Chapter Seven: Xu Chumian Opens an Incense Shop
The Dali Temple government office.
For several days in a row, the atmosphere in the duty room was heavy, and the junior officials working below were afraid of making the slightest mistake.
As noon approached, the restaurant that used to serve meals arrived as usual.
"Didn't your Lord Zhao order from another restaurant before? Why are you ordering from us again?"
The clerk glared: "Our Lord Zhao used to have someone bring him meals from home, but now no one does!"
The minor official suddenly realized what was happening.
Since he stopped bringing meals, Lord Zhao has become increasingly cold and taciturn.
I see, I see!
The minor official approached Guan Yan: "Young Master Guan Yan, when will you deliver meals to Lord Zhao again?"
Previously, Guan Yan would pick up meals from Xu Chu Mian every day at noon.
Guan Yan sighed and said, "I won't see you off. And please don't mention it in front of the adults again."
Inside the duty room, Zhao Yu ate alone, seemingly oblivious to the conversation outside.
The food on the table was bland; the dishes I had eaten for over a year now seemed unpalatable.
A few days ago, Xu Chumian made different dishes every day, not only with a proper balance of meat and vegetables and exquisite plating, but also in the shapes of rabbits, cats and dogs.
After that night, Xu Chumian never came to see him off again.
Zhao Yu pursed his lips, finding the taste even more bland.
Thinking of this, he simply got up and went to look at the memorials again.
-
After careful consideration, Xu Chumian decided to open a spice shop.
In her previous life, she lived in the inner quarters of the house and had nothing to do all day. Even when Zhao Yu had some free time, he would drag her into the room to fool around.
Xu Chumian shook her head, trying to shake off the annoying thoughts in her mind.
Over the years, apart from managing the household accounts, he has only achieved some success in perfumery.
She didn't have enough money right now, so after looking at several shops, she chose the one closest to the Xu family's courtyard.
As soon as she stepped into the alley, her gaze suddenly froze.
The young man in front had his hair tied up high, with his dark hair falling naturally down his back. He leaned against the wall, tall and long-legged, dressed in red, which was extremely flamboyant.
The horse neighed boredly nearby.
Just then, Xiao Qingyan suddenly looked up.
The moment he saw Xu Chumian, a smile bloomed on the man's usually relaxed and indifferent face, and his peach blossom eyes sparkled with tears.
From the time her parents passed away until her marriage to Zhao Yu and her death, Xu Chumian never felt the pressure she was under.
Xiao Qingyan possessed a carefree and unrestrained spirit that she had long lost, and the vibrant life force of a young man surged towards Xu Chumian.
Xu Chumian was also infected by the smile, her eyes crinkling with laughter.
As Xiao Qingyan watched Xu Chumian approach, he took out several books from the saddle.
"I was traveling out of town for the past three days, and when I came across a bookstore, I remembered that Mumu liked to listen to travelogues and essays, so I brought her a few books."
Xu Chumian paused slightly, shifting her gaze from the book cover to Xiao Qingyan's face.
Seeing that Xu Chumian was not speaking, Xiao Qingyan wondered if she hadn't chosen the books well... or if he had been too abrupt.
Xiao Qingyan's lips twitched slightly, and there was a hint of sadness in his voice.
"You don't like them...? Then I'll go pick a few more—"
At this moment, Xiao Qingyan felt a lightness in his hand.
Xu Chumian took a few books. A gentle breeze blew, and the two of them touched, carrying with them the faint fragrance of osmanthus unique to Xu Chumian.
Holding her book, Xu Chumian smiled and said, "Lord Xiao, would you do me the honor of attending the dinner you missed the other day?"
Xiao Qingyan could hear his own heartbeat quickening.
His voice was tense and restrained as he said, "Okay."
-
The two entered the courtyard, where some spices and medicine packets were laid out.
Xiao Qingyan asked, "Why are you preparing all this?"
Xu Chumian explained her plans.
Seeing that Xu Chumian seemed to be staying in the capital for a long time, Xiao Qingyan asked, "Has the shop been booked?"
Xu Chumian: "I'm going to sign the contract tomorrow; it's not far from home."
Xiao Qingyan's lips curled up unconsciously.
"I have a day off tomorrow, so I'll come over early."
Xu Chumian looked up and softly hummed in agreement.
Mu Mu came out of the room and came to her sister's side, looking at Xiao Qingyan with curiosity.
