Chapter 420: Chapter 396, Not the Only One_1
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As Daohua spoke, there was a smile on her face, yet Xiao Yeyang could still sense her displeasure, and he felt somewhat helpless inside.
This girl, was she really upset just because he had brought Cousin Wanying along to the Glass Store? Was it necessary?
While Xiao Yeyang was hesitating about what to say, Yan Wenxiu spoke up.
“Little Prince, please continue your shopping with Miss Jiang. We just came to look around and will be leaving shortly.”
Upon seeing the Little Prince, Yan Wenqi and the other four suddenly conducted themselves with constrained reverence; it was best they leave quickly to avoid making everyone uncomfortable.
Hearing this, Xiao Yeyang inwardly cursed Yan Wenxiu, then managed a smile that was more a grimace as he said, “Why leave so soon after arriving?”
Daohua replied with a laugh, “We wouldn’t want our presence to dampen the Little Prince and Miss Jiang’s spirits, would we?” She said this with a not-quite-serious smile as her eyes casually swept over the two of them.
At those words, Xiao Yeyang’s expression became solemn, and his gaze on Daohua sharpened. After a moment, he turned directly to Yan Wenxiu: “Let’s all sit down together. I also wanted to ask you about your provincial exams.”
At this, a flicker of dissatisfaction quickly passed through Jiang Wanying’s eyes; she wanted to spend time alone with Brother Yang.
It had been several years since she had seen Brother Yang. The affection they had developed as children had faded. This reunion had made it clear to her that Brother Yang was much colder toward her than before.
She had come this time intending to cultivate their relationship.
She believed that with their childhood bond, they would soon be able to restore their close friendship.
Only after enduring her father’s pressure had Brother Yang agreed to accompany her shopping, and yet here they had encountered the Yan siblings. Such bad luck.
Knowing that Xiao Yeyang had a good relationship with the Yan brothers, Jiang Wanying, though reluctant, still followed his lead with a smile: “That’s right. It’s not often we all meet up. We should definitely have a good chat.”
With that, she walked over to Daohua and affectionately linked her arm.
“I’ve been wanting to befriend Miss Yan for a long time. Unfortunately, I usually stay in the provincial capital and have had no opportunity. We must have a good talk today.”
Daohua pursed her lips in a smile and discretely withdrew her arm.
Seeing this, Jiang Wanying’s expression faltered, and she felt a slight irritation.
She’d been willing to give the Yan family’s eldest daughter some face on account of the Yan brothers, but she hadn’t expected this person to be so clueless.
Hearing Xiao Yeyang and Jiang Wanying agree, it was inappropriate for Yan Wenxiu to persist in wanting to leave, so he smiled and introduced Yan Wenqi, Yan Wenge, and Yan Wenyi to Xiao Yeyang.
Meanwhile, Daohua introduced Yan Yunxi and Yan Yunyan to Jiang Wanying.
“Miss Jiang, these are my cousins, Yan Yunxi and Yan Yunyan; Yunxi, Yunyan, this is Miss Jiang Wanying from the Jiang family of Zhongzhou Province.”
As Daohua made the introductions, Jiang Wanying’s displeasure rose once again.
Whenever others introduced the young ladies of the Jiang family, they would typically refer to them as relatives of the Empress Dowager or the Empress’s family, hardly ever mentioning just the Jiang family, as Yan Yiyi did.
These provincial official’s children really couldn’t be taken anywhere, lacking even the basic social skills for introductions.
Noticing that Xiao Yeyang had already taken Yan Wenxiu and the others upstairs, Jiang Wanying quickly said with a smile, “Let’s follow them. I dare say the Glass Store owned by my Brother Yang is the best in all of Daxia. If you take a fancy to any piece of glass later, just tell me quietly. I’ll talk to Brother Yang and have him give it to you for free.”
Daohua raised an eyebrow and her face showed delight: “Is Miss Jiang serious? Will the Little Prince agree? I have heard my three brothers say that the Little Prince always dislikes others making decisions for him.”
Jiang Wanying smiled demurely: “Others naturally cannot persuade Brother Yang, but I…” She stopped, her face flushing with shyness, the implication of her unfinished sentence clear.
Jiang Wanying knew that given Xiao Yeyang’s relationship with the Yan brothers, giving away two or three common glass pieces from the storefront to the Yan sisters would surely be indisputable.
When she brought it up later, it would count as a favor.
The corners of Daohua’s mouth twitched. She glanced back at Xiao Yeyang, who was watching her, giving him a pointed look before smiling at Jiang Wanying: “Since Miss Jiang has said so, we won’t be shy.”
“And I’m not afraid of your laughter, to be honest, I love the glassware here. My cousins and I will certainly pick carefully later on.”
Jiang Wanying’s face stiffened, and inwardly she lamented the pettiness of provincial officials’ daughters.
Glass was valuable, not something you could just pick at will.
Her offer had been merely a polite gesture. Anyone with a sense of propriety would have merely thanked her and allowed the host to choose what to give, rather than picking for themselves.
Watching Daohua’s gleeful demeanor as she talked about selecting glassware with Yan Yunxi, Jiang Wanying found it hard to look on.
This Miss Yan truly had no awareness.
By this time, the group had reached the second floor.
Xiao Yeyang saw Daohua chatting happily with Yan Yunxi and couldn’t help but ask with a smile, “What’s got you so happy?”
