She Became A Downfall Noble Lady-Chapter 54 - Competing with a Child over a Toy
Chapter 54: Chapter 54: Competing with a Child over a Toy
Chapter 54 -54: Competing with a Child over a Toy
Jinrong was curious where the child came from and asked offhandedly, “Is such a young child already put to work? How old is he? Is he even three?”
Qi Younian bowed and replied, “The child only looks thin and small, but he is actually over four years old.”
“Oh. There’s quite an age difference between the old man’s granddaughter and grandson. Your granddaughter must have been recognized not long ago, and I guess the grandson was the same, right?”
“Yes, the age difference is indeed quite substantial,” Qi Younian replied with a chuckle.
As two more customers took their seats at another table, Qi Younian bowed and excused himself, “Sixth Master, please enjoy your meal at your leisure. This humble elder must attend to the customers.”
Jinrong waved his hand, signaling him to go about his business.
The thing about pouring sauce was just his way of making things difficult for the once irritable and overbearing girl; he wasn’t truly questioning the taste of the rice tofu. If the stall really did serve fine food, he probably wouldn’t be interested either.
Jinrong ate his breakfast, turning his gaze back to the child. The day he saw the child, sitting dumbfounded on the thick blanket, his expression was somewhat curious, but mostly frightened and uneasy.
Today, however, the little one looked much better.
The child delivered two cakes to another table then obediently returned to Nanny Jin’s side. Nanny Jin was all smiles as she praised the child, her expression full of pity for him.
Wait, what was the child holding?
Jinrong’s eyes landed on a small object in the child’s hands.
After receiving praise from Nanny Jin, the child picked up several… folded papers? He touched them, moved them a little, looking very fond of them. Then he carefully put them down and continued carrying plates.
Jinrong’s focus lingered on the folded papers. It seemed the child tugged at one of them, causing the wings of the paper-folded bird to flutter.
Jinrong thoughtfully withdrew his gaze and continued eating his rice tofu.
After finishing his meal, he didn’t get up immediately but remained seated, watching Qi Younian and the child busily work. During this time, the child went back to look at his paper toys.
Seeing Sixth Master lingering, Qi Younian came over and asked, “Does your Highness have any other instructions?”
It wasn’t that he was being rude, but a food stall wasn’t a comfortable resting place. If it wasn’t for the novelty of the rice tofu, someone like the prince would have come on a palanquin borne by eight carriers; such people would not visit otherwise.
Now that the prince sat motionless in front of the rudimentary table, he must have had a reason.
Jinrong nodded, “Hmm, there is something.”
“Please, speak,” Qi Younian said, bowing.
Jinrong pointed to the corner where several folded papers lay on a mat, “Those objects look curious to me, may I take a look at them?”
Qi Jia, who happened to be beside Qi Younian, heard Jinrong’s request and immediately turned to glance at the toys he cherished. When he turned back, his eyes clearly showed reluctance and sorrow.
“This?” Qi Younian, noticing his grandson’s reluctance, felt pity and hesitated in his response.
“What? Can’t I have a look?” Jinrong asked with a raised eyebrow.
His companion Hongzhi, seeing the prince’s expression, became somewhat displeased, “Old man, our Sixth Master taking interest in your boy’s little toys is an honor for your house. Why don’t you go fetch them?”
Ye Xinyan, who heard the commotion, called out to Qi Jia, “Qi Jia, come here.”
Qi Jia trudged over, knowing full well that he couldn’t keep his beloved possessions.
In the past, if he was holding something, no matter how insignificant, he had to immediately let go of it if someone wanted it; if he was too slow, he would be beaten viciously.
Although he was no longer with that family, he was afraid he would have to give up his possessions if this formidable adult demanded them.
Ye Xinyan looked at the little form of Qi Jia and felt sympathy. His Highness Prince Yu was too undignified, competing with a poor child over a worthless trinket.
“Our Qi Jia is such a generous child, give your folded paper to the guest. Once we return home, your sister will fold you several more, and I’ll even fold you a little pig. How’s that? You didn’t have a little pig before; it’s a new folded paper,” Ye Xinyan coaxed him.
Qi Jia neither agreed nor disagreed with Ye Xinyan’s words; he simply took his beloved toy, lifted his hands high, and placed it on the table in front of Jinrong.
Jinrong picked them up one by one to look, three folded papers in the shape of birds. This other one… what is it?
“What is this? How do you play with it?” Jinrong asked, holding the paper airplane.
“This one is thrown to fly,” Qi Younian said, somewhat embarrassed. He, an old man, surely couldn’t show the Sixth Prince how to fly this thing.
Defying his usual timidity, Qi Jia took the paper airplane from Jinrong’s hand, blew on the tip of it just like Ye Xinyan had, then threw it out smoothly.
As Jinrong, Hongzhi, and all the diners watched, the paper airplane flew steadily for a long distance before gently drifting down.
The flight of the paper airplane not only greatly interested Jinrong, but other diners also praised it, “This thing is well made, it can fly so far—it’s a great toy for children.”
“Shopkeeper, how is this made? It’s folded from paper, right?” someone asked.
Another person took over the conversation, “It is folded from paper indeed, it’s nice, but paper is so expensive, it’s really not good to let children play with it casually.”
Qi Jia ran over, picked up the paper airplane, carefully blew the dust off, and obediently placed it back on the table.
Jinrong looked at the folded papers with satisfaction and said to Qi Younian, “Elder, go home and fold some more for your child, I’ll take these few.” With that, he signaled Hongzhi with a glance and stood up to leave.
Hongzhi quickly left a small ingot of silver and hastily collected the folded papers, chasing after Jinrong to leave.
Although Qi Jia had known the outcome all along, his sister’s promise to fold him more still in mind, his little face fell when he saw the two adults take away his birds and he was visibly sad and disheartened.
Nanny Jin, who had been watching Qi Jia, hurriedly pulled him aside to comfort him.
Another diner said enviously, “Little fellow needn’t be sad, that noble guest left so much silver, you can buy lots of paper and fold a basketful of birds to play with.”
Qi Younian hastily replied with polite gratitude, “Yes, indeed, the noble guest gave us so much silver, we are very lucky.”
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This piece of silver was at least two taels; even if the rice tofu stall was doing well, it would take several days of business to earn that much silver. Money captivates hearts, and in the face of people’s gleaming eyes, one must be very polite, hoping not to draw too much attention.
Ye Xinyan, however, was quietly considering—could it be that His Highness Prince Yu was interested in these children’s playthings? If so, she should think of more fun items; if she could swindle a piece of silver every time, then she would be rich.
……
After a stroll, Jinrong returned to the courtyard he had temporarily acquired.
“Sixth Master is back. Was the rice tofu to your liking today?” The butler Wan Yan welcomed him and instructed a servant to bring tea.
“It was alright,” Jinrong replied without entering the house, sitting at a table under the corridor and gesturing for Hongzhi to take out a few small items, examining each one.
Wan Yan watched with curiosity as Sixth Master handled several paper birds, their wings movable when the tails were pulled, which seemed very amusing.
