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As September arrived, Daohua became busier with each passing day; after finishing school, her time was consumed by the flower shop.

Now, her flower shop had gained a modest reputation in Xingzhou City for selling flowers that were not only beautiful to behold and resilient but also boasted large and vibrant blooms with a lasting fragrance. Sales were brisk every day.

With the Double Ninth Festival approaching, wealthy households were fond of hosting chrysanthemum viewing parties, and the chrysanthemums in her shop flourished beautifully, richly, and vibrantly. They sold out quickly as soon as they were displayed.

The entire Yan Family, seeing the success of Daohua’s flower shop, were all quite envious.

Yan Zhiyuan and Madam Sun, who had previously tried to persuade Daohua to give up the flower shop, now found it somewhat awkward to face her these days.

Even Madam Li was smiling and saying that she would also like to learn how to grow flowers next year.

One day, as Daohua was recording the flower shop’s earnings in Madam Li’s room, she saw Ping Tong walk in with an invitation, a joyful expression on her face.

“Madam, an invitation from the Zhou Family,” she announced.

Madam Li was surprised for a moment; since their arrival in Xingzhou City, this was the first time they had received an invitation from the Zhou Family. She briskly took the invitation, opened it, and saw that it was an invite to climb the mountain to admire the autumn scenery on the day of the Double Ninth Festival.

Laying down her pen, Daohua asked curiously, “Mother, why has the Zhou Family invited us?”

Madam Li passed the invitation to her. “They’ve invited us to cruise on the Dayuan River, followed by a trip up to Xiangxia Mountain to enjoy the red maple leaves.”

Daohua, upon reading the invitation, exclaimed, “The Zhou Family actually has their own pleasure boat!”

Madam Li: “That’s why they’re called an established aristocratic family. The wealth these families have amassed over generations is beyond our imagination.”

Excited about the opportunity to go out, Daohua asked Madam Li, “Mother, will all the women from our family be going?”

Madam Li thought for a moment and shook her head, “The Zhou Family will surely invite others too. Once there are many people, trouble is likely to arise. Being on a pleasure boat is the easiest place for accidents, such as falling into the water.”

Daohua nodded as she listened; indeed, stories of people being pushed into rivers were not uncommon in the novels of her past life.

“Our family has a shallow foundation in Xingzhou City, and we are not familiar with other families. It’s said that one shouldn’t harbor ill intentions but should also guard against them. Your father’s promotion to Prefectural Governor has already drawn the envy of many. In situations like these that could potentially cause trouble, the fewer people who attend, the better.”

It wasn’t that she was overly cautious, but rather that compared with other families, the Yan Family was simply too weak and lacked support; a single incident could lead to a major issue. Thus, even when going out for leisure, they had to be careful and vigilant.

Madam Li paused for a moment: “If we only bring one of you along, the others will inevitably gossip… Between Yan Yihuan, Yan Yishuang, and Yan Yile, who do you think would be the better choice to bring along?”

She didn’t even consider Madam Sun or the Wu Family at all.

Although Madam Sun was eloquent, her second brother was a commoner. If she sat among a group of officials’ relatives, disdain was inevitable, so why seek discomfort?

As for the Wu Family, they were still expecting at the moment.

Without hesitation, Daohua replied, “Naturally, whoever is the least trouble should be the one to take!”

“Yan Yishuang has been spoiled by her father and Aunt Lin, and if anything goes against her wishes, she tears up as if wronged. Her sulking face won’t please anyone.”

“And Yan Yile, she speaks without thinking, acting impulsively; she offends people with her words. Although she’s young, outsiders won’t be considerate of that and will simply think the Yan Family lacks discipline.”

“Compared to these two, the quiet and unassuming Yan Yihuan is more suited. She might not be of much help in a situation, but she surely won’t go looking for trouble.”

Madam Li smiled as she watched her daughter analyze the three young ladies of the household. Once she was finished, she nodded in agreement, “You see clearly enough. Let’s take Yan Yihuan, then. I’ll talk to your second aunt about it during dinner later.”

…

After dinner, Madam Li spoke of the Zhou Family’s invitation and told Madam Sun that she intended to take Yan Yihuan with them on the day of the Double Ninth Festival.

The reactions to this news varied among those present.

Yan Yihuan was initially stunned, and upon confirming that her great aunt was not joking, her heart was quickly overwhelmed with joy.

As the first daughter of the second branch of the family, she was often overlooked, sandwiched between an elder brother and a younger sister and not particularly clever.

