My Villainess Is Definitely Not a Black Lotus - Chapter 16

Fu Jianxu didn’t notice Ji Xiaoyu’s changing expression. She was utterly mortified, her face flushed crimson. After racking her brain for a solution, she leaned in close to Ji Xiaoyu’s ear and whispered, What do we do? I only brought seven hundred wen.

As she spoke, she pressed the money pouch hidden in her robes into Ji Xiaoyu’s hand.

Ji Xiaoyu was startled. The coins dug painfully into her palm. She felt the heavy weight in her hand. Is it really because we don’t have enough money?

She took a deep breath, blinked away the tears welling in her eyes, and paused before speaking with a relieved tone, Boss, if we buy it today, could you give us a discount?

The shopkeeper chuckled, I’m not even making a profit at 800 cash.

Could you lower the price a bit? Ji Xiaoyu’s voice softened. Look, I’m even taking the soles too.

She pointed to the thick-soled cloth shoes under the counter. The soles alone cost 30 cash. If I take both, would you consider 600 cash?

Absolutely not! The shopkeeper’s eyes widened. Oh, young lady, you can’t haggle like that! I’d be losing money!

650 cash, cash in hand, Ji Xiaoyu said, meeting the shopkeeper’s gaze directly. No need for alterations. I’ll take it home and do it myself.

Oh, young lady, that’s still impossible!

700 cash. If not, I’ll pass. Ji Xiaoyu placed her coin purse on the counter.

…Fine, fine! You two young ladies! The shopkeeper snatched the coins. The soles will be from the back stock—no picking and choosing!

Fu Jianxu stood beside her, eyes wide with astonishment. Not only had Ji Xiaoyu shaved off 100 cash, but she’d even managed to get an extra pair of thick soles from the shopkeeper!

You’re so strong, Xiaoyu! Fu Jianxu exclaimed, pushing the cart back toward home, her eyes crinkling with a smile. Wear a few layers of thin clothes for the next couple of days. Once I’ve altered this one, you won’t have to worry about the cold anymore.

After a moment’s thought, she added, It’s cold now, so ready-made clothes are quicker… We can buy better ones later when we’ve earned more money.

Ji Xiaoyu didn’t reply, but she hugged the bundle in her arms even tighter.

This might be the first time in her life she’s ever owned a brand-new piece of clothing that’s truly hers.

That’s it! Fu Jianxu stopped pushing the cart and slapped her forehead.

How could I have forgotten about that?!

Xiaoyu, wait here for a moment. I forgot something at the cloth shop and need to go back, she said casually, turning and hurrying back the way they’d come.

Boss, do you sell children’s undergarments here? Fu Jianxu asked, her fingers nervously pinching the day’s wages tucked in her sleeve. The tips of her ears flushed slightly, and her voice unconsciously lowered.

Well, look who’s back! the shopkeeper greeted with a beaming smile. Of course! What don’t we have?

She swiftly pulled several bolts of fabric from behind the counter, unfurling each one to display. This hemp cloth is cheap, sturdy, and durable.

With a sweep of her hand, she pointed to softer fabrics nearby. For mid-range options, we have kudzu cloth at 200 wen per bolt, and cotton at 300 wen, which is much more comfortable.

Which type does the young lady prefer?

Fu Jianxu gently stroked the fabrics. Hemp felt rough, ramie slightly softer, while cotton was delicate and smooth. For undergarments, softness was best.

Do you have any ready-made cotton ones? She couldn’t sew, and the young girl probably didn’t have the time either. It was better to spend a bit more and save the effort.

Of course, the shopkeeper said, bending down to retrieve several neatly folded undergarments from beneath the counter. She unfolded one to display it. Are these for your younger sister?

Fu Jianxu nodded, her gaze fixed on the plain white cotton undergarment on the counter. The stitching was fine and even, without any patterns, giving it a clean and refreshing look. She was quite satisfied.

The shopkeeper pointed to a slightly smaller garment. This size should fit her perfectly.

Fu Jianxu examined a few more sets, but none matched the quality of the first one. When she asked the price, she learned a set cost eighty wen. With enough money, she felt reassured and immediately decided to buy one set. After a moment’s hesitation, she asked, Do you have menstrual belts? How much are they?

The cheapest ones are thirty wen each, thickly padded with ash and good for half a year! the shopkeeper said with a smile, turning to retrieve another type. These are sixty wen. The cotton lining won’t chafe your skin, and you can replace the coarse cloth padding inside yourself.

Fu Jianxu’s face twisted into a grimace. Damn it! These things are even more expensive than those rip-off sanitary pads back in the modern world!

She wouldn’t dare compromise on something for her intimate area. Fu Jianxu felt the copper coins clutched in her hand, turned her back, and counted them. Carrying rice sacks had earned her thirty wen, while selling hot fish and vegetables had brought in one hundred and six wen.

Refusing to believe her eyes, she counted again, but the total remained the same.

Flushing crimson, Fu Jianxu turned back. A cotton undergarment and menstrual belt… that’s one hundred and thirty-six wen, right? Is that… is that okay? She extended the coins. I… I only have this much.

The shopkeeper chuckled at her face, red as a monkey’s rear. He wrapped the undergarment and belt in a scrap of cloth and handed it over. Alright! I’ll even throw in a few extra coarse cloths for lining!

Fu Jianxu hurried away, her cheeks flushed with excitement. She had accomplished something on her own!

