Chapter Sixty-Seven: I Thought You Were About to Steal My Money

"What are you doing?" Xiao Jingxuan suddenly returned, his face dark and brooding.

"Why are you back again?" Su Jingluo's greatest virtue was that she never bore grudges; the quarrel they'd had moments ago was already forgotten, and her mood was free of lingering resentment. Her main concern now was to tally up her little stash of money.

Xiao Jingxuan felt a bit embarrassed at her question; he'd been so caught up in their argument that he'd forgotten his original purpose. Lin Wanwan's condition needed Su Jingluo to treat it—none of the imperial physicians inside or outside the palace could make sense of it, so only Su Jingluo could handle it.

"I've returned to remind you to clean up your mess," Xiao Jingxuan adjusted his awkward expression, his voice cold and distant.

"Alright, I know. After I've finished accepting the gifts, I'll send out the return gifts you prepared for them, then tidy up the courtyard. There's not much to clean, really—despite the crowd, no one threw melon seed shells everywhere; they were all refined people," Su Jingluo mused. What mess was there to clean, anyway? Suddenly, she remembered something and looked at Xiao Jingxuan with concern. "There's something important I must say: the reward from the Emperor belongs to me. I earned it by swallowing my pride. As for the things the officials sent, you'll handle the return gifts—I don't need them."

...

What nonsense—was this really the important matter?

"It's all silk, hairpins, and cosmetics sent by the wives of officials. What would I do with them? Just keep them for yourself," Xiao Jingxuan replied. Aside from his usual dealings with military officers, he rarely interacted with officials' families. His bonds with fellow soldiers were forged on the battlefield, so the Emperor, fearing Xiao Jingxuan would become too close to the military, recalled him to the capital. Though several years had passed since he'd seen his comrades, their ties remained as strong as ever. Moreover, Su Jingluo had made quite a splash in the palace's side residence. The generals encouraged their wives to befriend her, and the gifts they sent were precisely the sort women favored.

Expressions flitted rapidly across Su Jingluo's face—from reluctant resignation to sparkling delight, as if a hungry wolf had spotted a rabbit, her joy and warmth unmistakable.

"Then I'm taking advantage of you a little. If fate allows, I'll repay you," Su Jingluo replied offhandedly, preparing to check her gifts.

"I want you to repay me right now," Xiao Jingxuan seized the moment. Since she claimed she would repay him, now was the time—he needed her to treat Lin Wanwan, and he wouldn't let the opportunity slip.

"Huh?" This wasn't the usual script. Su Jingluo was a little flustered; her 'I'll repay you if fate allows' was basically a polite way of saying she never intended to repay. What would she repay, anyway? Did he have his eye on the gold the Emperor bestowed? Did he need money? Or perhaps he wanted the pearls, to gift them to his first love, his unattainable white moonlight? Anxiety welled up within her—these gifts were her future capital for starting a business. Xiao Jingxuan wasn't someone to be underestimated; he might demand everything. Why was her heart aching?

Su Jingluo stood there dazed, her mind caught in an internal tug-of-war. Xiao Jingxuan's face darkened further—was she merely offering him empty politeness?

"What are you thinking? Wanwan will certainly need you to treat her. You're Yunbai's mother; you have to take responsibility," Xiao Jingxuan said, unaware of Su Jingluo's worries and assuming she understood what he meant. Her feigned ignorance was clearly an attempt to dodge responsibility.

"So that's it? I thought you were here to rob me," Su Jingluo sighed in obvious relief.

...

So that was what she was worried about—Xiao Jingxuan was left speechless.