Chapter 27: Puppet

The news of Luo Shaoxuan’s upcoming marriage spread like a virus in the capital city. Everyone seemed to have new gossip to talk about and began discussing it.

“The Sun lady is gentle, refined, and powerful. She’s a perfect match for Luo Shaoxuan!” “Indeed, the Sun lady is influential and powerful, while Luo Shaoxuan has unparalleled looks. They’re a match made in heaven.” However, one passerby disagreed, “That’s not necessarily true. I’ve seen Luo Shaoxuan, and he truly possesses a beauty that can topple cities. He’s also knowledgeable and reasonable. I actually think the Sun lady is not worthy of him.” Another person retorted disdainfully, “A man just needs to know the three obediences and four virtues. That Luo Shaoxuan is ultimately just a man. Such a good choice is already his fortune.” “Indeed, it’s not good for a man to be too intelligent.”

The passerby found their thoughts vulgar and shook her head helplessly.

……

At this moment, Si Qingyu was grinding medicinal herbs. In recent days, people in the town had been experiencing symptoms of dizziness, fatigue, and vomiting. It seemed to be heat exhaustion due to the recent hot and stuffy weather.

She boiled porridge with sun-dried lotus leaves and distributed it to the townspeople who showed signs of heat exhaustion. Lotus leaf porridge had the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying the body, and the ingredients were relatively common.

Charging only two coins per person was not excessive.

Si Qingyu leisurely ground the medicine. There weren’t many people coming and going on this side of the street, making it quiet and idle.

Suddenly, she saw Zhao Sixi rushing in from outside, covered in sweat. Seeing Si Qingyu grinding medicine, Zhao Sixi hesitated and didn’t dare speak the words on the tip of her tongue.

Si Qingyu glanced at her indifferently, “Why are you in such a hurry? Have you finished distributing the porridge?” “Finished! All finished!” Zhao Sixi wiped her sweat and said.

“Mm.” Si Qingyu lowered her head and continued grinding the medicine.

Zhao Sixi secretly glanced at Si Qingyu from the side, looking both curious and not daring to approach recklessly.

Si Qingyu pretended not to see and didn’t ask her anything.

Zhao Sixi walked to the side, pretending to pick up a book and read it, while secretly glancing at Si Qingyu from the corner of her eyes.

Clearing her throat, Zhao Sixi asked as if unintentionally, “Um… Doctor Si, have you seen Luo Shaoxuan recently?” Huh?

Luo Shaoxuan? Why was she asking about him?

“No.”

“Oh…” Zhao Sixi continued to secretly glance at Si Qingyu’s profile.

“If you have something to say, just say it.” Don’t look at her with that hesitant expression. She was afraid Zhao Sixi would suffocate herself.

Hearing her say that, Zhao Sixi gained some courage, “Doctor Si… I heard… that…” Si Qingyu raised her eyes and gave her a cold glance.

“I heard that Luo Shaoxuan is getting married!” After saying that, Zhao Sixi wished she could slap herself.

Si Qingyu’s hand stiffened for a moment but quickly returned to normal.

“Oh.”

Her tone was indifferent.

Zhao Sixi looked at her cautiously, “Doctor Si… Are you alright?” She looked at Zhao Sixi in confusion, “What could be wrong with me?”

“Oh, oh, it’s good if there’s nothing wrong.” She had always thought that Doctor Si liked Luo Shaoxuan. It seemed that wasn’t the case.

Zhao Sixi breathed a sigh of relief. It was good if there was nothing wrong, really good. “Then Doctor Si, do we need to distribute porridge tomorrow?” “No need.”

Zhao Sixi nodded and went to the side to continue sorting medicinal herbs.

Si Qingyu lowered her eyes, a hint of confusion in them.

He was getting married. That’s good. He should have gotten married long ago. As his good friend, she should be happy for him.

But… why was there a tinge of irritation in her heart? Was she suffering from heat exhaustion too? She raised her head and looked at Zhao Sixi to the side, “Is there any porridge left from the distribution?” “Huh?”

Zhao Sixi took a moment to react, “All distributed, completely distributed.” Si Qingyu nodded. Never mind, she would boil some when she got back.

“Qingyu, Qingyu!”

While she was still immersed in her thoughts, a joyful voice interrupted her.

