by N/A
Degenerate Father is a Good Father (5)
T/N: Chapter (1/2) sponsored by Rika! Thank you for sponsoring!
That night, Du Yun Han let the whole family gather for a meal. Perhaps because Du Yun Han was rather happy, he made an exception to let third yiniang as well as all the children in the house all go.
Du Xiao Li met for the first time the rumored number one beauty in the capital, Du Ke Xin. She was indeed very beautiful. Du Xiao Li believed that her own face was not bad either, but she was still a point inferior. However, this was probably because she was still just thirteen, and her face still hasn't matured yet.
Unfortunately, Du Ke Xin although looked beautiful, those eyes carelessly exposed her jealousy, discontent, and resentment, destroying that little face of hers. Just like an extremely beautiful ink painting totally ruined by an extra stroke of the brush towards the end.
"Xiao Li, this is your second older sister, Ke Xin." Du Yun Han pointed to Du Ke Xin and introduced her. "Ke Xin, this is your younger sister Xiao Li, that is Xiu Heng."
"Eldest brother, third sister." Du Ke Xin greeted the two with a smile, but that smile didn't reach the bottom of her eyes.
"Second sister." Du Xiao Li also smiled, while Du Xiu Heng only nodded towards Du Ke Xin.
"This is your fourth younger brother, Ke Hui." Du Yun Han pointed to the boy next to Du Ke Xin and said.
"Fourth brother." Du Xiao Li called out.
"Hmph, nothing more than bumpkins from the countryside, to actually also be able to eat together with us, really reducing one's status!" The two eyes on Du Ke Hui's slightly chubby, but fair like woman's face didn't conceal his disdain in the slightest.
'Bang!' Du Yun Han instantly slammed his chopsticks onto the table, his eyes angrily glaring at Du Ke Hui, "Say that one more time?!"
Du Ke Hui seemingly was very scared of Du Yun Han, and seeing him suddenly get angry, his body cowered. Afterwards, he shot a glare at Du Xiao Li and them, before silently lowering his head.
"Eldest brother, third sister, sorry. My younger brother is still small and isn't sensible. Please don't mind." Du Ke Xin smiled at the two of them and apologized.
Du Xiao Li glanced to Du Ke Xin and Du Ke Hui, declining to comment. If she really wanted to stop him, would she still let him finish these words? Moreover, she didn't regard them highly either, because after she finished saying this, without waiting for Du Xiao Li and them to speak, she immediately had her attention shifted away, saying to Du old madam, "Grandmother, I reserved a private room at Feng Xue Lou. Tomorrow, we'll be going out to eat lunch together with Miss Chen and them. Afterwards, we'll also gather together for a bit in the afternoon and won't be able to come back until nighttime."
"You actually managed to reserve a private room at Feng Xue Luo?" Fifth Yiniang said in shock, "That Feng Xue Luo, although has only been open for a few years, it currently has already rose to the rank of the most prestigious restaurant in the capital. Heard all the dishes there are all very unique, and also tastes super delicious. Every day there's an endless stream of people going there to eat, but they have a rule that every day each private room will only receive reservations for noon and evening, these two times. That's why, it's very difficult to reserve a private room."
"That's right. During the day, younger brother and I had waited in line for a very long time." Du Ke Xin proudly said. To have been able to reserve a private room at Feng Xue Luo, she would also be able to show off in front of those people tomorrow.
"You all personally waited in line?" Du old madam was somewhat upset. A dignified Prime Minister Manor's miss, even needed to wait in line personally to reserve a private room?
"Grandmother, don't underestimate that Feng Xue Luo just because it's a restaurant. The owner behind the scenes is very mysterious, and moreover, seems to also be very influential. Never mind us, even if princes or wangyes want to go reserve a private room, they all need to personally go, just they don't need to wait in line, that's all." Du Ke Xin said.
"What kind of restaurant is that? Such big airs? To actually make the princes and wangyes personally go!" Du old madam exclaimed.
"Till this day, no one knows who the true owner of that restaurant is. In the beginning, there were also people who refused to comply, and thought of ways to stir up trouble, but were all sorted out. Furthermore, they were even sorted out till they were obedient, no longer daring to go cause trouble." Speaking of Feng Xue Luo, Du Ke Hui lifted his head and excitedly said.
