Misunderstanding
Mo Li finally left Fengxing Pavilion with fifty taels of silver bills in his possession, feeling conflicted.
He thought that since Meng Qi regained his memory, he seemed to have become… well, much more unrestrained.
Looking at Meng Qi leading the way in front of him, Mo Li couldn’t help but call out, “Brother Meng.”
Meng Qi turned around in response, dressed in inconspicuous clothing and wearing a hat, which at first glance seemed to return them to the days they traveled through the countryside of Pingzhou. Even if someone passed by them, it would be hard to notice Meng Qi.
“What is it, Doctor?”
“……”
Lu Min didn’t know whether this was the influence of a high level of martial arts mastery returning to simplicity, or he thought Meng Qi could perform magic. His mouth opened and closed, then opened again, looking dumbfounded and silly.
Mo Li directly voiced his thoughts: “Brother Meng, why not always be like this, to avoid attracting attention?”
“Do you not understand what you see with your own eyes, Doctor?” Meng Qi sighed, hinting, “Martial arts reaching the realm of transformation is just comprehending the myriad aspects of the world, ultimately unable to blend in.”
Mo Li was somewhat perplexed; they were dragon veins, spirits of mountains and rivers.
Strictly speaking, they indeed were not part of the myriad aspects of the world, because they did not affect the rise and fall of the sun and moon or the blowing of the wind and rain, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t blend in at all! Could it be that Meng Qi meant dragon veins are innately solitary, beings yet not like beings of this world, doomed to wander without a place?
“……Even if my martial prowess deepens and my mental state elevates, my appearance, no matter what, is hard to blend in with the crowd.”
Meng Qi shook his head regretfully.
Mo Li listened without any expression, feeling no stirrings in his heart, even thinking about using a bamboo tube cup to trap mice.
Noticing Doctor Mo’s displeased expression, Meng Qi coughed lightly and said earnestly, “We are just passing by others, like ships that pass in the night, soon each going our separate ways. Who would bother to keep staring at passersby? But it’s different at the city gate, where everyone is checked one by one, how to hide then?”
Mo Li thought about it and realized that indeed, Meng Qi couldn’t be blamed.
As for other times attracting attention, it was purely Meng Qi’s own wish.
Like stepping into Fengxing Pavilion, there was a sense of carrying an intimidating presence.
——Although that’s what he thought, Mo Li couldn’t help but vividly recall the image of a sand rat swaggering along the top of a wall with its belly protruding.
That was indeed a deliberate attempt to attract attention with appearance.
Mo Li suddenly realized, Meng Qi was not actually boasting about his looks earlier. The comment about his appearance attracting attention was actually hinting at how transforming into a sand rat was still conspicuous… oh, standing out even among rats?
With abundant spiritual energy on Shangyun Mountain, could Meng Qi be blamed?
As dragon veins, transforming into a sand rat was uncontrollable, becoming a fat rat was not his choice either.
“It’s not easy for you either.” Mo Li sighed.
The deep waters of the cave were indeed comforting for the fish, well taken care of, and safe from dangers that might arise upon awakening and venturing outside.
“Fortunate to have the Doctor who understands me.”
After they finished speaking, Lu Min stepped back several steps, his face filled with shock.
Because in the ears of the Second Prince, the Imperial Teacher boasted unabashedly about his own appearance, and the Doctor thought it wasn’t easy for Meng Qi to live looking so good. The Imperial Teacher was very grateful, calling the Doctor a confidant.
Lu Min: “……”
What kind of madness is this?
Is it really safe to follow these two?
The suspicion that had just arisen was immediately extinguished by the Second Prince — how could there be any problem with a person recognized by his own elder brother?
Lu Min pondered uncomfortably, perhaps because he didn’t understand the thoughts and feelings of those naturally beautiful gentlemen?
It seemed so, as the Imperial Tutor who taught the Prince had mentioned that during the Warring States period, there was a prime minister who liked to compare his beauty with that of Xu Gong of the city’s north, not only asking guests but also his wife and concubines, and even telling the King of Qi about the results of the beauty contest.
Ah, the heart of a beauty, as elusive as a needle in the sea.
Lu Min had an epiphany. His expression brightened as he cautioned, “It seems there are imperial guards ahead.”
No sooner had the words left his mouth than Meng Qi’s figure disappeared.
Lu Min was stunned, instinctively turning to look for Mo Li, but found nothing there either.
