Chapter 17 - Townspeople Brought Her Gifts

'How can the hairpin be worth that much just because it is handmade?

'I suppose its jade material is giving it high value!'

Disappointment flashed in Ms. Lu's eyes as she had lost some valuables today. She would be glad if she could find some of them back.

"I am just passing by the town and staying there for a while. Your father has always been generous. If I come to Floating Pavilion Town and hesitate to buy even a jade hairpin, he would definitely say that I am not caring enough to my daughters," Ms. Lu said again.

Xie Qiao snorted slightly and did not say much.

"Even if you want to buy a gold or silver mountain, I won't stop you from doing that, Mom. Just don't use my name.." Xie Qiao curled her lips, smiling coldly.

Ms. Lu was a bit shocked to hear that.

Pei Wanyue pressed her lips as she was feeling a little unhappy.

"Sister, don't blame mom. The truth is... Among the things that were lost today, there is something Mom wants to give to you. Mom was anxious because of that," Pei Wanyue said quickly.

She was cautious and held her cuff gently with her hand. Her expression was nervous and pitiful.

"Is it a gift from Mom or Dad?" Xie Qiao raised her head and gazed at Pei Wanyue with her eyes.

Pei Wanyue's heartbeat was racing.

Since the day she first met Xie Qiao, she had never gazed directly into Xie Qiao's eyes.

Although she thought Xiao Qiao was good-looking, it seemed as though her eyes had flown away. Since she was always not paying attention, this had discounted her beauty two out of ten.

Now...

The gaze of this pair of black eyes were so deep and calm. However, there was not much light in her eyes, making her gaze more fearful to look at.

In an instant, Pei Wanyue broke out in a cold sweat.

She did not know why she felt as if a cold wind was blowing toward her direction.

This scorching weather was not that hot any longer.

Ms. Lu was also startled and forgot to speak.

"Looks like it's a gift from Dad." Xie Qiao lowered her head again, and her sight fell on the road surface. Then she said calmly, "It's okay to lose it. Mom, you could just ask Dad to replace another one for me."

When she finished speaking, Xie Qiao stepped into the nearby inn one step ahead of them.

There were only three or five inns in Floating Pavilion Town, and she often came to the inns.

As soon as Xie Qiao entered, the waiter in the inn noticed her immediately. Without waiting for her to open her mouth, he said, "Ms. Xie! You have come down from the mountain early this month? Do you want something sweet or spicy today? The fish today is very fresh today!"

"Then let's have fish. Remember to tell Chef Gui that I am going to the imperial city tomorrow morning. He doesn't have to keep food for me every month anymore," Xie Qiao said again.

"Are you going to the imperial city?" The waiter was taken aback, and then he looked sad. "I will inform the chef about it now."

Ms. Lu followed closely and frowned slightly when she saw this scene.

"Why are you talking with this waiter? You'll lose your status if you do that," Ms. Lu said.

Xie Qiao chuckled lightly, "What status do I have? If you don't mention it, I'm just a female Taoist going down from the mountain. Besides, the people here are simple-minded. Things are not as complicated as you think, Mom."

After a while, the inn manager came here over personally and gave Xie Qiao a jar of wine.

The manager gazed at Ms. Lu and her daughter for a moment. He laughed a hollow laugh and walked back.

Ms. Lu thought that the people in this town were behaving very weirdly.

Especially after Xie Qiao came in, there seemed to be more people watching over them.

After a while, the waiter returned and brought some other good stuff, including dried bacon, preserved fruits made out of a secret recipe, and a basket of dried goods.

The manager did not say anything but just smiled at Xie Qiao.

Xie Qiao did not look up and said her thanks politely. She continued eating her food as if there was nothing out of the ordinary.

But after a while, there were waves after waves of townspeople outside. They started bringing her gifts.

Among the gifts were clothes for the summer and autumn, leather outfits for autumn and winter, a sack of dried insects, and many processed bean cakes. There were also a few pieces of jewelry and jade, and two carriages with coachmen?!