Please, Don’t Die - Chapter 29

He Qingsheng sat perched on Ying Qujie’s shoulder, staring absentmindedly at the pale blue and white robes draped over the skeletal puppet.

A fallen leaf drifted past, and she instinctively gathered her sleeves against the chilly wind. Suddenly, a gust caught her off guard, tilting her backward.

Ying Qujie swiftly steadied her.

“Be careful.”

He reached back, plucked a strand of hair, and draped it over her shoulder, placing it in He Qingsheng’s hand.

She obediently pinched the raven-black lock between her fingers and adjusted her posture.

They had set out early, and the streets were still sparsely populated.

“Fresh buns! Steamed buns, piping hot! Sweet soy milk, savory soy milk, warms the heart! Come and get yours, sir!”

As the bamboo steamer lids were lifted, the vendors’ cries mingled with the rising steam.

“Uncle, the usual, please,” a little girl called out from the front of the stall.

“Da Ya, here to buy breakfast for your parents again?” The vendor chuckled cheerfully, deftly retrieving several buns from different steamers. Finally, he plucked a rabbit-shaped bun from the top and handed it to the girl. “New style, try it and see if you like it.”

“Ah, Uncle, I can’t keep taking freebies from you every day!”

“If I give it to you, just take it. Your parents look after my business plenty, what’s there to be shy about?” The vendor unceremoniously stuffed the bun into the girl’s hands and feigned sternness. “Hurry back now, don’t keep your uncle from his work.”

“Thank you, Uncle.”

The girl thanked him and hastily stepped aside to make way for Ying Qujie behind her.

“Sir, what’ll it be? Veggie buns, meat buns, red bean buns, all fresh and hot.”

“Three of these, please.”

Ying Qujie pointed to the topmost steamer, where plump, snow-white buns sat, each adorned with two perky ears and dotted with red bean paste eyes, a whole tray of lifelike little rabbits.

“Right away, sir!” The vendor swiftly wrapped the buns and handed them over. “They’re filled with red bean paste, mind the heat when you eat them.”

“Got it. Thanks.”

Ying Qujie took them and immediately handed one to the wooden puppet. He had noticed He Qingsheng staring earlier and figured she might be intrigued by the rabbit buns, given her fondness for shaping fruits and herbs.

Snapping out of her daze, He Qingsheng poked the bun a few times, leaving dents in its soft, smooth surface. “I can’t eat this.”

Ying Qujie replied matter-of-factly, “It’s for you to play with.”

The rabbit bun did resemble the stress-relief squishies she’d bought in modern times.

She had wanted it earlier, but now that it was in her hands, she couldn’t resist teasing him. “Physician Ying, this is a waste of food.”

Ying Qujie promptly bit the head off another bun in his hand and raised an eyebrow. “Don’t want it? Give it back, I’ll eat it.”

“No.” He Qingsheng hugged the bun protectively against her chest, resting her chin on it. Glancing sideways, she caught sight of Ying Qujie’s reddening earlobes and smirked knowingly. “Physician Ying, is the bun too hot?”

Ying Qujie kept a straight face, though the scalding red bean paste had numbed his tongue. “It’s fine.”

He Qingsheng scoffed. “Childish.”

Finally, she had a chance to throw the word childish back at him.

Their bickering dispelled the earlier tension between them.

Of course, in the end, the cooled-off rabbit bun still found its way into someone’s stomach.

…

Jewelry Shop.

Most of the patrons were women, some in small, lively groups, chatting and laughing, while others browsed with their husbands, the picture of marital harmony and tranquil bliss.

Ying Qujie stood alone, his solitary figure starkly out of place amidst the surroundings.

Almost as soon as he stepped through the door, he caught the attention of most of the young ladies present.

Dressed in a blue robe, tall and elegant, his noble bearing exuded an air of distinction. Perched on his shoulder was an exquisitely crafted wooden puppet, lending him an aura of peculiar mystery.

“Which noble family does this young master belong to? He seems even more handsome than Lord Shangguan.”

“Exactly, how come we’ve never seen him before?”

“I feel like he’s even more captivating than the Crown Prince.”

Several well-dressed young ladies whispered among themselves, stealing glances at Ying Qujie while pretending to browse the displays. What should have been a few steps across the shop took them an eternity.

Yet none dared to approach him.

The capital was a place of hidden talents and formidable figures, and these young ladies from official families were well-versed in the art of biding their time and reading the room.

“Young master, our shop offers a complete selection of gold and silver hairpins and jewelry in a variety of styles. May I ask what kind you are looking for?” The shopkeeper, a bold and observant woman, stepped forward to assist, her gaze openly appraising Ying Qujie as if determined to take her fill of the sight.

Ying Qujie asked, “What types of accessories do you have?”

The shopkeeper laughed brightly. “To list them in detail, we have ornaments for ladies from head to toe, hair accessories, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and waist ornaments. These can be further divided into combs, tassels, pendants, earrings, bracelets, jade pendants, sachets, and so on. Each type carries its own symbolism, all steeped in meaning.”

Seeing Ying Qujie’s blank expression, she kindly added, “May I ask whom you are buying for? The designs differ slightly depending on whether it’s for a sweetheart or a family elder. I can offer some recommendations based on the recipient’s status.”

“For my younger sister,” Ying Qujie replied plainly.

“Who’s your sister?” He Qingsheng pinched his hair without a change in expression.

Ying Qujie rescued his hair from the wooden puppet’s grasp and casually lifted it from his shoulder, holding it in his palm.

The puppet pinched his hand.

Without so much as a flicker of his eyelids, Ying Qujie said to the shopkeeper, “My sister is mischievous, unruly, and fond of lively movement. She prefers blue attire. Please select a matching set of accessories for her.”

