Chapter 405 Picking a Golden Hairpin for Her

Xiao Qingyuan did indeed ask at several large shops, but the answers he received were completely different from those he got at the small shop.

Everyone in the shop, from the waiters to the manager and the customers, said that silver-gray was the most fashionable color this year. In fact, because silver-gray sold so well, similar colors also became popular.

After leaving the last shop, Xiao Qingyuan was filled with regret: "Moji, it seems I really wronged Shen Wantang. She actually bought me the most fashionable color, but I listened to other people's nonsense and went back to confront her, which made her very sad. She said she would never give me anything again. She must be furious."

"Your Highness, you must trust the Princess Consort from now on. Her sincerity towards you is unparalleled! Who else would be so eager to buy fashionable fabrics for the Prince to make clothes? Even if you don't like her yet, you should still treat her better."

"You're right, I'll have to treat her better from now on."

As Xiao Qingyuan spoke, he took out the silver from his money pouch: "I have forty taels left. What should we buy for her? Do you know what Shen Wantang usually likes?"

"This—I don't know!"

"If you don't even know this, what use are you to me?"

"My lord, as a lowly servant, it's not proper for me to inquire about the Crown Princess's preferences. However, you could subtly ask her what she likes later. The Lantern Festival is just around the corner, so you could use it as an opportunity to send her a gift as an apology. What do you think?"

Xiao Qingyuan thought for a moment, then nodded in satisfaction: "You're quick-witted! That's a good idea, let's go with it! Come on, let's go check out the jewelry shop!"

"Huh? What are you going to the jewelry shop for?"

"Of course, we're going to pick out jewelry for Shen Wantang."

"Shouldn't you go back to the Prince's residence and ask the Crown Princess what she likes?"

"No need to ask!"

"But didn't you just ask me..."

“Shen Wantang likes me so much, she will like whatever I give her! Besides, I suddenly remembered what she likes.”

What does she like?

"She just likes those gold and silver things, why don't I just pick out a gold hairpin for her?"

"Is this... okay?"

"It will definitely work; giving a gold hairpin is never a mistake!"

Mo Ji couldn't help but scratch his head. He wasn't asking if giving a gold hairpin would be acceptable; he was wondering what kind of good gold hairpin could be bought with forty taels of silver.

However, that was all the silver he had. Xiao Qingyuan wanted to give something nice, but he couldn't make bricks without straw, so he could only give the simplest and most ordinary gold hairpin.

He followed Xiao Qingyuan to the jewelry shop, picked out a gold hairpin, and returned to the palace after dark.

As soon as he returned, he found that Huo Yunzhou had come to the Prince's Mansion again, and was waiting for him in Xinghe Courtyard with Lin Rouxin.

Upon seeing him, Huo Yunzhou gave him a cold look, but Lin Rouxin politely stood up to greet him: "My sworn brother is back."

"Why is my sworn sister in my yard? Is something the matter?"

"Nothing special, it's just that the Lantern Festival is in a couple of days. In previous years, Rouxin would go out with her brothers to enjoy the lanterns and play. This year, her brothers are not here, and Rouxin has nowhere to place her longing. I would like to ask my sworn brother if I can go to the river to release a lantern for my brothers?"

"Why can't this be done?"

Lin Rouxin's face was full of gratitude, and her tone was even a little excited: "Brother, does this mean you've agreed?"

Seeing how agitated she was, Xiao Qingyuan suddenly felt sorry for her, and his tone softened: "Of course I agree, and for such a small matter, my sworn sister doesn't need to ask permission. Do whatever you want, and from now on, just treat the Prince's Mansion as your own home."

Huo Yunzhou, who was standing to the side, suddenly said coldly, "You make it sound so high and mighty, but Rouxin even has to ask you for permission to release lanterns by the river. It's clear that she has no freedom at all in the Ning Prince's Mansion! I don't know what kind of threats you two siblings made her have to live this miserable life of being a dependent in the Ning Prince's Mansion!"

Xiao Qingyuan's face darkened: "Huo Yunzhou, what nonsense are you spouting? When did Qingxi and I threaten Rouxin? How come she's living under someone else's roof again? She's doing just fine in the Prince's mansion. If you hadn't come, there wouldn't have been any trouble at all!"

"No trouble? Rouxin was pushed into the lake by Xiao Qingxi. If I hadn't arrived in time, she would be dead! Is this what you mean by her doing well? If she's doing so well, why don't you jump into the lake every day?"

Xiao Qingyuan was speechless after being choked by him.

He was secretly furious. His younger sister was more trouble than she was worth. Lin Rouxin's move into the Prince's Mansion was a good opportunity for Xiao Qingxi and Huo Yunzhou to mend their relationship, but instead, she tormented Lin Rouxin to death, and Huo Yunzhou saw it!

Lin Rouxin gently came to Xiao Qingyuan's rescue: "Young Master Huo, my sworn brother and the princess have both treated me very well. Don't make wild guesses here. You should leave! I want to talk to my sworn brother alone."

Huo Yunzhou looked hurt: "Rouxin, are you being so distant with me now? You've started calling me Young Master Huo? Why don't you just call me Brother Yunzhou like before?"

Lin Rouxin shook her head: "Let's be strangers from now on, Young Master Huo, you really should go."

“I’m not leaving! I’m worried about you living alone in the Prince Ning’s mansion. I’ll stay here with you! Didn’t you want to release lanterns by the river on the Lantern Festival? I’ll go with you!”

"No need, I can manage on my own."

"No, it's too unsafe for you to be alone. What if someone takes the opportunity to ambush you? You were pushed into the lake and almost drowned in the Ning Prince's mansion. You're even more likely to be pushed in by the river outside!"

Xiao Qingyuan couldn't stand it anymore: "Huo Yunzhou, who are you mocking? I've already talked to Qingxi about it. She definitely won't target Rouxin anymore. Don't always think so badly of Qingxi. She's just a simple-minded and straightforward person. Don't you know her well? She's your legal wife now. You should protect her. You should bring her back to the Huo family!"

Huo Yunzhou sneered: "I've protected her enough before. It's because I protected her too much that she's become so arrogant and domineering, and doesn't value Rouxin's life at all! Xiao Qingxi is your own sister, you should be the one protecting her the most, and I will protect Rouxin! No matter where she goes, I will follow her!"

"Rouxin is my sister now too. I'll protect her the same way I protect Qingxi! I'll be with Rouxin during the Lantern Festival. You go do whatever you need to do and don't show up in front of Rouxin!"

"I don't trust you. I want to protect Rouxin myself!"

Seeing that they were arguing again, Lin Rouxin's eyes reddened slightly: "Stop arguing, I won't go out for the Lantern Festival, I'm going back to my courtyard."

Huo Yunzhou hurriedly said, "Rouxin, I won't argue anymore. Don't be angry. You can go wherever you want on the Lantern Festival. I will never leave your side!"