Chapter 1060: Chapter 1036: Honor Amidst the Chaos 104
Early in the morning, Yuan Wei and his group rushed to the Xiao Family to find Xiao Yuan.
When they arrived, they saw Xiao Yuan with injuries on his face, covered by a fan, but it was clear his facial wounds were scratch marks.
These people felt a sudden shock in their hearts, knowing for sure that the Third Madam was angry.
"Third Young Master."
Yuan Wei cupped his hands in greeting: "About yesterdayâs incident."
Dong Da arrived at that moment and said as he entered: "Letâs forget about yesterdayâs incident. Everyone was drunk and speaking nonsense, it canât be counted."
Xiao Yuanâs expression was very poor, his face was gloomy: "Counted, why not counted? What I say counts. Iâm not afraid of the women at home like you are. Whatever I say at home goes, and if she dares to say a single word of protest, Iâll make it so she doesnât know which way is north."
Oh, Third Young Master.
Yuan Wei and the others thought to themselves that if you werenât saying this with your face covered in bruises, there might be some who believed you, but with those marks all over your face, if you stubbornly say such words, arenât you just showing others that youâre all talk?
"About the Third Madam?"
Li Chenshu quietly asked.
Xiao Yuan slapped the table: "The marriage of the children is not something for a woman to meddle in."
Seeing how things had escalated, Dong Da felt even more guilty inside.
He felt it was all his fault.
If it hadnât been for his depression and venting complaints, this matter wouldnât have arisen.
He also felt sorry for Xiao Hui.
As he was thinking this, he heard the guard outside shout, "Third Madam."
This startled the men, causing them to all stand up in a row.
Anning came in carrying some fruit and snacks.
Behind her were a few young maids, bringing in food.
Anning entered the room smiling: "All of you are here, hurry and sit down. I thought you might not have eaten since you came over so early, so I asked the kitchen to prepare some food. Sit down quickly and have some while itâs hot."
The men all sat down.
Anning instructed the maids to present the dishes properly and asked Dong Da with concern: "How is General Dongâs health? Are you well now? I was so busy lately that I couldnât visit, truly..."
Dong Da hurriedly stood and cupped his hands: "Youâve praised me too much. When I was ill, several girls from the residence came to visit and gave kind advice, allowing me to recover."
Anning nodded: "Quickly sit down, all of you, donât be so formal with me."
Turning to Dong Da, she sighed again: "General Dong, after lunch take a stroll in the backyard. There are several pots of flowers blooming beautifully by the greenhouse, go take a look at the spectacle."
Dong Da promptly agreed.
Only then did Anning leave with a smile.
However, everyone inside felt Anningâs smile wasnât genuine, suspecting her heart must be seething.
Before outsiders, she couldnât argue with the Third Young Master, otherwise, he wouldâve been made to kneel on the washboard.
Yuan Wei and the others sincerely pitied Xiao Yuan once more.
Dong Da muddled through the meal and really went to the backyard.
Having visited the Xiao Family often before, he knew where the greenhouse was, so he strolled over and entered it, feeling a wave of warmth.
Then, Dong Da saw Xiao Hui pruning the flower branches.
Upon seeing Xiao Hui, Dong Da truly didnât know where to put his hands and feet.
Previously, he was at ease facing Xiao Hui, but now he felt especially awkward.
He felt guilty, scared, and nervous, his palms perspiring heavily.
Xiao Hui stood up, holding some flowers, and smiled upon seeing Dong Da: "General Dong is here."
Dong Da sighed: "Hello, young lady. If Iâm interrupting you, Iâll leave immediately."
Xiao Hui smiled and gestured to Dong Da: "General Dong, come and sit."
Dong Da walked over to sit beside Xiao Hui, somewhat clumsily. Xiao Hui poured a cup of tea and handed it over: "This is tea I roasted myself this spring, please try it."
Dong Da took a sip, unable to discern the flavor, but exclaimed loudly: "Delicious."
