TFWYH – Chapter 415 Teaching by Example

“?”
Hey—what kind of way is that to talk?

Tang Wan wanted to ask more, but Su Yuan pulled her aside and explained in a low voice:

“Wan-niang, the Dragon Shadow Guards are emotionally detached and loyal only to the emperor. Strength is everything among them. Su Xi was originally ranked at the very bottom, so those ranked higher simply don’t care about her.”

Tang Wan understood now.

So that was why the emperor had so generously gifted Su Xi to Su Qing.

Then she asked, “So… this Su Yun must rank pretty high. What number is she?”

“Well…” Su Yuan actually didn’t know either. “Let’s just hurry and teach her. Don’t worry about unimportant matters!”

Tang Wan nodded.

True enough—it had nothing to do with her anyway.

Her job was just to teach the technique, finish the task, and wait to collect her share of the money!

Next, Tang Wan listed a series of required materials.

Making glass really wasn’t that difficult. Tang Wan basically had “Baidu stored in her brain,” so she simply followed the instructions she remembered.

Su Yuan already knew that glassmaking required a specially built furnace, and one had long been constructed at this farmstead.

After waiting nearly two hours, Su Yun returned with his men carrying the sand, alkali, clay jars, and other materials Tang Wan needed.

Tang Wan began teaching step by step.

The first attempt failed.

The second attempt failed.

…

By the time they finally mastered the proper proportions, three more hours had passed.

Then they waited another two hours for the glass to cool.

At last—the first piece of glass was successfully produced!

Su Yuan stared at it in admiration.

Even Su Yun showed rare surprise.

It had actually worked!

Tang Wan picked up the small piece of glass and examined it. “Not bad.”

Simply put, glass was basically a “solid liquid.”

While in its molten state, it could be stretched and shaped into all kinds of forms.

Elegant vases, slender stemmed wine glasses, and countless beautiful decorative crafts were all made this way.

And if they added a silver mirror reaction, they could even make mirrors!

When Tang Wan explained this, everyone’s faces lit up with excitement. They wished they could learn every glassmaking technique immediately.

But they also understood such skills required time—nothing could be mastered overnight.

It was already late, so Tang Wan slipped away first, planning to continue teaching the next day.

—

For a while afterward, Tang Wan became even busier.

She had to manage the medical clinic while also teaching glassmaking.

Every day she traveled between three places: home, the clinic, and the farmstead.

She wasn’t the only one busy.

Huang Yi also noticed that Su Yuan had recently been elusive, appearing and disappearing unpredictably, so he summoned him to ask what he had been occupied with.

Since Su Yuan had already pledged allegiance to Huang Yi, he didn’t hide anything and immediately explained the matter of the glass.

Huang Yi: …

Good grief. Such a valuable thing—and instead of presenting it to me, you skipped over me and handed it directly to my father?!

And you still call this loyalty?

Are we even good allies anymore?

Seeing Huang Yi’s displeased expression, Su Yuan gave a bitter smile and explained:

“At that time, Wan-niang was at the residence, and His Majesty was present too. She casually commented on a glass vase in the house… sigh. If I had known she would say something so shocking, I would definitely have tried to keep it secret.”

In other words: I didn’t do it on purpose—I had no choice!

Huang Yi’s expression softened slightly. “What a pity… such a fine opportunity.”

He maintained an image of unmatched righteousness, which meant he had many enemies. His financial foundation was also far weaker than that of the First Prince and the Third Prince.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have needed Yu Ziqing to help him accumulate wealth, nor would he have accepted Su Yuan’s allegiance.

People always said scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants—with merchants ranked lowest.

But how could anyone accomplish great ambitions without money?

Simply put—

he was poor.