Chapter 14: Jinshi, We’re in Public, Don’t Tease

Cheng Ruoyu suddenly realized what was happening and turned to the shopkeeper, dissatisfied. “Shopkeeper, you’re quite the schemer!”

The shopkeeper, not expecting Wei Ruyan to expose him so quickly, hurriedly bowed to Cheng Ruoyu, speaking humbly: “Miss Cheng, I wouldn’t dare offend either you or Miss Wei. How could I agree so easily?”

“Hmph!” Cheng Ruoyu sneered, “To think that the daughter of a great general would have to wait for two days to buy a mere 100-tael hairpin.”

Cheng Ruoyu looked Wei Ruyan up and down, “Did you finally manage to scrape together enough silver in these two days?”

“You!” Wei Ruyan’s face flushed with anger.

“With the pressing war situation at the front, even Their Majesties in the palace have donated their silver and jewelry. Court officials and their families in the capital are following suit. Is it appropriate for you to say it’s just 100 taels, Miss?” Shen Shilang spoke up, hoping Madam Wei would understand his hint.

“It’s not that we can’t afford 100 taels, but the Wei family has reduced household expenses to support military costs. Spending one tael as if it were two, we’re indeed not as well-off as Miss Cheng.”

Was Shen Shilang implying she wasn’t as rich as Cheng Ruoyu?

Wei Ruyan was immediately displeased and about to retort when Madam Wei gripped her hand tightly. She took the hairpin from Wei Ruyan’s hand and gave it to the shopkeeper, saying, “We don’t want this hairpin anymore. If Miss Cheng likes it, let her have it.”

“Mother!” Wei Ruyan had just opened her mouth when a stern look from Madam Wei silenced her.

Madam Wei pulled Wei Ruyan towards the exit.

Once outside, Wei Ruyan complained, “Mother, why did you give the hairpin to that Cheng Ruoyu? Do you think she deserves it?”

Madam Wei took a deep breath and turned to Shen Shilang, who had just walked out, asking, “Were you following us?”

Shen Shilang, who had no particular fondness for Madam Wei and was only doing this for Wei Zhaoxian’s sake, replied coldly, “I came out to buy writing supplies.”

Only then did Madam Wei notice that Xibao Study was right next to treasure house.

“You said that on purpose for me to hear, didn’t you?” Madam Wei added.

“To speak disrespectfully, His Majesty is keeping a close watch on General Wei,” Shen Shilang said coldly. “The Wei family reducing expenses to support the military is commendable, and it’s also supporting His Majesty’s reduction of palace expenses. Other households are following suit voluntarily. At this time, it’s not appropriate to be ostentatious. Even if you have the money to buy, you shouldn’t. Otherwise, if this good deed backfires, the General will suffer the consequences.”

Madam Wei took a deep breath, realizing she had almost jeopardized Wei Zhaoxian’s position.

Seeing that Madam Wei understood, Shen Shilang didn’t bother saying more and turned to leave.

Madam Wei watched Shen Shilang’s retreating figure with a complex expression.

If not for his status as an illegitimate son, Madam Wei would have to admit that Shen Shilang was far more capable than Wei Jianming, and even… more outstanding than her pride and joy, her eldest son Wei Jianlang.

Madam Wei’s expression hardened.

This Shen Shilang, who usually kept a low profile, turned out to have such a clear understanding of things.

“Mother, are we really not getting that hairpin? It’s just 100 taels, what does it matter?” Wei Ruyan said, unwilling to let it go.

“Silence!” Madam Wei scolded, “If you don’t want the entire Wei family to be implicated, like the Shen family was before, then go ahead and buy that hairpin!”

“Even a mere 100 taels is enough to give others leverage!” Madam Wei said in a low voice.

Wei Ruyan glared hatefully at Shen Shilang’s back.

If not for his meddling, that hairpin would have been hers!

Even if she couldn’t wear it to the flower-viewing banquet, she could have kept it in a box. At least it would have been hers.

Now it would end up in Cheng Ruoyu’s hands.

Wei Ruyan resentfully followed Madam Wei into the carriage.

In the shop, the shopkeeper was at a loss, seeing that Wei Ruyan, who had said she would buy the hairpin, had been pulled away by Madam Wei.

He could only ask Cheng Ruoyu, “Miss Cheng, this hairpin…”

“I don’t want it either,” Cheng Ruoyu said, waving her hand as she left.

Her maid Cheng’er quietly asked, “Miss, are you really not buying that hairpin?”

“No, didn’t you hear what that man said? Madam Wei quickly pulled Wei Ruyan away. Clearly, buying it would cause trouble,” Cheng Ruoyu said softly. “If Madam Wei doesn’t dare to buy it, I certainly don’t dare. Let whoever wants that hairpin have it!”

“Besides, if I bought it now, it would be like picking up what Wei Ruyan discarded. I won’t do that,” Cheng Ruoyu said angrily as she got into her carriage.

Su Jinshi was about to order takeout for lunch when she received a WeChat message from Mai Chaoyun.

Xiao Mai: “Jinshi, have you eaten?”

Su Jinshi: “No, I was about to order takeout.”

Xiao Mai: “Didn’t you finish your manuscript and plan to have some fun? Why are you still cooped up at home? It’s understandable on weekdays, but today is Saturday.”

Su Jinshi suddenly realized that she had been staying at home recently, getting up early to watch Shen Shilang, ordering takeout when hungry, and hadn’t gone out at all.

Xiao Mai: “Mo Jizong told me he’s been transferred to work in the capital. He just moved here two days ago and wants to gather our old classmates who are in the city for a reunion today.”

Su Jinshi: “It’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other. Even though we’re in the same city, everyone’s busy. It’s good to take this opportunity to get together.”

Xiao Mai: “Right? I’ve sent you the address. Six o’clock tonight.”

Su Jinshi: “Okay.”

Su Jinshi returned to the game, wanting to tell Shen Shilang that she would be going out tonight, so he shouldn’t worry if he couldn’t find her.

But she found that the time on the communication box had run out.

Su Jinshi felt inexplicably irritated, wishing for the first time that she could quickly upgrade the store to level 3 to buy a mid-level communication box, so she could talk to Shen Shilang for longer.

Shen Shilang, thinking that Su Jinshi had never been out before, asked her if she wanted to go anywhere else.

Su Jinshi poked Shen Shilang, unable to speak.

“Can’t talk again?” Shen Shilang asked.

Su Jinshi poked him twice.

“Do you want to keep sightseeing?” Shen Shilang asked again.

Su Jinshi couldn’t speak, and he didn’t know if she liked sightseeing with him.

Su Jinshi wrote the character “No” on Shen Shilang’s chest.

When Shen Shilang felt the soft fingertip brush across his chest, a slight tickle spread through his body.

It felt completely different from when Su Jinshi usually poked him, the ticklish sensation seemed to reach directly into his heart.

Shen Shilang froze, unable to take another step.

Su Jinshi saw that the tips of Shen Shilang’s ears had turned red again.

“Blushing at this too?” Su Jinshi poked Shen Shilang’s ear, “How adorable.”

Shen Shilang trembled slightly while trying to dodge, covering his ears and saying softly with a red face, “Jinshi, we’re in public, don’t mess around.”

Su Jinshi very much wanted to ask if this meant it would be okay once they were back in private.

However, she couldn’t communicate now, so she couldn’t ask Shen Shilang.

Shen Shilang took a deep breath and said, “If you don’t want to sightsee anymore, let’s go back then.”

A mischievous light flashed in Su Jinshi’s eyes as she wrote “Okay” on Shen Shilang’s chest again.