Chapter 13 Lost
Xiao Yuxuan, recalling the faint fragrance she had just caught, said:
"If she remains obstinate and does not repent, she will suffer the consequences of her own actions. Even if she manages to escape today, she will eventually pay the price for her deeds. We don't need to waste our energy on such a person. Let's go."
Bi Sui used to serve Madam Xiao and knew some shops that were close to her. She found a shop that sold rouge and face powder, explained the situation to the shopkeeper, and then helped Xiao Yuxuan into a private room to rest.
In the heat of the moment, Xiao Yuxuan was knocked to the ground and then picked up by a strange man to avoid the runaway horse. Now that she has slowly come to her senses, she realizes that something is very wrong.
"Don't tell anyone what happened today. We don't know who that young master and lady are, but judging from their clothes and manner of speaking, they are of high status. The best thing to do is to pretend that nothing happened. Do you understand?"
The current Bi Sui is not the same Bi Sui who followed her for more than ten years in her previous life. Xiao Yuxuan was not sure if she would really stand on her side now, so she took the trouble to give her an extra word of advice.
Bi Sui nodded emphatically, wishing she could immediately stand up and swear a solemn oath:
"Don't worry, Miss. Although I am foolish, I understand these principles. Now that I have come to serve you, I will never have any ulterior motives. I only hope that you will be happy and content."
Another place, a jewelry shop.
Xiao Yuyao held Xiao Jue's hand with one hand, and with the other hand she held up various colored fan pendants and gestured on the fan in his hand.
"Brother, which of these do you think is the prettiest?"
"White jade suits you best, black jade is also nice, how about this green jade?"
After talking for a while without receiving a reply, Xiao Yuyao looked up and found Xiao Jue staring absently at the long street behind her.
She waved her arms in front of his eyes and asked in a sweet voice:
"Big brother, what are you looking at? I'm talking to you, why aren't you answering me?"
Xiao Jue withdrew his gaze, his eyes falling on the several ornately designed fan pendants in her hand, before saying:
“These are all good, Yuyao. If you like them, your older brother will buy them all for you.”
Xiao Yuyao put down the fan pendant with little interest.
How could she not know what Xiao Jue was thinking? He was simply worried that Xiao Yuxuan hadn't followed. But he clearly came to accompany her shopping; Xiao Yuxuan was just an afterthought. Hadn't he said he only recognized her as his sister and would always only care about her? Why was he thinking of another sister while accompanying her?
"I wanted to pick out a fan pendant for you, brother. Whether I like it or not is not that important. I just want you to be happy. You have put a lot of effort into things for Yu Xuan and me these past few days. This is my way of thanking you. From now on, Yu Xuan and I will get along well and never let you worry about us again."
"My little sister Yuxuan didn't come along, probably because she still harbors resentment towards me and my older brother. When we get back, I'll personally cook her my best rose pastry, and she won't be angry anymore..."
Xiao Yuyao clung to Xiao Jue's arm, her voice soft and affectionate. Xiao Jue was most susceptible to her coquettishness, instantly banishing his worries and looking at his younger sister with doting eyes, saying:
“Yuyao, I know you’re the most sensible one. If Yuxuan were even a fraction as clever and obedient as you, she wouldn’t have…” He sighed. “Never mind, let’s not talk about her anymore. Since she doesn’t want to come with us, we’ll just send someone to look for her later. I just hope she doesn’t cause any trouble outside. If she offends someone important, we won’t be able to protect her.”
Xiao Yuyao pondered, so she was worried that Xiao Yuxuan would cause trouble?
She smiled and said there was no need to worry at all. She had prepared a gentleman for Xiao Yuxuan who was as handsome as Pan An and learned beyond measure. As soon as the two met, the naive Xiao Yuxuan would surely fall in love.
At the foot of the mountain, where the sky had been clear and blue, a fine drizzle suddenly began to fall, connecting heaven and earth.
Not far from the bustling temple fair market, on an arched bridge, stood a handsome man in a blue robe holding a bamboo umbrella. He had been standing in the rain for too long, and his lips, which were already pale, were now tinged with moisture.
"Brother, is the person you mentioned really going to show up? It's been quite a while since the predicted time."
A little girl carrying a basket, pretending to sell flowers, came over and asked in a low voice, looking at the deserted road under the arched bridge.
Xie Tingzhou pursed his lips. He didn't care whether the person came or not. Even the deposit he received was enough to keep his medicine going until next year. He was 90% sure he could pass the autumn examination this year. He was just waiting for next spring to achieve top honors and put his knowledge to good use to benefit the people.
Only in this way can his sins be somewhat washed away.
"She's not coming. Let's go back, cough cough..."
Xiao Yuxuan waited in the rouge shop for a long time, until it gradually got dark and lanterns were lit all around. Only then did Mama Li come to the door with her people. Her usually serious and upright face was tinged with worry.
"Fifth Miss, we've finally found you! Madam and the Eldest Young Master are frantic with worry. Weren't you with the Eldest Young Master and Fourth Miss? What are you doing here?"
Xiao Yuxuan said, "Mother Li, I don't know why. I just glanced at something and got separated from them."
"Alright, alright, it's good that you're alright. Come back with this old servant."
After thanking the shopkeeper's wife, Li's mother embraced Xiao Yuxuan and left.
A group of people left in a flurry, while the shopkeeper's wife and the shop assistant were still chatting behind their backs:
"You guys think this Fifth Miss Xiao is different from the rumors? Isn't she supposed to be unable to stand Fourth Miss Xiao and always bully her because of her status as her biological daughter? She doesn't seem very arrogant or rude."
"Who can argue with that? Besides, she's not as ugly as the rumors say. Based on my years of experience selling cosmetics, she's just a bit rough from being out in the sun."
The group exchanged glances, realizing that there was more to the story than met the eye; the affairs of those grand mansions were far from simple.
Xiao Yuxuan got off the carriage and before she even reached the flower hall, she heard a commotion inside.
Xiao Yuyao's pitiful voice was barely audible:
“Mother, elder brother, it’s all Yuyao’s fault. If I hadn’t wanted to buy elder brother a fan pendant, fifth sister wouldn’t have run away in a huff.”
Xiao Jue quickly explained:
“Mother, it was clearly Xiao Yuxuan who left without permission. Perhaps she dislikes us and doesn’t want to stay with us, or perhaps she saw something new and couldn’t take her eyes off it. In any case, it has nothing to do with Yuyao!”
Madam Xiao said, "Xiao Jue! You keep calling her Xiao Yuxuan, don't you even consider her your own sister? I asked you to take care of both of your sisters, but you only care about Yuyao. Yuxuan has been back for over a month and hasn't gone out at all. What if something really happens to her..."
Xiao Yuyao's voice rang out at the right moment: "It's all Yuyao's fault. If Fifth Sister is really in any bad shape, Yuyao will ask to become a nun and spend her life with the ancient Buddha and the green lamp."
"Why did you bring this up again out of the blue, you silly child?"
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