allonlinenovel Chapter 415: The Princess Likes This Golden Hairpin
Chapter 415: The Princess Likes This Golden Hairpin
Li Wan'er quickly shook her head and said, "No, Xiao Xiao, that child has such pure eyes, he would never do such a petty theft."
Fang Xiaoxiao sighed helplessly and said, "Fine, since the princess trusts her, perhaps I'm overthinking it. If the princess likes this gold hairpin, I'll pay for it."
Li Wan'er said somewhat embarrassedly, "I can't accept this, you've gone to so much trouble."
Fang Xiaoxiao smiled and said, "Princess, please don't be so formal. As long as it makes you happy, what is a little money?"
Seeing that the two had reached an agreement, the shopkeeper smiled and said, "Miss, this gold hairpin is made of the finest materials and has exquisite workmanship. It's not cheap; it will cost thirty taels of silver."
Fang Xiaoxiao's heart skipped a beat, and she secretly groaned, but she still gritted her teeth and took out thirty taels of silver from her pocket and handed it to the shopkeeper. Seeing the gleaming silver disappear just like that, Fang Xiaoxiao felt extremely depressed, and the smile on her face became somewhat forced.
Li Wan'er held the gold hairpin with great delight, a bright smile spreading across her face. She said to Fang Xiaoxiao, "Xiaoxiao, you're so kind to me. I'll definitely thank you properly when I get back."
Fang Xiao smiled and said, "I'm glad the princess likes it."
But my heart was bleeding: this was money I had saved up for so long to buy new clothes!
The two continued strolling, but Fang Xiaoxiao kept thinking about the thirty taels of silver and couldn't be happy at all, remaining silent the whole way.
Li Wan'er noticed Fang Xiaoxiao's mood and said, "Xiaoxiao, don't be unhappy. When we get back, I'll have Father reward you handsomely."
Fang Xiaoxiao shook her head and said, "Princess, I'm not greedy for the reward, it's just that spending this money really hurts me."
Just then, a loud commotion suddenly came from ahead.
"Stop thief!" someone shouted at the top of their lungs.
Fang Xiaoxiao and Li Wan'er looked in the direction of the sound and saw a group of people chasing after something. Upon closer inspection, they realized that the person being chased was the little girl from before.
Fang Xiao's heart sank, and she said, "Princess, it seems I was right, it really is her."
The two rushed over and saw the little girl surrounded by a crowd, clutching a money bag tightly in her hand—the very one Li Wan'er had lost.
"She stole my purse!" a fat man said angrily, panting heavily.
The little girl turned pale with fright, tears welling in her eyes, and said in a trembling voice, "I didn't mean to, I was just so hungry and wanted to find some money to buy food."
Li Wan'er stepped forward and said, "Never mind, just take the money pouch back and let her go."
Seeing that the princess had spoken, everyone, though unwilling, had no choice but to release the little girl.
The little girl looked at Li Wan'er and Fang Xiaoxiao with a face full of guilt, and choked out, "Sister, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have stolen the money."
Fang Xiaoxiao squatted down and gently wiped away the little girl's tears. She said earnestly, "Child, you can't do this again. If you have any difficulties, you can tell your older sisters. Stealing is wrong."
The little girl nodded emphatically, then turned and ran away.
After this ordeal, Fang Xiaoxiao and Li Wan'er lost interest in continuing their shopping trip and decided to head home.
Fang Xiaoxiao remained sullen throughout the journey, but Li Wan'er comforted her, saying, "Xiaoxiao, don't think about it. Just consider it as doing a good deed and saving that child from a predicament."
Fang Xiaoxiao sighed and said, "I hope that child can learn from this lesson and mend his ways in the future."
Back at her residence, Fang Xiaoxiao lay wearily on her bed, sighing repeatedly as she recalled the events of the day.
"Thirty taels of silver, just like that, gone. Why am I so unlucky?" Fang Xiaoxiao muttered to herself.
Just then, there was a gentle knock on the door.
"Who is it?" Fang Xiaoxiao asked weakly.
"It's me, Princess." Li Wan'er's gentle voice came from outside the door.
Fang Xiaoxiao quickly got up and opened the door, only to see Li Wan'er holding an exquisite box.
"Xiao Xiao, this is compensation for you." Li Wan'er smiled and handed the box to Fang Xiao Xiao.
Fang Xiaoxiao opened it and found a bright yellow gold ingot inside.
"Princess, this...this is too precious, I can't accept it." Fang Xiaoxiao was so surprised she couldn't close her mouth.
Li Wan'er said, "Don't refuse. If it weren't for you today, I wouldn't have been able to buy the gold hairpin I like. You deserve it."
Fang Xiaoxiao was moved to tears and said, "Princess, you are so kind to me."
Night fell like a giant black ribbon, gently covering the bustling town. The lights of the night market, like twinkling stars, dispelled the darkness and brought a lively and bustling atmosphere. Fang Xiaoxiao decided to treat Li Wan'er to a good meal, and the two walked side by side into the vibrant night market.
The night market was bustling with people, shoulder to shoulder. The air was filled with the aroma of various delicacies, their scents seemingly taking shape and playfully dancing around people's noses. Stalls lined up one after another, and the vendors enthusiastically called out their wares, their faces beaming with simple, honest smiles.
Fang Xiaoxiao excitedly pulled Li Wan'er along, like a joyful little bird. Her eyes sparkled, full of curiosity and anticipation.
"Princess, look! There are roasted chestnuts for sale over there. They smell so good!" Fang Xiaoxiao said cheerfully.
Li Wan'er smiled and nodded, letting Fang Xiaoxiao lead her through the bustling night market.
The two of them enjoyed various delicacies along the way, their mouths filled with sweet flavors.
Finally, they stopped in front of a tofu pudding and glutinous rice ball stall. The stall owner was a kind-looking uncle who was skillfully cooking tofu pudding and glutinous rice balls. Soon, two steaming bowls of fragrant tofu pudding and glutinous rice balls were placed in front of them.
Fang Xiaoxiao and Li Wan'er found an empty seat and were just about to start their meal when Fang Xiaoxiao caught a glimpse of a familiar figure.
It was the same little girl who had stolen money during the day. Now, she was being tightly gripped by the arm of a burly man with a menacing face and a fierce expression. The little girl's face was filled with terror and tears; she struggled incessantly, her voice trembling with sobs as she cried, "Let me go! Please let me go!"
Li Wan'er followed Fang Xiaoxiao's gaze and her heart clenched instantly. Her eyes were filled with heartache, and she said anxiously to Fang Xiaoxiao, "Xiaoxiao, this child is so pitiful, we can't just sit idly by."
Without the slightest hesitation, Fang Xiaoxiao stood up abruptly and walked towards the big man and the little girl without hesitation.
"Let her go!" Fang Xiaoxiao shouted angrily.
When the little girl saw Fang Xiaoxiao, a glimmer of hope instantly ignited in her eyes. She cried even more desperately, pleading for help: "Sister, save me, save me!"
The burly man turned his head, glared fiercely at Fang Xiaoxiao, and cursed, "You brat, mind your own business! This is my niece, I'm disciplining her, it's none of your business!"