On the fourteenth of August, Yan Zhigao and Madam Li took Yan Wenxiu and his wife along with Daohua to the provincial capital and stayed at the Li Family home. On the fifteenth, they visited the Yuan Family, neither too early nor too late.
Upon arrival at the Yuan Family, Madam Yuan was quite enthusiastic, taking the initiative to chat with Madam Li and the other ladies.
This was Han Xinran’s first visit outside since marrying into the Yan Family; after Madam Li introduced her to everyone, Daohua accompanied her throughout the event to meet the wives and daughters of other officials.
Daohua was already acquainted with the female members of the officials’ families in the provincial capital, and after making the rounds with Han Xinran, she had pretty much met everyone.
"Sister Su."
Daohua brought Han Xinran over to the Su family’s ladies and whispered in her ear, "Sister Su and my fourth brother are already betrothed."
Upon hearing this, Han Xinran immediately smiled warmly at Su Shiyu, extending her goodwill, "Miss Su."
Su Shiyu also returned the gesture affectionately, "Madam Yan."
Both took the opportunity to size each other up discreetly, and, seeing that the other was amiable, each breathed a sigh of relief.
Afterward, the three found a pavilion to sit in, where Daohua and Su Shiyu introduced Han Xinran to the family connections of those attending the banquet.
While the three were deeply engrossed in their conversation, Yuan Zhilei approached with a few girls, "Miss Su, Madam Yan, Miss Yan, what are you chatting about that seems so joyous?"
Daohua laughed, "We were just saying how delicious the tea snacks and mooncakes prepared by your family are today."
Yuan Zhilei smiled broadly, "Really? If you all like them, then I’m very pleased." Saying so, she and the other girls took seats in the pavilion.
After chatting for a while, Yuan Zhilei’s gaze lingered on the yellow jade sunflower hairpin worn by Daohua, and she couldn’t help but take a few extra looks before commenting with a smile, "Miss Yan, the hairpin you’re wearing is quite unique."
Daohua smiled, "Thank you."
The daughter of the Chief Secretary glanced at it and said with a light smile, "I think it’s fine. Although yellow jade is rare, if one really sets out to find it, it can still be found."
Yuan Zhilei chuckled, "I find it unique not because of the yellow jade, but because of the carved flower design."
With that remark, everyone’s attention was drawn to Daohua’s hair.
Yuan Zhilei continued to explain, "We rarely see sunflowers on the jewelry we wear, and today when I saw Miss Yan wearing it, I found it quite attractive."
As she spoke, she looked toward Daohua.
"Miss Yan, what made you think to have your hairpin carved into the shape of a sunflower?"
Daohua smiled faintly, "No special reason, I just like it."
Yuan Zhilei smiled, "Sunflowers were not very common in the past. I only know about it because there is a Sunflower Villa by Tangyu Mountain. Last June, I was fortunate enough to see the sunflowers in full bloom on the mountain, and the magnificent view is still vivid in my memory."
At this point, Han Xinran joined the conversation, "I also know that villa. We usually see things like plum or peach groves, but a sea of sunflowers is quite rare to behold."
Yuan Zhilei nodded in agreement, "Right? I’ve also heard that Sunflower Villa is associated with a beautiful legend."
"What legend?"
Seeing everyone looking at her eagerly, wanting to hear the story, Yuan Zhilei smiled, and without keeping everyone in suspense, she said, "The legend is that the sunflowers on the mountain were planted by a handsome young man for the woman he loved, just to win a smile from the beauty."
"Really?"
Many of the young ladies showed a look of longing.
Listening, Daohua couldn’t help but curl her lips slightly.
Upon seeing Daohua smiling, Yuan Zhilei asked, "Miss Yan, why do you smile?"
Daohua composed herself and said solemnly, "I just think the young man in the legend is quite romantic."
Su Shiyu glanced at Daohua, remembering that Yiyi had once given an entire sea of sunflowers to the Little Prince.
Was she praising herself?
