Chapter 421: Chapter 397, Tired Heart_1
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Seeing Daohua and the others praising the colored glaze crystal ball lantern, Jiang Wanying’s heart swelled with pride. She noticed Yan Yunxi seemed to want to touch the lantern but immediately moved it out of the way, carefully handing it to the maid behind her, smiling as she said,
“Although our Daxia can now produce colored glaze on our own, we’re just starting out, and many items are still difficult to make. Take this colored glaze lantern of mine, for example, you can’t find a second one like it in the entire Glass Store. If it were damaged, even if you wanted to compensate, you wouldn’t be able to afford it.”
Upon hearing this, Yan Yunxi’s face immediately turned red with shame, and then she silently lowered her head.
Jiang Wanying didn’t pay attention to Yan Yunxi and, seeing Daohua’s displeasure as if she wanted to say something, preemptively continued, “Miss Yan, don’t misunderstand. In past years when I was in Beijing, the Empress Dowager and the Empress often bestowed colored glaze items upon me, and I myself am not particular about colored glaze. But…”
“This colored glaze lantern was specifically given to me by Brother Yang, saying it was lightweight and convenient, to prevent me from falling at night. It’s his thoughtfulness, so naturally, I have to be more careful, Miss Yan, please don’t think I’m being stingy.”
Daohua, tired of listening to her boast, said indifferently, “Miss Jiang, I suddenly remembered we have other matters to attend to, so we’ll take our leave now.”
With that, she looked at Yan Yunxi, whose head was almost buried in her chest, and at Yan Yunyan, who was looking uncomfortable and restrained, “Yunxi, Yunyan, let’s go.”
Hearing Daohua suggest leaving, both Yan Yunxi and Yan Yunyan immediately stood up.
Daohua didn’t even bother to greet Xiao Yeyang and the others, and led the two out of the private room.
The three departed so cleanly and decisively.
Seeing this, Jiang Wanying was stunned and, for the third time, felt the sensation that daughters of local officials were not fit for high society.
In Beijing, daughters of aristocratic families, even if unhappy, would never show it so plainly.
Some might say this was showing true character, but in her eyes, it was a lack of upbringing.
Consider Dong Yuanyao, a daughter of the Marquis Residence, and after being stationed with her parents to the local area, she had become just as impolite and ill-mannered, truly squandering her noble birthright.
Xiao Yeyang and Yan Wenxiu, who were chatting nearby, stood up immediately upon noticing something was amiss.
Xiao Yeyang looked over at Jiang Wanying, “What’s wrong?”
Jiang Wanying furrowed her brow and shook her head, a little aggrieved, “Brother Yang, I don’t know why Miss Yan suddenly became unhappy? I was speaking to her nicely, and she just got up and left with others.”
Regarding the Dong Family, Su Family, Zhou Family, and Yan Family, whom Brother Yang had befriended in Zhongzhou, she felt both jealous and wary.
It couldn’t be helped; these families all had daughters of a suitable age for Brother Yang, and according to her father, Brother Yang had frequented these families over the years in Zhongzhou.
With frequent meetings, it was inevitable that opportunities arose for those who dreamt of climbing the social ladder.
What she feared most were Dong Yuanyao and Su Shiyu, both having noble family backgrounds and good looks, one from the Marquis Yongjia Residence in Beijing and the other from a Scholar Family. If they took an interest in Brother Yang, they would be formidable rivals.
Although the Yan Family was the least prestigious among these families, Yan Yiyi had an appealing appearance, warranting Jiang Wanying’s attention.
Therefore, whenever she had the chance, she did not mind smearing their reputation in front of Brother Yang.
How could Brother Yang like such rude and poorly taught individuals?
Upon hearing this, Yan Wenxiu hurriedly explained, “Miss Jiang may not know, but my sister has always been impetuous, acting on the spur of the moment. I’m sure she must have remembered some unfinished business, which is why she left in a hurry.”
Jiang Wanying’s expression cleared with understanding, “Is that so? I thought Miss Yan did not like me?”
Xiao Yeyang frowned and took over, “You’ve only met her once or twice, barely exchanging a few words. How could you decide whether she likes you or not? Cousin Wanying, you are being oversensitive.”
