Chapter 385: Chapter 361: Growth_1
On the twenty-ninth of July, a carriage covered in burlap entered the back courtyard of the Yan Family.
At this time, Daohua was in class.
Teacher Shen sat at the front, occasionally glancing at Daohua, who was fully engrossed in her book. Recalling the matter about the proposal that had been mentioned by someone from the Guo Family, her eyes flickered.
When the Yan Family left Xingzhou, she had prepared to resign from her position as a teacher, but just at that moment, someone from the Guo Family had come, and thus, after repeated invitations from Madam Li, she had agreeably consented to continue educating the young ladies of the Yan Family.
Teacher Shen looked at Daohua again, this time with more scrutiny.
In just two more days, this girl would turn thirteen. Her appearance and physique were now slowly maturing, and she was becoming more exceptionally graceful and exquisite. Were she to go to Beijing, she would be second to none.
Had that person taken a liking to this girl?
Having served in the Yan Family for three years, she had never meddled in the family’s affairs, but she still knew what she had to know.
For instance, the Little Prince from Prince Ping’s residence seemed to have an unusual interest in this girl, their personalities so remarkably in sync that they could converse on the same level.
Was it because of this that person was so attentive to this girl?
However, the heritage of the Yan Family was too modest, fearing this girl might not be quite eligible to become the principal wife of the Prince Ping’s legitimate son.
While that person was the Little Prince’s mother, she had had such a severe fallout with Prince Ping that her opinions were unlikely to sway the marriage decisions of the Little Prince.
A trace of worry crossed Teacher Shen’s eyes. She truly liked this girl—who was intelligent and warm-hearted, meticulously attentive and considerate towards her, her teacher. She sincerely hoped the girl would secure a favorable match.
Being a daughter-in-law of the Imperial Family was no easy task. She had observed the girl’s temperament over the years and could tell that she was not one to be tied down easily; the strict rules of the Imperial Family would not suit her.
The woman from the Guo Family had once clashed with Prince Ping precisely because of her fiery and obstinate nature, intolerant of any injustice.
But that woman had the backing of a powerful natal family, allowing her in the end to divorce Prince Ping. The Yan Family, however, was merely a family of a fourth-ranked official, with no strength to resist against the Imperial Family.
Watching Daohua, still oblivious to worries, Teacher Shen sighed inwardly.
Being noticed by that woman from the Guo Family might not necessarily be a good thing.
The Prince Ping’s residence was not a good place to be.
Daohua, engrossed in her book, suddenly felt someone’s gaze on her. She looked up to find Teacher Shen staring straight at her.
When Teacher Shen saw Daohua look her way, she averted her gaze and stopped looking at her.
Seeing this, Daohua, puzzled, looked down at her clothing, then reached to touch her face and hairpin.
There was nothing amiss!
Why was Teacher Shen looking at her like that?
At that moment, Ping Tong came in with a smile and, after giving a courteous bow to Teacher Shen, she said, “Teacher Shen, Madam has sent for the first young lady and asks if she may be excused for half of the day.”
Teacher Shen smiled and nodded, turning to Daohua, “Go ahead, but make sure to memorize well what was taught today. Also, continue practicing your calligraphy. You have done well in your studies, but do not become complacent or slack off.”
“Remember, in this world, only those with the ability can pursue what they desire, and only those with the ability have the power to say no.”
Daohua was taken aback and somewhat puzzled as to why Teacher Shen would suddenly mention this but nodded in response, “This student will heed the teacher’s instruction.”
Without saying more, Teacher Shen waved her hand, indicating that Daohua could leave.
Daohua packed up her books efficiently, bowed to Teacher Shen, and left the classroom with Wang Manman.
…
“Sister Ping Tong, did my mother have something urgent to discuss?”
Exiting the classroom, Daohua looked at Ping Tong with confusion. It was rare for her mother to seek her out during class time.
Ping Tong smiled and replied, “You’ll find out once you get to the main house.”
Daohua saw him smile without a word and asked no further, striding towards the main courtyard.
It was not long before the three of them arrived at the main courtyard.
“Zhao Ergou, what brings you here?”
Looking at Zhao Ergou standing in the yard, Daohua was surprised.
When Madam Li heard her daughter’s address, she immediately scolded lightly, “What kind of address is that? This is Zhao Zhong, the bodyguard.”
