The Humble Family's Daughter Has A Spatial Pocket!-Chapter 1085 - 908, Compromise

Daohua originally thought that after Dong Yuanyao reunited with the Dong Family, she would take a few days before coming to visit her. Unexpectedly, the very next day, Dong Yuanyao arrived at the Xiao Residence with a pair of puffy red eyes.

"What happened?"

Daohua was startled.

The moment Dong Yuanyao saw Daohua, she picked up a handkerchief and started to sob quietly.

Seeing her like this, Daohua was puzzled and quickly sat beside her, asking, "What’s wrong, have your uncle and aunt said something to you?"

Dong Yuanyao shook her head; after a long while, she spoke with a tearful voice, "I’m just sad for my elder brother..."

Daohua immediately understood what Dong Yuanyao meant: "Elder Brother Dong is getting married, you didn’t know?"

Dong Yuanyao nodded.

Daohua fell silent for a moment then carefully said, "I think Sister-in-Law Xiaoman is quite nice, even though she’s somewhat different from the noble ladies we usually interact with, but her personality is good and straightforward, without too many detours."

Dong Yuanyao continued to sob, "Mother also said she’s a good person, but... but she’s really not a match for my elder brother. Standing together, she even looks more robust than him."

"Just thinking about how my graceful and refined brother is marrying a rough and stout wife chokes my heart."

Daohua argued, "Sister-in-Law Xiaoman is not rough and stout at all, she’s just a bit taller, that’s all. She’s still breastfeeding, which is why she looks a bit plump right now."

"When she stops breastfeeding later, she will naturally slim down. You might not know this, but people from Xiliang are generally tall."

Dong Yuanyao gradually stopped sobbing, but her eyes were still red: "I know, being exiled to Xiliang, it was already the best outcome that my brother could marry her, but... but..." saying this, tears started to well up in her eyes again.

Daohua quickly poured her a cup of tea and comforted her: "I understand how you feel, but I think Elder Brother Dong really likes Sister-in-Law Xiaoman."

Dong Yuanyao remained silent. Was her elder brother just compromising with fate?

Daohua continued, "It’s fine to cry here with me, but when you go back, you can’t be like this. Sister-in-Law Xiaoman might be a bit straightforward, but that doesn’t mean she can’t read faces, especially since you’re Elder Brother Dong’s sister."

"The couple is very happy together, so don’t go stirring up trouble for them."

Dong Yuanyao: "I’m not stupid."

Seeing that Dong Yuanyao was comforted, Daohua let out a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "Marriage is all about fate; we shouldn’t judge it by worldly standards."

"Like me and Xiao Yeyang, and you and Sun Changze, if we were to comply by worldly standards, could we even end up together?"

Dong Yuanyao silently remarked, "I understand, it’s just painful in my heart."

Daohua smiled, "I know, in your eyes Elder Brother Dong is the best brother, and naturally, you’d hope for the best girl to match him."

"But what’s ’best’ is not for us to say; it has to be what Elder Brother Dong feels is truly best for him. If you can’t get over it, you might want to talk with Elder Brother Dong about it, see what he thinks."

Dong Yuanyao: "...Maybe you’re right."

Daohua patted her hand: "Spend more time with Sister-in-Law Xiaoman and you’ll see she’s a good person."

Dong Yuanyao nodded, "Don’t worry, I know my limits." With a sigh, she said, "I’m feeling much better now and will get along well with my sister-in-law."

Since my sister-in-law saved my grandmother and gave birth to the Dong Family’s first grandson, I will give her the respect she deserves for these two reasons alone.

Daohua smiled and brought over a freshly made cream cake roll to Dong Yuanyao, "The kitchen servants just tried out this new pastry, why don’t you taste it and see if it’s good?"

The golden-yellow cake roll looked appetizing. Dong Yuanyao took a bite and said, "Delicious."

Daohua smiled and said, "Your sister-in-law loves sweets; I’ll bring some back for her later."

Dong Yuanyao looked at Daohua and said gratefully, "Thank you."

Daohua smiled, changing the subject, "I’m planning to open a pastry shop that sells these cakes, what do you think?"

Dong Yuanyao nodded, "Your pastries could sell well in Beijing; resources are scarce here in Xiliang. Once you open the shop, it’s bound to be a booming business."

Daohua replied, "Let’s hope for that." Then she paused before adding, "By the way, how long are you planning to stay this time?"

Dong Yuanyao immediately said, "On the way here, Changze and I discussed it and decided to open a few shops here. In the future, his trade caravans will all run through the Xiliang route."

Daohua smiled, "That’s great. Last year, my uncle also started doing business here, bringing goods from other inland areas to sell. Now Ganzhou City has become much more lively."

"Not many people come to Xiliang for commerce. Xiao Yeyang takes this matter seriously. When he returns, let Sun Elder Brother talk to him. The garrison here supports the first batch of merchants who come to trade."

Dong Yuanyao nodded in agreement, "Has the Crown Prince gone on patrol?"

Daohua answered, "He’s gone to Liangdu, should be back soon."

...

Liangdu.

Xiao Yeyang and Wei Hong, along with Zhou Xuan, had spent half a month meeting the Commanders of several other garrisons, finalizing the purchase of horses, and then returning to Ganzhou City.

"Was your trip to Liangdu smooth?"

After taking a bath, Xiao Yeyang lay down to rest in bed. It was hard work traveling on such hot days. Daohua sat by his side massaging him.

Daohua placed her hand on Xiao Yeyang’s back, her fair hand contrasting sharply with his bronze skin.

Xiao Yeyang said, "Wei Hongcai probably invited me over this time to test my limits."

Daohua asked, "Is he really so kind as to help arrange horse purchases?"

Xiao Yeyang chuckled contemptuously, "Certainly not. This trip to Liangdu was uneventful, but he delayed me for half a month; I’m sure there will be more delays when it comes time to go to Jianzhou Guard to buy horses."

Daohua inquired, "Does he not want you to train your soldiers? Is he trying to distract you?"

Xiao Yeyang nodded, "Probably."

Daohua further inquired, "The intermediaries he’s introduced for the horse trading are from Xiliao, aren’t they?"

Xiao Yeyang’s eyes narrowed as he nodded and murmured in affirmation.

Daohua frowned, "Xiliang shares borders with Xiliao, and having trade relations between them isn’t unreasonable. Still, you must be careful. The most dangerous thing here is to collude with foreign enemies; it’s hard to guard against."

"By the way, where is the horse trade arranged?"

Xiao Yeyang replied, "Jianzhou Guard."

Daohua felt slightly relieved. After all, the Border Army of Jianzhou Guard was now under Xiao Yeyang’s control.

Then Daohua brought up Dong Yuanyao and Sun Changze’s visit, "They’re thinking of doing business here."

Xiao Yeyang’s expression relaxed happily, "Good, that is excellent news. The more merchants we have, the higher the taxes we can collect, and the garrison’s operations can run more smoothly."

"This year, the garrison has planted a lot of rapeseed following your lead. The military and civilians can’t live without oil, so I’ve allocated a sizable plot of land for the Sun Family to build a large-scale oil extraction mill."