"Thank you!" As she approached, Shen Lixue suddenly realized that the man in black was about seventeen or eighteen years old, extremely handsome, with clear eyes like a spring, without a trace of impurity. When he smiled slightly, two shallow dimples appeared on his cheeks, and coupled with his blank expression, he seemed innocent and naive.
He doesn't look like a beggar; he looks more like a lost, innocent young master!
Shen Lixue smiled, stood up to leave, but the man grabbed her sleeve, his clear eyes able to see right into her heart: "Thank you for the porridge, wait a moment!"
The man's eyes were bright, and a friendly smile played on his lips. He put down his bowl of porridge, stood up, and quickly ran into a shop.
Shen Lixue raised her eyebrows. It turned out he was perfectly normal and didn't have any foot ailment at all!
A moment later, the man came out of the shop carrying a package. Behind him, a waiter rushed out and reached out to tug at his clothes: "Young master, you haven't paid yet..."
Just as the waiter's hand was about to touch the clothes, his wrist was suddenly gripped tightly by the man in black, as if his bones were about to be crushed. He cried out in pain, "Young master, let go, let go..."
Shen Lixue raised her eyebrows: It seems he is quite an expert!
"What is silver?" The man in black released his grip, his eyes clear yet blank.
"The silver is the money you pay for the pastries!" The waiter explained patiently, gently rubbing his wrist. He dared not touch this customer again; he was really strong, and his wrist had almost been crushed just now.
"What is money?" the man in black asked again, puzzled.
"Money is... is..." The waiter was in a panic, but he didn't know how to explain.
"Money is what you pay someone for the pastries; it's called an equal exchange!" Shen Lixue stepped forward, put a piece of silver into the waiter's hand, and looked helplessly at the man in black: "Remember to bring silver next time you go out to buy things!"
"Really? Then why didn't you ask for money when you brought me porridge?" The man in black looked puzzled, not because he was deliberately trying to cause trouble, but because he genuinely didn't understand.
Shen Lixue: "..."
This person doesn't even know something this simple. Have they been holed up in some obscure place for years, clueless about buying and selling, or is their intelligence stuck at a child's level? "When you go out to buy things, don't you ever pay?"
"I've always received gifts from others; I've never bought anything for myself!" The man in black lowered his head in embarrassment.
"And who was the person who delivered the gift to you?" The man was well-mannered, with pure eyes and a gentle smile, but he always exuded a noble aura, suggesting that he was no ordinary person.
"We got separated the night before last..." the man said softly, his voice somewhat low.
"You didn't sit there waiting for a whole day and night, did you?" Shen Lixue frowned. Sitting there waiting for a whole day and night, wouldn't that mean you were hungry for a whole day and night? This behavior is really a bit... silly!
"Hmm!" The man nodded. Without anyone to guide him, he didn't know what to do.
Shen Lixue sighed and rubbed her forehead in exasperation. His intelligence was still at a child's level: "I'll find you an inn to stay in. Don't sit in the corner waiting!" Shen Lixue didn't like to meddle in other people's business, but this guy was just too stupid...
The capital city was bustling and prosperous, and Shen Lixue hadn't gone far. She found an inn across the street for the man in black, paid for a few days' stay, and gave him twenty taels of silver: "This room has a view of the entire street. Wait here for the person you're waiting for!"
"This is for you!" The man handed over the paper package containing pastries, his smile pure and his eyes bright.
Shen Lixue was taken aback: "You went into the shop to buy pastries to give to me?"
"Yes!" The man nodded, his smile radiant, and sparkles lit up his clear eyes: "You gave me porridge, so of course I should give you something in return!"
"Thank you!" Shen Lixue smiled: Was this a matter of reciprocity or gratitude?
Taking the pastries from the man, Shen Lixue turned to leave, but the man urgently asked, "Where are you going?"
"Go home!" After saying that, Shen Lixue felt a little self-deprecating. The Prime Minister's residence was just a temporary place to stay, and could not be considered her home.
"Home!" the man muttered in confusion, as if the word was unfamiliar to him. "Can I come with you?"
