Yan Yile shared some of Mrs. Sun’s concerns about Zhu Qiyun having been previously betrothed, but since her older brother was willing and everyone in the family agreed, she did not give Zhu Qiyun the cold shoulder. While not as enthusiastic as Yan Yihuan, she was still passably cordial.

For Zhu Qiyun, this was wholly satisfying. She knew her reputation was tarnished and did not dare expect immediate affection from the Yan family. Being given the chance to be understood was enough for her.

As for Zhu Xiuyun, who had come along, Daohua merely fulfilled the host’s duty with a brief acknowledgment.

Yan Yihuan and Yan Yile’s attention was focused on their prospective sister-in-law and paid little heed to her, which left Zhu Xiuyun feeling slightly snubbed.

On the way there, Zhu Xiuyun couldn’t help but ask, “Why haven’t I seen Yishuang? Doesn’t she know I’m coming? Why hasn’t she come out to greet me?”

Hearing this, Daohua gave her a glance and then continued talking with Zhu Qiyun.

Considering the friendship from their school days, Yan Yihuan didn’t want Zhu Xiuyun to feel too embarrassed and explained with a smile, “She might be held up by something.”

Yan Yile looked at Zhu Xiuyun with an indescribable shake of her head, thinking that Zhu Xiuyun was still as thoughtless as when she was a child. Who did she think she was? Yishuang was the most calculating of the sisters; although a concubine’s daughter, she was still the daughter of a Magistrate. Why would she deign to fetch a daughter of a tutor with no significant social standing?

Soon, the group reached the old lady’s quarters.

By that time, many ladies were already seated inside. Mrs. Li first led Mrs. Zhu and Madam Zhu to pay respects to the old lady, then introduced the others to them.

When it was Zhu Qiyun and Zhu Xiuyun’s turn to greet the old lady, Old Lady Yan smilingly took Zhu Qiyun’s hand. She had not looked closely at the girl during her last visit. Now, seeing her again, she grew more and more fond of her and smilingly handed her a mutton-fat jade that she had prepared in advance.

Zhu Qiyun was uncertain whether to accept such a valuable gift from the old lady and looked at Mrs. Zhu at a loss.

Mrs. Zhu’s heart blossomed with joy as Old Lady Yan’s gesture was a welcome gift for a future granddaughter-in-law. However, she modestly said, “Old Lady Yan is too kind. Such a fine thing should be reserved for the young ladies of your household.”

Old Lady Yan laughed and said, “Yiyi and the others have their own gifts. This is what the old woman has saved for our girl Qiyun.”

Seeing that the old lady had given Zhu Qiyun and Su Shiyu the same gifts, Mrs. Sun felt satisfied and immediately smiled at Zhu Qiyun, “If the old lady gives it to you, you should accept it.”

With her future mother-in-law giving her consent, Zhu Qiyun no longer refused and sincerely thanked Old Lady Yan before taking the mutton-fat jade with both hands.

Old Lady Yan nodded with satisfaction, “She’s a fine child indeed.”

The other ladies present understood that the Yan family had taken a liking to Miss Zhu and followed with a few words of praise.

While everyone was chatting and laughing, Madam Zhu felt somewhat displeased. Xiuyun had arrived with Qiyun and, although it was reasonable for the Yan family to give a more precious welcome gift to Qiyun, Old Lady Yan had only given Xiuyun a pair of ordinary pearl earrings. The disparity was too great and made her uncomfortable.

“Isn’t this a clear sign that she looks down on my daughter?”

Madam Zhu the Fourth glanced at Madam Zhu’s expression, worried that she might ruin the marriage prospects of her daughter that they had finally obtained, so she had to split her attention between monitoring her and chatting with the other madams.

After Daohua and Zhu Xiuyun and Zhu Qiyun had paid their respects to the elders, they took them to the flower hall to find other young ladies.

Yan Yishuang was at the moment attending to the girls from various families.

When Zhu Qiyun saw Yan Yishuang, she immediately walked over and affectionately took her hand, “Yishuang, why didn’t you come to meet me?”

The smile on Yan Yishuang’s face stiffened slightly, and without drawing any attention, she withdrew her hand and introduced Zhu Qiyun and Zhu Xiuyun to the maidens present, deftly changing the subject.

Daohua didn’t pay attention to these interactions and after sitting for a short while, noticing that the visiting girls were well attended by Yan Yihuan and Yan Yishuang, she went off to take care of other matters.

Around noon, Daohua came to inform Madam Li that the meal had been arranged, and Madam Li led the female guests into the dining area with a smile. Just as Daohua was about to sit down, she saw Wang Manman walking over with a somewhat panicked expression.

Wang Manman leaned in close and whispered to Daohua, “Miss, something terrible has happened. Deshou just came over and said that the Little Prince, along with the third and fourth masters, have been injured. He said you should go and see them.”

Daohua’s heart tightened. Seeing that many people were looking their way, she maintained an air of nonchalance and nodded with a faint smile, “I understand. You can go back first.”

Wang Manman glanced at her own mistress, knew that this wasn’t the place to talk further, and left with a curtsy.

Daohua invited the maidens at her table to eat, “I’m not sure if the food matches everyone’s taste. Please forgive me if there’s any lack of hospitality.”

“Miss Yan is too modest. Your family’s food is the most delicious I’ve ever had.”

“Exactly, the food at other banquets may be exquisite, but they don’t taste as good. I love attending your family’s banquets the most, I can eat an extra bowl or two.”

Daohua responded with a smile, “If everyone enjoys it, then please have some more.” With that, she signaled to Yan Yishuang to attend to the guests.

Yan Yishuang, noticing that Daohua had something to handle, took over the duties of greeting the guests with a smile.

After a while, seeing that everyone seemed to be enjoying the meal, Daohua quietly excused herself from the table, and as soon as she stepped out, she saw Yan Wenxiu and asked in surprise, “Elder brother, why are you in the back courtyard?”

Yan Wenxiu, without beating around the bush, asked: “Qin Thirteen just saw Deshou at the gatehouse, looking very rushed. Has something happened to the Little Prince?”

Since passing the imperial examinations, he’d been working with Master Xiao and was almost kept in the loop about affairs in the front courtyard, which was why he was so well informed.

Seeing that Yan Wenxiu was already aware, Daohua no longer hesitated and spoke in a worried tone, “Xiao Yeyang and the third and fourth brothers have been injured; they’ve asked me to go and see them.”

Yan Wenxiu frowned, “Is it serious?”

Daohua shook her head, “I don’t know, but if it were minor, they definitely wouldn’t have informed me.”

Yan Wenxiu hurriedly said, “Then you should go and have a look. If grandmother and mother ask about you, I’ll cover for you.”

Daohua’s expression relaxed, “Thanks, elder brother. I was just wondering how to tell mother.”

Yan Wenxiu: “We are siblings, there’s no need for such formality. Go on then, remember to bring a servant with you, and if anything happens, come straight back to inform me.”

Daohua nodded, then swiftly left.