As dusk approached, she worried that the lightly dressed girl waiting alone might catch a chill. She quickened her pace, breaking into a jog.

Soon, she spotted Ji Xiaoyu huddled behind the cart at the street corner, a tiny figure both pitiful and endearing.

She hurried over, calling out, I’m here! Let’s go home, Xiaoyu.

Ji Xiaoyu’s legs had grown numb from squatting for so long. She stood up, glanced at the bundle in Fu Jianxu’s arms, asked no questions, and followed her home.

Before they could even leave the town, a woman in plain clothes emerged from an alleyway and followed them for a while before suddenly blocking their path.

A’Xu…

Fu Jianxu jerked to a halt, carriage and all. Squinting, she realized it was the same widow who had stopped her that morning. Why is she haunting me? How can I run into her everywhere?

A’Xu, I know you resent me… The widow’s eyes reddened as she reached out to grab Fu Jianxu’s hand. But I truly had no choice…

Fu Jianxu yanked her hand away. I-I don’t resent you!

It was the original owner who seduced the widow. What does this have to do with me?

It’s only natural for you to blame me. I just wanted to thank you properly again, the widow said, dabbing at her tears with a handkerchief. Without you, I wouldn’t have survived back then…

Fu Jianxu’s gaze drifted nervously, instinctively seeking help from Ji Xiaoyu. But Ji Xiaoyu had already wandered ahead, leaving her to face this alone. Steeling herself, Fu Jianxu forced out, T-that’s… you’re welcome.

Unexpectedly, the widow’s tears began to flow even more freely. A’Xu, I’m the one who betrayed you…

Fu Jianxu’s scalp tingled from the woman’s weeping. I… I have a wife now. If I ever did anything to make you misunderstand, it was my fault. From now on, we should avoid each other to prevent any further misunderstandings.

A single tear slid down the widow’s cheek as she gazed at Fu Jianxu with eyes brimming with tenderness. A’Xu, thank you…

See? Her A’Xu was still as kind as ever, his feelings for her still deeply rooted. He used to bring her grain when she was widowed and starving. Now that she was about to remarry, he was severing ties to protect her reputation and avoid misunderstandings with her future in-laws, even though it broke his heart…

Wait, what?

What was she thanking him for?!

Fu Jianxu’s face was a mask of black lines, and the goosebumps on her skin hadn’t subsided even after walking half a mile. She pushed her cart, struggling to catch up with Ji Xiaoyu, who was walking ahead at a brisk pace.

Why are you walking so fast? You left me behind all alone, Fu Jianxu said, her voice unconsciously tinged with a hint of grievance. Even she didn’t realize how much her words sounded like a petulant pout.

Ji Xiaoyu glanced at her in surprise.

I deliberately walked ahead to give you privacy with your little lover. How did this become my fault?

I… I didn’t want to interrupt Sister Jianxu’s conversation, she murmured.

Fu Jianxu’s grievance deepened, her voice muffled with frustration. Interrupt what? I don’t even know her…

Ji Xiaoyu suddenly realized—right, she’d forgotten that Fu Jianxu had lost her memory. Seeing the other woman’s pleading gaze, her heart softened inexplicably, and she blurted out, It’s my fault.

The words had barely left her lips before she froze. I didn’t even do anything wrong, so why am I apologizing first? But as she watched Fu Jianxu’s eyes light up instantly, she thought… Maybe it’s not so bad after all.

Oh well, she thought. It’s not like this is the first time I’ve used words to coax this woman.

Next time… she pursed her lips. Next time, I’ll wait for you to leave together.

Fu Jianxu’s face immediately broke into a radiant smile. That’s more like it! Family should always leave together.

Ji Xiaoyu stiffened. Family? Was she… was she thinking of them as an ordinary married couple, living a peaceful life together?

The word, spoken by Fu Jianxu, left her feeling dazed. She stole a glance at the woman’s profile beside her. Those dimples deepened slightly as she smiled, her eyes curving into a gentle arc. Ji Xiaoyu couldn’t reconcile this sweet-smiling woman with the snarling, fist-wielding woman from just days ago.

Could we really become family?

She recalled the woman’s disgusted gaze on their wedding night, the stick that had struck her. Her fingers unconsciously tightened around the hem of her robe. Could all that pain and humiliation simply be erased with a casual amnesia?

Could amnesia truly allow her to become an ordinary wife to this woman before her?

Ji Xiaoyu’s eyes reddened, her hands clenched tightly.

Yet now, this woman cooked for her, brewed ginger soup, bought her candied hawthorns, and even winter clothes…

This kindness was something she had never experienced before.

If this was the woman she was now, if this was the family she had, perhaps… it wouldn’t be so bad.

Suddenly, a pang of bitterness rose in her chest, and fear gripped her. What if this different Sister Jianxu was just a figment of her imagination? What if one day this gentle Fu Jianxu would vanish, reverting to the demon she once was?

Please… she silently prayed.

Goddess of Heaven, if you truly watch over me from above…

Let these days continue.

The night wind brushed past, drying the tears at the corners of her eyes. Ji Xiaoyu quietly leaned closer to Fu Jianxu, feeling the warmth of her arm against hers.

At least for this moment, this warmth felt real.

By the time they returned home at dusk, night had completely fallen. A straight, silent figure stood motionless before the courtyard gate.