My Villainess Is Definitely Not a Black Lotus - Chapter 15

The weather was growing colder. In just five or six days, all the leaves had fallen from the trees, and the chilly wind swept through the streets carrying dead leaves in its wake.

After finishing her chores, Ji Xiaoyu finally had a chance to eat something warm. She held the bowl in her hands, her fingertips red from the cold, and unconsciously leaned closer to the steaming pot.

Fu Jianxu watched the girl’s small movements and noticed she was still wearing the same thin clothes she had given her a few days ago. Her heart tightened — how could the girl bear this late autumn chill dressed like that? She had to buy her some winter clothes.

Back home, while Ji Xiaoyu sat in the courtyard mending clothes by the fading light, Fu Jianxu quietly went inside. She poured out the coins she had saved onto the table and began to count them. The copper coins rolled and clinked against the wooden surface as she counted one by one, her brow furrowing deeper with every number.

Four hundred coins… she murmured softly. Although together they had earned nearly one guan (a thousand coins), most of it was Ji Xiaoyu’s hard-earned money — she had no right to touch that. What she could use freely was only these four hundred.

She wasn’t sure how much that could buy — would it be enough for a decent winter coat? Fu Jianxu bit her lip, set aside three hundred coins, and tucked them carefully into the inner pocket of her clothes for the next day, keeping it close to her heart.

Just as she was about to go chop firewood, she glanced up and saw Ji Xiaoyu’s pale, frost-bitten face and stiff fingers as she struggled to thread the needle. Fu Jianxu’s chest tightened again. Without thinking, she turned around and slapped herself across the face.

Damn that original host! she cursed inwardly. You married a wife and didn’t even buy her proper clothes!

Grumbling, she pulled out the coin pouch again and angrily added another three hundred coins. It felt heavier now, and she was about to put it away when she turned to see Ji Xiaoyu at the clothesline, gathering laundry under the dim evening light.

Most of the garments hanging there were hers. Ji Xiaoyu only had two sets of clothes, and these past few days, Fu Jianxu hadn’t even seen her wearing a proper undershirt.

Fu Jianxu’s nose stung, and she slapped herself again.

If she was honest with herself, since arriving in this unfamiliar world, it was this little girl who had been taking care of her. And yet she couldn’t even bring herself to buy the girl a warm coat? What kind of person was she?

For the third time, she opened the coin pouch, trembling slightly as she added another hundred coins. Then she strode outside and snatched the axe from Ji Xiaoyu’s hands.

It’s cold out here. Go rest inside, she said firmly, then added, Put on my thick coat first — don’t catch a cold.

The next day, the wind was even harsher.

When Fu Jianxu came back from work, she saw Ji Xiaoyu curled up on the cart waiting for her, her nose red from the cold and still wearing the same thin clothes. Fu Jianxu hurried over and grabbed her icy hands.

Why didn’t you wear the thick coat I gave you? Her frown deepened — the girl’s hands were freezing. She instinctively rubbed them between her palms, trying to transfer some warmth.

It’s too big, Sister Jianxu. It’s hard to work in it, Ji Xiaoyu murmured, sniffing. The sudden warmth startled her, and she almost pulled away, but she couldn’t bring herself to — the warmth felt too precious.

Come on, we’re going to the fabric shop, Fu Jianxu said, letting go of her hand and pushing the cart toward the town.

Ji Xiaoyu frowned slightly. There was still so much work left to do at home — why was this woman suddenly in the mood to go shopping? Had she made some money and couldn’t wait to waste it? She sighed and followed along, hoping they wouldn’t be gone too long.

On the way, Fu Jianxu said brightly, I counted — we’ve saved up quite a bit. It should be enough for a winter outfit. She was both excited and nervous; she’d never seen what a clothing shop looked like in ancient times.

This autumn felt especially cold, and the past few weeks of hard work had drained Ji Xiaoyu’s strength. She only gave a faint smile and replied, Sister Jianxu is really capable, saving so much in half a month.

That simple praise made Fu Jianxu’s face flush bright red. She stammered, Y-you’re very capable too!

Ji Xiaoyu found her reaction oddly amusing. This woman had changed so much — her skin was thinner now, she blushed easily, and somehow she’d even gained impressive cooking skills.

Had some immortal in her dreams taken away all her bad traits and left only the good?

Whatever the case, she was much better than before. Ji Xiaoyu told herself she should be content.

When they turned the last corner, the lively East Street opened up before them, bustling with hawkers and noise.

Fu Jianxu led Ji Xiaoyu straight into a ready-made clothing shop. The walls were lined with colorful garments, and bolts of fabric were neatly stacked on tables. So it turned out that an ancient clothing store wasn’t all that different from a modern one.

Her eyes sparkled as she whispered, Take a look — which one do you like?

Which one I like?

