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Daohua and Zhou Jingwan sat at the lower seats, quietly sipping their tea.

“This tea isn’t as good as the flower tea from your home!” Zhou Jingwan took a sip and then set it down with some disdain.

Daohua thought to herself, of course it was better, to make the Yan Family look good in front of others, she always served tea grown in her own garden space.

“It’s inconvenient on this mountain, just drink what’s available.” Anyway, after climbing for so long, she was really thirsty, and after finishing the cup in her hand, she had the maidservant beside her refill it.

Zhou Jingwan pursed her lips and didn’t move.

From childhood, she had developed quite the picky palate, and ordinary common things rarely passed her lips.

Just then, she saw the Senior Maid beside her mother quickly walk in, and as she passed by them, she glanced their way.

Zhou Jingwan, out of boredom, followed the maid with her eyes and soon saw the maid lean over and whisper a few words into her mother’s ear.

Madam Zhou, after hearing the maid’s words, spoke with a smile, “Some children from families we are close with happen to be resting in the temple and want to come over to pay their respects, it’s a good opportunity for everyone to take a look, they are all fine children.”

With that, she turned to Madam Li with amusement, “Your two boys are also on the mountain, and they’ve come over as well.”

Madam Li’s expression shifted, she knew the reference was to Wenkai and Wentao.

Having only seen Wenxiu earlier and not the other two, she had guessed that such a scene would unfold.

Regardless, since she, as their elder, had arrived, the two younger ones would have to come pay their respects regardless.

Soon, maids brought in six or seven teenage boys.

Leading them was the son of the Provincial Governor, Dong Yuanxuan, followed by the Advisor’s son, Su Hongxin, then the son of the Court Physician, Wu Hongda, and lastly the Yan brothers.

Zhou Chengye had already met the various Madams beforehand, and this time he merely accompanied the others, acting as a guide.

“My nephews pay their respects to Aunt Zhou, and greet all the Madams here!” The young men paid their respects to the ladies present.

Madam Zhou hurriedly asked them to rise and eagerly introduced the young men to the families.

Suddenly, the Madams burst into praise as if it cost them nothing.

Madam Li sat aside, maintaining a proper smile on her face, looking delightfully at Wenkai and Wentao as they handled themselves comfortably with the ladies.

She reflected that it hadn’t been long since the two had gone to Wangyue Academy, yet their bearing and interaction with others had already become quite measured, a complete change from when they were at home.

Now, even standing before sons of aristocratic families, though still somewhat lacking in thoughtfulness and smoothness, they weren’t overwhelmingly outdone.

Below, Daohua and Zhou Jingwan watched as their brothers were appraised and discussed by the various Madams, and couldn’t help but snicker quietly.

“Let me tell you, the reason these Madams are so enthusiastic is because they are considering future sons-in-law!” Zhou Jingwan whispered.

Daohua criticized inwardly, “Damn ancient times, ruining the future flowers,” and with a curl of her lip, said, “Among those present, only your brother and Dong Yuanxuan are a bit older, just fifteen or sixteen years old at most, where’s the need for such haste?”

Zhou Jingwan spoke as if it were obvious, “Fifteen or sixteen is certainly old enough—look, it’s just an initial assessment. As for marriage, the timing can be negotiated!”

Daohua shook her head and picked up her teacup to drink in silence.

The thought of having to marry and have children herself in her teens made her feel a bit afraid and unreceptive.

This way, Dong Yuanxuan and the other ladies had already finished their discussions.

Yan Wenkai, Wentao, and Madam Li talked for a while, saying that they were now in the same class as the Little Prince, studying together and practicing martial arts, which should reassure their families.

Madam Li urged the two boys to study hard at the Academy and take good care of themselves.

“Mom, rest assured, now, no one dares to bully us anymore,” Wenkai said in a low voice to Madam Li, noticing that Dong Yuanxuan and others seemed ready to leave, he added, “Next time the Academy has a holiday, we will come home.”

Madam Li nodded her head.

As Dong Yuanxuan and the others rose to leave, Wenkai smiled, walked away from Madam Li, and quickly approached Daohua and Zhou Jingwan, who were sitting in a corner.

“Why aren’t you two going out to play?”

Daohua smiled and said, “We are resting.” After sitting for a while and having two cups of tea, they had already recovered.

Wenkai’s eyes moved, “Have you rested enough?” He knew his big sister Daohua couldn’t sit still for long. Was it their mother who was restraining her from going out to play?

As a good brother, he needed to rescue his sister from this predicament.

Daohua looked at Zhou Jingwan, and Zhou Jingwan also looked at Daohua, then the two nodded at the same time: “We have rested.”

Seeing their eager expressions, Wenkai thought to himself, as expected. Mom too, big sister was already out, why keep her restrained?

“Alright, the scenery behind the mountain is particularly beautiful. Let’s go, I, your fourth brother, will take you for a stroll,” he said, turning his head toward Madam Li.

Daohua and Zhou Jingwan also turned their gazes towards Madam Li and Madam Zhou at the same time.

It was clear that both of them wanted to go to the mountain behind.

Madam Zhou’s expression changed slightly. The servants had reported earlier that the temple’s rear mountain had already been sealed off. She knew this was due to the Little Prince; the Little Prince was enjoying the scenery behind the mountain, and no outsiders were allowed to disturb him.

This was an excellent opportunity to get close to the Little Prince.

So she said to Madam Li with a smile, “The girls hardly ever get to go out, so we shouldn’t restrain them. Let them go have fun. However, Chengye, you must take good care of your two sisters. If they get hurt or scratched, you’ll be in for a beating from me.”

Zhou Chengye laughed and said, “Mom, don’t worry. Even if I get hurt, I won’t let my sisters lose a single hair.”

Madam Li, although concerned about propriety, considering that Madam Zhou’s daughters were there and Wenkai and Wentao would accompany them, and knowing her own daughter always behaved appropriately, did not stop them but still reminded them, “Don’t be reckless, and once you’re tired, come back quickly with Miss Zhou.”

Madam Zhou seemed to understand Madam Li’s concerns and smiled, “With their own brother looking after them, what’s there to worry about?”

In the Great Xia Dynasty, although the distinction between men and women was strict, it wasn’t to the extent of being fanatical; there were no such rules as ‘no sharing seats after the age of seven.’

On holidays, under the supervision of parents and elders, or accompanied by brothers, girls from their rooms could also go out and play, as long as they observed proper etiquette. Occasional encounters with men were not a cause for concern.

After all, the two girls were only in their early teens; still young, there was no need for excessive worry.

Seeing their mother’s approval, Daohua and Zhou Jingwan were both delighted, nodding continuously, promising they wouldn’t be mischievous.

Madam Zhou waved her hand, “Alright, go out and play with your brothers.”

Upon hearing this, the youngsters made their formal bows and left.

Watching them depart, the expressions on the faces of the various Madams differed; some who could not hide their regret were clearly kicking themselves for not having held back their daughters from leaving earlier. Now they could have gone to the rear mountain with them.