"That impressive?!" Du old madam said in surprise.
"Of course. Else, how can it become one of the top restaurants!" Du Ke Hui said.
Du Xiao Li and Du Xiu Heng both didn't speak, only silently listened to Du Ke Xin and Du Ke Hui's expressive descriptions.
Seeing the two of them not having any expression, Du Ke Hui said, "As expected, country bumpkins are just country bumpkins, don't even know about Feng Xue Luo!"
"Father, tomorrow, how about letting third sister come together with me. Tomorrow, a few misses just happened to be going too. I can bring third sister to get to know them, letting third sister get use to the capital sooner." Du Ke Xin looked to Du Yun Han and said.
"Tomorrow, a few officials' sons are also going!" Du Ke Hui interjected.
Du Yun Han felt it was reasonable and said, "Then the two of you bring along Xiu Heng and Xiao Li too. Xiu Heng, Xiao Li, tomorrow go out together with them, get acquainted with people around your age, and make some friends."
"Yes, father." Du Xiao Li, seeing everyone all looking to her, couldn't directly refuse his intentions in front of everyone either. Going to see what those official families' young masters and misses are like wasn't impossible either. Thus, she agreed.
Du Xiu Hen, seeing Du Xaio Li agree, also nodded his head too. But their expressions were both indifferent, and didn't get excited because they were going to Feng Xue Luo.
"Really a bunch of country bumpkins! Tomorrow, don't wear those countryside clothes of yours, so as to avoid embarrassing the Du family's face!" Du Ke Hui disdainfully said.
He really was unable to make sense of why his older sister wanted to bring them along. Wasn't this just adding trouble for herself?! But the things she did, she'd always had her own reasoning, so he as the younger brother didn't need to bother. Tomorrow, he just need to worry about going to Feng Xue Luo and eating a big meal.
"Ke Xin, later come to my room, I'll give you two thousand taels of silver. Tomorrow, don't worry and just eat whatever you want, don't make the Prime Minister Manor lose face, understand?" Zhong Mei Qing put down her chopsticks and said.
"Yes, mother." As soon as Du Ke Xin heard there was money, and even two thousand taels, she happily promised. She knew she was going not just for the money, but also......
Soon after, during the meal, Du Ke Xin and Du Ke Hui, as well as that fourth yiniang and fifth yiniang, continuously chatted about Feng Xue Luo. Du old madam left after eating for a while, and once she left, they chatted even more happily.
Du Xiao Li watched them smiling in delight, inwardly thinking to herself, didn't ancient people particularly paid close attention to not talking while eating, why weren't they like that?
Actually, they normally were indeed like such, just she didn't know, because Feng Xue Luo held a special place in everyone's heart, making them excited to the extent that they'd long had these rules forgotten to the back of their heads.
"Father, can I go together with big brother and big sister too?" Du Xue Qi, who'd been quietly sitting in a corner eating, suddenly spoke.
"Xue Qi, properly eat, what are you saying!" Third yiniang placed some vegetables before her into Du Xue Qi's bowl.
"But it sounds so fun, I really want to go too." Du Xue Qi said.
Du Yun Han, seeing that Du Xue Qi was about to cry, said, "Ke Xin, tomorrow, bring Xue Qi along too."
"Why bring her along, she so small. Moreover, the ones going tomorrow are all young masters and misses with status." Du Ke Hui refused, completely forgetting that he curren
tly wasn't the Du manor di son anymore either.
"I, I...." Du Xue Qi lowered her head. It was obvious that these words, she probably frequently heard before, but it still upset her very much. A shu daughter's position in the manor was also rather awkward, completely unable to compare with the di daughter and di son.
"Father, tomorrow, just let Xue Qi come with us. I'll watch her." Du Xiao Li suddenly spoke, gathering everyone's attention towards herself.
T/N: At this point in the story, there aren't really any major schemes, just bunch of petty bullying, guess cause they still underestimate them for being from the countryside.
Ch. 061.1 – First Time Gathering (1)
First Time Gathering (1)
T/N: Chapter (2/2) sponsored by Rika! Thank you for sponsoring! This chapter is rather fun, MC making some new friends. Also this will be split into 5 parts too, I think all the chapters in the second arc are probably around the same length so just assume they'll all be split into 5 parts. I want to try to get through this chapter quickly since ML comes back at end of next chapter, though he doesn't fully show up until the following chapter. I'm really missing his interactions with MC.
