Chapter Nine: Mutual Affection
Afterwards, Madam Lin took the two to Fengxiang Tower, where they each selected two pearl hairpins.
In the study, Yuan Qing told Xie Yanzhi about what Ling'er had come out to inquire about.
Xie Yanzhi frowned, seemingly lost in thought.
When Shen Qingnian and Ling'er returned to Qianyue Residence, a maid came to report that her cousin Xie Zhao was waiting for her in the garden.
When Shen Qingnian brought Ling'er to the garden, Xie Zhao was already waiting there.
Seeing Shen Qingnian approach, Xie Zhao stood up and called out, "Sister Qing!"
Having not seen his cousin Qing for several days, Xie Zhao was eager to see Shen Qingnian.
"Cousin!" Shen Qingnian called softly.
"Sister Qing, all the spices and herbs you mentioned last time are here. I don't know if it's enough. Please take a look."
Last time at Wenxin Hall, Xie Zhao overheard Shen Qingnian telling Ling'er that she wanted some spices and medicinal herbs, and she wanted to make some blended incense beads as soon as possible.
Then we'll take it to some shops outside and see if any shopkeepers are willing to help her sell it.
Few people in the capital may know about incense beads, but Xie Zhao does. Aunt Su once told him that his maternal grandfather, Old Man Su, had run an incense bead shop in Jiangnan, where he was quite famous.
He had never seen the incense beads before, but he had only heard Aunt Su say that they were made by mixing various medicinal herbs and spices together, and that they had various fragrances after they were made.
My aunt was too playful as a child and didn't learn my maternal grandfather's craft. But since my younger sister Qingnian can make incense beads, she must have a very good skill.
Xie Zhao thought that since he had fulfilled Qing's wish, he also wanted to know what the incense beads would look like.
My younger sister, Qing, is a young lady confined to her quarters, and living under the roof of this Marquis's mansion, she finds it inconvenient to leave.
He then thought of buying it for his younger sister, Qing.
Shen Qingnian looked at the large bundle of medicinal herbs and spices in front of her, somewhat surprised.
She mentioned it casually once, but her cousin remembered it and even bought it for her.
Shen Qingnian looked at Xie Zhao in front of her and felt a warm feeling in her heart.
Back home, only her mother treated her this well. Now that she's in the Marquis's mansion, even her cousin Xie Zhao remembers what she said and what she wanted.
Perhaps this is what it feels like to have an older brother.
The boy in front of her had a hearty smile on his face, and Shen Qingnian couldn't help but smile back.
Xie Zhao stared intently at Qing Meimei in front of him.
She was wearing a pale yellow long dress, which made the young girl look bright and charming.
Suddenly, the girl lowered her eyes and smiled gently, like spring water flowing over bluestone, warming one's heart.
Xie Zhao was momentarily lost in thought.
My dear Qing is so gentle and delicate, she is so pitiful.
If... if Qingmei were willing to marry him, he would protect her for the rest of his life.
Looking at her smiling eyes, he felt as sweet as if he had eaten honey.
"cousin?"
Shen Qingnian looked into the bundle and found that these spices and herbs could be used to make several kinds of blended incense beads.
She had just asked her cousin what kind of scent he liked, and she wanted to make him a string of blended incense beads as a token of her gratitude.
But when I asked, my cousin didn't answer.
Looking up, she saw her cousin staring blankly in her direction.
Xie Zhao snapped out of her daze, realizing the thoughts that had just crossed her mind, and her ears turned red.
He replied awkwardly, "Anything is fine."
He dared not look at Shen Qingnian anymore, feeling as if he were disrespecting his sister Qing.
There's still a long time ahead of him; he has plenty of time to wait for the day when Qingmei understands his feelings.
“Alright, I’ll make a string of ‘gentleman’ incense’ for my cousin to nourish his body and mind, and calm his mind.”
Xie Zhao nodded.
Qingmei is good at everything she does, and he will take anything she gives him.
Looking at the young master's expression, Ling'er smiled with her lips pursed.