Jiang Wanying looked at Xiao Yeyang in surprise.
Is Brother Yang speaking up for Yan Yiyi?
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At this moment, Yan Wenxiu spoke up again, “Little Prince, Miss Jiang, we’ve been out for quite some time. We should return now, so we will take our leave.”
Xiao Yeyang paused for a moment, “Alright, I’ll talk to you next time.”
Yan Wenxiu nodded and then prepared to leave with Yan Wenqi and the others.
As they reached the doorway, Jiang Wanying stopped them, “Elder Brother Yan, you forgot to take the glass teapot the Little Prince gifted to the Yan ladies. You should bring it back for them.”
Hearing the word ‘gifted,’ Yan Wenxiu felt uncomfortable inside but forced a smile, “The glass is too precious, I cannot accept it.” Seeing that Jiang Wanying wished to say more, he quickly added, “When I have saved enough silver, I will surely come to buy it. I can’t allow the Little Prince to incur the expense.”
Xiao Yeyang waved his hand dismissively, “Off you go.”
Yan Wenxiu nodded, then quickly left with Yan Wenqi and the others.
Jiang Wanying saw Xiao Yeyang’s reluctance to even give away three glass teapots to the Yan family, and her heart held a trace of joy.
It seems that the Yan family members don’t hold much weight in Brother Yang’s heart.
Now that everyone had departed, Jiang Wanying thought she could finally spend some time alone with Brother Yang. Just as she was about to speak to him, she saw that Xiao Yeyang was looking at her displeasedly.
“Brother Yang, what’s wrong? Don’t look at me like that; you’re scaring me.”
Xiao Yeyang suppressed the unpleasant feelings in his heart, barely holding back his anger, he said, “Wenxiu and the others are my classmates and friends, not servants or slaves.”
Jiang Wanying looked at Xiao Yeyang weakly, “I didn’t treat them as servants or slaves.”
Xiao Yeyang pointed at the glass teapot on the table, “Then why did you say ‘gifted’ just now?”
Until now, his attention had been on Daohua, and he hadn’t noticed Jiang Wanying’s choice of words. But having heard it just then, he was truly furious.
Jiang Wanying was silent, “Brother Yang, you are of the Imperial Family, the legitimate son of a Prince; when I said ‘gifted,’ I wasn’t wrong, was I?”
Xiao Yeyang raised his voice a few notches, “That’s in regard to others. The Yan family has saved me twice; they are my benefactors. Do you expect me to flaunt my royal status before my benefactors?”
“I…”
Jiang Wanying seemed somewhat frightened, anxiety taking over, and her breathing became labored as she began to gasp heavily.
Seeing this, the maidservant quickly came forward to help Jiang Wanying catch her breath.
“Little Prince, please don’t be angry, the young lady has only recently come to Zhongzhou and is unaware of many things. Whatever it is, please talk to her gently, and she will surely do as you say,” the maidservant said.
Seeing this, Xiao Yeyang’s brows furrowed deeply.
After a while, Jiang Wanying’s breathing slowed, and looking faint, she said to Xiao Yeyang, “Brother Yang, please don’t be angry anymore. I’ll be careful with my words in the future.”
Xiao Yeyang, “… Cousin Wanying, you’ve also been out for a long time. I will have someone escort you back soon. Besides, I am usually very busy. You have been in Zhongzhou for half a year now; there’s no need to come to me for everything. Though I’ve been here for several years, I spend most of my time at the Academy and actually can’t offer you much help.”
Having been around someone as bright and vibrant as Daohua for so long, now facing a girl like Wanying, who seemed to get frightened at the slightest loud sound, he felt utterly exhausted.
Jiang Wanying was quiet, “Brother Yang, aren’t you going to see me off?”
Xiao Yeyang bluntly said, “I have matters to attend to here. If it weren’t for you, I should be at the barracks training with the soldiers right now. Alright, I will have Dexi escort you.”
Sensing Xiao Yeyang’s impatience, Jiang Wanying bit her lip and left, with the assistance of her maidservant, looking back every three steps.