Jiang Wanying thought to herself that this was bad and was about to change the subject when Daohua beat her to it.
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Daohua looked at Xiao Yeyang with a smile, “Little Prince, Miss Jiang said, if my two clan sisters and I take a liking to any piece of glass, she has asked you to give it to us for free.”
As she spoke, she gave Jiang Wanying a grateful look, “Thank you, Miss Jiang. Glass is so expensive, and with my meager monthly allowance, I can’t even afford a shard. Your relationship with the Little Prince is so close; you must speak some good words on our behalf. He will surely listen to you.”
Upon hearing this, the smile on Xiao Yeyang’s face disappeared.
He and cousin Wanying had a close relationship? He was to listen to cousin Wanying? What on earth was Daohua talking about?
Yan Wenxiu, on the other hand, looked at Daohua peculiarly. Why had his big sister suddenly started playing poor? Was she planning to fleece a scapegoat? But they also had a stake in this glass store, wouldn’t that mean she was fleecing herself?
Yan Wenqi and the others exchanged glances and stood silently to one side. Ever since they had encountered Xiao Yeyang and Jiang Wanying, they had seldom spoken.
Only Jiang Wanying showed a hint of joy on her face, thinking that Yan Yiyi finally said something pleasant to hear.
Daohua scoffed and gave Xiao Yeyang a slanted glance, ignoring his displeased expression.
Jiang Wanying also noticed Xiao Yeyang’s expression. Seeing that he seemed somewhat unhappy, she felt a little guilty.
She hadn’t expected Yan Yiyi would be so quick to blurt out the request for glass in public. She had already spoken the big words; in order to not lose face, she had to brazenly speak up.
“Brother Yang, I’ve long heard that you’re very close to Master Yan and the others. Since we’ve fortuitously met at the glass store, why not gift two pieces of glass to Miss Yan? ”
With one word “gift,” she fully displayed the superiority of royalty.
Immediately, Daohua couldn’t help but roll her eyes and then look at Xiao Yeyang with a mockingly, “Little Prince, since Miss Jiang has spoken, why not bestow a few more pieces of glass on us?”
The word “bestow” was heavily emphasized by Daohua.
Xiao Yeyang looked at Daohua with furrowed brows, “Any piece of glass you fancy in the store, you can take.”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Wanying’s face paused, and she quickly glanced at Xiao Yeyang. Seeing the displeasure on his face, she let out a sigh of relief.
It must have been Yan Yiyi’s insensitivity that had annoyed Brother Yang.
Indeed, for the precious glass in the store, Brother Yang was only willing to give her one piece, let alone others?
Seeing Xiao Yeyang upset, Jiang Wanying felt she should step in to smooth things over, quickly smiling, “Brother Yang, how do you expect Miss Yan to respond to that? I think the glass teapots placed at the entrance of the store are nice; they’re more practical than other items. How about we give one to each of the Miss Yans?”
Xiao Yeyang remained silent, not saying a word.
He was very averse to Jiang Wanying’s presumptuousness, but a flat refusal would cause Yan Wenxiu and Daohua to lose face.
Seeing Xiao Yeyang’s silence, Jiang Wanying took that as consent. She smiled, quickly summoned the butler, “Bring over three glass teapots from the ones displayed at the store entrance. Oh, and also bring over the glass piece that Brother Yang just picked out for me so that I can admire it together with Miss Yan.”
The butler looked at Xiao Yeyang, and, seeing no objection, bowed and left to fetch the glass teapots.
“Let’s go, we’ll sit in the private room and wait.”
Watching Jiang Wanying beckon them over with all the airs of a mistress, Daohua felt a knot in her stomach. She also had shares in the Glass Factory, and yet someone else was playing boss in front of her. The feeling was indeed unpleasant.
What made her even more uncomfortable was Xiao Yeyang’s silent consent.
Daohua steadied her emotions and wanted to leave but, seeing the expectant look on Yan Yunxi and Yan Yunyan’s faces, she had no choice but to follow Jiang Wanying to the private room.
Xiao Yeyang glanced at Yan Wenxiu and said in a deep voice, “Let’s also head over.”
The group sat in the private room, and soon, the butler arrived with four glass pieces.
Watching the butler hand a glass globe lamp to Jiang Wanying, Daohua couldn’t keep her smile up anymore.
“Look, this is the glass globe lamp Brother Yang chose for me. Isn’t it beautiful?”
Jiang Wanying, smiling from ear to ear, held up the glass globe lamp for Daohua and the others to see.
“Beautiful, really beautiful!”
Yan Yunxi and Yan Yunyan nodded eagerly at the sight of the glass globe lamp.
Seeing the envy and desire in their eyes, Jiang Wanying’s face showed self-satisfaction. She shyly glanced at Xiao Yeyang next to her. Noticing Daohua wasn’t speaking, she immediately asked, “Miss Yan, haven’t you said whether it’s beautiful or not?”
Daohua smiled faintly, “Beautiful, quite beautiful.”
That Mid-Autumn Festival night, Xiao Yeyang waited for her at the Yan Residence’s Chuihua Gate. Seeing her carrying a cumbersome lantern with poor lighting, he said he would make her a glass lantern.
He kept his word. In just a few days, he had a glass globe lamp sent to the Yan Residence.
She had thought…
Since this item was specially made for her by him, it should be unique to her alone. But seeing the one in Jiang Wanying’s hand, she felt her self-conceit was truly laughable.