"You bring her? Pfft, aren't you overestimating yourself too much?" Du Ke Hui looked to Du Xiao Li's calm face, as if those words weren't said by her, and instantly burst into laughter.
"Third sister, the people going tomorrow are all young ladies and young masters of status, bringing fifth sister along isn't suitable." Du Ke Xin said.
"Isn't she our fifth sister? What's there to be inconvenient about?" Du Xiao Li said.
"Enough, Ke Xin, tomorrow, bring Xue Qi along too." Du Yun Han spoke, making the decision final.
"Master, it's better to not let Xue Qi go." Third yiniang looked to Du Yun Han and said.
"It's fine. Besides, Xue Qi is already this big, and no matter what she is also my daughter. Even if she's shu born, her status is still nobler than others, why can't she go? Alright, this matter is settled." Du Yun Han said.
Hearing Du Yun Han's assertive tone, everyone all stopped speaking about this topic. The atmosphere at the table was also not as harmonious as before.
During the latter half of the meal, Du Ke Xin continuously shot her glares, but Du Xiao Li directly ignored her. If looks could kill, then she would've already died more than ten times in her past life.
"Thank you, third sister." Du Xue Qi sweetly smiled at Du Xiao Li.
"No need to thank." Du Xiao Li patted Du Xue Qi's hand, "Continue eating."
"Big sister, after eating, can I go look for you?" Du Xue Qi asked, blinking her large eyes.
"Xue Qi, after eating, it'll already be very late. Your third sister needs to rest, don't go bothering her." Third yiniang said.
"But I heard father say big sister's courtyard has wolves, I want to go see what wolves look like." Du Xue Qi said with a pout.
As soon as third yiniang heard Du Xue Qi wanted to go see wolves, she panicked and directly said, "No."
"Big sister's courtyard is still somewhat messy, and it's also somewhat late tonight. How about this, later when there's time, come over to big sister's courtyard then." Du Xiao Li said.
"Okay. Then, later when I have time, I'll go." Du Xue Qi obediently said.
"This fifth miss seems quite intimate with third miss, unlike before, where she's usually very quiet. Could it be because their births are more or less the same?" At this time, fifth yiniang spoke in a strange tone.
(T/N: Omg I just found the idiot one of the concubines.)
Du Ke Xin and Du Ke Hui inwardly snickered, while Du Yun Han directly slapped the table, berating her, "Shut your mouth!"
Third yiniang's complexion turned somewhat ugly and got up, "Master, I feel slightly unwell, and will return first."
"En, go back and rest then." Du Yun Han looked to third yiniang, his tone softening quite a bit.
Third yiniang curtsied towards everyone and directly left.
"No matter what, Xie Yu still entered before you, no sense of manners. In the next ten days, just stay in your courtyard and properly reflect on yourself! Hmph!" After Du Yun Han finished saying this, he too got up and left.
Du Xiao Li looked to Du Yun Han's angry appearance, feeling somewhat suspicious inside. This Xie Yu should be third yiniang's name. Fifth yiniang's words were indeed unpleasant, but why did Du Yun Han get that angry?
After dinner, Du Xiao Li returned to her courtyard and had Ying Ge called over.
"Ying Ge, go investigate third yiniang's background." Du Xiao Li said.
"Third yiniang? Why does miss want to investigate her?" Ying Ge asked in confusion.
"I noticed my father's attitude towards third yiniang seems somewhat strange. While you're at it, have fourth yiniang and fifth yiniang investigated too." Du Xiao Li was still thinking about Du Yun Han's attitude at the time, as well as Xie Yu's reaction, feeling there was definitely something in the middle.
"Yes, miss." Ying Ge complied.
At this time, Xia Yuan came in carrying a pile of clothes, saying: "Miss, which outfit are you going to wear out tomorrow?"
"It's just a bunch of official families' young masters and young ladies gathering, what are you doing bring over this many clothes? Just randomly pick one." Du Xiao Li said, afterwards reached into the pile and randomly fished out a dress, saying: "Alright, this one."
"Miss, this one looks too monotone." Xia Yuan somewhat disproved.