"You should just sit here and wait for someone!" Shen Lixue smiled. Lei Shi and Shen Yingxue were both waiting to find something to use against her. If she brought this man back to the manor, she would inevitably be attacked by them. Besides, this man was also waiting for someone and couldn't just wander around.
"Will you come to see me?" The man's voice was low, as if he were somewhat sad, and as he asked this question, there was a hint of expectation in his eyes.
"I'll come see you when I have time!" Shen Lixue replied dismissively. The man might be of extraordinary status, but he was just a stranger she had met by chance, and she didn't intend to have any long-term dealings with him.
"My name is Qianlong, what's your name?" Upon receiving a positive answer, the man instantly cheered up, and his mood brightened.
"Li Xue!" Shen Li Xue answered softly, walked out of the room, and slowly went down the wooden stairs.
Behind her, the man caught up to the railing, excitedly reminding her in a hurried voice, "Li Xue, remember to come see me!"
The sky was bright and sunny. Shen Lixue walked slowly down the street, a slight smile on her lips. Lei Shi thought, Shen Yingxue must be harboring a lot of resentment after being humiliated by a beggar. In addition, Shen Minghui's plan was ruined by her, so he must hate her to death. If she went back to the manor now, she would definitely be besieged.
I should go out and wander around more, let them vent their anger first, and when I go back, they won't be as angry, and they'll be much easier to deal with!
It's almost lunchtime. I'll find a place to eat first, then rest and recharge before heading back to the mansion to argue with them!
The long road is lined with luxurious restaurants like Xuwo Restaurant and Ruyi Restaurant, which serve excellent fish, but I've heard their soup isn't quite right. Laifu Restaurant serves good vegetables, but I've heard their meat is too oily... So, which restaurant should I go to for a meal?
"Let's go to Zuixianlou. It's a bit far, but the food and soup are delicious. I have nothing else to do anyway, so I might as well take a walk." Having made up her mind, Shen Lixue was about to head to Zuixianlou when a familiar voice called out: "Lixue!"
061 The Prince Plays Tricks on People Again
Shen Lixue turned around and saw Nangong Xiao, dressed in a light sandalwood robe, slowly walking in from the sunlight. He gently waved a folding fan in his hand, exuding nobility and elegance. His devilishly handsome face was so beautiful that it was hard to look away. The corners of his mouth were slightly upturned, forming an unfathomable smile, and his charming eyes were cold and wicked.
"Your illness is cured?" When Shen Lixue and Nangong Xiao last met at the Holy King's Mansion, Nangong Xiao was tormented by abdominal pain and was so weak that he was almost exhausted. After one night, he had completely recovered and there was no sign that he had ever been sick.
"After soaking in hot ginger water all night and drinking some medicine, I'm fine now!" Thinking of the stomach pain that had tormented him all afternoon, Nangong Xiao pictured Dongfang Heng's tall and slender figure in his mind. He gritted his teeth, determined to make sure Dongfang Heng wouldn't get away with it when he saw him.
"Your fan was broken yesterday, but it's fixed and usable today!" Shen Lixue looked at it carefully for a few moments and confirmed that it was the same weapon fan that Dongfang Yu'er had broken yesterday.
"It's just changing the fan surface, it'll be quick!" Nangong Xiao's fan was used as a weapon, so it was inevitable that it would break. Therefore, he had prepared several fan surfaces so that he could replace them at any time.
"Shen Lixue, you haven't had lunch yet, have you? I'll treat you to drunken chicken at Zuixianlou!" Nangong Xiao was going to celebrate with Shen Lixue yesterday, but Dongfang Heng ruined it. Dongfang Heng is very busy today, so he definitely won't have time to interfere with his affairs.
"Are there any seats left at Zuixianlou at this time?" Despite saying this, Shen Lixue still turned around and walked towards Zuixianlou. Zuixianlou is the largest restaurant in the capital. It is always packed during mealtimes. If you don't make a reservation in advance, you can't find a seat. Shen Lixue is not in a hurry to return to the mansion and has nothing to do. It doesn't matter if she waits a little longer to have a meal.
Nangong Xiao, fanning himself, quickly caught up, a glint of wicked light in his eyes: "This young master reserved a private room long ago, there will definitely be a seat!"