The Second Prince stood alone, disbelievingly wondering: Could it be that he was left behind?
“Keep moving, don’t look around or straighten your chest, act a bit fearful,” Mo Li’s voice whispered in Lu Min’s ear.
The secret transmission technique didn’t necessarily require martial arts skills; it was just that those without them couldn’t use this method.
Lu Min felt reassured, immediately mimicking the demeanor of the surrounding commoners, walking hurriedly with a frightened look, not daring to glance around too much.
When he saw the imperial guards, ferocious and intimidating, stopping two people wearing bamboo hats for a strict interrogation, Lu Min immediately understood why Meng Qi had hidden.
Since the imperial guards were specifically looking for those covering their faces, Meng Qi’s ability to blend in as “one of the people” would be negated. As for Mo Li, he was probably persuaded by a speech from Master Meng, thinking that being good-looking indeed attracts attention.
The Second Prince moved to the side of the road with the other commoners, holding a roughly made bamboo basket that was empty.
The streets were full of commoners carrying similar baskets, rushing to buy salt and oil, heading to the rice shops, while giving less thought to vegetables and fruits. They still had cabbages at home, but if the price of rice went up and chaos ensued, they wouldn’t be able to hold on.
To this day, the commoners still had no clear idea of what had happened in the capital.
They were concerned about the anomalies, the novelty of which had turned into fear, and now they dared not speak a word.
Indeed, the imperial guards didn’t notice “scabby-headed Lu Min”; they were searching near the main shops in the neighborhood.
Apart from Peony District, walking about a quarter of an hour to the east under Meng Qi’s guidance through alley shortcuts, Lu Min finally arrived smoothly at Laurel District.
This place was not a residential area for commoners either. Located near the eastern market of the capital, it indeed housed commoners in early years. During the prosperous times of the Chu dynasty, when the market couldn’t accommodate everyone, the capital magistrate moved some shops to Laurel District, expanded the city, and relocated the commoners elsewhere.
After the Qi dynasty succeeded the Chu, the eastern market suffered looting.
Only the shops in Laurel District were lucky enough to remain untouched, and the shop owners preserved their fortunes, becoming even more reluctant to leave Laurel District. Nowadays, although the eastern market is still bustling, for some rare and valuable goods, one could still consider visiting Laurel District.
Many women from official families, priding themselves on their status, were unwilling to go to the eastern market and instead took carriages to Laurel District.
Over time, the variety of fabrics, spices, rouge, and jewelry available there became quite diverse.
Laurel District had a row of silver and gold shops along its street, which were now tightly locked, leaving the street deserted. Other shops had only moved aside a single door panel, the gap so small it seemed ready to be shut at any sign of trouble.
The shop assistants were either home or busy buying rice and salt, and at this time, no one would come to Laurel District to shop, making Lu Min’s unfamiliar face stand out all the more.
Being warily watched by passersby as if he were a thief for the fifteenth time, the Second Prince could no longer hold back.
“Where exactly is it?”
Meng Qi silently stepped across the eaves, put away the map, and indicated to Mo Li following him that the roads here hadn’t changed, he knew them well. Then he comforted the Second Prince through transmitted voice:
“We’re close, keep going until you encounter the first fork then turn east, at the second fork turn north, at the third fork turn east again, walk to the end then turn south at the next fork, and you’ll be there.”
“…Could the Master tell me to turn left or right instead? Or give directions as I go?”
The Second Prince was overwhelmed with directions of east, west, north, and south.
The roads and alleys intersected in confusing ways. Some paths didn’t even count as roads, while others were shortcuts taken by people. Which of these forks counted, and were turns necessary?
Hearing this, Meng Qi reluctantly stopped.
“Doctor, please watch over the Second Prince. I’ll go ahead and scout the area.”
Mo Li thought for a moment and said, “I’ll go instead.”
He had been on the roof and had also seen the map, easily correlating the terrain with it, unlikely to mistake the place.
“After all, it’s me who’s asking for the needles.”
A set of high-quality silver needles was quite important.
The silver needles Mo Li originally brought from Zhushan County were made by Doctor He from Ma County, who had found a craftsman to make them, and they were very handy. Though not as good as the set used by Qin Lu, finding a good craftsman was even harder than finding an excellent swordsmith.
Mo Li didn’t quite like the silver needles commonly used by other doctors.
Meng Qi nodded at Mo Li, seriously saying, “That could work. First, approach him with money and ask nicely. If he refuses, then call for me.”