The outfit Du Xiao Li picked was the most inconspicuous in both style and color of the pile. If she goes out wearing this one, will she get laughed at by the others?
"Miss's clothes are all made for her by someone hired by young master Luo Qi. Even if it's this one, it's still something that others can't even imagine." Ying Ge said.
"Alright, we've been busy all day today, prepare to take a bath and then go to sleep." Du Xiao Li somewhat wearily said.
"Yes, the bath water has already been prepared." Xia Yuan replied.
Du Xiao Li felt she's now been too spoiled by the two of them. In the past, everything was all done by herself. But now, they even stress over her clothes.
After taking a bath, Du Xiao Li went to bed. Xia Yuan and Ying Ge were both kicked to bed by her. Today, the busiest was still those two girls. Although they both had martial arts skills, they would still feel weary.
Du Xiao Li sat on the bed, first circling her inner energy around her body three times. This was something she needed to do every night, only going to sleep after she finished.
Early next morning, Du Xiao Li got up. Right outside the back door of her courtyard was the riverside. She held onto Silver, while Xia Yuan held onto Gold, and the two leapt across the little river.
(T/N: I feel like a fully grown wolf would be just as big as her----)
"Silver, it's been hard on you two these days. Getting holed up in the horse carriage everyday must be very uncomfortable. Today, you two can let loose and run around. Go then." Du Xiao Li patted Silver's back, and Silver ran off. Seeing Silver run, Gold also followed over.
"Miss, it's best you go back and prepare sooner, else you won't have time later." Xia Yuan reminded.
"What's the hurry, it's still this early right now. They won't go this early." Du Xiao Li said, "Xia Yuan, say, after we buy this land, what should we plant here?"
"Miss wants to plant something here?" Xia Yuan asked.
"I still haven't decided." Du Xiao Li said, "I'd planned on using it for Silver and them to play around in, but this looks too spacious and empty, so why don't we plant some things on top. However, planting trees and whatnot don't seem too ideal."
"Actually, it's perfectly fine like this right now. Once we have the place fenced in, it'll look different." Xia Yuan said.
"En, you're right. Once father has this place bought, find someone to have this place fenced in. In the future, Silver and them can just directly live here and don't need to squeeze into that small courtyard. Whenever I have time, I'll bring them to stroll those mountains over there."
Du Xiao Li looked to the mountains in the distant. That place, Silver and them should like.
"Ah, there's actually wolves!"
Just when Du Xiao Li and them were discussing about this fence, a voice suddenly came through.
"How come there are wolves here?" Another startled voice sounded. Looks like the two were both quite frightened.
"Neigh--"
"Ang---"
"Not good, the horses stopped!"
"Awoo...."
"Ah!"
Because Silver and Gold had already ran far ahead, hearing the clamor, Du Xiao Li and Xia Yuan quickly ran over. Before they even approached, they already saw two startled horses running over. On top, sat two young ladies.
"Ah, Liu Xia, what to do?" The young lady on the horse in front seemingly didn't know martial arts. She called out to the person on horseback behind her in fear.
"Pull the reins and let the horse slow down, else I can't catch up to you!" The girl in the back shouted.
"Ah---"
Having its reins pulled, the horse's front hooves left the ground, and its entire body leaned backwards. The person on the horse got flung off and was about to land on the ground.
"Xia Yuan." Du Xiao Li shouted.
Ch. 061.2 – First Time Gathering (2)
First Time Gathering (2)
Xia Yuan understood Du Xiao Li's meaning. Taking a leapt, she very quickly flew onto the horse and caught the person midair, holding her by the waist and slowly landing on the ground.
"Seventh princess, seventh princess." The horse in the back caught up. Not waiting for the horse to stop, she flew down from the horse, looking to the frightened person and saying: "Seventh princess, are you alright?"
"Liu Xia, I'm fine."
Du Xiao Li went up and looked at the two of them. The slightly older one, about 16 years old, should be the current dynasty's seventh princess, granted title Princess Changle, Han Ming Xiang. The other one looked about 15 years old, don't know which official family's miss. The two were both wearing riding clothes, appearing to have specially come to ride horses.
"Who are you all? How come you're here?" Seeing that Han Ming Xiang was fine, Ji Liu Xia looked to Du Xiao Li and Xia Yuan and asked.