Chapter 45: Chapter 39, Praise that Costs Nothing l


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    The winter in Linyi County was colder than in the Yan Family vige, and since the snow began to fall, the olddy of the Yan Family had curled up inside the house, unwilling to step outside.


    Daohua feared that the olddy spending too much time cooped up would cause her to fall ill, so every time she dined at Songhe Courtyard, she would make it a point to take the olddy out for a fewps afterward to move about and get some fresh air.


    On the day of the Laba Festival, Daohua and the others had no sses, so after breakfast, she took the olddy for a walk.


    When Yan Zhigao arrived, he just missed the grandparent and grandchild.


    “Where is the olddy?”


    Yan Zhigao asked the maid cleaning the room, looking inquisitive.


    The maid smiled and said, “The eldest girl has taken the olddy out for a digestive stroll.”


    Yan Zhigao nced at the snow outside the door and frowned, saying, “Isn’t this nonsense? On such a cold day, what if the olddy catches a chill?”


    Seeing Yan Zhigao’s concerned face, the maid immediately exined, “Master, you don’t need to worry. The olddy is in good health, and besides, getting some fresh air will only do her spirit good.”


    Yan Zhigao’s expression paused, “What does that mean, the olddy’s spirit isn’t good?”


    The maid replied, “It’s not bad, she’s just not used to it, I guess. You know how the olddy likes to stay busy. Back home, when winter came, she could still go out for a chat and always had something to work on with her hands. But here, with the Master and Madam taking such good care of her, she can’t find anything to do and gets a bit bored.”


    When people are idle, their spirits can’t help but be listless, can they?


    Yan Zhigao, with a self-reproaching face, said, “It was myck of thorough consideration, overlooking mother. I will make sure to leave the office earlier in the future and spend more time with her.”


    The maid immediately said, “Master, please don’t, if the olddy knew you were neglecting work to keep herpany, she definitely wouldn’t be happy.” Seeing Yan Zhigao still looked guilty, she added with a smile.


    “You need not worry, Master. As we entered the twelfth lunar month, the eldest girl’s lessons have decreased, and shees every day to keep the olddypany. With her around, the olddy has no cause for unhappiness.”


    Yan Zhigao’s expression softened slightly, “Daohuaes every day?”


    Speaking of Daohua, the maid’s smile widened, “Shees every day. As soon as she sees the olddy cooped up inside, she always thinks of ways to get her outside for a walk, saying it’s bad for someone to stay still indoors all the time.”


    “The olddy can’t resist her, and after every meal, she goes out for a walk with her. Truly, since they’ve started taking these post-meal walks, the olddy’s spirits have improved day by day.”


    As she spoke, the maid seemed to remember something and chuckled a few times.


    “The other day, I don’t know what came over the eldest girl, she said she wanted to find a set of cultivation techniques for the olddy, so she could practice martial arts when she had nothing else to do in the house.”


    At this, even Yan Zhigao couldn’t help butugh, shaking his head and saying, “This child…”


    The maid added, “The eldest girl just doesn’t want the olddy to be bored.”


    Yan Zhigao nodded and sighed inwardly that it was indeed the child the olddy had raised herself, even more attentive than others. Even he had not noticed that his mother would be ufortable after moving here, yet Daohua had realized it. No wonder the olddy had a special fondness for her.


    Just then, a young maid entered the room, “Nanny Sun, the kitchen is asking when they should start the Laba porridge?”


    Nanny Sun looked at the sky and said, “No rush, the eldest girl hasn’t returned yet. Tell the kitchen to start with something else. The eldest girl said she wants to make the Laba porridge herself.”


    After the young maid left, Yan Zhigao chuckled and said, “Daohua is personally cooking today?”


    Nanny Sun nodded with a smile, “Lately, the eldest girl has been learning needlework, and she’s pricked her hands badly. The olddy forbade her from touching water after seeing that. Today is the Laba Festival, and the olddy really wanted to have the Laba porridge that the eldest girl used to make, so she agreed to let her cook this once.”


    Yan Zhigao’s expression stirred, “How is Daohua doing with her learning?”


    Nanny Sun replied, “Very well indeed, the eldest girl is so clever. She understands everything from the books at a nce, there’s nothing she can’t learn…”


    In the time that followed, Yan Zhigao simply listened silently as Nanny Sun effusively praised Daohua. He never knew that Nanny Sun was so eloquent, her praises for the eldest daughter never repeating.


    “Ah, the eldest girl is clever, alright, but when ites to needlework, she’s somewhat less adept…”


    Yan Zhigao, thinking Nanny Sun might be done, heard her instead take a fresh turn in her conversation and continue speaking..