The man turned to look at Xie Lang. His eyes were bloodshot. He staggered up to Xie Lang and said, "How can you prove that you're different from those people?"
Xie Lang replied, "Does this really need proof?"
Raising his eyebrows and curling his lips slightly, he continued, "After what I've said, haven't you noticed anything off about what those people did?"
"Come on." Xie Lang reached out his hand, patted the man on the shoulder, and said gently, "If you can work for me whole - heartedly, I'll avenge your sister for you."
As he spoke, his tone took on a hint of temptation.
The man gave him a long look, pursed his lips, and nodded.
...
After he was done, Xie Lang handed the man over to his subordinate. Then he mounted his horse and rode back to the city. He paused for a moment when he saw the straw dolls being sold on the street.
"Sir!"
Seeing Xie Lang's attire, the stall owner knew that the man in front of him was either rich or noble. He immediately summoned up his courage and called out, "Why don't you take a look at these little trinkets? They're perfect gifts for the ladies in your family."
Xie Lang had just been taking a casual glance, but the stall owner's words piqued his interest. He dismounted his horse, handed the reins to his subordinate, and squatted down to look.
"Hey! Take a look. These little rabbit dolls are our best - sellers. If you have a younger sister, buying one for her would be great. Girls love these."
"Sister?" Xie Lang had taken off his mask. His handsome face was now adorned with a faint smile. His face was as fair as jade, making the passing girls blush. "I don't have a younger sister. I only have a wife."
The stall owner wasn't flustered. Seeing this, he smiled and said, "Then you should be even more considerate."
"Maybe... maybe you should buy one of each. Let your wife choose later." The stall owner smiled at Xie Lang. "Spending a little money to make your wife happy is a good deal, isn't it?"
Xie Lang couldn't help but laugh. He said to the stall owner, "You're quite a good salesman."
"Alright." Xie Lang said under the stall owner's expectant gaze, "I'll take one of each."
"Sure thing!" The stall owner was overjoyed. He didn't expect that his attempt would actually succeed in selling one of each item. His face showed a hint of surprise, and he said with a smile, "It seems you really care about your wife. You even think of bringing her a little trinket when you see it on the street."
"I wish you two a long - lasting marriage and many children." As the stall owner spoke, seeing the smile on Xie Lang's face, he couldn't help but add, "Since you've bought so many, why don't you buy a basket too? It'll look nicer to put them in. Usually, I sell these baskets for twenty copper coins each. But seeing how deeply in love you are with your wife today, I'll give it to you as an extra for just ten copper coins."
Xie Lang was also in business, so he knew these tricks better than anyone. But...
This man was just so good at talking. His constant wishes of a long - lasting marriage and deep love between husband and wife kept a smile on Xie Lang's face. So he waved to his servant beside him and said, "Okay, I'll take them all. Pay for them."
The smile on the stall owner's face didn't fade. He quickly packed the items and said, "Take care, sir! I wish you and your wife a harmonious union and a long - lasting marriage!"
Xie Lang's servant beside him: "..."
He never thought that his master would be charmed by such a sales tactic and be willing to pay. Ten copper coins for that basket! Usually, it only cost seven or eight copper coins. Ten was already expensive!
The servant was heart - stricken. In the end, he heaved a long sigh looking at Xie Lang, and carefully carried the basket in his hand, afraid of bumping it.
Xie Lang originally planned to return later. But seeing the freshly - baked pastries in his hand and the straw - woven items in his servant's hand, he couldn't help but want to go back earlier to show Shen Mingzhu his harvest of the day.
Xie Mansion.
Xie Lang rushed to the courtyard gate. When he knocked on the door, he saw Shen Mingzhu still in the courtyard. She raised her eyebrows when she saw him.
"You're back so early today?"
When Shen Mingzhu saw Xie Lang at the door, there was a hint of surprise in her eyes. She asked, "Have you had dinner?"
Then she pointed to the house and said, "Chun Tao is preparing dinner. I felt stuffy inside, so I came out for some fresh air."
Seeing Shen Mingzhu's expression, Xie Lang suddenly felt at ease. He suddenly understood what the feeling of home was.
It was very comforting.
He couldn't help but curl his lips slightly and said to Shen Mingzhu, "Guess what I've brought for you?"
Seeing the faint smile in his eyes, Shen Mingzhu also couldn't help but smile. She blinked slightly and asked, "You brought pastries?"
Xie Lang burst out laughing. "So you do have a good nose."
Shen Mingzhu gritted her teeth and looked at Xie Lang. "Can you talk properly!"
Xie Lang laughed and continued, "Or what? Isn't that right?"
Shen Mingzhu gave him a disdainful look and ignored him. She turned around and was about to enter the house. "Come in if you haven't eaten."
But just as she turned around, Shen Mingzhu heard Xie Lang calling her name with a laugh. "Your Highness, turn around and take a look."
Who's being so annoying?
She sighed in her heart but still turned around. When she saw the basket in Xie Lang's hand that she didn't know when he had picked up, she couldn't help but be slightly stunned.
Was this also a surprise from him?
Seeing the growing smile on Xie Lang's face, he walked towards her, stopped in front of her, and placed the basket in front of her. He said, "Besides me, who else would bring this for you?"
She instinctively reached out to take it. When she saw the smile in Xie Lang's eyes, she stood still, her eyes filled with memories.
"Indeed." Shen Mingzhu said, "Now in this world, besides you, there's really no one else who would give me this."
There used to be her elder brother who would give her things, but now it was really only Xie Lang.
Xie Lang was startled by Shen Mingzhu's suddenly gloomy tone. He frowned and looked at her. "You... I gave you these things hoping to see you smile. Why are you crying?"
"If you like them, I'll bring them for you every time from now on."
Shen Mingzhu hesitated for a moment, looked up at Xie Lang, and said softly, "Okay."
This time it was Xie Lang's turn to be stunned. Looking at Shen Mingzhu's expression, he suddenly didn't know what to say. After a moment of silence, he reached out and ruffled her hair, and said gently, "I don't know what to say now, but my intention was to make you happy. Did this thing remind you of something?"
【Aaaaaah — How could this happen! I'm so stupid!】
【Cry. I was so happy to see something interesting. I thought the stall owner was so sweet that I bought one of each. But...】
Hearing Xie Lang's inner thoughts, Shen Mingzhu showed a faint smile on her face and said, "Don't worry. I'm really happy now."
Xie Lang said softly, "Okay."
After dinner, seeing the tiredness on Xie Lang's face, Shen Mingzhu said, "I'm going to offer prayers outside the city in a few days. Do you want to go?"
Xie Lang was startled. He turned to look at her and said, "How could I not go? I'm your husband!"
Seeing Xie Lang's expression, Shen Mingzhu couldn't help but laugh. Then she said, "Okay. But seeing how busy you've been these days, I thought you wouldn't have time to go."
Xie Lang frowned.