Daohua was startled, “Zhao Zhong?”
Zhao Ergou smiled, “The Little Prince thought the name Zhao Ergou wasn’t very pleasant, so he gave me a new name.”
Daohua smiled and nodded, choosing not to continue on that topic, “You’re here because?”
Zhao Zhong pointed to the carriage in the yard, “The Little Prince sent me to replace the glazed windows and roof tiles for the young lady, insisting that it must be done before the young lady’s birthday.”
Daohua walked up to the carriage and looked at the cartload of glazed tiles and windows, asking with a laugh, “How is the production of luili coming along?”
Zhao Zhong smiled, “Not bad. The Little Prince has been personally overseeing it recently, and these days, many merchants have approached the Glass Factory, wanting to place orders. If the Little Prince hadn’t been adamant about selling this first batch of glaze the day after tomorrow, I’m afraid they would be all gone by now.”
Relieved to hear that the glaze was selling well, Daohua let down her guard, “That’s good.”
Zhao Zhong, “Then… I’ll start helping the young lady with the replacement now.”
Daohua counted the glazed tiles and panes on the carriage, and although there was a cart full, if it really came down to dividing them up, probably only two or three pieces would be allotted per courtyard.
Seeing her daughter’s calculation, Madam Li immediately realized what she was planning and promptly said, “Just take care of your and your grandmother’s quarters. If the other courtyards want to use glaze, they can pay for it themselves.”
Daohua was silent for a moment, “I naturally can’t manage the other courtyards, but the main courtyard, as well as the quarters of my eldest brother, third brother, and fourth brother, should be considered.”
Madam Li, “…In that case, just leave a few glazed tiles to put in the study of the main courtyard. As for your eldest brother, only his courtyard needs to reserve a few. Wentao and Wenkai are rarely at home; it would be a waste to install them there.”
Hearing Madam Li say this, Daohua did not argue further. After all, the Glass Factory was in Ningmen Prefecture. If her brothers wanted to install them in the future, they could simply buy some.
Once they had agreed on the allocation, Zhao Ergou began to lead the installation of the glazed tiles.
Meanwhile, in a four-winged compound just a few streets away from the Governor’s Office, Xiao Yeyang wore a faint smile as he spoke with Jiang Zhengyuan.
Xiao Yeyang, “Cousin, aren’t you supposed to be at the office? What brings you to Ningmen Prefecture?”
Jiang Zhengyuan glanced at his ever more imposing grandnephew who did not yield the seat of honor and said with a smile, “The first of August is when you start selling the luili, right? As your cousin, how could I not come and support you?”
Xiao Yeyang replied courteously, “Cousin, you are too kind.”
Jiang Zhengyuan continued, “It must be very busy that day. This time, I brought some extra hands with me. You take them; don’t be polite with me.”
Xiao Yeyang’s smile slightly faded, “Thank you, cousin, but there’s no need. I’ve already made arrangements for the first of August; we have enough people.”
Jiang Zhengyuan’s expression stiffened. He had not expected Xiao Yeyang to straightforwardly reject his offer, and with a somewhat forced smile, he said, “These years, Yeyang, you have become increasingly accomplished.”
Xiao Yeyang smiled and took a sip of his tea. After a leisurely moment, he said, “Isn’t that to be expected? I’ve grown up now!”
Jiang Zhengyuan’s expression froze again as the memory of that irritable young boy suddenly sprang into his mind; he seemed somewhat lost in thought. After a while, he murmured, “Yes, you’ve grown up.”
Then, pausing, he squinted his eyes at Xiao Yeyang and said, “I heard that someone snuck into your Glass Factory recently?” He finished and stared unblinkingly at Xiao Yeyang’s face, trying to gauge his emotion from any changes in his expression.
Unfortunately, he found nothing.
Xiao Yeyang’s expression remained unchanged throughout the conversation as he simply said, “They were just some clueless petty thieves; the issue has been resolved.”
His unfazed demeanor made Jiang Zhengyuan inwardly shaken.
Having not met the boy in a few years, he saw now that Xiao Yeyang had truly matured. Not only did he speak without revealing anything, but he also managed his emotions and expressions well; even he, a seasoned veteran in the bureaucratic field, could no longer discern Xiao Yeyang’s thoughts or knowledge.