“…”
Mo Li hesitated, feeling it was unnecessary to make such a fuss over buying a set of silver needles.
He had only heard of swordsmiths refusing to forge swords, not craftsmen unwilling to make silver needles, unless they were old and their hands and eyes no longer worked well. Silver needles are used in the medical field, to save people not to kill; what could be the concern?
Silver needles used as hidden weapons are different from those used for acupuncture.
Physicians need soft, solid needles; the springs in hidden weapons contain sharp, hard needles, some even hollow and filled with poison.
Mo Li wanted to explain this to Meng Qi, but they were hiding under the eaves, not wanting to attract attention. Besides, this wasn’t something that needed to be clarified at the expense of time, so he silently accepted Meng Qi’s goodwill and went ahead.
Meng Qi watched Mo Li’s departing figure, frowning, thinking the doctor had been acting strangely ever since they took the secret path as a child, and this was not good.
***
Meanwhile, Mo Li, thinking of the path marked on the map, found himself drifting further away from the area of silver and gold shops.
Eventually, he arrived near a cluster of dilapidated houses, where poor scholars with patched clothes were coming and going, talking quietly among themselves while carrying steamed buns.
“…It’s said that the rebellion forced its way into the palace, the thunderous noise yesterday was actually from cannons.”
“Who was the rebel, have they been caught?”
“That’s hard to say.”
Mo Li passed these scholars, half-believing, and continued to follow the map.
He stopped in front of a relatively intact house and tentatively knocked on the door.
There was no response inside, so Mo Li knocked again, suddenly hearing footsteps behind him. Turning around, he saw a middle-aged scholar looking at him warily.
“Who are you looking for?”
Mo Li immediately recognized that this was the owner of the house.
Because this narrow alley was a dead end, aside from the door in front of him, the rest were walls.
Mo Li bowed respectfully, saying, “I come from Fengxing Pavilion… Fengxing Bookshop, wishing to request…”
“What?!” The middle-aged scholar was shocked, then angrily said, “They went back on their word and dared to sell my information?”
Seeing Mo Li’s handsome appearance and composed demeanor, the scholar could tell he was educated in the gentlemanly arts from a young age, something usually only seen among the nobility and great families.
He became even more disdainful, unable to help frowning and saying, “With such inner brilliance and noble birth, why seek such unmentionable items?”
Mo Li was slightly angered, as some so-called scholarly families indeed believe that practicing medicine was a deviation from the right path, while pursuing the imperial examinations was the correct way. If one only learned medicine for treating minor ailments within the family, it was acceptable, but insisting on practicing medicine to save the public could lead to severe reprimands, beatings, or even being expelled from the family.
This was because the commoners they intended to treat were seen as vile in appearance, filthy, beset with wind and evil spirits. How could one who willingly lowers themselves remain in such families?
Mo Li’s anger was also because Qin Lu had such a background and experiences.
“How do you judge whether it is presentable or not?”
“You…”
The middle-aged scholar nearly dropped his steamed bun, shaking uncontrollably.
As they were at an impasse, Meng Qi arrived.
Meng Qi appeared in front of the scholar, asking coldly, “So, he refused?”
The pressure doubled, overwhelming the non-martial scholar, who leaned against the wall in terror.
Meng Qi narrowed his eyes, stating deliberately, “…To anger the doctor, you must be quite capable.”
“Wait… wait?”
The middle-aged scholar, arms wrapped around himself and trembling, asked Mo Li, “You, you’re a doctor?”
Mo Li, seeing his reaction, suddenly realized he might have misunderstood something.
“Doctor… what exactly are you requesting?”
“Silver needles.”
Mo Li began to doubt whether he had approached the wrong person.
Hearing this, the middle-aged scholar sighed in relief, muttering, “Why didn’t you say so earlier? I thought you were asking for paintings.”
His voice was low, but not low enough to escape Meng Qi and Mo Li.
The two exchanged glances, with Mo Li feeling as if he had missed something, starting to recall his conversation with the scholar.
“I have two sets of silver needles unsold; you can have a look, come in.” The scholar fumbled for keys in his pocket.
Mo Li thought for a moment and tentatively called out, “Mr. Jinshui?”
The scholar’s hand trembled, and his forehead bumped into the door.
Author’s Note:
A tree stands out in the forest, and the wind will destroy it.
A mouse is fat in a group, and the cat will… catch it?
