Shen Xiaoyan winked playfully at Luoluo, "I'm not telling you."
Luoluo was speechless for a moment, but seeing that Su Yan seemed to be in a better mood, she felt relieved.
"He's gone, you're free now," Luoluo added.
Shen Xiaoyan nodded, she was indeed free. She no longer had to worry about entering or exiting her portable space, and she could go buy some traditional Chinese medicinal seeds to plant, or perhaps she could do other things to earn money.
For a moment, many ideas flashed through Shen Xiaoyan's mind, but they were fleeting. To implement them would require both time and energy.
The most important thing now was to get a good night's sleep. This was the consequence of indulgence, and she felt utterly exhausted.
She took off her clothes, lay down on the kang bed, pulled up the cotton quilt, and closed her eyes. However, after a long time, she still couldn't fall asleep.
Opening her eyes again, she looked at the empty space beside her and said softly, "So, one person less, and everywhere feels unfamiliar."
Shen Xiaoyan didn't know when Huo Si had returned. When she came out for lunch, Huo Si was already at home.
After carefully inquiring how Zheng Wei and Sima Han had left, Huo Si's answer made Shen Xiaoyan stunned for a moment, and then she felt relieved.
The reason was simple: Zheng Wei and Sima Han had each ridden a horse. These horses were not bought, but were a gift from Lu Taobao.
Thinking of how close Lu Taobao and Zheng Wei had been in the past, Shen Xiaoyan understood. This was his way of showing his appreciation, his respect for a life-saver, for an elder brother.
Shen Xiaoyan looked at the still tightly shut western side room and didn't ask Qu Shi and the others to disturb it. Although Yue Qingxin appeared timid on the surface, she was strong at heart. At this time, she probably wanted to be alone.
As Shen Xiaoyan expected, Yue Qingxin came out before dinner. The Yue Qingxin who emerged again, though her eyes were a little red, had a bright smile on her face.
"Sister, what are we eating tonight?" Yue Qingxin asked with a smile.
"What would Elder Sister like to eat? How about we ask Aunt Xu if she has any specialty dishes and have her make them for us to try," Shen Xiaoyan said.
Qu Shi stood by, and upon hearing Shen Xiaoyan's words, she also joined in with a smile, "My cooking is only good at one thing. I hope the two ladies will guide me more."
"I'm not as good as you, how dare I offer guidance," Yue Qingxin said with a smile to Qu Shi, then looked at Shen Xiaoyan and continued, "We can only wait for Chef Su to guide us."
After saying this, Yue Qingxin couldn't help but laugh first. Shen Xiaoyan also laughed, pointing at Yue Qingxin, not knowing what to say. This was the first time she had seen Yue Qingxin talk and laugh like this.
After their laughter subsided, the two of them went to the kitchen with Qu Shi and her three daughters to prepare dinner. Qu Shi mentioned her specialty dishes, and Shen Xiaoyan also offered some of her own suggestions and made small adjustments. Indeed, the food was even more delicious.
After dinner, each returned to their rooms to rest.
Shen Xiaoyan lay on the kang bed, still feeling a little unaccustomed to it. Even though this was her own room, and the kang bed she had slept on for a year, she still felt unaccustomed.
After a while of aimless thoughts, Shen Xiaoyan slowly closed her eyes.
Luoluo and Baibai slept beside her. Before, when Zheng Wei was around, they both slept on the kang bed in the study room outside.
Now that Zheng Wei was not home, Shen Xiaoyan had asked them to come and keep her company, so she wouldn't feel lonely.
That night, Shen Xiaoyan did not sleep soundly. She kept tossing and turning, seeming to be in a state of half-sleep and half-wakefulness.
Dazed until dawn, Shen Xiaoyan immediately got up.
While getting dressed, Shen Xiaoyan thought to herself that she should keep herself busy from now on, so she wouldn't have trouble sleeping like this.
The day was still a bright sunny day, with a gentle breeze and light clouds. The azure sky was dotted with a few white clouds, and even a glance was enough to lift one's spirits.
After breakfast, Shen Xiaoyan discussed with Yue Qingxin about going to town. Yue Qingxin did not want to go out, so she stayed at home.
Shen Xiaoyan sat in the carriage, with Huo Si driving in front, heading towards the town.
The scenery along the way was as beautiful as ever, and the town was as lively as ever. Yet, Shen Xiaoyan couldn't appreciate it.
Upon reaching the town, Shen Xiaoyan asked Huo Si to wait for her at the town entrance, and she walked to the pharmacy.
There were three pharmacies in town. One of them was owned by Lu Taobao's family. Shen Xiaoyan did not go there, but went to another one called "Huichuntang".
As she entered the pharmacy, a young apprentice came to greet her. Shen Xiaoyan looked around. The pharmacy was not small, about the size of three rooms.
The east side had wooden tables and chairs, all occupied by many people, and an old physician nearing fifty was taking pulses for someone.
The west side was lined with medicine cabinets, with a counter in front of them.
Shen Xiaoyan said to the attendant beside her, "Do you sell seeds of traditional Chinese medicinal herbs?"
The attendant, hearing that she wasn't here for medicine or to see a doctor, was a little surprised, but only for a moment. Then, he smiled and said, "Yes, yes, we have seeds of all kinds of traditional Chinese medicinal herbs."
Shen Xiaoyan nodded, "Then give me a little of each."
The attendant was stunned. A little of each? That was hundreds of varieties. What did she need so many seeds for? Did she want to grow traditional Chinese medicinal herbs herself and sell them?
Seeing that the attendant didn't reply for a long time, Shen Xiaoyan said, "What, you don't sell them? Then I'll look elsewhere."
Seeing Shen Xiaoyan about to leave, the attendant stepped forward to stop her and smiled, "Madam, don't rush. I'll get them for you right away."
After speaking, the attendant turned to leave.
Shen Xiaoyan called out to stop him again, "Wait, wrap each kind of traditional Chinese medicinal herb in oil paper and write the name of the herb on it."
The attendant nodded in agreement and then scurried behind the counter, entering a small door to the back.
Shen Xiaoyan was not in a hurry. She walked to a wooden chair by the counter and sat down, observing the people in the room while waiting for the attendant.
At this moment, two women suddenly walked in from the pharmacy entrance. One was about thirty years old, and the other looked about fifteen from her figure.
She said her figure, because her face was covered with a veil, making it impossible to see her appearance clearly.
As soon as the two women entered, they hurried towards the physician who was examining another patient. The older woman said, "Physician Wang, please examine my daughter quickly."
Physician Wang showed a displeased expression. He was a straightforward person and hated most of all the lack of order. Seeing that the two women looked healthy, why did they rush in without regard for others?
Perhaps sensing Physician Wang's displeasure, the woman apologized to everyone, "I'm truly sorry, everyone, but this is really urgent."
After speaking, the woman looked at Physician Wang again, "Physician Wang, I beg you, examine my daughter first."
Seeing her anxious expression and her politeness, Physician Wang didn't make things difficult for her anymore and asked, "What's wrong with your daughter?"
The woman said, "My daughter woke up this morning and her face felt extremely itchy. So, she scratched it, and it got worse. Small spots have appeared on her face. She's supposed to have a matchmaking appointment in two days. What can be done?"
As she spoke, the woman's voice began to tremble with tears. The people around also showed sympathy.
Matchmaking was very important for young girls. If the girl's face was truly as the woman described, it would be considered a serious illness, and the matchmaking would likely be called off.
Shen Xiaoyan understood the customs here and couldn't help but feel pity for the girl.