Chapter 250 Xiao Ran's Peach Blossom Tribulation
At this moment, the mother, who had been notified, also rushed over, her face heavily made up, but she couldn't hide her anxiety and anger.
She had always known that Hongxiu and Jiang Ling were close. The rouge and face powder used in her building were from Jiang Ling's shop, and were strongly recommended by Hongxiu.
When Hongxiu disappeared, she instinctively turned her suspicious gaze to the seemingly gentle but always enigmatic female shop owner.
"Mr. Jiang, what brings you here?" Mom asked with a forced smile, her eyes filled with scrutiny and probing.
"The rouge and face powder in your shop are of excellent quality, and the price is very reasonable. However... if you want my most beautiful courtesan under the peony tree in exchange, Mr. Jiang, don't you think this deal is too much of a price for us?!"
This statement is almost a direct accusation.
Xiao Ran frowned immediately and took a half step forward as if to say something, but was stopped by a look from Jiang Ling.
Jiang Ling remained calm as she met her mother's scrutinizing gaze, speaking in a measured tone:
"What does Mother mean by that? Does she suspect that I'm hiding Hongxiu? If that's the case, why would I walk right into her trap today?"
She snorted coldly, her tone threatening: "I don't know what tricks you're playing! Anyway, I've already reported it to the authorities. If you see Hongxiu, just tell her that her indenture is still in my hands. She can't run away! Don't think you can act like a respectable person just because of this! If I catch you, don't blame me for not showing any mercy!"
Jiang Ling couldn't refute it, because Hongxiu had indeed come looking for her before she disappeared.
Hongxiu was sold to the peony garden when she was a child and has long since lost her home.
Where can we go now?
Or perhaps she already knows that Fang Shijie is from the Great Sheng Dynasty, and is already going to find him regardless of everything?
Before the carriage had even left the alley, a delicate voice called out from behind.
"Brother Xiaoran! Brother Xiaoran! Wait a minute!"
Jiang Ling's heart skipped a beat, and she subconsciously thought that Hongxiu had managed to leave some message or clue, so she quickly signaled Xiao Ran to stop the car.
She lifted the carriage curtain and looked back, only to see that the person chasing after her was not the maidservant beside Hongxiu, but a young girl wearing a slightly worn light purple cotton dress.
She was panting heavily from running, her face was red from the cold, and there was a fine sheen of sweat on her forehead. Her almond-shaped eyes were watery as she looked in the direction of the carriage, her gaze fixed on Xiao Ran, who had just jumped off the carriage.
Jiang Ling frowned slightly, lowered the carriage curtain, and did not get out of the carriage, but pushed the window open slightly, and the conversation outside could be clearly heard.
"Xiao Tao?" Xiao Ran walked quickly to her, her tone filled with concern.
"Why did you run out? What happened?"
Jiang Ling then learned that this girl was Xiao Tao, whom Xiao Ran had rescued from Hu San that day.
Xiao Tao clutched her chest to catch her breath, her voice trembling with tears, looking utterly pitiful.
"Brother Xiaoran, my... my mother's illness has worsened, and the doctor said she needs ginseng to keep her alive... I... I've been saving every penny, and I've finally managed to save up one hundred coins..."
As she spoke, she pulled a faded old purse from her bosom, clutched it tightly in her hand, and handed it to Xiaoran.
"I know this money isn't enough, but... but I really have no other choice. Brother Xiaoran, you're so kind, could you... could you help me take this money to my parents in Baiyang Village? I can't leave, I can only beg you..."
Xiao Ran looked at her purse, which was filled with little savings, her brows furrowed, her face full of helplessness and heartache.
"Xiao Tao, didn't I tell you last time? You need to think more about yourself... You're having a tough time in this building right now, you should save any money you have for yourself, why are you still doing this..."
Upon hearing this, Xiaotao's tears streamed down her face like a broken string of pearls. "I know... but they gave me life and raised me, I can't just stand by and watch... I promise, this is the last time! From now on, I will definitely think more about myself, really!"
She looked up with her tear-streaked face upturned, her watery eyes gleaming with sunlight; anyone who saw her would feel pity for her.
Xiao Ran looked at her like this and sighed heavily, finally softening her heart.
"Okay, I'll deliver it for you one more time."
Seeing that he agreed, Xiao Tao stopped crying and started smiling.
Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she took out a handkerchief that was still warm from her body and handed it over, her face flushing.
"Brother Xiaoran, this...this is for you. Thank you for always helping me. I have nothing to repay you with. I embroidered this myself in my spare time. I hope...I hope you won't mind."
Xiao Ran's gaze was drawn to her fingers, which were covered in needle marks and some were red and swollen.
His heart tightened, and instead of taking the handkerchief, he asked with concern:
"Your hands... you don't need to do these things for me."
He only helped her because he felt sorry for her and because they had known each other before.
As if burned, Xiaotao quickly hid her hands behind her back, her face flushing even more, showing a mix of panic and stubbornness:
"No, it's nothing! I bumped it by accident... My embroidery isn't very good, please don't mind..."
As she spoke, she forcefully shoved the handkerchief, still warm from her body and faintly scented with soap, into Xiaoran's hand, then turned and quickly ran back to the small, dark door.
Xiao Ran stood there helplessly, holding the handkerchief.
Inside the carriage, Jiang Ling witnessed and heard the entire scene clearly.
She remembered that Xiao Ran had mentioned going to Baiyang Village several times before, but at the time she only thought it was a matter of neighborly help and didn't think much of it.
Now it seems that it was probably at Xiao Tao's request.
Xiao Ran returned to the carriage, still clutching the handkerchief in her hand.
Jiang Ling casually asked, "Xiao Ran, does this girl Xiao Tao often ask you to deliver things to her family like this?"
Xiao Ran casually tucked the handkerchief into her sleeve, nodded as she drove the carriage.
"Yes, ever since I saved her last time, she's asked me to deliver things to her several times. Sometimes it's a few dozen coins she's saved up, sometimes it's snacks she's secretly saved up, and once she even asked me to deliver her only thick cotton-padded coat back to her, but she got sick from the cold. Her parents sold her, yet she still thinks of them. What a silly girl."
Seeing the heartache and compassion in Xiao Ran's eyes, Jiang Ling sighed softly.
Silly child, how many men's feelings for women begin with tenderness and pity?
You may not even realize it, but feelings often develop without your knowledge.
Given that this young lady is in a place like this, she must have already learned these tricks long ago.
Each perfectly timed request for help reveals a handkerchief offered with hands covered in needle marks...
These steps, seemingly unintentional, were all carefully planned.
Only you are still kept in the dark.
Xiao Ran, Xiao Ran, you've been set up.
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