The young master's features are somewhat similar to his aunt's. He is handsome, with his hair tied up in a jade crown, giving him a gentle and polite appearance. He exudes a strong scholarly air and is a talented young gentleman.
But in front of his young mistress, he acts like a child, looking rather silly.
Shen Qingnian then asked, "Cousin, how much money do these cost?"
Xie Zhao waved his hand: "No need, my cousin has enough money."
Besides, Xie Zhao was very happy to be able to spend money on Qingmei.
"But……"
Shen Qingnian didn't want to owe anyone anything, not even her own cousin.
Xie Zhao understood Shen Qingnian's meaning. His Qing-mei sister was never one to take advantage of others.
However, since Qingmei came to the Marquis's mansion from Jiangnan alone, she must not have much money left.
We need to leave some money for Qingmei to have on her side.
Seeing Shen Qingnian's slightly furrowed brows, Xie Zhao comforted her, "Besides, didn't Qing-meimei want to make me a string of incense beads? This is enough."
"Oh, right, and these too." Xie Zhao said, pointing to the box next to him.
Shen Qingnian opened the box and found that it contained storybooks.
Xie Zhao smiled and said, "Sister Qing, I was afraid you would be bored staying in the mansion every day, so I brought you some storybooks."
"I wonder if my sister Qing will like to watch it."
Shen Qingnian hadn't expected Xie Zhao to be such a considerate person. She lived in this mansion every day with trepidation.
My only relatives are my aunt and cousin.
Her cousin truly doted on her like a biological brother.
In fact, Shen Qingnian was not unaware of Xie Zhao's feelings, but the difference in family background between herself and her cousin was too great, making it impossible for them to be together.
She has no interest in love right now.
My cousin is such a gentle and upright gentleman; he will surely find someone who understands him in the future.
Shen Qingnian thought that from now on, she would treat Xie Zhao as her own older brother, and the two of them would be family for life.
Not far away, a pair of eyes were fixed on this place.
Xie Yanzhi watched the two from the distant artificial hill, his gaze cold and stern.
Today, after finishing his shift and returning home, he passed by the artificial hill and saw the two chatting happily. From afar, he could feel the affection between them.
It's such an eyesore!
Xie Yanzhi stroked the jade thumb ring on his hand.
Shen Qingnian's smile was indeed beautiful. She acted so docile in front of Xie Zhao, appearing gentle and innocent.
Xie Yanzhi knew that this was all a disguise; these women who came to the Marquis's mansion to curry favor were all good at disguising themselves.
She failed to seduce him the other day, and now she's trying to take advantage of Xie Zhao here.
She seems to be smarter than the other cousins who tried to curry favor with her in the past.
Yuan Qing looked at his grandfather's gloomy face and had a bad feeling.
He glanced into the distance and saw that Young Master Xie Zhao and Miss Qing were chatting happily.
So, does the master think that Miss Qing is seducing Young Master Xie Zhao?
Looking at the maid with double buns next to Shen Qingnian, Yuan Qing gritted her teeth and decided to tell her what Ling'er had come out to inquire about.
"Master, Miss Qing once sent her maid named Ling... Lingjiao out to inquire about the matter of the red dye."
Yuan Qing said cautiously.
"oh?"
Hearing this, Xie Yanzhi frowned.
So, Shen Qingnian had no idea he liked red. And she wasn't intentionally trying to get his attention?
Xie Yanzhi was somewhat confused. What tricks was Shen Qingnian up to?
If she didn't have any intention of climbing the social ladder, why would she repeatedly seduce the men in the Marquis's mansion and try to seduce Xie Zhao?
He thought about it again and realized that Shen Qingnian was a very clever person, and even he couldn't see through her.
Xie Yanzhi said calmly, "Alright, there's no need to report on her affairs anymore."
Anyway, he'll get her out of the Marquis's mansion soon.
Yuan Qing shut his mouth in annoyance.
It seems that the master truly has no interest in this Qing girl.
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