Chapter 386: Chapter 362, Double Standards_1
Having realized that there was no way to intervene in the operations of the Glass Factory, Jiang Zhengyuan did not persist. Xiao Yeyang might not have been favored by Prince Ping and had a mother with a notorious reputation, yet there was nothing to be done, with the Emperor shielding them. He could only speak indirectly about the glass instead.
“I hear the Glass Factory has already produced a batch of glass?”
Xiao Yeyang nodded: “Correct.”
Jiang Zhengyuan gave a small laugh: “Your maternal aunt and cousin are quite fond of glassware.”
Xiao Yeyang’s expression became troubled: “Although the Glass Factory has started producing glass, the daily output is still very limited. Most of this first batch has been sent to Beijing, and the few that remain, I plan to use as exhibits on the first day of the eighth month, to let merchants from various places check the quality.”
The smile on Jiang Zhengyuan’s face disappeared: “Aren’t you also giving away thirteen sets for free?”
Xiao Yeyang: “Indeed, there is such a plan. It’s a method a friend mentioned to me, which can more quickly expand the Glass Factory’s renown.”
Jiang Zhengyuan scoffed: “Is ‘The First Glass Factory of Daxia’ not prestigious enough? What need is there to expand its renown further?”
Xiao Yeyang offered a faint smile: “True, many in the upper echelons are aware of the Glass Factory, but ordinary people do not.”
Jiang Zhengyuan was momentarily taken aback, then scoffed: “What, you intend to sell glass to the common folk as well? Can they afford it?”
Xiao Yeyang: “Whether they can afford it is another matter. Making them aware that we have our own Glass Factory is still essential.”
Jiang Zhengyuan frowned but did not counter the statement.
Xiao Yeyang, not wishing to waste any more words, thought for a moment and said: “The factory has indeed very little glass left. How about this, I will take out one set of teaware from the exhibits to give to my second maternal uncle for my aunt. Once the factory produces more glassware, I will open a specialized store in the prefecture. Then, my aunt and cousin Wanying can pick out what they like.”
This statement made Jiang Zhengyuan somewhat uneasy.
What does ‘taking out a set of teaware’ mean?
If he could give away thirteen sets for free, couldn’t he spare a few for them?
From his tone, he even sounded rather begrudging.
Moreover, when there is more glassware, why must they go to a shop to pick it out instead of being sent directly to his home? Going to the shop to choose, does that also mean they have to pay silver?
This Xiao Yeyang, after a few years in Zhongzhou, had indeed become petty.
Well, how could Zhongzhou compare to Beijing anyway?
In Beijing, even if Prince Ping did not favor his legitimate son, out of respect for the Emperor and the Empress Dowager as well as for the face of Prince Ping’s Residence, he would not overly restrict his expenses.
But here in Zhongzhou, far from the Emperor’s watchful eyes, Prince Ping likely had forgotten about this legitimate son long ago. He hadn’t heard of Prince Ping showing any concern for his son over the years.
Well, one set will have to do.
The boy was pitiable—unloved by his father and mother; it was inevitable that he’d have to be more calculating.
Seeing Jiang Zhengyuan’s sympathetic gaze, Xiao Yeyang felt speechless inside. With little thought, he knew why.
It couldn’t be helped; such looks were not unfamiliar to him. Ever since his mother left the Prince Residence, those gazes followed him. Even when he later took residence in the Imperial Palace, the gazes did not diminish.
Indeed, the legitimate son of a Prince—living worse than a bastard, with no family to return to—wasn’t it worthy of pity?
Years ago, he held the same belief until Daohua told him that it’s better to rely on oneself than on others, and not to covet even his parents’ belongings. To strive for what he wanted, gradually, he shed the resentment that had accumulated in his heart.
Without expectations, there would be no disappointment.
He thought that if he were to meet his royal father again, he’d no longer feel any resentment.
“Second uncle, I still have matters to attend to here and can’t keep you company,” he said.
Jiang Zhengyuan also wanted to look around Ningmen Prefecture. He had heard that the new Magistrate, Yan Zhigao, had some skill. Holding high-yield grain seeds in his hands, he had encouraged refugees to reclaim the land as soon as he arrived, which indeed solved quite a few security risks.
Recently, it was said that he had found crops suitable for sandy soils and that the results could be seen in October. But was it true?
“That’s fine, go on with your business. I’ll go for a walk.”
Xiao Yeyang stood up to see off Jiang Zhengyuan. Once he had left, he frowned and said, “There wasn’t much glass left from the first batch, and now one set of teaware is gone, which means one less exhibit.”
Defu, looking at his master, whispered a suggestion: “Master, we could take one item out of those reserved for Miss Yan…..”
“No!”
