Chapter 397: Chapter 397 - 373, Big Moves_1

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Daohua was initially delighted by Xiao Yeyang painting her portrait, but after Dong Yuanyao and Su Shiyu’s comments, a look at the painting now evoked a twinge of discomfort.

“Manman, put the painting away and store it properly,” she instructed.

Wang Manman was taken aback. “Miss, didn’t you really like this painting? Why aren’t you displaying it anymore?”

Daohua fell silent for a moment. “Just put it away. Mother comes over from time to time, and if she sees it and asks who painted it, am I supposed to lie to her?”

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After a moment’s thought, Wang Manman suggested, “What if we hang it in the study?”

Daohua shook her head. “Master Shen occasionally visits my study for a chat. It wouldn’t be good if she saw it there either. Just put it away. If I want to see it, I’ll take it out myself.”

Wang Manman nodded and, with some reluctance, put the painting away.

The Little Prince had painted the lady beautifully, and she too couldn’t help but feel joy looking at it. It’s a pity it couldn’t be hung up.

Meanwhile, in the side room.

Dong Yuanyao and Su Shiyu were still talking about the painting.

“Sister Su, do you think the Little Prince is being too nice to Yiyi?” Dong Yuanyao inquired.

Su Shiyu paused, then carefully said, “I’ve heard my brother mention that the Little Prince has always been kinder to Yiyi than to others.”

Dong Yuanyao: “I know that too. In the past, the Little Prince liked to tease Yiyi. I didn’t think much of it, as I like to play with Yiyi myself. But during the last few encounters, I feel like the Little Prince’s gaze towards Yiyi has changed; it just seems different somehow.”@@novelbin@@

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Su Shiyu: “…Could it be you are mistaken? To me, Yiyi seems the same as before.”

Dong Yuanyao sighed, “In some ways, Yiyi is just like her eldest brother—so oblivious. And being the person involved, she naturally wouldn’t notice.”

After some thought, Su Shiyu suggested, “I think you shouldn’t overthink it. There are things outsiders cannot meddle in. Despite your good intentions, you might end up causing harm.”

“Like the comments you made today, they were a bit much. Yiyi is generous-hearted; anyone else might have taken offense and quarreled with you by now.”

Dong Yuanyao: “I wouldn’t say such things to just anyone.”

Su Shiyu chuckled, “Alright, don’t worry needlessly. Yiyi and the Little Prince only meet during festivals or gatherings, and even then they’re surrounded by many others. Any feelings that might arise are bound to be limited.”

Dong Yuanyao nodded, “Let’s hope so.”

…

The next morning, Daohua set out with Dong Yuanyao and Su Shiyu, heading straight to the Glass Store.

Dong Yuanyao raced ahead: “My grandmother adores glassware, and this time I intend to pick out several sets to take back.”

Su Shiyu chimed in as well, “I should select some extra pieces too. My uncles are fond of using glass goblets for their wine.”

Daohua joked, “Then I shall nobly keep you company.”

When the trio arrived, the Glass Store was already packed with customers.

Daohua exclaimed, “Xiao Yeyang is going to make a fortune!”

Dong Yuanyao and Su Shiyu instantly smiled, “Indeed, it’s enviable. Let’s go in and choose quickly before the good stuff is all taken.”

In the store, glass cabinets were neatly arranged, filled with all manner of glass items: plates, bowls, bottles, jars, and ornaments.

The three of them moved from one cabinet to the next, examining the contents.

While they were engrossed in looking, the shop butler approached with a smile. “Ladies, today being the grand opening, we have a lucky draw event. You just happen to be the ninety-eighth, ninety-ninth and one hundredth customers. If you’re willing, please follow me to the second floor to participate.”

All three promptly looked up towards the second floor, where a crowd was already gathering, and the sound of lively chatter could be heard.

Show interest sparked within them, Dong Yuanyao quickly replied, “Butler, please lead the way.”

The butler smiled, nodded, and then led the three women upstairs.

Reaching the second floor, the butler ushered them into one of the foremost private rooms to take a seat.

When the butler left them to their own devices, Dong Yuanyao grew restless, “Aren’t we supposed to have the lucky draw?”

Daohua pulled at her, pointing towards the other private rooms, “They’re probably waiting for the other rooms to fill up before starting.”

Dong Yuanyao quickly looked around and then excitedly pulled Daohua, exclaiming, “Yiyi, look quickly, your father is here too!”

Daohua paused momentarily, then followed Dong Yuanyao’s pointing finger, and truly saw her foster father sitting in the opposite room along with Xiao Master, then she surveyed the rest of the occupied rooms, “It seems that many officials from Ningmen Prefecture are here too.”

