Chapter 147: Chapter 146 Mocking Language
The appearance of Madam Tang, along with a maid leading them inside, meant that this was not their first time entering the courtyard of the Meng Residence.
Upon their arrival, Mrs. Meng met them in the hall and had a maid serve them tea.
Madam Tang had the maid deliver congratulatory gifts, and both she and her grandson congratulated Meng Zhaojun.
When Meng Zhaojun saw Tang Shunyan, she smiled proudly. Regardless of whether other guests had arrived or whether they had seen her, the birthday girl, she wanted to take Tang Shunyan to see her toys.
“Tang Shunyan, I’m taking you to see something nice.”
“Where are we going? Grandmother said to stay with her and not to wander off.” Tang Shunyan had come with his grandmother and actually did not like attending banquets.
But his grandmother had mentioned, Meng Zhaojun’s birthday invitation specified that he must come.
Last time during his own birthday, Meng Zhaojun had come to congratulate him, so he had to save face and attend the banquet himself.
“Tang Shunyan, I’m taking you to see something nice! We’re not even leaving the courtyard, don’t worry, this is the back courtyard of the government office, who would dare make trouble here?”
“This… it’s a woman’s boudoir, isn’t it inappropriate for me to enter?”
“Tang Shunyan, are you overthinking this? How old are we? We only start observing major taboos at seven, we’re just 3 years old. If you’re scared, just don’t talk to me then, hmph!”
“Then let’s bring more people along, those we both know.” Tang Shunyan referred to the men and women surrounding them, who were familiar and had played together at banquets before.
“Them?” Meng Zhaojun wanted to say no as she only wanted Tang Shunyan to see her things, to enter her boudoir.
“Meng Zhaojun, we’re so close, can’t you show me your nice things?” Tang Xiyue spoke up, and other boys and girls also started chattering along.
“Fine! Follow me in to look then, but don’t mess with my things.”
Meng Zhaojun noticed that their chatter had grown loud, catching the attention of the adults.
In order to be able to take Tang Shunyan to see her toys and to let him know that his toys were not unique, she had to bring these idlers into her boudoir with them.
Meng Zhaojun took so many children into her room, and the adults of these children asked the maids to follow.
Suddenly, her boudoir was crowded with many people going in, the children had entered, and those following the kids could only wait outside the door.
Once inside her boudoir, Meng Zhaojun had her maid bring out her toy chest and then open it.
She pridefully said to Tang Shunyan:
“Tang Shunyan, look at these toys…”
Tang Shunyan, initially showing impatience on his face, had a change of expression when Meng Zhaojun opened the toy chest and he saw the toy on top.
“Meng Zhaojun, where did these toys come from? How come they are identical to the toys in my room?”
Tang Xiyue and some other children ran over to look, then Tang Xiyue and the children all chimed in:
“Tang Shunyan, didn’t you say your toys were all unique? Meng Zhaojun has them here too!”
“Exactly, today when we came here, we saw some shops on the main street also selling these toys.”
“I also saw them and told my mom that we should buy some toys on the way home after the party,”
When Tang Shunyan heard his friends’ comments, he was stunned, his face flushed with the effort of holding back his feelings. Just a few days ago, his toys were unique, and he liked to believe that no one else had them.
He had also seen the surprise on his friends’ faces when they saw those toys. So where did these toys come from?
“Tang Shunyan, did you hear that? You keep saying your toys are one-of-a-kind. What a joke!” Meng Zhaojun had aimed for this outcome, and seeing her plan succeed made her smile broadly.
Tang Shunyan stared at the toys, then poured the entire box of toys out to take a closer look at them.
“You see, these toys look a lot like mine, but their carving is quite exquisite, but have you noticed that the colors of these toys are different from mine?”
“Tang Shunyan, what do you mean by that?” Tang Xiyue couldn’t see any difference.
“What I can tell you is that my toys were made by the hands of my wet nurse’s husband, and his craftsmanship isn’t the same as these toys. These are also well-made, but I can feel that this person used high-quality imitations.”
“Tang Shunyan, are you saying that Meng Zhaojun’s toys are high-quality imitations of your toys?”
“Isn’t it obvious? We saw my toys that day, and it’s been three days since then. Meng Zhaojun now has toys here, and similar toys have appeared on the streets. Only we and the people at my residence have seen my toys.”
“Tang Shunyan, have you not considered that it was your Tang Family who made high-quality imitations to sell?”
Meng Zhaojun felt a bit scared, the joy she felt earlier was overshadowed by the boy’s surprising words. Could a three-year-old have read detective novels?
Just now, this suspicion made Tang Shunyan doubt the people from the Ye family and therefore feel distaste towards them.
Tang Shunyan was made a laughingstock, surely annoyed at the Ye family, and thus avoided dealing with them.
Being ridiculed in front of his friends, he would likely be more upset, annoyed at the girls from the Ye family. Yet, Meng Zhaojun hadn’t expected Tang Shunyan, even at this young age, to discern that these products were high-quality imitations.
A saying goes, “See the old through the child of three.” Tang Shunyan is so astute at such a young age, she must firmly capture his heart.
The nurturing plan is to be expedited even more now.
“No, my grandfather and father promised, and I definitely won’t do such a thing. Besides, these are just ordinary wooden toys. My dad is now making better toys out of expensive wood for sale. How much could these toys even sell for?”
Tang Shunyan confidently looked at his friends, his gaze mocking Meng Zhaojun.
“Tang Shunyan, so you’re saying your family uses expensive wood to make and sell toys, and then their family gives you these cheap things? Haha, you still claim they’re unique. What a thrill.”
Meng Zhaojun met Tang Shunyan’s mocking gaze, she forced herself to stay calm, her mature adult psychology wouldn’t be upset by a child’s words, would it?
Her purpose today was indeed to make Tang Shunyan lose face.
“Tang Shunyan, Meng Zhaojun is right. These cheap toys aren’t worth much. You treasure them so much, can’t your Tang family afford to buy these toys? I was telling my mom to buy me some toys later, but seeing how common these things are, there’s no need to buy anymore.”
“Right, no need to buy anymore.”
Upon hearing this, Meng Zhaojun felt empowered by the children’s support. If they weren’t all at her place, she would have laughed out loud.
“Tang Shunyan, did you hear what they said? Such easily available items and you still treasure these toys, heh heh.”
Upon hearing the sound of Meng Zhaojun mocking him, Tang Shunyan shook his head. He wasn’t annoyed, just disgusted by Meng Zhaojun’s mockery and walked out of her room.