The gatekeeper announced that Xiao Yue was requesting an audience. A short while later, she saw Xia Guoan and Xia Lan, their steps faltering with excitement, rushing out to greet her. They were the most loyal servants of the Xiao family; Xia Lan was her mother's personal maid, who had raised her from childhood. When they saw Xiao Yuan, they bent down to bow, but she quickly stopped them. She looked at them and shook her head, signaling them not to reveal their presence. The two nodded knowingly, tears streaming down their faces.
Xiao Yuan pulled them up, one in each hand; so many years had passed, and they had grown old. Upon receiving news of Gao Tianjing's impending arrival, her mother immediately instructed Xia Lan and her husband to take some money to Chengdu for a safe haven. Little did she know that her mother's arrangement would actually help her ten years later.
Given her current situation, it's no longer suitable for her to live in seclusion alone; the Xia family is the most suitable place for her to stay.
As a distant relative of Master Xia, her stay went unnoticed. With Xia Lan, who had four children, taking care of her, she felt relatively at ease. She didn't dwell on the past; she felt Xiao Ji's methods suited her well, and she always smiled. She smiled when she missed him, smiled when she wanted to find him at all costs, smiled when her child moved, and even smiled when she was heartbroken and regretful.
Four months... have passed.
Xiao Yuan stood under the eaves, watching the snowflakes fall gently; everything was a pristine white. Was he... also in the same snowstorm? What was he doing? Was he also watching the snow?
She smiled as she gazed at the swirling snowflakes; she... missed him so much!
I wonder... does he miss her too?
Chapter 77 of "The Smiling Flower": He Deserved It
Xia Lan was nearly eight months pregnant. Because she had been staying at home and it was winter, she was advised to move around as much as possible, otherwise the baby would have difficulty giving birth.
Although the weather was still a bit chilly in early spring, the sun was already shining brightly. Encouraged by Xia Lan, Xiao Yuan decided to go shopping with her to pick out fabrics for the baby's clothes and blankets.
The Xia family's home was located in a densely populated area; just a few alleys away was a bustling street lined with shops. Xiao Yuan hadn't been out for a long time, and the sounds of people and the city made her feel happy and relaxed.
Choosing fabric for the children cheered her up a bit. At Xia Lan's suggestion, they prepared two sets: one for a little boy and one for a little girl. The shopkeeper even brought out the finest red satin with dragon and phoenix motifs, saying it would be auspicious and festive for making swaddling blankets. Watching Xia Lan and the maids haggle with the shopkeeper, pulling at the fabric and binding it, she smiled silently… How she longed to be with him, making all the preparations for the children, to experience the feelings of a parent—something he had missed.
The two maids who followed her out excitedly asked to go to the most famous steamed bun shop ahead to buy some to take back and eat. Seeing that Xiaoyuan was in good health and wanted her to walk around a little longer, Xia Lan pulled her along.
Across from the steamed bun shop… Xiao Yuan stared blankly at the ornate and elegant signboard, “Rui Lan Xuan.” Numerous women came and went, all beaming with joy, carrying various cosmetics and chatting. The shop assistants were also busy welcoming and seeing off customers. This was his shop…
"Want to take a look? This is the largest shop in Chengdu Ruilanxuan, with the most complete selection." Xia Lan smiled slightly when she saw her staring intently at the rouge shop. Although her young mistress always wore a disguise, her fondness for cosmetics was probably just a woman's nature. Her young mistress had been here for so long, and although she had seen her true face, she had never seen her dressed up... With that stunning beauty, she would be incredibly captivating, and her future husband would surely adore her unparalleled beauty.
Xia Lan sighed softly. Her young mistress had never mentioned the child's father, so… she didn't want to speculate. But from the gentle look in her mistress's eyes as she pondered, she knew that her mistress must be missing the child's father. Her mistress and the young master were deeply in love, weren't they? Why weren't they together? Could it be… the young master was dead?
"Help me inside."
Before she could think further, the young lady, who was always uninterested in anything, insisted on going to the cosmetics shop. Xia Lan quickly and carefully helped her out of the bustling crowd.
"What would you two ladies like to buy?" the welcoming waiter asked solicitously as he approached.
After Xiao Yuan disguised herself, she looked to be about the same age as Xia Lan. The shop assistant then enthusiastically began selling various anti-aging creams. Xia Lan was quickly drawn to them, and the two maids excitedly browsed the shelves, asking questions. Xiao Yuan, however, remained oblivious, staring blankly at a huge painting on the wall—the woman depicted was clearly her!
Her eyes welled up with tears. The signature was his, and the words he wrote... she recognized them too. In the painting, she held a small daisy, smiling sweetly, her brows and lips radiating charm. The delicately drawn strands of hair seemed to flutter gently in the breeze, each one stirring her emotions.
How could someone who could draw her like this possibly hate her or be angry with her?
"Huh? Isn't this..." Xia Lan followed her gaze and couldn't help but exclaim. Xiao Yuan quickly tugged at her sleeve.
This soft call had already caught the attention of an old shopkeeper behind the counter. He walked around expectantly and asked Xia Lan, "Has this lady seen the person in the painting?"
"No, no...no." Xia Lan glanced at Xiao Yuan's eyes and shook her head. "I just think the girl in the painting is too beautiful." Xia Lan explained guiltily.
"Oh." The old shopkeeper was a little disappointed, but he didn't forget to promote the product as usual: "Anyone who has seen this young lady or knows her whereabouts can choose rouge and face powder from all Ruilanxuan stores for free for life."
"Oh? Such a good thing?" The maid found it amusing. "So I can just say I've seen her and get the goods without any proof?"
"Sigh," the old shopkeeper sighed helplessly, "as long as you say where you've seen it before, you can take it as you please."
The maidservant laughed in surprise, "Then you'll lose a lot of money? Who is she?" The maidservant pointed to the painting.
"Our boss's wife."
Xiao Yuan and Xia Lan couldn't help but chuckle. The feeling that followed... Xiao Yuan's nose stung, and tears welled up. Afraid of being seen, she quickly pressed a handkerchief to her cheeks, pretending to brush the dust from her eyes.
Is he... looking for her?
This clumsy way of searching is not something he would do at all; he must be extremely anxious.
She pressed her handkerchief to her eyes again; she could feel this anxiety—it was longing.
Even the greatest resentment pales in comparison to the ever-increasing, ever-growing longing.
Trust, misunderstandings, disappointment, forgiveness or not... none of it compares to missing him! He must feel the same way, right? He's been thinking of her all these days, hasn't he? She smiled again... a genuine smile.
He could never have imagined that she was living in seclusion in the busiest part of the city, nor that her mother had left such a plan all those years ago. The all-powerful Young Master Yi had actually fallen so low as to resort to such a clumsy method to find her—she could almost picture his frustrated and helpless look as he humiliated her.
That's what they deserve!
She was wrong not to trust him.
Was it right for him to secretly take the Moon King's Seal to test her?
Even if it's wrong, shouldn't it be split 50/50?
She was flustered and confused at the time, which is why he gained the upper hand! Why did he have the right to question her with such a self-righteous attitude and then abandon her and leave?
The shop assistants stirred, and the old shopkeeper, no longer able to speak to them, ran to the shop entrance, causing a low murmur in the street.
Xiao Yuan heard the old shopkeeper respectfully inquire, "Did you have a safe journey, sir?"
Her heart skipped a beat.
"Hmm." The indifferent tone belonged to him!
Her face was pale, but thankfully she was wearing a mask to hide it. Although she knew he was looking for her and thinking about her, she wasn't ready to meet him yet.