Chapter 375: Chapter 353: Embarrassment and Annoyance_1
Yan Residence.
After Magistrate Yan Zhigao finished his duties for the day, he went directly back to the main courtyard.
When Madam Li saw him return, she stepped forward to help him change out of his official robes, “Ever since we’ve arrived at Ningmen Prefecture, my lord hasn’t had proper rest. I can see that you’ve lost weight.”
Yan Zhigao smiled, “After this year’s rush, once everything is sorted out, things will be better. I haven’t been able to take care of home affairs recently; you’ve had a hard time, Madam.”
Madam Li gave Yan Zhigao a playful look, “What are you saying, my lord? We are husband and wife; sharing your worries is my duty.”
Yan Zhigao’s face showed satisfaction. Since the Yan Family’s arrival in Ningmen Prefecture, Madam had managed everything very well, not causing him any trouble, which greatly relieved him, “Right, I recalled hearing you mention that our daughter Daohua gave the Little Prince some sort of glass recipe?”
He had only recently learned about the Glass Factory, and it was the subordinate officials who had told him.
Madam Li casually said with a laugh, “That was just the girl fooling around. She took some recipe she found in a storybook and gave it to the Little Prince to experiment with.”
Yan Zhigao shook his head, “It’s no trifling matter. Did you know that the Little Prince is actually building a Glass Factory now? It’s located just outside the city, and it seems almost complete.”
Madam Li’s expression turned to surprise, “The Little Prince truly managed to make glass?”
Yan Zhigao nodded his head, speaking cheerfully, “It seems so. I’ve heard that they’ve started building one in Beijing too, and the Emperor is personally overseeing it.”
The recipe came from their daughter, and considering the relationship between the kids and the Little Prince, he probably wouldn’t hide that fact. It seems their family has made a name for themselves with the Emperor once again.
Madam Li was truly shocked now, “Our daughter’s casual find has actually become useful?”
Yan Zhigao chuckled, “You don’t say, our daughter has always been quite lucky.”
Madam Li laughed along, “It does seem that way.”
Yan Zhigao stroked his beard and said with amusement, “Although the Glass Factory built by the Little Prince isn’t directly related to me, it’s under my jurisdiction. Putting everything else aside, if the glass produced sells well, the tax revenue will make my performance look much better.”
“Speaking of which, the Little Prince building the Glass Factory in Ningmen Prefecture probably comes with the intention of compensating our family to some degree.”
The interests involved with the Glass Factory might be substantial, beyond what the Yan Family could meddle with. It’s better to simply bask in the reflected glory.
Besides, nothing compares to the Emperor’s favor.
Madam Li nodded.
Yan Zhigao continued, “The Glass Factory built by the Little Prince will be Daxia’s first, and if it achieves success, as the Magistrate, I will gain some prestige as well.”
“By the way, now that everyone is watching this development, the attention our family receives has also increased. I will need you, Madam, to pay extra attention to our household.”
Knowing that his family was close to the Little Prince, there had been no shortage of people in recent days seeking information from him.
Madam Li said with a smile, “Rest assured, my lord, I will keep the people in our residence well in check.”
Yan Zhigao laughed and nodded, “I’m at ease with you looking after the household matters.”
…
In the blink of an eye, it was mid-July.
Taohua Temple.
Daohua and Xiao Yeyang were sitting in the hall, carefully reviewing every account related to the construction of the Glass Factory.
After Xiao Yeyang had organized the account books, he watched Daohua with unwavering attention as she rapidly manipulated the abacus with a ‘pitter-patter’ sound. He watched her slender fingers swiftly flip through one page after another. Beholding her serious and fully absorbed demeanor, a mesmerized look gradually appeared in his eyes.
“Eh, this set of accounts isn’t clearly written. Take a look, what is the actual amount?”
Xiao Yeyang came back to his senses, leaned in closer, and explained the details to Daohua. After speaking, he did not return to his seat but instead stayed close, gazing intently at Daohua’s cheeks, not missing a single eyebrow, a single eye, a frown, or a smile.
Daohua’s mind was entirely focused on the account books, completely unaware of his scrutiny.
Xiao Yeyang stared blankly at Daohua, feeling that no matter how much he watched her, it would never be enough. Suddenly, he was overwhelmed by the wish for time to stop right then and there.
“Ahem~”
Suddenly, Gu Jian’s coughing sound came from the courtyard.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yeyang swiftly regained his composure, no longer staring unblinkingly at Daohua. Instead, he softly and gently said, “You’ve worked hard these past few days, helping me check and calculate the accounts, and also putting in so much thought discussing the Glass Factory with me.”
Daohua didn’t lift her head, continuing to work the accounts as she replied, “Going out with you every day, I don’t find it hard. Besides, aren’t you going to give me a share of the profits? Isn’t it only right that I put in some effort?”
Xiao Yeyang fell silent for a moment before saying, “The Xiangyang Glass Factory will be constructed in just a couple more days. Do you want to go and have a look?”
“Really?”
Daohua’s face lit up with joy, turning her head to look at Xiao Yeyang.
Because Xiao Yeyang was so close, their faces were only a palm’s width apart when she turned around.
In that moment, both acutely felt the other’s breath.
Xiao Yeyang felt his mouth go dry, his Adam’s apple bobbing, as his gaze involuntarily drifted from Daohua’s eyes down to her delicate, dewy red lips.
Daohua, too, was stunned for a moment. Regaining her composure, she found her heart racing. To cover her panic, she abruptly stood up, glaring at Xiao Yeyang with a mix of embarrassment and annoyance, “Why are you getting so close?”
Xiao Yeyang averted his gaze, swallowing his saliva and muttering, “Aren’t you having trouble seeing the accounts? I was just explaining them to you.”
Daohua’s expression froze briefly, but she still frowned as she said, “From now on, you’re not allowed to get that close to me.” Seeing that Xiao Yeyang did not respond, she added, “Did you hear me? If you do that again… beware, for I will whip you with a riding crop.”
Xiao Yeyang laughed, spreading his hands, “Alright, only if you can reach me.”
Seeing his shameless attitude, Daohua ‘hmphed’ and resettled into her seat. She picked up the abacus and gestured with it toward him as if chasing him away, and only stopped once he was gone.
Xiao Yeyang rubbed his arm where he had been hit, gritting his teeth, “Aren’t you being a bit too harsh?”
Daohua gave him a sidelong glance, “Not harsh enough. Some people never learn their lesson.”
Seeing that Daohua was truly a bit angry, Xiao Yeyang quickly apologized, “Alright, alright, no more teasing. You haven’t answered my question yet, about whether you want to come with me to see the newly completed Glass Factory.”
Daohua glared at him and patted her chest, “Of course, I have to. I’ve also put in mental effort for that Glass Factory. How could I not go and see it?”
Xiao Yeyang smiled, approaching her once more, but as he took a few steps, he saw Daohua raise the abacus again, causing him to halt immediately, “…. When the Glass Factory is ready, I’ll take you there.”
Daohua nodded and set down the abacus, “Just as well, I’ve been out almost a month, and I should return to the Yan Residence. My older brother seems to be heading back to our hometown in a few days to prepare for the civil service examinations, and I should see him off.”
Hearing this, Xiao Yeyang felt somewhat reluctant to let her go.
He knew that once Daohua returned to the Yan Residence, the chances for them to be alone together would greatly diminish.
However, considering she had been away for quite some time and needed to see off Wenxiu, it did not seem right to persuade her to stay.