Chapter 677: Chapter 608: We’re All Grown Up, It’s Time to Talk About Marriage_1 Chapter 677: Chapter 608: We’re All Grown Up, It’s Time to Talk About Marriage_1 Her hand was tightly held, and Daohua couldn’t move, so she could only sit beside the bed watching over Xiao Yeyang, periodically checking on him and Yan Wentao. Seeing that both of them were sleeping soundly, she let down her guard.

Midday in summer often brought drowsiness, and having been busy for the past couple of days with preparations for Madam Li’s affordable present for Daddy’s birthday, Daohua was also tired. Her tension eased, and before she knew it, she began to doze off.

A quarter-hour later, Xiao Yeyang’s eyes suddenly opened. Shortly thereafter, a shadow appeared outside the room.

Xiao Yeyang flipped over and sat up abruptly. Only then did he see Daohua, who had fallen asleep on the edge of the bed with their hands clasped. A hint of a smile crossed his eyes. He carefully released his hand without making a sound and got out of bed. Walking to the window, he asked in a hushed voice, “Have you caught the man?”

The Hidden Guard outside replied, “I have failed. The monk has escaped. However, he has been struck with the Master’s ‘Blood-seal Throat-lock’ poison and is certain to die.”

Xiao Yeyang frowned, “Keep looking; I want to see the body. Also, the secret letter he took must be retrieved.”

The monk was one of the Royal Uncle’s Eight Princes Party. The secret letter he had taken was meant to be reported to his Royal Highness, containing a list of supporters of the Eight Princes Party, which had been uncovered through the Su Family’s investigations.

Furthermore, the monk knew the identities of Wentao and Wenkai. If their identities as Jinling Guards were exposed, future covert investigations into the Eight Princes Party would become much more difficult.

The last point, also the most critical, was that if the Royal Uncle learned of Wentao and Wenkai’s involvement in the incident at Sishan Village, the Yan Family could very likely face retaliation from the Eight Princes Party. He would not allow any harm to come to Daohua.

The Hidden Guard received the order and quickly left.

Xiao Yeyang turned back to his bed and saw Daohua lying on the edge, in an uncomfortable position for sleep. So he bent down, intending to carry her to the bed.

As there were still silver needles in his chest, Xiao Yeyang’s movements were somewhat awkward. Just as he lifted Daohua to place her on the bed, she slowly opened her eyes.

Looking at Daohua’s groggy eyes, Xiao Yeyang softly asked, “Did I wake you?”

Daohua, just waking up, was still a bit dazed. At this moment, Xiao Yeyang maintained the position of lifting her onto the bed. When she realized this, her mind suddenly cleared, “What are you doing?”

Xiao Yeyang, continuing in the same position, placed her on the bed, “I saw you sleeping on the edge, and I wanted to move you to the bed to rest.”

Once placed on the bed, Daohua immediately tried to sit up, but Xiao Yeyang had not yet straightened up. Daohua got halfway up and noticed the silver needles in Xiao Yeyang’s chest. To avoid touching them, she had to pause.

Seeing Xiao Yeyang still bent over her with a smile, Daohua turned her head away without meeting his eyes and said, “Move aside; this is very uncomfortable for me.”

Xiao Yeyang chuckled, then straightened up and sat down beside her after she sat up.

Daohua moved away, especially since he was still shirtless at the moment.

Xiao Yeyang smiled and shook his head.

Daohua took out a pocket watch and glanced at it before saying to Xiao Yeyang, “The time for the acupuncture is about up. You lie down, and I will remove the silver needles for you.”

Xiao Yeyang nodded and obediently lay down, his gaze fixed on Daohua the whole time.

Daohua felt his gaze but pretended not to notice. She sat on the edge of the bed and began removing the needles. She pressed down on Xiao Yeyang’s skin with one hand while gently twisting the needle with the other, then slowly pulled the needle out.

Lying on the bed, Xiao Yeyang watched Daohua closely, every touch of her cool fingers making him feel a tingling in his heart.

Daohua was quick at removing the needles, and soon they were all taken out, “Done. You should get some more sleep; you haven’t slept much just now.”

As Daohua was about to get up, her hand was caught by Xiao Yeyang.

Daohua: “What’s the matter?”

Xiao Yeyang, holding Daohua’s hand, “Stay with me a little longer, will you?”

Daohua glared at him, “I have to go and remove some needles for Third Brother.” After saying that, she forcefully pulled her hand back, got up, and walked towards Yan Wentao, who was lying on the step.

Xiao Yeyang looked at his hand with a hint of regret. He then turned over, lying on his side, and propped his head to watch Daohua remove the needles from Yan Wentao, observing her increasingly graceful figure, suddenly he remarked, “Daohua, my birthday is coming up soon.”

Daohua, focused on removing the needles and not looking up, “Don’t worry, I remember. I’ll definitely make you a pig’s head cake for your birthday.”

Xiao Yeyang sighed, “Time flies so fast; I’m already seventeen.”

Daohua nodded, “Isn’t that the truth.”

Xiao Yeyang continued, “You’ll soon be fourteen, and in another year you’ll have your coming-of-age ceremony.”

Daohua nodded again, “Yeah.”

Xiao Yeyang glanced at Daohua, “At my age, if I were in Beijing, Uncle Emperor would probably have already arranged my marriage.”

Finally reacting, Daohua looked up at Xiao Yeyang, “What are you trying to say?”

Xiao Yeyang: “…We’re all grown up now; it’s time to talk about marriage.”

Daohua cast a glance at Xiao Yeyang, then withdrew her gaze to continue removing needles from Yan Wentao.

Seeing that she said nothing, Xiao Yeyang couldn’t help but sit up, “So…you have nothing to say?”

Daohua gave him a sideways look, “What do you want me to say? Can I stop the Emperor from arranging a marriage for you?”

Xiao Yeyang: “That’s not what I mean. What I’m saying is I’ve grown up. Scholars often compare girls to delicate flowers, right? Now I’m a big tree that can shelter delicate flowers.”

Daohua looked at him, “So, what?”

Xiao Yeyang, slightly embarrassed for once, turned over and pulled out a token from under his pillow, “I got rewarded for my last mission to the border; I’ve been promoted again.”

Looking at Xiao Yeyang’s confident and assertive gaze, Daohua smiled, “Well then, congratulations to you.”

Xiao Yeyang added, “Your two brothers have also been promoted. Considering their significant contributions, they are now high-ranking officials of fifth rank.”

Taking pride in their achievement, Daohua said, “My brothers are the best.”

Seeing her like this, Xiao Yeyang felt somewhat displeased, and said sourly, “When I got promoted, you didn’t smile as much as you are now.”

Daohua glanced at him, “Of course, naturally the two brothers are closer.”

Hearing this, Xiao Yeyang couldn’t sit still anymore and sat straight up, “What do you mean, your two brothers are closer to you than I am in your heart?”

Daohua, seeing Xiao Yeyang looking straight at her, was silent for a moment, “It’s different, Third Brother and Fourth Brother are the closeness of family. And you… ”
Xiao Yeyang quickly asked, “What about me?”

Daohua: “…you are the closeness of friends.”

Xiao Yeyang was speechless, “In your heart, am I just a friend?”