Misunderstanding
Mo Li finally left Fengxing Pavilion with fifty taels of silver bills in his possession, feeling conflicted.
He thought that since Meng Qi regained his memory, he seemed to have become… well, much more unrestrained.
Looking at Meng Qi leading the way in front of him, Mo Li couldn’t help but call out, “Brother Meng.”
Meng Qi turned around in response, dressed in inconspicuous clothing and wearing a hat, which at first glance seemed to return them to the days they traveled through the countryside of Pingzhou. Even if someone passed by them, it would be hard to notice Meng Qi.
“What is it, Doctor?”
“……”
Lu Min didn’t know whether this was the influence of a high level of martial arts mastery returning to simplicity, or he thought Meng Qi could perform magic. His mouth opened and closed, then opened again, looking dumbfounded and silly.
Mo Li directly voiced his thoughts: “Brother Meng, why not always be like this, to avoid attracting attention?”
“Do you not understand what you see with your own eyes, Doctor?” Meng Qi sighed, hinting, “Martial arts reaching the realm of transformation is just comprehending the myriad aspects of the world, ultimately unable to blend in.”
Mo Li was somewhat perplexed; they were dragon veins, spirits of mountains and rivers.
Strictly speaking, they indeed were not part of the myriad aspects of the world, because they did not affect the rise and fall of the sun and moon or the blowing of the wind and rain, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t blend in at all! Could it be that Meng Qi meant dragon veins are innately solitary, beings yet not like beings of this world, doomed to wander without a place?
“……Even if my martial prowess deepens and my mental state elevates, my appearance, no matter what, is hard to blend in with the crowd.”
Meng Qi shook his head regretfully.
Mo Li listened without any expression, feeling no stirrings in his heart, even thinking about using a bamboo tube cup to trap mice.
Noticing Doctor Mo’s displeased expression, Meng Qi coughed lightly and said earnestly, “We are just passing by others, like ships that pass in the night, soon each going our separate ways. Who would bother to keep staring at passersby? But it’s different at the city gate, where everyone is checked one by one, how to hide then?”
Mo Li thought about it and realized that indeed, Meng Qi couldn’t be blamed.
As for other times attracting attention, it was purely Meng Qi’s own wish.
Like stepping into Fengxing Pavilion, there was a sense of carrying an intimidating presence.
——Although that’s what he thought, Mo Li couldn’t help but vividly recall the image of a sand rat swaggering along the top of a wall with its belly protruding.
That was indeed a deliberate attempt to attract attention with appearance.
Mo Li suddenly realized, Meng Qi was not actually boasting about his looks earlier. The comment about his appearance attracting attention was actually hinting at how transforming into a sand rat was still conspicuous… oh, standing out even among rats?
With abundant spiritual energy on Shangyun Mountain, could Meng Qi be blamed?
As dragon veins, transforming into a sand rat was uncontrollable, becoming a fat rat was not his choice either.
“It’s not easy for you either.” Mo Li sighed.
The deep waters of the cave were indeed comforting for the fish, well taken care of, and safe from dangers that might arise upon awakening and venturing outside.
“Fortunate to have the Doctor who understands me.”
After they finished speaking, Lu Min stepped back several steps, his face filled with shock.
Because in the ears of the Second Prince, the Imperial Teacher boasted unabashedly about his own appearance, and the Doctor thought it wasn’t easy for Meng Qi to live looking so good. The Imperial Teacher was very grateful, calling the Doctor a confidant.
Lu Min: “……”
What kind of madness is this?
Is it really safe to follow these two?
The suspicion that had just arisen was immediately extinguished by the Second Prince — how could there be any problem with a person recognized by his own elder brother?
Lu Min pondered uncomfortably, perhaps because he didn’t understand the thoughts and feelings of those naturally beautiful gentlemen?
It seemed so, as the Imperial Tutor who taught the Prince had mentioned that during the Warring States period, there was a prime minister who liked to compare his beauty with that of Xu Gong of the city’s north, not only asking guests but also his wife and concubines, and even telling the King of Qi about the results of the beauty contest.
Ah, the heart of a beauty, as elusive as a needle in the sea.
Lu Min had an epiphany. His expression brightened as he cautioned, “It seems there are imperial guards ahead.”
No sooner had the words left his mouth than Meng Qi’s figure disappeared.
Lu Min was stunned, instinctively turning to look for Mo Li, but found nothing there either.
