A Purchased Title and a Home’s Return

Su Mo was a firm believer that when someone’s demeanor shifted so dramatically, it either meant you had rendered them a great service, or they harbored ill intentions.

As the adage went, there was no such thing as unprovoked kindness.

Shifting slightly, Su Mo ventured cautiously:

“Xu Qingzhu, have you… lost your mind?”

‘Speaking of which, shouldn’t I be the one who’s lost my mind?’

“You don’t want it?” Xu Qingzhu cast a sidelong glance, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

‘Who had been practically glued to his side moments ago, eager to claim a portion?’

He made a show of tucking his wallet back into his robes.

“Snap!” A hand shot out, seizing his arm. Su Mo looked up, her gaze fixed on him, slowly shaking her head.

Her solemnity was rare, an intense focus that pinned Xu Qingzhu’s hand firmly in place, making it impossible for him to withdraw.

When he deliberately tried to tug free, Su Mo immediately clasped his arm with her other hand, her small head tilting up, her gaze imbued with a silent plea.

“Young Master Xu.”

“If you were to address me as ‘husband,’ then…” Xu Qingzhu’s lips curved into a slight smile.

Her eyes widening, Su Mo weakly released his arm, her mind plunging into deep thought and internal struggle.

“You cunning trickster!” she gritted, truly finding it difficult to abandon this rare chance to ‘pluck feathers from an iron rooster.’

‘Such an opportunity was rare; what if it vanished forever?’

‘Besides, once I make my escape, these purchases will serve as a poignant memento.’

‘In this unpredictable world, who knew when Xu Qingzhu might simply cease to be?’

‘Does he truly believe the book’s contents are infallibly accurate?’ Su Mo simply couldn’t fathom Xu Qingzhu.

‘Anyway, once I’m gone, could a casual ‘husband’ really prompt him to chase after me?’

With a hesitant stammer and a slight squirm, Su Mo’s voice emerged unexpectedly soft, almost sweet:

“Hu… husband.”

“Not bad,” he offered, his gaze flickering for a fleeting instant before settling into one of approval.

The shop owner, a shrewd individual himself, observed Su Mo and Xu Qingzhu’s playful exchange and immediately chimed in:

“You two are truly a golden couple, born for each other! Guaranteed to last forever, to grow old together! I daresay, even the Heavenly Emperor himself would descend to bless such love! This dragon and phoenix mandarin duck hairpin, a perfect pair, is just right for you both…”

The barrage of sales talk made Su Mo feel as though she had been transported back to a bustling wet market, with the aunties’ voices assailing her like machine gun fire.

“Alas, those days are gone,” Su Mo murmured, shaking her head as she looked at Xu Qingzhu, a hint of playful resentment in her gaze.

Muttering something unintelligible, Xu Qingzhu selected a hairpin, extended it towards her, and inquired:

“How about this one?”

“Ugly.”

“And this?”

“Too gaudy.”

“Then this…”

“Utterly unoriginal.” Su Mo found herself answering almost preemptively.

His eyes crinkling with amusement, Xu Qingzhu set the hairpin aside and intoned:

“Then, my dear wife, what do you think?”

“…” A peculiar sensation, as if something had nudged her from behind, prompted Su Mo to glance back, only to find it was merely the hilt of a sword.

Clearing her throat lightly, Su Mo bent her head, observing and examining with earnest focus, before selecting a hairpin that resembled white jade.

It appeared to be a type of white stone, its texture remarkably subtle, as pure as fresh milk.

The artisan’s skill was exceptional, having carved delicate clouds and a crescent moon, with intricate filigree work that lent it an ethereal lightness.

Yet, after picking it up and examining it for a few moments, Su Mo set it down, instead reaching for a child’s antique toy from a nearby display.

It was a small bronze knife, unsharpened, clearly just a plaything.

Under the astonished gazes of the two men, Su Mo stated slowly:

“I’ll take this.”

“Are you sure?” Xu Qingzhu found himself utterly bewildered by young women.

‘His own childhood sweetheart, Xiao Ling’er, was the same; she would refuse something only to later demand it. He had once sent her gifts, only for her to dismiss them and ridicule his lack of taste.’

‘Surely, a young lady of Su Mo’s caliber wouldn’t have poor taste?’

‘Which one was it just now, anyway?’

“Boss, please wrap up both this white stone hairpin and the short sword.” Xu Qingzhu pulled out money.

“Excellent, excellent!” The boss, finally making a sale, beamed with delight and swiftly set to work.

In short order, he presented two wooden boxes, a smile gracing his lips:

“These two boxes are a gift, Young Master, a small token to bless the two of you.”

