Chapter 190: Rolling My Eyes (First Update)

Chapter 190: Rolling My Eyes (First Update)

Xianjin squinted and quickly scanned the list once more. The low laughter of the old woman and the young maid in the eastern wing sounded muffled, which startled Xianjin. She hastily hid the leather bag and the list under the bedsheet, then turned around warily.

No one!

Xianjin let out a long breath and called loudly, "Sansuo! Sansuo!"

Wang Sansuo immediately poked her black, chubby head out from among the flowers, holding a large paper box filled with sugar-coated popcorn, her mouth stuffed full. "What?"

"Has anyone come by just now?" Xianjin asked anxiously.

Sansuo thought for a moment and shook her head. "No, Mama Zhang came to ask if you wanted tofu fruit with fish mint for your evening snack. I didn't want it because the smell was too strong."

Xianjin didn't have time to question why Mama Zhang would arrange such a strong-flavored snack for her. She pursed her lips tightly and nodded absentmindedly.

Once Sansuo had gone far enough, Xianjin closed the doors and windows, even blocking the paper-covered window lattice with a flower pot. Then she took out the leather bag and the list, dragged a half-person-tall camphor wood chest from under the bed, and after removing several small boxes, revealed a long, narrow wooden box.

This wooden box was locked with a small copper lock.

Xianjin took out a string of keys from the drawer, unlocked the wooden box, and carefully removed a neatly rolled scroll, unfolding it bit by bit with bated breath.

It was the "Treatise on the Grand Path of Commerce" signed by Baoyuan.

The article Qiao Hui first showed her.

Xianjin knelt before the bed, placing the list and the scroll side by side, comparing the strokes, writing style, and content nervously.

After a long while, Xianjin lifted her head, her nose tingling but a smile spreading across her face.

It was Qiao Hui's handwriting!

Sharp strokes, elongated beginnings, casual lines, and neat endings.

Baoyuan, Qiao Hui, Qiao the Great Clever One, Qiao Jieyuan, was still alive!

And even now, he was in Xuancheng Prefecture!

Xianjin's eyes welled up with tears as she suddenly remembered something. She carefully placed both scrolls back into the wooden box, then ran toward the western wing of Yiyuan.

Several candles had been extinguished in the western wing, leaving the room dim and misty. Baozhu, little Fat Huahua, sat in front of the bronze mirror with wet hair, yawning sullenly. On either side, Xiao Yan and Dayan were using fluffy silk towels to dry her hair.

Little Fat Huahua's eyes lit up at the sight of Xianjin. "Sister!" As soon as she spoke, she leaned into Xianjin.

Her damp hair brushed against Xianjin's robe, carrying a faint scent of gardenia.

Xianjin smiled, taking the towel from Xiao Yan and gesturing for them to rest. She pulled a stool and sat behind Baozhu, carefully drying the girl's hair. "Why don't you start a charcoal brazier? It's late, and the heat from the brazier will dry your hair faster so you can sleep better."

Baozhu raised her face comfortably, her eyes half-closed. "Everyone else hasn't started using charcoal yet."

Charcoal wasn't rare. In late October or early November, Xuancheng Prefecture gradually cooled down, and the Chen family only started their charcoal accounts in mid-to-late November last year.

In the Qiao family, who cared when they started using charcoal?

It was just a matter of saying it, and it would be done.

Xianjin felt a pang in her chest and said, "The Chen family is the Chen family, and you are you. Your expenses for charcoal, hair oil, soap, even bamboo salt, clothing, tailoring, embroidery... none of these come from the Chen family. Use what you need; Sister is poor but has money."

Little Fat Huahua covered her face with the towel and giggled.

Xianjin continued to dry the girl's hair gently, her mind racing: Since Qiao Hui chose to sneak into the Chen family's inner courtyard, he must still be involved in something he doesn't want to reveal publicly. Baozhu couldn't keep secrets, so Qiao Hui likely hadn't shown himself to her.

Xianjin desperately wanted to tell the little girl: Your brother is still alive! He's doing well!

But...

Xianjin took a deep breath, looking at Baozhu's hair cascading like a waterfall. She gently touched the top of Baozhu's head. "Are you happy in the Chen family?"

Baozhu hugged the towel and looked up at the oil lamp, answering indirectly. "Old Madam treats me quite well. She often invites me over for good food, asks about my father, my brother, my uncle, and my deceased mother—"

Meaning, she never asked how Baozhu was doing.

Xianjin was speechless.

Old Madam was trying to peek through the little fat girl at the life and social status she always aspired to but hadn't achieved.

Xianjin paused, combing the girl's hair from root to tip. The ends were still dripping water, so she turned to Sansuo. "We still need to get a charcoal brazier from the kitchen, add two dried gardenias, and dry her hair properly before she sleeps."

Sansuo returned quickly.

The entire room filled with a lingering, subtle fragrance that was hard to ignore.

Xianjin's heart slowly calmed with the warmth and repetitive motion of combing the girl's hair. "Do what makes you happy here. If something makes you uncomfortable, don't tolerate it. You're beneficial to the Chen family, so don't feel like a guest. When your brother returns and Qiao Shi is exonerated, there will be great benefits for the Chen family."

Little Fat Huahua pondered for a moment and hesitantly asked, "Will they really come back?"

Xianjin's voice was firm. "Yes! Why not?! Don't forget who your father and brother are!"

Little Fat Huahua clutched Xianjin's robe tightly, leaning back until her head rested on Xianjin's lap, her eyes half-closed, tugging at the hem of Xianjin's robe. "Sister, you are as beautiful and extraordinary as my father and brother."

A warm glow enveloped the room.

Xianjin continued to comb Baozhu's hair, occasionally mentioning the lanterns and mooncakes from Mid-Autumn Festival, the wet tree bark drying along the banks of Longchuan Creek in October, and Mama Zhang's recent penchant for adding fish mint to all dishes.

As Baozhu grew drowsy, Xianjin quietly returned to her room.

She slept soundly that night, without a single toss or turn.

The next day, Xianjin specifically called for the soy-braised pork elbow, "Seven-seven-seven—"

Qi Qiqi jogged forward.

"Be my deputy," Xianjin said directly.

Qi Cici, "Ah?"

Zhou Ergou, "Ah?" Then he propped himself up with great anguish, "You really do mind my injured left leg!"

Xianjin's eyebrows furrowed, "It has nothing to do with your left leg."

The simple and happy muscle man started roaring, "Then are you annoyed because I rolled my eyes at you!"

Xianjin: ? You rolled your eyes at me?

We'll settle this account later.

Xianjin patiently shook her head, "Not exactly..."

"It must be because I'm illiterate!" Zhou Ergou said with deep regret, "I even racked my brains to compose a quatrain to encourage you!"