Yuan Zhilei said, "Indeed, it’s romantic. However, some say that it was an old master who planted them to win over his lady’s heart. In any case, the rumors about Sunflower Villa have never ceased, and it’s hard to tell which are true and which are false."
"Many are curious about the owner of the villa, wanting to get a close view of the beautiful scenery. Unfortunately, like the neighboring Four Seasons Manor, the Sunflower Villa is mysterious, making it impossible to uncover the identity of the owner behind it."
Hearing this, Daohua raised an eyebrow and tentatively asked, "Are the two villas very famous?"
Yuan Zhilei nodded with a smile, "Of course, Sunflower Villa is quite well-known among those who enjoy flower viewing, but Four Seasons Manor has a much larger reputation."
Turing to Han Xinran, she asked,
"Does Madam Yan ever taste the fruits and vegetables produced by Four Seasons Manor?"
Yuan Zhilei and Han Xinran nodded in unison. fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm
Seeing the green jade dragon seal fall from Advisor Jiang’s embrace, the faces of all present changed drastically, and the eyelids of the Provincial Governor Yuan twitched violently.
The green jade dragon seal was a token of the Eight Princes Party, and it had just fallen out of Advisor Jiang’s possession. What did this imply?
The advisors of the Yuan Family frowned deeply and, after a moment’s thought, quickly said to the Provincial Governor, "Milord, you must give the order to arrest him immediately, or else our Yuan Family might get dragged into the conspiracies of the Eight Princes Party."
Provincial Governor Yuan hesitated, "But the Jiang Family..."
The advisor swiftly said, "Milord is simply following the rules. How to punish Advisor Jiang is for the Emperor to decide."
Provincial Governor Yuan glared angrily at Advisor Jiang. Even if the man wished to get involved with the Eight Princes, there was no need to let him know. He had managed to cover up the previous assassin incident tied to Advisor Jiang to avoid conflict with the Jiang Family, but today...
With almost all the officials of the Zhongzhou Provincial Capital present, even if he wanted to hide it, he couldn’t!
Provincial Governor Yuan gritted his teeth and commanded, "Guards, arrest Advisor Jiang for me."
Advisor Jiang, stunned by the green jade dragon seal incident, retorted angrily upon hearing this, "You dare!"
Provincial Governor Yuan coldly said, "This official is merely carrying out his duty. You carry a token of the Eight Princes, and I have no choice but to send you to Beijing to be dealt with by the Emperor." With that, he gestured with a wave of his hand.
Shortly after, more than ten sword-bearing guards rushed toward Advisor Jiang.
Advisor Jiang, seeing Provincial Governor Yuan was serious about arresting him, turned livid with rage, "Yuan Xingsi, are you blind? Can’t you see I’ve been framed?"
Provincial Governor Yuan replied, "I want to believe you, but you should explain this to the Emperor."
The Emperor had always despised the Eight Princes over the years. Anyone implicated with the Eight Princes Party was bound to be held accountable in the future, and he did not want the Yuan Family to be implicated.
By the time the news from the front courtyard reached the back courtyard, Advisor Jiang had already been thrown into the dungeon.
Witnessing Madam Jiang and her daughters leave in a frantic state, Daohua calmly sipped her silver fungus soup.
The Jiang Family had their sights on the Yan Family. The military grain incident hadn’t implicated the Yan Family, but surely, they would find another opportunity, and their methods would be even more drastic.
She couldn’t guarantee that there would always be a way to resolve these issues, so it was best to strike first and bring down Advisor Jiang.
According to the information she obtained from Xiao Yeyang and her master, the Emperor had no fondness for the Jiang Family. She believed the Emperor would make good use of the opportunity she had created.
Daohua’s gaze then turned to Madam Yuan and her daughters, who also appeared panicked.
She wasn’t certain of the actual relationship between the Yuan and Jiang families, but since they had joined forces against the Yan Family last time, this time, she would let them face each other. Keeping them busy would prevent them from always targeting the Yan Family.
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