Chapter 267 Xiao Tao Returns to the Peony Blossom
After the grand feast, night had fallen.
The villagers, filled with satisfaction and joy, helped each other up, chatting and laughing, and gradually dispersed.
Only a few women were left cleaning up the mess on the open ground, along with a few bonfires that were still crackling.
Jiang Ling helped tidy up the dishes for a while, but was persuaded to go back by Aunt Zhao and several other women, who said that she must be exhausted after rescuing people and going up the mountain today.
Xiao Ran and Xiao Yi were also sent back to the shop to rest.
Back in the somewhat quiet shop, Xiao Yi kept asking his older brother Xiao Ran to tell him a story about how to subdue a wild boar.
Xiao Ran knew it was all thanks to Sister Jiang, although she didn't know what Sister Jiang had used to injure the wild boar. But she couldn't resist Xiao Yi's persistent questioning, so she told him about the thrilling scene.
Although the story was short, Xiao Yi exclaimed in amazement as she listened, and her gaze toward Xiao Ran became increasingly admiring.
After the children had all fallen asleep, Jiang Ling sat alone in the courtyard, gazing absently at the scattered, still-burning campfires in the distance, under the dim light of the lanterns hanging under the eaves.
Just then, light footsteps came from outside the courtyard gate.
Jiang Ling looked up alertly and saw Zhao Shiying's tall figure appear outside the gate, carrying something wrapped in a clean lotus leaf.
"Miss Jiang, haven't you rested yet?" Zhao Shiying's voice sounded particularly low in the quiet night.
"Master Zhao?" Jiang Ling was somewhat surprised, and got up to open the door.
"Please come in quickly. Is there anything I can help you with?"
Zhao Shiying walked into the courtyard, placed the lotus leaf package in her hand on the stone table in the courtyard, and opened it. Inside were several pieces of roasted wild boar hind leg meat that were charred and firm.
"I saw you didn't eat much tonight, so this was specially saved for you. It was slowly roasted over a fire, and it tastes pretty good."
Jiang Ling was slightly taken aback. "Thank you, Master Zhao."
She was indeed restless that evening and didn't eat much.
The two fell silent for a moment, the atmosphere awkwardly still.
Only the chirping of insects on a summer night was noisy in my ears.
After a moment, Zhao Shiying spoke, her gaze falling on Jiang Ling's face with a hint of scrutiny:
"Thank you for what happened on the mountain today...
Jiang Ling's heart tightened slightly, but she remained calm on the surface: "Master Zhao, you're too kind. I didn't do anything; it was all Xiao Ran's doing."
Zhao Shiying shook her head: "I heard that strange sound. And the wound on the wild boar's neck... a wound caused by a wooden stick shouldn't look like that."
He has studied martial arts for many years, and no one knows it better than him.
Besides, he is Xiao Ran's master, how could he not know how capable Xiao Ran is?
He paused, lowering his voice even further.
“Miss Jiang, I know you have some…extraordinary skills. If you don’t want to say, I will not ask any further. However, if you encounter danger again in the future, you must never take such risks and act alone. If we hadn’t arrived in time today, the consequences would have been unimaginable.”
His words, though not explicitly stated, conveyed concern and offered a slight reassurance to Jiang Ling.
"I understand, thank you for reminding me, Master Zhao."
Jiang Ling responded in a low voice, which was considered an admission of his guess.
A wise person knows when to stop and when to stop speaking.
Seeing that she had taken his words to heart, Zhao Shiying said no more, glanced at the sky, and...
"It's getting late, you should get some rest. Eat this meat while it's hot."
After saying that, he turned around and strode away from the courtyard, his tall figure quickly disappearing into the night.
The five-day deadline passed in the blink of an eye.
Early in the morning, before dawn, Xiao Tao had already gotten up.
She carefully washed and changed into a slightly worn light purple cotton dress, combing her hair into the simplest double buns, without applying any makeup.
The girl in the mirror had delicate features, but her eyes were much calmer and more determined than when she first came to the general store.
Jiang Ling handed her a small purse and a packet of pastries wrapped in oil paper.
The purse contained several hundred coins and some loose silver, while the snacks were some dried meat.
Since it's fishing, you naturally need to provide some bait.
Having money and good food makes things easier.
"I've explained everything that needed to be explained. You haven't asked me about what to say or do these past few days, so I'm sure you have the answer in your heart." Jiang Ling looked at Xiao Tao, her tone calm.
Xiao Tao nodded.
Finally, Jiang Ling spoke seriously:
"Remember, your contract of servitude is in my hands. If you do well, your future will be arranged. If you harbor any illusions or have any disloyal intentions..."
Xiao Tao took the items, bowed deeply, and though her voice was soft, there was not a trace of hesitation:
"Don't worry, Miss Jiang, I understand. I will certainly live up to your expectations."
She said nothing more, turned around and stepped into the carriage parked at the door.
Xiao Ran drove the carriage ahead and nodded to Jiang Ling.
"Don't worry, Sister Jiang."
Xiao Yi stood at the shop entrance and called out, "Brother Xiao Ran, Sister Xiao Tao, I'm waiting for you to come back."
The carriage moved forward slowly and soon reached the official road.
Xiao Ran remained silent throughout the journey.
Xiao Tao knew she felt guilty towards him, and she secretly glanced at his profile several times, but dared not speak.
She knew it was all her own fault. Having taken advantage of his kindness and schemed against his sincerity, what right did she have to beg for his forgiveness now?
However, some things, if not said now, may never have another chance.
She was heading to the peony blossoms, her future uncertain, and she didn't know if she could escape unscathed.
Her nails dug deep into her palms, causing a slight stinging pain, which finally gave her a sliver of courage.
She took a deep breath, her voice trembling almost imperceptibly, breaking the suffocating silence:
"Xiao Ran... Brother..."
The driver in front of him froze almost imperceptibly, but he didn't turn around.
Xiao Tao's heart sank, but she continued speaking, her voice so low it was almost a whisper:
"I'm sorry... I know it's ridiculous and shameless to say this now... but... I really... regret it..."
If it weren't for this unexpected turn of events, she really wouldn't have taken this risky step.
I couldn't bear to hurt him.
Xiao Ran remained silent, but the knuckles of her hand holding the reins turned slightly white.
After a long while, just when Xiao Tao thought he would not respond anymore and was about to give up in despair, Xiao Ran suddenly loosened his right hand reins, reached into his bosom, rummaged around for a moment, and then, without turning his head, handed her something.
It was a neatly folded coarse cloth handkerchief, with a plain white background and a slightly immature but carefully embroidered peach branch in the corner.
It was on that day, in the alley under the peony blossoms, that Xiao Tao handed him that piece of paper.
Xiao Tao was stunned. Looking at the familiar handkerchief, her eyes instantly reddened.
Until the situation was beyond repair, after a moment of silence, he finally reached out and took the handkerchief.
“I know I am not good enough for you, not good enough before, and not good enough now. It was wrong of me to take advantage of you... but my feelings for you are not entirely fake... If I don't come back this time, please don't resent me. Just think of it as... just think of it as me misjudging people and meeting the wrong person.”
She finished speaking silently, as if explaining herself, or perhaps giving herself closure.
After saying this, she seemed to have used up all her strength, shrinking back into the corner of the carriage, clutching the handkerchief tightly, and said no more.
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