Xu Chumian handed several books to Mu Mu: "These are from Brother Xiao. Do you like them?"
Mu Mu recognized a few words on the cover, and she was overjoyed.
Besides her older sister and the fierce-looking Brother Zhao Yu, Brother Xiao was the second person to give her a gift.
Xiao Qingyan took a deep breath and felt a fullness in his chest, as if his whole body was soaking in warm water.
He stepped forward and took Mu Mu's other hand. "Come on, I'll read to you."
The three sat at a stone table in the courtyard.
A smile played at the corners of Xu Chumian's eyes.
Mu Mu's illness has a glimmer of hope, and she embarks on a path completely opposite to that of her previous life.
Xiao Qingyan's voice was clear and gentle, with a clean tone. Under the tree, the light and shadow swayed, and the man seemed to be bathed in a light.
As Xu Chumian sipped her tea, her gaze inadvertently fell upon the sword on the table. The blade was sharp and cold, and the black cord of the jade tassel looked as if it had been pulled by something and was about to break.
After Xiao Qingyan finished reading, Xu Chumian asked, "How many years has Lord Xiao been using this sword?"
Xiao Qingyan's eyes were filled with nostalgia. "It was given to me by my eldest brother when I was young, and the sword tassel was woven by my mother herself."
Xu Chumian pointed to the sword tassel, "If Lord Xiao doesn't mind, then let me give it a try?"
Xiao Qingyan then noticed that the sword tassel was about to break, so he took it off and handed it to Xu Chumian.
The two shadows on the ground swayed in the sunlight and slowly overlapped.
Xiao Qingyan couldn't help but glance at the people around him out of the corner of his eye.
Xu Chumian hung the sword tassel back on. The girl's cheeks were slightly red from the sunlight. Her eyes were serious. "It's all done now. See if there are any problems?"
Xiao Qingyan looked at Xu Chumian, his throat suddenly went dry, and he couldn't say a word.
To prevent it from becoming loose, Xu Chumian bent down and wrapped the thin rope around it again.
We still haven't received Xiao Qingyan's reply.
She suddenly raised her face, just in time to meet the man's amber eyes. His peach blossom eyes were like a pool of spring water, making one's heart melt.
Xiao Qingyan snapped out of his daze and coughed lightly.
He took the sword and gripped the tassel, his hand still seemingly warmed by Xu Chumin's body heat.
It makes you want to hold it without even realizing it.
Xiao Qingyan muttered to himself, "This is not the behavior of a gentleman, this is not the behavior of a gentleman..."
Seeing that Xiao Qingyan remained silent, Xu Chumian couldn't help but ask, "Lord Xiao?"
Xie Zhaoyan said softly, "It's very well written."
-
During dinner, Xiao Qingyan was talkative and humorous, recounting his journey to suppress bandits in the neighboring town.
Seeing that Xu Chumian did not show any displeasure or fear, Xiao Qingyan felt relieved.
After dinner, under the bright moonlight, Xiao Qingyan carried Mu Mu to touch the osmanthus tree.
Xu Chumian came out of her bedroom and saw two figures in the courtyard. She was stunned for a moment.
In her past life, Zhao Yu was a deep and aloof person. When Mu Mu was alone with him, she never dared to show a hearty smile in front of him.
Xiao Qingyan was the complete opposite of Zhao Yu.
If Zhao Yu is an unfeeling, thousand-year-old iceberg, then Xiao Qingyan is the blazing sun.
Xu Chumian thought that perhaps, in this second life, she could try to meet different people.
"I have a day off tomorrow, I'll come pick you up in the morning to go look at the shop."
A warm feeling spread through my heart. "Okay."
Xiao Qingyan lowered his eyes, his gaze fixed on Xu Chumian's crimson lips.
He quickly looked away, unable to bear it any longer.
Xu Chumian saw Xiao Qingyan off. She looked at the man's back on horseback, his red clothes as fiery and passionate as the most vibrant stroke of color in the world.
Xu Chumian went to check on Mu Mu before going to bed.
The little girl pointed to the ceramic figurines placed on the table.
That was a gift from Zhao Yu to her.
Xu Chumian saw the confusion in her sister's eyes.
She said softly, "He has his own life and won't be coming back."
Xu Chumian silently recited in her heart.
Zhao Yu will not be coming again.
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