“Ah, certainly!” The shopkeeper keenly noted the measure word he used, a set, and realized this was likely a substantial sale. Her face lit up with delight.

She hastily ushered him into a private room.

One exquisite jewelry set after another was carefully presented in ornate boxes by attendants for Ying Qujie’s perusal.

“Young master, take a look at this set, A Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains. It’s crafted from the finest sapphires, lapis lazuli, and turquoise, complemented by silver cloud motifs. Elegant and transcendent, it would surely pair beautifully with your sister’s blue robes.”

Ying Qujie picked up the tasseled necklace, draped it over the wooden puppet for a moment, then set it aside. “Wrap it up.”

“Right away!” The shopkeeper beamed and signaled to an attendant. Another group of maids filed in, carrying more jewelry. She continued, “This set is called Vermilion Brilliance. The neckpiece is strung with rubies, obsidian, and coral, paired with a silver waistband and red jade bracelets, an ensemble of elegance and mystique.”

“Many young ladies who visit our shop long for this set, but most are deterred by the price. Since you’re purchasing multiple items, we can include a trendy gold and silver hairpin as a complimentary gift.”

Ying Qujie asked, “Do you have more?”

“Of course, of course!” Overjoyed, the shopkeeper hurried off to dig out her most prized stock from the depths of her inventory.

Seizing the moment when no one was around, He Qingsheng tugged at Ying Qujie’s sleeve. “Aren’t you going to ask about the price?”

“Just some small trinkets. I should be able to afford them.”

“But what if they don’t fit?”

Ying Qujie replied, “We can pay extra to have a smaller set replicated.”

He Qingsheng thought to herself: Damn it, how is she experiencing the aura of a domineering CEO from an ancient physician?

But considering their previous life of roughing it together, He Qingsheng decided to observe how things unfolded. If Ying Qujie couldn’t afford it, at least she could ensure he wouldn’t get beaten up.

The shopkeeper brought out several other colorful sets of jewelry, and Ying Qujie, with He Qingsheng in tow, picked out a few more before requesting the replication of the chosen pieces.

When the shopkeeper quoted the price, He Qingsheng, though unfamiliar with mortal currency, could tell it was an exorbitant sum.

Ying Qujie paid without batting an eye.

The little wooden doll was adorned with a simple red beaded necklace, a silver-threaded belt around its waist, and a red jade ring slipped onto its wrist as a bracelet. Instantly, the doll glittered with opulence, radiant and dazzling.

Ying Qujie noticed that when the “Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains” and “Crimson Blossom Aura” sets were displayed, He Qingsheng showed a clear preference for the red hues. The green robe paired with red beads did indeed lend a mysterious and unique charm.

Still, he didn’t seem entirely satisfied. “Make do with this for now. The shopkeeper said replicating the Crimson Blossom Aura will take a few more days.”

He Qingsheng thought: No need to “make do,” this is more than enough.

While Ying Qujie finalized the details with the shopkeeper, He Qingsheng idly gazed out the window at the bustling market outside.

As the sun climbed higher, the marketplace grew livelier. Stalls of all kinds lined both sides of the street, and behind them, taverns and eateries were packed with a steady stream of customers, vibrant and bustling.

Opposite the jewelry shop was a restaurant, from which fragrant breezes and the sound of music drifted. The shopkeeper had chosen her location well, diners could easily stroll over after their meals.

He Qingsheng observed that the ground floor of the shop displayed ordinary jewelry, affordable to common folk, while the second floor catered exclusively to wealthy patrons. The shopkeeper clearly knew how to cater to every potential customer.

Moreover, the location offered a panoramic view of the lively street, a vibrant and dynamic perspective.

Suddenly, across the street, a familiar figure caught her eye.

“Ying Qujie, I’m stepping out for a bit.”

Without waiting for a response, He Qingsheng’s spirit slipped straight through the window.

The midday sun made her uncomfortable, but the figure she’d spotted stood out among the ordinary crowd like a crane among chickens.

The gold-embroidered, diagonally patterned robe was too distinctive.

She couldn’t possibly mistake it.

Her junior brother had indeed appeared in the capital.

As He Qingsheng dashed off, Ying Qujie quickly wrapped up with the shopkeeper and followed with the wooden doll in tow.

Naturally striking to begin with, his appearance was now further accentuated by the gem-studded doll, drawing frequent glances from passersby the moment they stepped out of the shop.

“Women are such a hassle. All I did was go out for a drink, and now there’s all this drama. If it weren’t for her father, why would I even bother humoring her?” Zhuang Zhixing grumbled, leaning on his servant as he limped toward the jewelry shop, passing Ying Qujie head-on.

His eyes immediately locked onto the doll in Ying Qujie’s hand. “Hey, you-”

Ying Qujie didn’t even notice, walking past without a glance.

“Hey, whose brat are you to ignore me? You refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit.” Zhuang Zhixing slapped the servant supporting him hard. “Shunzi, go stop him.”

“Yes, young master.” The servant named Shun Zi immediately rushed to intercept Ying Qujie.

The moment he let go, Zhuang Zhixing suddenly lost his support and fell to the ground with a thud.

Startled, Shunzi made a move to help him up but was scolded by Zhuang Zhixing to go after Ying Qujie instead.

“Don’t you dare leave!” Shun Zi shouted loudly, jogging to catch up with Ying Qujie before spreading his arms to block the way.

The people around them were startled by his yell, assuming there was some excitement to watch, and gathered around without understanding the situation.

Ying Qujie frowned. “Move.”

Shun Zi’s legs went weak from the intimidating aura around Ying Qujie, instinctively stepping aside before stammering, “M-my young master has business with you.”

By then, Zhuang Zhixing had shuffled over from behind. “Do you even know who I am? How dare you run after bumping into me!”