Xiao Yeyang decisively rejected: “The glass reserved for Daohua is already less than I would like, how can I take more out? No, I need to go to the storeroom and pick a few more objects, to ensure there’s enough for that fellow.”
Hearing this, Defu’s expression went numb.
He now knew just how much of a double standard his master had.
Presenting the Jiang Family with a set of teaware had caused his master such pain, yet this morning Zhao Zhong had delivered to Miss Yan a cartload of colored-glaze tiles and windows, and at the time, his master even complained it wasn’t enough.
If it weren’t for the fear that Yan Zhigao and Madam Li would find it too extravagant, he would have likely sent over the selected sets of colored-glaze items he had chosen earlier that morning as well.
The way things looked, it was as if he wanted to empty out the entire storeroom.
…
At the Yan Residence.
While Daohua was watching Zhao Zhong install the colored-glaze windows, Dong Yuanyao and Su Shiyu were led by Madam Dong to the Yan’s place.
“Aren’t these not yet for sale? How come you’re already having them installed here?”
Without waiting for Madam Li to call for Daohua, Dong Yuanyao herself pulled Su Shiyu along to the Daohua Pavilion.
Seeing the two, Daohua expressed surprise, “How come you’re here?”
Dong Yuanyao rushed to look at the colored-glaze windows, while Su Shiyu, smiling, said, “Isn’t it your birthday the day after tomorrow? We came to celebrate with you, and also to buy some colored glaze.”
Daohua laughed, “So celebrating my birthday is just an afterthought, is it? You’ve come all this way just to buy colored glaze?”
Turning around, Dong Yuanyao said, “Don’t be so ungrateful, okay? Celebrating your birthday is genuine, and of course, buying colored glaze is too. We’re doing both together; there’s no conflict.”
“Yes, yes, Miss Dong, whatever you say is always reasonable.”
With a laugh, Daohua pulled them into the house and instructed Guyu and Lixia to brew tea and serve pastries.
“Why is your room so bright?”
As soon as the three entered the room, Dong Yuanyao exclaimed in surprise.
Daohua pointed to the ceiling with a smile.
Dong Yuanyao’s eyes widened, “These must be the colored-glaze tiles, right? I’m going to have these installed tomorrow too.”
Su Shiyu smiled and looked around, saying, “The Little Prince’s establishment of the Xiangyang Glass Factory has really made things convenient for us. In the past, even if we wanted to buy, we didn’t have the means.”
Dong Yuanyao pouted her lips, “The Little Prince really does play favorites. I asked my brother to help me ask for some colored glaze, and he simply refused.”
Daohua was startled, “Really?” After a pause, she couldn’t help but defend Xiao Yeyang, “Xiao Yeyang is not stingy; it must be because the first batch of colored glaze was produced in small quantities, which is why he refused.”
Dong Yuanyao’s pout became more pronounced, “When it comes to us, there’s a short supply of colored glaze, but for you, there’s plenty?”
Daohua was caught off-guard and said awkwardly, “Well… this is a birthday gift for me. If you celebrated your birthdays during this time, he would definitely give to you as well.”
Dong Yuanyao scoffed, “Don’t make excuses for him. The Little Prince and you are just the same—both playing favorites.”
Daohua protested, “How have I played favorites?”
Dong Yuanyao said, “I heard from Brother Su that the medicinal meals you made were only for your three brothers and the Little Prince. My brother and Brother Su didn’t get any.”
Daohua fell silent, then explained, “That’s only because Xiao Yeyang is all alone in Zhongzhou with no elders to care for him. I find him so pitiable which is why I gave him a bit more attention.”
Dong Yuanyao was incredulous, “Pitiable, the Little Prince? From which eye did you see that he was pitiable?”
Daohua insisted, “I saw it with both eyes. Due to his status, Xiao Yeyang certainly lacks nothing in terms of food and living expenses, but there are no relatives by his side to care about him.”
“Unlike Brother Dong and Brother Su, when they are tired or sick, they get comforted and cared for by their parents and family. They have people to talk to and rely on when things happen, but Xiao Yeyang only has himself. He has to bear and shoulder everything alone; isn’t that pitiable?”
At these words, Dong Yuanyao fell quiet, and Su Shiyu seemed a bit stunned too.
These things had never crossed their minds.
Daohua continued, “So you see, isn’t it only right for me to take extra care of him?”
Dong Yuanyao retorted, “…Well, you could also take care of my brother and the others too.”
Daohua responded righteously, “That wouldn’t be appropriate at all. If I took care of them, then what would you all do?”
Dong Yuanyao looked at Daohua speechlessly.
It’s acceptable for you to take care of the Little Prince, but not my brother and the others—that really is a serious case of double standards.