The Humble Family's Daughter Has A Spatial Pocket! novel Chapter 683

Chapter 683: Chapter 614, Empress Dowager’s Reward_1

After Xiao Yeyang left, Daohua stayed at Taohua Temple with Gu Jian and Granny Gu for two days before returning to the Yan Residence.

Once home, Daohua began preparing the medicinal ingredients needed for the Eight Meridian Pill, and by the time she had processed all the ingredients except for the Jingmiao Grass, more than half a month had passed.

In mid-June, Madam Jiang sent out invitations to the officials of Ningmen Prefecture, inviting the ladies of each family to admire lotuses at Jiang’s suburban residence on the twenty-first of June.

Upon seeing the invitation, Daohua’s entire being resisted, "It’s such hot weather for admiring lotuses, not to mention the hassle."

Madam Li took the invitation from her daughter’s hand and said indifferently, "Admiring the lotuses is secondary, I’ve heard that the twenty-first of June is Miss Jiang’s birthday."

Daohua was even less inclined to go after hearing this, "Jiang Wanying is having her birthday, and yet it’s us who are being inconvenienced."

Madam Li glanced at the blazing sun outside the window, herself not keen on going out in such weather. However, since the Jiang Family had already sent the invitations, they had no choice but to attend, "Alright, stop grumbling. It’s a good thing that Jiang’s suburban residence is not too far, just on the outskirts of the city."

On the twenty-first of June, Madam Li accompanied Daohua and Yan Yihuan to the Jiang Family’s suburban residence.

What was thought to be a small gathering turned out to be quite the event, with Daohua spotting many ladies from provincial officials’ families upon arrival.

Today, Jiang Wanying wore a red dress, looking very festive as she stood among the daughters of various households like the moon surrounded by stars.

Daohua glanced at her and then turned her attention to admiring the lotuses in the pond.

"These lotuses are really beautiful."

As Daohua sat alone in the Water Pavilion admiring the flowers, Guo Xueming suddenly approached.

Daohua turned her head to look at the smiling Guo Xueming, her eyebrows slightly raised.

Guo Xueming came in front of Daohua and smiled, "Why is Miss Yan sitting here alone?"

Daohua swayed her hand-held fan, "The weather is too hot, I don’t feel like moving."

Guo Xueming laughed, "I also dislike the heat. I hope Miss Yan doesn’t mind me sitting here."

Daohua chuckled, "This place isn’t mine. Miss Guo, feel free to sit."

Guo Xueming promptly sat down and started chatting idly with Daohua.

Seeing that Guo Xueming kept to topics like the weather and lotuses, Daohua humored her with a few responses.

Noting Daohua’s lukewarm attitude, Guo Xueming felt a stronger need to get to know this legitimate eldest daughter of the Yan Family better.

Even in Beijing, she was the center of attention at every banquet, sought after by all. Yet this eldest daughter of the Fourth Rank official’s Yan Family seemed indifferent, showing no interest in befriending either her or Jiang Wanying.

Is it true indifference, or is it feigned loftiness?

The two sat for a while until a maid from the Jiang Family came to say they could sit down for the meal. Daohua excused herself to look for her sister and parted ways with Guo Xueming.

As soon as Daohua left, Guo Xueming’s maid couldn’t help but ask, "Miss, why do you bother getting close to the Yan Family’s eldest daughter?"

With a light flick of her fan, Guo Xueming replied, "Firstly, the Yan Family has indeed helped my father; if I were to distance myself from her, wouldn’t it make the Guo Family seem ungrateful? Secondly, only by being in frequent contact can one truly understand another."

As she spoke, her expression paused.

Is Brother Yeyang’s closeness with the Yan Family really just because of the Yan brothers?

For some reason, she always felt that Brother Yeyang’s gaze towards Miss Yan was somewhat different from the others.

Compared to Jiang Wanying, who had a more distinguished family and status, she was more wary of this Yan Yiyi, who came from a family of a Fourth Rank official.

Maid: "Miss, I feel that there really is no need to waste your thoughts on the Yan Family’s eldest daughter. You should think of ways to get closer to the Little Prince instead."

Upon hearing this, Guo Xueming immediately glared at the maid, "Nonsense, look where we are. If others overhear this, what will become of my reputation?"

The maid immediately bowed her head in apology, "I was wrong."

Guo Xueming snorted, "I’ll punish you when we get back." Then, she fell silent for a moment, glancing at Daohua walking ahead, and said faintly:

"Since ancient times, marriage has been a matter of parental arrangement and matchmaker’s words. I need not please Brother Yeyang; my task is merely to not displease him, and to have him accept me is enough."

To please - that was the tactic of a concubine.

....

The banquet was set up in a pavilion next to the lotus pond, with the Madams seated on the first floor and the ladies on the second.