“Many thanks.” Xu Qingzhu clasped his hands in farewell and departed.

****

On the bustling street, he handed Su Mo the wooden box containing the bronze short sword, while discreetly tucking the other box away.

Su Mo, who had been observing his every move, narrowed her eyes as he tucked the hairpin away, a faint smack of her lips betraying her thoughts.

“Why didn’t you give it to me?” She frowned, a sour taste in her mouth.

‘She had always believed Xu Qingzhu to possess keen emotional intelligence, yet this action baffled her.’

As she continued to follow him, a persistent itch of curiosity gnawed at Su Mo’s heart.

Unable to restrain her impatience, she poked his arm and inquired:

“Who is it for?”

“…Don’t ask too much,” Xu Qingzhu replied, offering no further explanation.

Yet, in that fleeting exchange of glances, Su Mo distinctly perceived a flicker of wariness and suspicion.

‘No? Wary of what? What’s there to suspect? Would I run over and tear apart that… that…’ She mused, ‘If the ‘Demoness Su’ were the one feeling jealous, such a confrontation might indeed ensue.’

Considering it, her eyes lit up.

‘This is for Lu Yanling? He still remembers his childhood sweetheart, so why is he looking for me?’ Utterly perplexed, Su Mo decided to set the matter aside for the moment.

But then she remembered, ‘Where was Lu Yanling now?’

****

Xu Qingzhu’s father had established a family business in Dangyang County years ago.

Had it not been for the fortuitous guidance of an enlightened master, the Xu family would have remained merely a modestly renowned benevolent household, eking out a living by operating a few pharmacies.

After much wandering, Xu Qingzhu had, against all odds, returned.

“Shopkeeper Zhang! Look who’s back!” The clerk burst into the pharmacy, startling the patients who hastily made way.

Such impetuosity infuriated Shopkeeper Zhang. Disregarding everything else, he first launched into a sharp reprimand for the clerk.

Yet, before he could finish, a dashing young man strode through the main entrance, his hand gently clasped around that of a seemingly ‘shy’ young lady.

The middle-aged Shopkeeper Zhang frowned, rubbed his eyes in disbelief, and stammered:

“Xu… Xu’er?”

“Uncle Zhang, it’s been over ten years, and the pharmacy business is getting better and better!” Xu Qingzhu smiled, stepping forward to exchange greetings.

Observing from the periphery, Su Mo truly witnessed another facet of his personality.

‘I thought he was nothing but a deadpan, never imagining he possessed such a cheerful side,’ she mumbled, then noticed a particularly small medicine boy staring at her.

The child, no older than four or five, was likely Shopkeeper Zhang’s daughter.

Giving the little girl’s braid a gentle flick, Su Mo asked:

“Are you Uncle Zhang’s daughter?”

Blinking her large eyes, the little medicine boy exclaimed in surprise:

“Immortal Sister can speak!”

“Uh…” Su Mo admitted, a blush creeping up her cheeks.

While Su Mo found herself flustered, the pair drew nearer.

The medicine boy who had called Su Mo “Immortal Sister” was indeed Uncle Zhang’s daughter.

At that moment, clutching her father’s thigh, she peeked her small head out to gaze at Su Mo.

Touching her fragrant, shoulder-length hair, Su Mo subtly averted her gaze.

As the two, uncle and nephew, one large and one small, conversed, Su Mo found herself unexpectedly drawn into their discussion:

“This must be… Xu’er’s virtuous wife?” Uncle Zhang praised.

“To be frank, Uncle Zhang, that is indeed the case… Come, wife Su, greet your husband.”

Excellent! Xu Qingzhu was clearly taking advantage of the situation.

Secretly clenching her fist, she resolved not to spoil such a harmonious atmosphere.

She whispered:

“Husband…”

And then greeted Uncle Zhang.

Upon hearing this, Uncle Zhang was overjoyed, delighted that good fortune had seemingly arrived in pairs that day.

He began to speak of hosting a grand banquet, inviting all their family, neighbors, and everyone they knew.

“Haha…” Su Mo let out a hollow laugh, a wave of social anxiety already washing over her.

The shop remained closed as they gathered in the living room, conversing for a considerable time.

Su Mo grew increasingly alarmed as she listened, and as the sun began to set, they finally bid farewell to the assembled company.

As the two walked along the long corridor, making their way towards their allocated living quarters within the mansion, Su Mo’s head swam with a dizzying thought:

‘Maybe I should travel overnight, forget about any wedding banquet, I’m scared.’

Unable to even fathom the ‘hellish tableau’ that awaited her tomorrow, Su Mo remained entirely oblivious, even as she was gently led into the room.