The Second Prince stood alone, disbelievingly wondering: Could it be that he was left behind?
“Keep moving, don’t look around or straighten your chest, act a bit fearful,” Mo Li’s voice whispered in Lu Min’s ear.
The secret transmission technique didn’t necessarily require martial arts skills; it was just that those without them couldn’t use this method.
Lu Min felt reassured, immediately mimicking the demeanor of the surrounding commoners, walking hurriedly with a frightened look, not daring to glance around too much.
When he saw the imperial guards, ferocious and intimidating, stopping two people wearing bamboo hats for a strict interrogation, Lu Min immediately understood why Meng Qi had hidden.
Since the imperial guards were specifically looking for those covering their faces, Meng Qi’s ability to blend in as “one of the people” would be negated. As for Mo Li, he was probably persuaded by a speech from Master Meng, thinking that being good-looking indeed attracts attention.
The Second Prince moved to the side of the road with the other commoners, holding a roughly made bamboo basket that was empty.
The streets were full of commoners carrying similar baskets, rushing to buy salt and oil, heading to the rice shops, while giving less thought to vegetables and fruits. They still had cabbages at home, but if the price of rice went up and chaos ensued, they wouldn’t be able to hold on.
To this day, the commoners still had no clear idea of what had happened in the capital.
They were concerned about the anomalies, the novelty of which had turned into fear, and now they dared not speak a word.
Indeed, the imperial guards didn’t notice “scabby-headed Lu Min”; they were searching near the main shops in the neighborhood.
Apart from Peony District, walking about a quarter of an hour to the east under Meng Qi’s guidance through alley shortcuts, Lu Min finally arrived smoothly at Laurel District.
This place was not a residential area for commoners either. Located near the eastern market of the capital, it indeed housed commoners in early years. During the prosperous times of the Chu dynasty, when the market couldn’t accommodate everyone, the capital magistrate moved some shops to Laurel District, expanded the city, and relocated the commoners elsewhere.
After the Qi dynasty succeeded the Chu, the eastern market suffered looting.
Only the shops in Laurel District were lucky enough to remain untouched, and the shop owners preserved their fortunes, becoming even more reluctant to leave Laurel District. Nowadays, although the eastern market is still bustling, for some rare and valuable goods, one could still consider visiting Laurel District.
Many women from official families, priding themselves on their status, were unwilling to go to the eastern market and instead took carriages to Laurel District.
Over time, the variety of fabrics, spices, rouge, and jewelry available there became quite diverse.
Laurel District had a row of silver and gold shops along its street, which were now tightly locked, leaving the street deserted. Other shops had only moved aside a single door panel, the gap so small it seemed ready to be shut at any sign of trouble.
The shop assistants were either home or busy buying rice and salt, and at this time, no one would come to Laurel District to shop, making Lu Min’s unfamiliar face stand out all the more.
Being warily watched by passersby as if he were a thief for the fifteenth time, the Second Prince could no longer hold back.
“Where exactly is it?”
Meng Qi silently stepped across the eaves, put away the map, and indicated to Mo Li following him that the roads here hadn’t changed, he knew them well. Then he comforted the Second Prince through transmitted voice:
“We’re close, keep going until you encounter the first fork then turn east, at the second fork turn north, at the third fork turn east again, walk to the end then turn south at the next fork, and you’ll be there.”
“…Could the Master tell me to turn left or right instead? Or give directions as I go?”
The Second Prince was overwhelmed with directions of east, west, north, and south.
The roads and alleys intersected in confusing ways. Some paths didn’t even count as roads, while others were shortcuts taken by people. Which of these forks counted, and were turns necessary?
Hearing this, Meng Qi reluctantly stopped.
“Doctor, please watch over the Second Prince. I’ll go ahead and scout the area.”
Mo Li thought for a moment and said, “I’ll go instead.”
He had been on the roof and had also seen the map, easily correlating the terrain with it, unlikely to mistake the place.
“After all, it’s me who’s asking for the needles.”
A set of high-quality silver needles was quite important.
The silver needles Mo Li originally brought from Zhushan County were made by Doctor He from Ma County, who had found a craftsman to make them, and they were very handy. Though not as good as the set used by Qin Lu, finding a good craftsman was even harder than finding an excellent swordsmith.
Mo Li didn’t quite like the silver needles commonly used by other doctors.
Meng Qi nodded at Mo Li, seriously saying, “That could work. First, approach him with money and ask nicely. If he refuses, then call for me.”
