Chapter 117 I Seem to Have Seen That Girl Somewhere
Hearing Chen Zhaodi's praise, Su Jiuyue lowered her head shily.
"I'm so flattered," Su Jiuyue said.
Chen Zhaodi used to be quiet, but this time she wasn't. Instead, she pulled Tao'er behind her to the front.
"Jiuyue, I'm so impressed by your amazing embroidery. Could you do me a favor? If you bother to teach Tao'er such skills when you're available, I'll be extremely grateful for it."
Su Jiuyue was pleased to offer help to Tao'er just like the old lady next door had done to her.
As the old lady said, "The more people master the skill, the happier I'll be."
"Of course. I'll show Tao'er how to do it next time I do the embroidery."
Hearing her words, Tian Xiuniang, who didn't even do as well as Chen Zhaodi in needlework, said hurriedly, "Jiuyue, what about including Guo'er in it?"
Su Jiuyue was thinking about it with a frown when Liu Cuihua cut in, "Are you kidding? How can you expect Guo'er to do the needlework as a three-year-old kid? What if she pricks her little finger on a needle?"
Tian Xiuniang thought her words made sense. She gave a hollow laugh and said, "I just want Guo'er to start young. Then what about letting her watch it without touching the needles?"
"Well, it's okay. But you don't have to worry, Xiuniang. If Guo'er wants, she can learn it when she gets older," Su Jiuyue said.
With Su Jiuyue's commitment, Tian Xiuniang was reassured, saying, "I'm so glad to hear that. Anyway, we're all part of the family and deserve equal treatment."
She glanced at Liu Cuihua as she spoke. Liu Cuihua felt a stirring of anger, raised her hand, and made as if to hit Tian Xiuniang, asking, "What are you suggesting?"
It was only a bluff, but Tian Xiuniang subconsciously avoided it and replied, "You know the answer."
Then Tian Xiuniang ran away, leaving Liu Cuihua staring after her. Liu Cuihua took off her shoe to throw it at Tian Xiuniang and cursed, "How dare you be so rude to me?"
Liu Cuihua didn't mean to hit her and naturally missed. Seeing that, Su Jiuyue retrieved the shoe for her.
"Mom, don't take it seriously. It's only a joke."
"It'd better be so."
"Mom, what about delivering the embroidery to Miss Cui today?" Su Jiuyue asked.
Bull Town was only less than two hours' walk from here and it would take less time to ride a horse there.
"I'll take Honghong and Jiuyue with me!" Wu Xiyuan volunteered.
Liu Cuihua was a little worried. "Can you guys manage it?"
Wu Xiyuan replied without hesitation, "Of course! I will be good and won't make trouble."
This was the way Wu Xiyuan had always behaved when he stayed with Su Jiuyue.
Then Su Jiuyue said, "Mom, just let Xiyuan go with me. I'll take good care of him."
Wu Xiyuan added, "I can handle Honghong."
Liu Cuihua had to consent to it. "Well, you can go together, but remember to take care and not to offend others."
Then she turned to Wu Xiyuan and added, "Xiyuan, you've grown up and should take care of Jiuyue wherever you go. Remember to hold her hand tight, or you will lose her once she's abducted."
Wu Xiyuan was very sensitive to the possible loss of Su Jiuyue and hurriedly clutched her to him.
"No way! No one can take Jiuyue away from me!"
The air was almost squeezed out of Su Jiuyue's chest and she hurriedly cried, "Loosen your grip. It hurts."
Hearing that, Wu Xiyuan immediately let go and checked on her. "Are you all right?"
Su Jiuyue nodded. "I'm fine. Don't worry."
The way the two of them cared for each other pleased Liu Cuihua who watched it lovingly with a smile.
"Okay. Just remember what I told you and you can set off after breakfast."
Then the two of them rode the horse to the town and arrived in less than one hour.
For one person, entering the town cost one dollar while it cost three dollars for livestock.
Su Jiuyue paid guards on the gate the prepared money before taking Wu Xiyuan and the horse into the city under the others' stare.
Average families couldn't even afford a horse, let alone such a large horse with thick bright hair.
Since Su Jiuyue meant business in town, she headed straight for the Cui's Mansion in the Well Alley with Wu Xiyuan.
She went to the side door and told the keeper she was here to deliver the hankerchief to Miss Cui.
The keeper went inside to report it and then Baozhu came out in no time.
Baozhu's eyes flashed with surprise and hurriedly walked up as she saw it was Su Jiuyue.
"How's it going? Is it done?" she asked.
"Yes. But I don't know if it's up to your standard." Su Jiuyue took the wrapped handkerchief out of the basket and handed it to Baozhu as she spoke.
When Baozhu took and unwrapped it, she instantly beamed with surprise.
"I'll show it to Miss Cui and please wait here for me."
Su Jiuyue nodded without worrying that she wouldn't get paid by waiting at the door.
Half an hour later, Baozhu showed up again without the handkerchief.
Su Jiuyue was glad to see that, thinking Miss Cui would keep the handkerchief, anyway.
"Miss Cui said you'd done a good job." Baozhu took two taels out of the purse and handed them to Su Jiuyue as she spoke.
"This is for you. Just keep it."
Such taels were what Miss Cui received at festivals and saved for years.
Su Jiuyue took the taels with both hands, thanked her, turned around, and went off in Wu Xiyuan's direction.
But when she stopped beside Wu Xiyuan, she found there was something wrong with him.
Wu Xiyuan looked across at Baozhu not far away thoughtfully with a frown.
It somewhat upset Su Jiuyue who pulled his sleeves and asked, "What are you looking at?"
When Wu Xiyuan suddenly recovered himself and met her unpleasant gaze, he subconsciously shook his head. "Nothing. But I seem to have seen that girl somewhere before."
Su Jiuyue snorted, "You've seen every pretty girl, is that it? I never expect you to be like this, Xiyuan!"
Wu Xiyuan was too pure to understand what she meant.
"You're pretty, but I hadn't seen you before."
Su Jiuyue was upset somehow although she couldn't even figure out the reason. She probed, "Well, then just tell me where you saw her?"