Chapter 203

He Jinglan

I'm in a hurry today, I can't stroll slowly—just pack all these up for me.

shopkeeper

He said many auspicious compliments to He Jinglan, then inquired:

I don't know which noble family you're from; shall I send my assistant to deliver to your residence?

He Jinglan waved her hand: "No need, I have my own carriage; just help me load it."

The shopkeeper went out laughing, but when he saw the somewhat shabby mule cart, he even thought he had mistaken.

none

He Jinglan

shopkeeper's eye

Oh, oh oh, we'll load the carriage for the miss right away!

donkey cart; Gu Xixi

Did you see the shopkeeper's expression just now?

Catch a free-spending, money‑throwing wealthy young lady, and who knows what they imagine in their hearts?

As a result, when they came out and saw my carriage and Lai Fu, just how great would the shock to their hearts be from this contrast?

He Jinglan stretched her legs on the cart bed, sitting nonchalantly, and said: "Zhang Shen said, the meat of the bun isn't in the pleats."

He family

Gu Xixi greatly admired her carefree attitude: "As long as you can live happily here, that's good."

It seems this girl has repressed her true nature for over a decade; after coming to the Northwest, it all burst out.

They went to the sugar‑oil fruit shop again, and He Jinglan happily picked several kinds she had never seen or eaten before.

Today, buying these food and useful items, He Jinglan never rushed to pay; she just happily watched Gu Xixi pull out money.

Leaving the sugar‑oil fruit shop, the sun had already slanted westward to the rooftops.

Meng Mansion

Zhang Shen; Lao Langzhong; Shitou; Gu Xixi

The clothes worn by the family members should naturally be paid for by the head of the household.

He Jinglan patted Gu Xixi on the back from behind, displeased: "What money are you giving? You don't treat me as one of your own; you're being too distant!"

Are you saying that later, when I eat and use those things you just bought, I also have to settle each item separately with you?

aunt

He Jinglan glared: "Then let me make it clear—I buy clothes for you because I like to see you looking pretty in them."

Shitou, at least call me Jing Lan older sister; I haven't given him anything yet.

Zhang Shen, Lao Langzhong—they are all elders; I live at home, and they show me extra care; giving them two sets of clothes is nothing.

Gu Xixi smiled and apologized, "Alright, alright, it's my fault—I shouldn't have talked about money with you, dragging out all this talk from you."

Anyway, since Miss He Jinglan is willing to give, we'll just happily wear new clothes.

He Jinglan was now happy, "That's how it should be."

Gu Xixi never likes to take advantage of others, but He Jinglan is different.

Between close friends exchanging favors, even if we need to repay a bit, there's no need to rush; if too deliberate, it seems we become distant.

At the Meng residence, Gu Xixi is visiting for the second time.

Only an old servant opened the gate, inviting Gu Xixi and He Jinglan to enter.

In the courtyard, no servants bustled about, making it seem somewhat empty and cold.

A little girl in a pale yellow dress ran over from afar, her head adorned with two little chirp ornaments holding goose-yellow wool balls, bouncing as she ran, utterly adorable.

"Auntie Xixi!"

Like a bird flying into the forest, she spread her arms and lunged toward Gu Xixi.

Gu Xixi scooped up the little girl, laughing, "Good Qinger, how did you run out by yourself?"

Qinger said sweetly, "I heard Auntie Xixi was coming, so I came to greet you!"

He Jinglan looked on with an aunt-like smile, "This is Meng older sister's daughter? So adorable!"

Qinger's two little hands hugged Gu Xixi's neck, then she turned to look at He Jinglan.

"You are Gu Xixi's good friend, Auntie Jing Lan?"

He Jinglan deliberately teased her, "How do you know I'm Auntie Jing Lan? He Jinglan is outside looking at the carriage; I merely happened to meet Gu Xixi at your doorstep and came in together to visit."

Qinger tilted her head, studying He Jinglan, thought seriously, "No, you are Auntie Jing Lan!"

He Jinglan wondered, "How can you be so certain?"

Qinger said, "Mother says, Auntie Jing Lan is very pretty, and when she smiles she's even more likable."

"One look and it's the type that's utterly devoted to his little uncle!"

Gu Xixi burst out laughing.

He Jinglan startled, almost biting her tongue as she moved her mouth, "You, you..."

Her face quickly flushed, like a just-cooked shrimp.

"Little... little uncle...... he, he..."

Meng Dangni zi then came out, seeing this, couldn't help but laugh, lowering her head, then apologetically said:

"Children speak without filter; please don't take offense, Miss He."

He Jinglan's face reddened more, "Children's words are without taboo."

She looked at Meng Dangni zi, although her face was still red, her manner was poised and generous, "Meng older sister, just call me Jing Lan; you are Gu Xixi's good friend, thus also my friend."

Meng Dangni zi nodded with a smile, "Good, good."

Gu Xixi was suspicious; the two "good" words meant different things and formed a pun.

The servant moved Meng Dangni zi's luggage outside: one trunk and three bundles.

Meng Dangni zi knew she was going to Gu Xixi's home, so she pared down her personal belongings some more.

Besides that, there was still a lot more.

Several dozen strings of cured pork, salted meat, wind-dried sausage, two barrels of soybean oil, ten jars of wine, five large bags of glutinous rice…

Gu Xixi watched the loading, helplessly saying, "Meng elder sister, I told you we have food and drink at home, no need to prepare your own."

Meng Dangni zi smiled gently, "These meats were originally stores in the kitchen; if not taken away and eaten, leaving them at home to spoil would also be a pity."

"Knowing you're here means we won't lack grain; I didn't bring anything else, but this rice is still rare—it's the green glutinous rice a friend got from Jiangnan, best for making porridge."

"This wine is because I heard you say your master likes it; there's bamboo leaf green and aged daughter's red. We're staying at home with nothing to do—wouldn't it be nice to have a drink together?"

"As for other vegetables and pickles, I didn't bring any; I'm just hoping to make a living by following you."

Gu Xixi laughed helplessly, "All right, bring them all. We'll be shut up together eating and drinking—sounds fun!"

Qinger waved her little hands and cheered, "Great! Going to find Shitou elder brother!"

When the mule cart arrived at the gate, Master Liu was already standing there.

He smiled and clasped his hands, "Boss Gu is back."

Upon seeing him, Gu Xixi knew something was up; she stopped the cart and had He Jinglan bring the guests inside first.