Ji Xiaoyu blinked, surprised. She was the one buying clothes, yet she was being asked for her opinion? Feeling a bit uneasy, she fidgeted with her sleeve hem, then randomly pointed to a pink ruqun (cross-collared dress). That one’s a nice color — it suits Sister Jianxu’s complexion.

The shopkeeper, a shrewd middle-aged woman, greeted them warmly. Seeing the two together, she immediately understood the situation. She took down the pink dress from the rack and said enthusiastically, What good taste! This color looks perfect on a fair young lady like you!

It’s for you, Fu Jianxu whispered to Ji Xiaoyu, leaning close to her ear. Her warm breath brushed against Ji Xiaoyu’s earlobe, making her flinch slightly.

For her? To buy clothes for her? Was this a joke? Ji Xiaoyu lowered her head in disbelief.

Fu Jianxu didn’t notice her reaction. Thinking for a moment, she took the entire pouch of coins and pressed it into Ji Xiaoyu’s hands. It’s getting cold. Buy yourself a winter coat.

Ji Xiaoyu’s pupils widened. She — she was serious?

The weight of the money in her palms was heavy, almost painful. It felt like she was holding all the silver they had earned these past few weeks.

She looked up in shock, but Fu Jianxu’s eyes were earnest, sincere — not a hint of jest.

Had the sun risen from the west today?

She had never owned new clothes before. Since childhood, she’d only ever worn her mother’s old, patched-up garments.

Her fingertips brushed over the rough fabric of the displayed coats, feeling the coarse threads scratch at her skin. Her gaze lingered longingly over a few winter garments, but she couldn’t bring herself to actually pick one up.

She even tried to measure one secretly against herself — then immediately pulled back, embarrassed to be seen wanting something.

Sister Jianxu, I—I can wear my old clothes… she whispered, barely audible.

Wear what old clothes!

Please bring that padded one down, Fu Jianxu said, pointing to a dark blue cotton coat.

Excellent choice! the shopkeeper said, taking it down. This one’s filled with freshly fluffed cotton, thick and warm — look at these tight stitches and lined cuffs!

Fu Jianxu held it up against Ji Xiaoyu. Might be a bit long…

Sister Jianxu, that’s too nice for me, Ji Xiaoyu stammered, stiff and uneasy.

For poor families like hers, having even a reed-stuffed luyi (cheap winter coat) was already a luxury.

Fu Jianxu frowned. The original host had several cotton coats rotting in her closet — that was what you called a waste!

You’ll wear it often — then it’s not a waste. She glanced around. The cheapest padded coat was five hundred coins, all in dull colors and rough fabric — who knew what they were stuffed with?

Sister Jianxu, maybe buy me a reed coat instead, Ji Xiaoyu said hesitantly, gauging her expression.

The shopkeeper fetched one, and Fu Jianxu pinched the fabric — it was hard and prickly. She grimaced. Even if she hadn’t worn one before, she’d heard of the old story of the son wearing a reed coat for his mother. It couldn’t possibly be warm.

Let’s just buy the padded one, she said softly. If we’re buying, we should buy something decent.

Ji Xiaoyu froze, ready to protest, but before she could speak, Fu Jianxu quickly added, blushing, I—I have four hundred coins, and with your share, it should be enough…

Her ears turned redder. It was embarrassing enough that she had to use the girl’s money to buy her a gift. What kind of provider was she like this?

Ji Xiaoyu’s throat tightened.

The shopkeeper chimed in eagerly, This lady’s right! It’s still early winter, so prices are low. Once the cold sets in, you won’t find such a bargain again! Feel this cotton — soft and warm!

Ji Xiaoyu touched the coat. It was thick and cozy — warmth she had never known. Every winter before, she hadn’t even had a reed coat; she would just curl up under a blanket, shivering through the night.

Could she really own something like this now?

Try it on, dear, the shopkeeper said cheerfully. If it doesn’t fit, I’ll alter it for you!

Try it, Fu Jianxu urged gently.

Ji Xiaoyu hesitated for a long while before finally nodding and taking the coat. She followed the shopkeeper behind a cloth curtain to try it on.

When she came out, the coat was clearly a bit too big — the sleeves hung over her hands, and the pant legs were long.

Oh my, it looks lovely on you! Such a simple coat, yet it looks beautiful on this young lady, the shopkeeper praised, adjusting the cuffs. Ji Xiaoyu blushed furiously under their gazes.

Fu Jianxu thought she looked wonderful too. If only she gained a little more weight, she’d be even cuter, she thought. How much is this one?

Eight hundred coins, the shopkeeper said.

Eight hundred—Fu Jianxu’s face went pale. Not enough…

Ji Xiaoyu’s heart sank instantly. So she hadn’t really meant to buy it after all. Of course — it was just another way to tease her, wasn’t it?

Had she brought her here just to make a fool of her in public again?