Now, the chance to venture out and meet guests had presented itself, and she could hardly believe her great aunt had chosen her!

Yan Yishuang and Yan Yile both wore faces of disappointment, one looking at Yan Zhigao, the other at the Sun Family, hoping they would speak on their behalf so they could go out too.

As the eldest daughter would gain experience by going out with her sister-in-law, the Sun Family was naturally pleased, but then there was the younger daughter to consider.

The Sun Family was always astute and, seeing that Yan Zhigao did not speak for Yan Yishuang, wisely did not publicly ask Madam Li either.

Only after everyone else had dispersed did she pull aside Madam Li and say, “Elder sister-in-law, could you also take Yile with you?”

Madam Li patted her hand, “It’s not that I don’t want to take her, it’s really because we’ll be taking a boat that day. I’m one person looking after several children, and I’m afraid I can’t keep an eye on all of them. If an accident happens, wouldn’t you have me for dinner?”

The Sun Family moved her lips, about to say she could accompany them, but Madam Li spoke first.

“It’s just a trip out, after all. Once I’ve got to know all the ladies from the families in Xingzhou, the next time such an opportunity arises, I’ll take all the young ladies from our family, not leaving one behind.”

“The reason I’m taking Yihuan this time is that she is quiet and can sit still, so I feel at ease even on a boat. But Yile, tell me, can she stay seated?”

The Sun Family was at a loss for words. Between her two daughters, the older one was calm and the younger one lively, and it seemed that the older daughter was indeed more reassuring to take out.

Madam Li thought for a moment and took the opportunity to say, “Moreover, you need to correct Yile’s habit of speaking without thinking. At home, it’s still fine as everyone knows she’s young and they let it go, but if she’s out visiting and offends someone with her words, you’d better quell her aspirations of socializing.”

The Sun Family knew her own daughter and, hearing Madam Li’s words, looked embarrassed, thinking to herself, did Daohua have no faults? Yet, upon careful reflection, in matters of social interaction, Daohua really did seem flawless.

Regretfully, the Sun Family returned to her own yard. As soon as she entered the house, she was grabbed by Yan Yile, “Mother, did aunt agree to let me go out with them?”

The Sun Family tapped her younger daughter’s head, “Your nature is too lively, my dear. Your aunt said boating is dangerous and wouldn’t allow you to go.”

Upon hearing this, Yan Yile immediately protested, clinging to the Sun Family’s arm, “I’ll be careful, and I’ll stay by aunt’s side all the time. Mother, please talk to her again!”

The Sun Family sighed and comforted her daughter, “All right, it’s just one outing. If we can’t go this time, when there’s a chance, your father and I will take you out ourselves.”

Yan Yile shook off the Sun Family’s hand, “When will that be? Aunt won’t let me go because I must have offended my elder cousin, and she’s taking this chance to get back at me!”

“Slap!”

The Sun Family slammed her palm on the table, glaring at Yan Yile sternly, “Your aunt said you’re reckless with words, and I was making excuses for you. What on earth were you just saying?”

“Your aunt is your elder. Is it appropriate for a junior like you to discuss her behind her back? Don’t let me hear such things again, or I’ll have to be strict with you.”

Having said that, she turned her attention away from Yan Yile and looked toward Yan Yihuan.

The Sun Family softened her expression, “When you’re out, stick close to your elder sister. I’ve watched that girl carefully several times, and she’s quite adept. However she interacts with the other ladies, you do the same.”

“If you run into trouble, seek her out. Your aunt will probably not be with you; as the eldest, she should look after her younger sisters when out. If something happens to you, it would embarrass her as well.”

Yan Yihuan nodded, “Mother, I’ll remember that.”

Meanwhile, in Shuangxin Courtyard.

Yan Yishuang was also making a fuss with her concubine mother, Lin.

“Mother, why can my elder sister go out and socialize just because we both are father’s daughters, but I can’t?” Yan Yishuang sobbed fiercely, her eyes swollen red.

Concubine Lin hugged Yan Yishuang, also sobbing softly, “It’s my fault, blame me. How could I be just a concubine to your father!”

“Wu-wu~”

Yan Yishuang said tearfully, “I don’t want that, I also want to go out on the Double Ninth Festival.”

Yan Zhigao stood outside the house, silently listening to the conversation between mother and daughter. After a while, he turned and walked towards the main compound.

Sensing the movement in the courtyard, Yan Yishuang lifted her head and tearfully asked, “Mother, could father really convince mother to let me go along?”

Concubine Lin stroked her head, smiling, “Your father is the head of the family; Madam must listen to his words!”