Li Tianyang’s face was flushed with sweat and excitement. He ran to her and hid his hands behind his back, saying with a beaming face, “Guess what I brought for you?” Si Qingyu glanced at him indifferently and shook her head.

Li Tianyang pouted, “You didn’t even guess.”

What was there to guess? She wasn’t curious.

She ignored him and continued with the task at hand.

Seeing that she ignored him, a hint of gloom flashed in Li Tianyang’s fox-like eyes.

He held out the item in his hand in front of her, “Look, my mother brought this back from the Western Regions. Isn’t it pretty?” In his hand was an exquisite little figurine dressed in red, its head swaying with Li Tianyang’s movements, looking somewhat ridiculous and funny.

Li Tianyang presented it like a treasure, “Look! It can even move!”

“Mm.” She glanced at it and nodded perfunctorily.

On the other hand, Zhao Sixi’s eyes lit up as she looked at the little puppet, “Young Master Li, what is this?” What does it have to do with you?

Li Tianyang glanced at her disdainfully. Although he disliked her, he still said, “A hand puppet.”

Then he looked at Si Qingyu again, smiling brightly, “I’ll give it to you!” Give it to her?

Si Qingyu looked at the puppet and thought it suited him better.

“No need, I don’t like these little things. It suits you more.” “But I want to give it to you.” Li Tianyang looked stubborn, as if he wouldn’t leave if she didn’t accept it.

Seeing that the puppet was about to be shoved in her face.

Si Qingyu sighed and took it, thanking him.

Seeing that she accepted it, Li Tianyang’s smile became even brighter. He stretched out his hand towards her, palm open.

Looking at his outstretched hand, Si Qingyu looked at him in confusion.

“I gave you a gift, so you have to give me a gift in return!” He said it as if it was a matter of course.

Zhao Sixi, who had been watching everything from the side, was stunned. Was this even possible?

Si Qingyu’s eyelids twitched, “I don’t have anything to give you. How about I return this to you?” She said, handing the puppet back to him.

Of course, Li Tianyang refused. He said seriously, “My mother said that once you give something away, you can’t take it back. Otherwise, people will despise you.” He spoke nonsense with such a serious face.

Si Qingyu felt a bit displeased. She really didn’t have anything to give him.

Seeing her dilemma, his gaze swept over her body. Suddenly, his eyes lit up, and he pointed to the purple ink stone beside her hand, “Then you can give this to me!” Si Qingyu lowered her eyes and looked at the purple ink stone on the table, her brows slightly furrowed, “But I’ve already used this. If you like stationery, I can give you some money to buy a new one.” “No, I want this one.” He wanted the one she had used. Otherwise, what was the point of taking it?

Si Qingyu was a bit speechless. However, she wasn’t one to be stingy. Since he didn’t mind, she might as well give it to him.

She picked up the purple ink stone and placed it in his hand.

Li Tianyang happily took the ink stone, his eyes sparkling with joy.

“Then I won’t disturb you anymore! I’ll come to see you again next time.”

With that, he left, hopping and skipping like a child who had received a new toy and was eager to show it off.

Finally, he left. Si Qingyu breathed a sigh of relief.

This child was really difficult to deal with.

Meanwhile, Zhao Sixi looked at her with an all-knowing expression, as if she had figured everything out.

“So Doctor Si likes Young Master Li.” She even nodded her head in affirmation.

What?

Si Qingyu looked at her in confusion, not understanding what she was talking about.

Zhao Sixi tilted her head slightly, “Isn’t that right? You even exchanged love tokens.” “……” What nonsense was this?

Si Qingyu’s face darkened, and she reprimanded softly, “Don’t speak nonsense. Young Master Li is still an unmarried young man. It’s not good to invite gossip.” Zhao Sixi trembled at Si Qingyu’s dark expression and murmured, “I understand, Doctor Si…” But in her heart, she thought: It’s obviously the case! And that little demon king Li Tianyang already has who knows how much gossip. One more doesn’t make a difference.

“Hurry up and sort the medicinal herbs.”

“Oh…” Zhao Sixi rubbed her nose in embarrassment and returned to her original spot to sort the herbs.

Si Qingyu’s eyes darkened slightly as she looked at the puppet in her hand, suddenly feeling like it was burning her hand.