Xiao Hui pursed her lips and smiled faintly.
Only then did Dong Da notice Xiao Hui carefully.
In his memory, Xiao Hui was still a child, small and thin, what she looked like hadnât really captured his attention.
But now it was different, Xiao Hui could potentially become his spouse, he had to take a closer look.
After this look, Dong Da was stunned.
When did the small, thin child grow into a graceful and elegant young woman, beautiful and dignified, grown... truly unbelievably beautiful?
The fifteen-year-old girl is in her youthful prime, and Xiao Hui has been eating well these past years, supplemented with various Qi-enhancing medicines provided by Xiao Yuan, so naturally, sheâs not short. She learned medicine herself, pays particular attention to maintenance, and her figure is particularly well-kept, her skin condition also impeccable.
Sitting in the conservatory, under the sunlight, Xiao Huiâs face seemed to glow white, her skin as smooth as a peeled egg, with no pores visible.
Her face was smiling, her lips slightly curved, her smile making one feel like basking in the spring breeze.
Dong Da quickly took another sip of tea, lowered his head, took a heavy breath, trying to calm his quickening heartbeat.
However, after just a moment, he felt his face burning uncomfortably.
He knew his face was probably flushed.
Back when Dong Da married Ms. Chen, he never experienced this.
He couldnât quite describe his feelings for Ms. Chen, mostly it was responsibility.
At that time, he saved Ms. Chen, and Ms. Chen spoke of repaying the favor with her life; he thought Ms. Chen was pretty good-looking, plus he needed a wife, so they married.
Afterward, Ms. Chen was indifferent to him, not showing much care, but he didnât mind.
He thought this was what marriage was, as long as there were no fights or chaos, if they treated each other politely, then they could go on like this.
Later when they had a child, Dong Da focused all his thoughts on the child, for Ms. Chen, it was mostly responsibility; knowing she was his wife, he had to be good to her, ensure she lived well, as for other feelings, Dong Da wasnât quite sure.
After Ms. Chen and the child disappeared, Dong Da was heartbroken.
However, his main concern was for the child. Ms. Chen... how to put it, after so many years of marriage, even raising a cat or dog, thereâd be affection; to say there was none isnât accurate either, but that kind of affection should be more akin to familial love.
Now looking at Xiao Hui, Dong Da didnât know why, but he felt this girl was truly beautiful, very agreeable in every way. Looking at her, he felt full of energy, ready to do whatever needed.
Before, Dong Da wanted to discuss yesterdayâs events with Xiao Hui, wanted to ask her opinion. If she wasnât willing, then heâd speak with the Third Young Master nicely, he couldnât sabotage a girlâs prospects.
But now he couldnât voice such words, he wasnât willing to refuse anymore, he wanted to marry this girl, no matter if others found it unsuitable.
Dong Da thought perhaps the heavens saw his suffering and gave him such a good situation unexpectedly, such a darling girl for a wife.
Otherwise, why did it happen that the Third Young Master got drunk yesterday, said such words, others followed along, and the marriage was settled just like that?
"Miss, I..."
Dong Da stuttered in his nervousness: "Do you know about yesterdayâs incident?"
Xiao Hui nodded: "I know. Last night mother and father had a fight, I heard Sister Chun Xing say it, mother doesnât have an opinion against General Dong, she just thinks father made a hasty promise while drunk. Yesterday he promised me away, what if tomorrow he makes another hasty promise, it wouldnât be good for anyone."
Dong Da sighed in relief: "What does the young lady think?"
Xiao Hui sighed softly: "General Dong, I told mother before, my marriage is up to my parents, I have no opinion on it, and besides... I trust General Dongâs character and temperament."
After saying this, Xiao Hui tossed the flowers in her hand onto the table, blushing as she left.
Dong Da watched Xiao Huiâs graceful silhouette as she left, chuckling foolishly.
When he left the greenhouse and returned to the study to see Xiao Yuan, he had a flower tucked by his temple.