July 4th, the Su Family arrived in Beijing.
Su Shiyu’s arrival delighted Yan Wenkai, who started visiting the Su Residence daily.
Seeing Yan Wenkai approaching with large strides, Daohua glanced at the sky and teased with a smile, "Well, it’s not even dark yet, how could you bear to come home, fourth brother?"
Yan Wenkai, with a grin, walked up to his sister, "I missed you, that’s all. Today, I went to the post house and saw people from Xiliao packing things. I saw some seeds and asked them for a few."
Daohua’s face lit up with joy as she happily accepted the small parcel and then teasingly looked at her brother, "Offering kindness without reason, you’re either a thief or a schemer. Tell me, what do you need my help with this time?"
Yan Wenkai gently tapped Daohua’s forehead, "You know me well, big sister!" He then sighed several times, his expression falling.
Daohua ignored his pretense and started inspecting the seeds in the parcel. When she spotted the cotton seeds, her eyes brightened. Many regions in Daxia grew cotton, but the yield was not so great. Once winter came, many suffered from the cold.
She hadn’t thought of it before, but now that she had the chance, she considered cultivating a batch of high-yield cotton using her special method.
Seeing Daohua not carrying on the conversation, Wenkai felt a bit helpless and had to start talking himself, "Big sister, Shiyu has been in the city for several days now, haven’t you thought about asking her to go out shopping or something?"
Daohua stopped looking at the seeds and turned her gaze toward her brother, "I was just thinking about letting Sister Su rest up after her long journey."
Yan Wenkai said, "She has rested for quite a few days now; you could send out an invitation."
Daohua, with a teasing smile, said, "Fourth brother, you’ve been running to the Su Residence daily, haven’t you seen enough yet?"
Yan Wenkai started complaining as soon as she mentioned it, "Oh don’t even start. Every time I go to the Su Residence, it’s either Old Master Su wanting me to keep him company or Aunt Su pulling me aside for tea and a chat. I don’t even get a chance to spend time alone with Shiyu, it’s so frustrating."
As he spoke, he tugged at Daohua’s sleeve.
"Big sister, I haven’t seen Shiyu in two or three years. She must feel quite distant from me now. I need to find a chance to get closer to her, don’t you agree?"
"My dear sister, I cherish you so much, you must help me out!"
"In a few days, when I have a day off, help me invite Shiyu out. I’ll take you girls to Luwei Bay in the Beijing Suburbs for some boating and cooling off. I’m telling you, Luwei Bay is beautiful — with its reeds, shade trees, and green waters. Rowing the wooden oar is cooling and poetic."
Daohua laughed, "Fourth brother, you understand poetry now?"
Yan Wenkai: "Your fourth brother might not, but your future sister-in-law does. Isn’t that good?" Saying this, he even shook Daohua’s arm.
Watching her insistent fourth brother, Daohua sighed, withdrew her arm, and considering she also hadn’t seen Su Shiyu for a long while, she nodded in agreement.
That very night, Daohua was preparing to wash up and sleep when a maid reported that Yan Wentao had come.
"Third brother, don’t say another word, tomorrow I’ll also send an invitation to the Zhou Family, to ask Jingwan to come out too."
Yan Wentao offered a sheepish smile and put down the durian he brought for Daohua, "Yeyang told me you . The Commander gave me two, one for you and one for Jingwan."
After finishing his words, he quickly turned and left.
Daohua couldn’t help but laugh.
July 11th, Yan Wentao and Yan Wenkai had a day off. Daohua got up early, cleaned up, and the three first went to the Zhou Residence to pick up Zhou Jingwan and then to the Su Residence to collect Su Shiyu.
Eventually, the group left through the city gate.
Inside the carriage, Daohua chatted with Zhou Jingwan and Su Shiyu, while outside, Yan Wentao and Yan Wenkai rode alongside.
"I haven’t been out since I arrived in Beijing, so going to Luwei Bay, I’m really just along for the ride with you two," Daohua said with a smile.
Zhou Jingwan and Su Shiyu both felt somewhat embarrassed.
Su Shiyu promptly changed the subject: "What about the Little Prince?"
Daohua replied, "He probably has affairs to manage and couldn’t get away."
Luwei Bay was indeed cool. Upon arriving, the surrounding temperature felt a few degrees lower.
Reeds, shade trees, green water, the oars moving through the water quickly brought them into a cool bay.
Daohua didn’t want to be a third wheel, so she took a separate, covered boat. Concerned for her, Yan Wentao and Yan Wenkai made sure her boat was between theirs.
Looking ahead, she saw one couple, and turning back, another, leaving Daohua no choice but to lie back in her boat, watching the scenery on both sides and enjoying the cool river breeze.