“…”
Mo Li hesitated, feeling it was unnecessary to make such a fuss over buying a set of silver needles.
He had only heard of swordsmiths refusing to forge swords, not craftsmen unwilling to make silver needles, unless they were old and their hands and eyes no longer worked well. Silver needles are used in the medical field, to save people not to kill; what could be the concern?
Silver needles used as hidden weapons are different from those used for acupuncture.
Physicians need soft, solid needles; the springs in hidden weapons contain sharp, hard needles, some even hollow and filled with poison.
Mo Li wanted to explain this to Meng Qi, but they were hiding under the eaves, not wanting to attract attention. Besides, this wasn’t something that needed to be clarified at the expense of time, so he silently accepted Meng Qi’s goodwill and went ahead.
Meng Qi watched Mo Li’s departing figure, frowning, thinking the doctor had been acting strangely ever since they took the secret path as a child, and this was not good.
***
Meanwhile, Mo Li, thinking of the path marked on the map, found himself drifting further away from the area of silver and gold shops.
Eventually, he arrived near a cluster of dilapidated houses, where poor scholars with patched clothes were coming and going, talking quietly among themselves while carrying steamed buns.
“…It’s said that the rebellion forced its way into the palace, the thunderous noise yesterday was actually from cannons.”
“Who was the rebel, have they been caught?”
“That’s hard to say.”
Mo Li passed these scholars, half-believing, and continued to follow the map.
He stopped in front of a relatively intact house and tentatively knocked on the door.
There was no response inside, so Mo Li knocked again, suddenly hearing footsteps behind him. Turning around, he saw a middle-aged scholar looking at him warily.
“Who are you looking for?”
Mo Li immediately recognized that this was the owner of the house.
Because this narrow alley was a dead end, aside from the door in front of him, the rest were walls.
Mo Li bowed respectfully, saying, “I come from Fengxing Pavilion… Fengxing Bookshop, wishing to request…”
“What?!” The middle-aged scholar was shocked, then angrily said, “They went back on their word and dared to sell my information?”
Seeing Mo Li’s handsome appearance and composed demeanor, the scholar could tell he was educated in the gentlemanly arts from a young age, something usually only seen among the nobility and great families.
He became even more disdainful, unable to help frowning and saying, “With such inner brilliance and noble birth, why seek such unmentionable items?”
Mo Li was slightly angered, as some so-called scholarly families indeed believe that practicing medicine was a deviation from the right path, while pursuing the imperial examinations was the correct way. If one only learned medicine for treating minor ailments within the family, it was acceptable, but insisting on practicing medicine to save the public could lead to severe reprimands, beatings, or even being expelled from the family.
This was because the commoners they intended to treat were seen as vile in appearance, filthy, beset with wind and evil spirits. How could one who willingly lowers themselves remain in such families?
Mo Li’s anger was also because Qin Lu had such a background and experiences.
“How do you judge whether it is presentable or not?”
“You…”
The middle-aged scholar nearly dropped his steamed bun, shaking uncontrollably.
As they were at an impasse, Meng Qi arrived.
Meng Qi appeared in front of the scholar, asking coldly, “So, he refused?”
The pressure doubled, overwhelming the non-martial scholar, who leaned against the wall in terror.
Meng Qi narrowed his eyes, stating deliberately, “…To anger the doctor, you must be quite capable.”
“Wait… wait?”
The middle-aged scholar, arms wrapped around himself and trembling, asked Mo Li, “You, you’re a doctor?”
Mo Li, seeing his reaction, suddenly realized he might have misunderstood something.
“Doctor… what exactly are you requesting?”
“Silver needles.”
Mo Li began to doubt whether he had approached the wrong person.
Hearing this, the middle-aged scholar sighed in relief, muttering, “Why didn’t you say so earlier? I thought you were asking for paintings.”
His voice was low, but not low enough to escape Meng Qi and Mo Li.
The two exchanged glances, with Mo Li feeling as if he had missed something, starting to recall his conversation with the scholar.
“I have two sets of silver needles unsold; you can have a look, come in.” The scholar fumbled for keys in his pocket.
Mo Li thought for a moment and tentatively called out, “Mr. Jinshui?”
The scholar’s hand trembled, and his forehead bumped into the door.
Author’s Note:
A tree stands out in the forest, and the wind will destroy it.
A mouse is fat in a group, and the cat will… catch it?