Dong Yuanyao: “Those able to sit in a private room here are no ordinary people, right?”

Daohua: “There are no commoners among those who can enter the Glass Store.”

The amount of silver needed for a piece of glassware was substantial, entirely out of reach for the average person.

As more people ascended to the second floor, impatience began to show, and someone couldn’t help but call out, “Butler, when do we start?”

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The butler chuckled and said, “Once everyone is seated in the private boxes, we’ll begin.”

“Butler, can you tell us what prizes there are?”

The butler smiled ambiguously and said, “Today we do have a grand prize. I’m so jealous of it I can barely stand it. It all depends on whether you have the luck to win it.”

Someone immediately asked, “What’s the grand prize?”

The butler replied with a smile, “You’ll find out when you draw it.”

Soon enough, the private boxes were all filled.

The butler took the drawing cylinder from the attendant’s hand. The cylinder was filled with wooden draws; the prizes were written on them.

“Before we start the lottery, I must announce that there are three grand prizes today. The first prize is ten sets of glassware; the second prize, five sets; and the third prize, three sets.”

No sooner had he spoken than the people inside the private boxes and those who had come to watch all boiled with excitement.

Dong Yuanyao, who was in one of the boxes, stood up excitedly and said to Daohua and Su Shiyu, “Last time we didn’t get a single gift. This time, surely, we won’t be left out again, right?”

Having said this, she rubbed her hands together in anticipation.

“This time the three of us need to put in extra effort. We’re not asking for everyone to win a prize, but at least one of us should, right? Even if it’s just the third prize, we can each take home a set.”

Daohua smiled but did not speak, feeling a premonition in her heart that the top three prizes were probably reserved for the three of them.

The butler, holding the lottery cylinder, looked around and quickly walked towards Yan Zhigao.

Yan Zhigao smiled and without any fuss, drew a lot.

“A set of glass snuff bottles in the shape of the twelve zodiac animals.”

After the butler announced the prize, an attendant immediately brought a rosewood box containing twelve exquisite glass snuff bottles and handed it to Yan Zhigao.

As the head of Ningmen Prefecture, Yan Zhigao was extremely happy to have drawn a prize so suddenly. Smiling in the envious gazes of others, he accepted the rosewood box, nodded to his colleagues who congratulated him, and then picked the snuff bottle painted with the zodiac sign of Xiao Yeyang and handed it to him.

“Thank you for your help these past two years.”

Xiao Yeyang did not refuse, smiling as he accepted it, “May I share in your good fortune.”

The butler then headed towards the other private boxes.

Apart from Yan Zhigao’s lucky start, the subsequent draws for the boxes weren’t very good. A string of them drew nothing, and even if someone did get something later on, it was just ordinary glass cups and bowls.

It didn’t take long before it was Daohua and her companions’ turn.

The butler smiled and shook the cylinder, then handed it to Daohua, “Miss, please.”

Daohua glanced at the butler and reached out calmly, and just like how she had drawn the paper lots previously, a wooden stick moved to her fingertips as soon as her hand touched the cylinder.

The movement was quick, and if she hadn’t been paying attention, she might not have even noticed it.

Without a word, Daohua drew that stick.

After that, it was Su Shiyu’s turn, and finally, Dong Yuanyao’s.

Both Daohua and Su Shiyu drew their lots quietly, but Dong Yuanyao, upon reading the words “second prize” on her lot, shouted in excitement.

“Mine is the second prize!”

“Hahaha, my luck is better than yours, right? Don’t worry, I’ve won five sets of glassware, and I’ll share one with each of you.”

Daohua glanced at Dong Yuanyao, and seeing her triumphant laugh, couldn’t help saying, “I’ve got the first prize, I don’t need your share.”

Su Shiyu followed, “I have the third prize, I don’t need your share either.”

Dong Yuanyao’s laughter halted, but the gasps from the others began.

“Who is sitting in that box? How could they be so lucky?”

“It seems to be three young ladies, but I wonder from which household?”

“Heavens! Eighteen sets of glassware, how much silver would that be?”

As the attendant displayed the prizes one by one, the excitement reached its peak.

Even Yan Zhigao couldn’t help but be amazed and said to Xiao Yeyang, “The Little Prince has quite the generous hand.”

Looking at the glassware on the stage, Daohua couldn’t help but purse her lips and smile.

Dong Yuanyao also shouted with joy, “All five sets I won are those I like.”

Su Shiyu too was completely satisfied; the three sets she had received were also her favorites.

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