Chapter 28: The Beautiful Woman

Today, Fubao was taken by her mother to go on a boat trip! She brought along the little ginseng spirit as well. That fellow was always nowhere to be seen during the day and only came back at night to squeeze into her small bed!

Recently, the little ginseng spirit had been in high spirits. As a great tonic, he loved to be near people with yin or sickly qi—this was good for his cultivation and also for accumulating virtue. However, he found it hard to endure running around all these days to herbal clinics and medicine shops! He’d seen too many of his own kind being chopped up and thrown into pots—though those were yet to gain sentience, they were still brothers in a sense.

So, he did something big: he stole all the ginseng from every medicinal shop he could find. He couldn’t do anything about the other herbs; there were just too many to carry!

As a result, Meng Xuan, who ran a medicinal shop, had been coming home these days with an increasingly sour look on his face. His shop had been robbed again and again—reporting to the authorities was useless, and there was no way to track the thief. Meng Xuan was so furious that his face was perpetually dark.

That was why, when Meng Yun suggested a boat outing, she took the opportunity to accept Xiaoxiao’s invitation as well.

Now, on a dainty little boat by Willow Leaf Lake, little Fubao wore a look of deep displeasure, puzzled as to why her aunt kept kissing her cheeks.

“Mmmph—stop it! Enough!” Fubao protested with babyish gurgles.

But—

“Look how happy Bao’er is! Oh, you like your auntie, don’t you? Next time I have the chance, I’ll visit you at Lin Family Village again!” Only now did Gu Xiaoxiao learn that her best friend’s daughter was named Lin Cenbao, with the nickname Fubao.

Indeed, she was fair and plump—truly a child of good fortune! Saying this, she planted another kiss on Fubao’s cheek.

Fubao was resigned—she gave up, conceding defeat!

“By the way, I heard your second brother’s shop was robbed. The thief took every single ginseng, cheap or expensive, all gone!” She couldn’t help but laugh as she spoke.

Meng Xuan had always been at odds with her ever since childhood, constantly bullying and teasing her. Now, it was his turn for retribution—just thinking of his gloomy face cheered her up.

Seeing the evident schadenfreude on Gu Xiaoxiao’s face, Meng Yun could only laugh in exasperation. These two had been rivals since they were young, always vying to outdo each other.

“I’m curious though—what a strange thief! Only stealing ginseng and leaving no trace behind.” Meng Yun picked up her teacup, shaking her head in bewilderment.

Nearby, the little ginseng spirit was having a grand time playing with the water, but his ears perked up at their conversation.

“Thief? What is a thief?” He didn’t understand the term.

“Whoever it is, hmph, did a good deed as far as I’m concerned. Meng Xuan is always provoking me—serves him right to suffer a little!” Gu Xiaoxiao huffed, nibbling on a piece of osmanthus cake.

“You’re always picking on my brother,” Meng Yun said without real annoyance, giving Gu Xiaoxiao a helpless look as she sipped her tea.

“He’s the one who bullies me! Even now that we’re grown, he still plays tricks. Am I supposed to accept that without complaint?” Gu Xiaoxiao protested.

Just recently, she had gone with her maid to Jade Bamboo Pavilion to see the famously elegant Lord Bright Moon. Just as they arrived, Meng Xuan appeared seemingly out of nowhere and dragged her out. His face was so dark! It had unnerved her a little. Though he hadn’t said much, he had tossed her back to the Gu household and tattled on her, resulting in her being grounded for several days! How hateful—she’d had to copy out a thick volume of scriptures as punishment!

Meng Yun looked at Gu Xiaoxiao’s aggrieved face and could only sigh in resignation.

Outside the boat cabin, the little ginseng spirit finally understood: so, a thief is someone who does good deeds! Then I, too, must become a doer of good and a thief!

He immediately stood a little taller, his tiny topknot brimming with energy!

“Miss, our boat has been blocked. Should we proceed?” At this moment, Gu Xiaoxiao’s personal maid, Jadeite, came in to report.

Gu Xiaoxiao paused in mid-sip, turning to ask, “What’s happened—why has our boat been stopped?”

Meng Yun also set down her teacup.

“Miss, it seems a certain lady’s boat has encountered some minor trouble and is blocking our path,” Jadeite explained succinctly.

“Oh, is that so? Invite her in, then,” Gu Xiaoxiao replied magnanimously.

“Yes, Miss,” Jadeite said, and left to arrange it.

Soon, the embroidered curtain was lifted, and a stately, beautiful woman with a hint of sorrow on her face entered. Seeing Meng Yun and Gu Xiaoxiao, she said, “Many thanks to you both for your rescue.”

“There’s no need for thanks, madam. It’s only right to help those in trouble; how could we stand by and do nothing?” Meng Yun responded.

“Indeed! No need for formalities, madam. Please, do sit,” Gu Xiaoxiao added.

“Thank you, young ladies.” The beautiful woman bowed in gratitude.

The three exchanged courtesies and sat down together.