Chapter 541: The Peasant Girl’s Splendid Manor
Chapter 541: Forgotten to Check the Almanac (3)
When Mo Yan heard someone calling her name unexpectedly, she looked up instinctively while talking to Xin’er and saw the last person she wanted to meet. She frowned, thinking, “I really didn’t check the almanac today!”
Realizing there were other people around, especially Xin’er, she tried to maintain a calm demeanor and forced a cold smile, saying, “Oh, it’s you, Madam. What a coincidence!”
Seeing the rejection in Mo Yan’s eyes, Du Shi’s expression flashed with pain but she quickly put on a forced smile and said, “It’s fate! From the first time I saw you, I felt a sense of familiarity. Who would have thought that in such a big city, we’d run into each other again? Isn’t this fate?”
Mo Yan nearly lost her false smile at these words. Just as she was about to make an excuse to leave, she heard Xin’er’s curious voice, “Madam, how do you know my sister’s name?”
Xin’er’s memory of Du Shi was from last winter when two carriages collided in the city, and Du Shi had intervened, preventing the situation from escalating. She had a good impression of Du Shi, who appeared kind and gentle. Hearing Du Shi mention her sister’s name in such a familiar manner made her curious.
Du Shi, upon noticing Xin’er and seeing her resemblance to herself, was instantly moved to tears, covering her mouth and unable to speak.
“Madam, are you alright?” Xin’er was startled, not expecting that her simple question would make Du Shi cry.
“…”
Seeing Xin’er’s helplessness, Du Shi wanted to say she was fine, but her mouth opened and closed without producing words, and her tears continued to fall more heavily.
Seeing Du Shi like this, Xin’er felt a pang in her heart and wanted to comfort her but didn’t know how to start. She looked pleadingly at her sister, hoping she could help.
Mo Yan sighed inwardly, thinking: Is this what they call a mother’s instinct? If Xin’er ever learns that this tearful woman is her mother who abandoned her, I wonder if she would choose to forgive or resent her.
Unable to bear Xin’er’s pleading look and the surrounding curious gazes, Mo Yan finally took out a clean handkerchief and handed it to Du Shi, her tone somewhat stern as she said, “Madam, this is Duobao Pavilion, not your home…”
Du Shi, thinking her daughter was concerned for her, gratefully accepted the handkerchief but hesitated to use it, carefully placing it in her sleeve before taking out her own handkerchief to wipe her tears, her voice quivering as she said, “I—I’m sorry for my behavior. Did I scare you?”
...This novel is translated by the Eternal Novel Hits translators. Please read it at https://www.eternalnovelhits.com
Mo Yan observed her actions, frowned slightly, but chose not to comment further. She replied, “Madam, don’t take it the wrong way. I’m only concerned about potential misunderstandings, not your well-being.”
Du Shi understood the implication, and seeing her daughter’s indifferent gaze, she was heartbroken again, nearly breaking down in tears once more but managed to control herself.
At this moment, Wu Shi, who had been observing Du Shi for a while, suddenly changed her expression as if recognizing something, and stepped between Mo Yan and Du Shi, saying, “Yan’er, weren’t you going to pick out some jewelry? Let’s go quickly, we need to head back soon!”
Ignoring Du Shi, she took Mo Yan by one hand and Xin’er by the other, preparing to leave.
Mo Yan realized Wu Shi had recognized Du Shi. She quickly agreed with Wu Shi’s suggestion, saying, “Yes, let’s go now, or we’ll run out of time!”
Turning to Du Shi, she added, “Madam, we have things to attend to, so we’ll be leaving now. If you’re feeling distressed, try talking to your loved ones. It might help ease your pain since they’re your family.”
Without waiting to see if Du Shi understood her hint, Mo Yan left with Wu Shi and the others, guided by the shop assistant to a private room for guests.
Du Shi wanted to say something but found she couldn’t come up with a reason to keep her daughters. She stared blankly as they disappeared around the corner, her eyes filled with an unspoken sorrow.
……
After encountering two unwanted people in a row, Mo Yan, looking at the array of jewelry, forced herself to cheer up and selected two sets of exquisite pearl headpieces for Xin’er and Sheng’er. She also allowed Wu Shi and her daughter, Li Xiu and her niece, Sheng’er, and Tang Xin to pick their own items.
The group couldn’t refuse Mo Yan’s kindness and chose only the cheapest silver jewelry, adamantly refusing the beautiful and expensive gold and jade pieces Mo Yan had selected for them.
When they came out to pay, the shopkeeper informed them that someone had already paid for the items.
Mo Yan immediately guessed it was Du Shi who had paid in advance. Not wanting any involvement with Du Shi, she refused to use her money. Ignoring the shopkeeper’s bewildered look, she paid the 86 taels and 6 qian herself and instructed the shopkeeper to return the money to Du Shi next time she came.
Duobao Pavilion, a century-old shop, had a good reputation and wouldn’t risk damaging it by keeping the money Du Shi had provided. The shopkeeper agreed to Mo Yan’s request.
Though the encounter had somewhat dampened her shopping mood, Mo Yan didn’t want to spoil the outing for the others. Relying on her familiarity with the capital, she led everyone through nearby streets and alleys, buying everything they needed and more.
By the time the sun began to set, they returned to the shop, carrying heavy bags of items, and then went back to Liuyang Village with Li Zhong, Tietou, and Wang Pangtou.
Back home, Wu Shi, aware of Du Shi’s identity, casually inquired about Mo Yan’s acquaintance with her. Mo Yan briefly explained, pretending not to recognize Du Shi as the mother of the three siblings.
Wu Shi sighed in relief and sternly advised Mo Yan not to trust anything Du Shi said, fearing she might have ill intentions. Mo Yan, content to play dumb and having no intention of acknowledging Du Shi, readily agreed.
Xin’er, still puzzled, asked a few questions hesitantly. Mo Yan and Wu Shi skillfully deflected her inquiries, keeping the truth hidden.
No one planned to inform the Mo family, including Mo Yonglu and the others, about the encounter with Mo Er Ni’er. It was deemed unnecessary and avoiding them would prevent being hounded by the parasitic Mo Hongshi. Even though she hadn’t gained any benefit from the new brick houses after the autumn harvest, she was still a constant annoyance.
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