After feeling uneasy for a moment, Shang Hongxiu finally shook his head and said, "Thank you for your love from me, but my little girl's identity is sensitive after all. In order to prevent your sect from being criticized for this matter, I can only accept my kindness."
Sikong Jian sighed softly and said with emotion: "Well, it seems that you and I have no master-disciple relationship, but since the little girl is a thief in the world, she must have a lot of money, why can't she even get forty taels of silver?" Are you reluctant to buy pearls and hairpins?"
Shang Hongxiu was taken aback, frowned and said, "Senior, how could you know this? Have you been following me?"
Sikong Jian observed the words and expressions, and couldn't help but smile: "Little girl, please don't be overthinking. The reason why I pay attention to you is of course legitimate and not because I have any ill intentions towards you."
Seeing Sikong Jian's calm expression, Shang Hongxiu finally breathed a sigh of relief, but still said slightly uncomfortably: "Just kidding, in fact, the little girl is already used to dressing up like this, so there is no need for the pearl hairpin. I just happened to pass by by chance and asked casually. , not reluctant to part with a mere forty taels of silver."
Sikong Jian smiled slightly, silently reached into his arms and took out a finely crafted bead hairpin.
This beaded hairpin is made of pure pure gold, inlaid with beautiful Hetian jade. The head of the hairpin is carved into a blooming viburnum, with eight dazzling pearls inlaid at the stamen. It looks really exquisite.
Shang Hongxiu was surprised at first, and then fainted in her cheeks. In her embarrassment, she heard Sikong Jian cough and say: "I'm afraid the little girl has doubts in her heart, thinking that I'm just being courteous for nothing, committing adultery or stealing, right? In fact, I'm with your mother." We have quite a long history, so giving you a gift is really nothing."
Shang Hongxiu's delicate body trembled, and she shouted softly: "What?! Senior, you mean...my mother?"
Sikong Jian nodded slightly and said, "Yes, isn't your mother Junior Sister Baixiu?"
Hearing this, Shang Hongxiu became even more shocked and dumbfounded. After a pause, he said in a trembling voice: "How could senior know my life experience?"
Sikong Jian was a little surprised to see Shang Hongxiu so excited, and he said harmoniously: "The little girl's appearance is at least 70% similar to that of Junior Sister Baixiu. In addition, you are also from the Beiyue Hengshan Sect, so your life experience should be different. It’s hard to guess, right?”
Shang Hongxiu bit her lips tightly, lowered her brows and said in a somber voice: "I see, I haven't seen my mother since I was born. Teacher... they have never mentioned that my mother and I have similar looks, but I heard my seniors say so. , are you really my mother’s old acquaintance?”
Sikong Jian's eyes were blurry, revealing a sense of nostalgia, and he nodded slowly: "Yes, I heard that Junior Sister Baixiu died of childbirth. Fortunately, the little girl escaped death. Now I see you grown up, I am very sad. Glad.”
Shang Hongxiu managed to calm down, and while she frowned, she couldn't hide her melancholy and said: "After all, it was me who killed my mother. After all, I am indeed a born debt collector. No wonder they all hate me so much. Alas... I died in the first place I'll be fine now."
Sikong saw his eyebrows twitching, and said solemnly: "Little girl, please don't think wildly. Junior Sister Baixiu has a spirit in heaven, and I never want to see you feeling so sorry for yourself and living up to her sacrifice."
Shang Hongxiu secretly smiled bitterly and could only lower his head and said: "Thank you, senior, for your enlightenment. I will definitely keep it in mind."
Seeing that his expression softened slightly, Sikong coughed and said, "What is the little girl's name? Do you mind telling me?"
Shang Hongxiu's face was slightly red, and he told his real name honestly. After hearing this, Sikongjian muttered: "The red sleeves add fragrance, it is really elegant. Brother Shang Xun has read poetry and books, so he is indeed extraordinary."
After hearing this, Shang Hongxiu said sadly: "My father died of illness when I was seven years old. Before he died, he found my mother's classmates and entrusted me to them."
Sikong Jian felt pity in his heart and said kindly, "I shouldn't have made my niece sad. This hairpin is my apology. Please don't refuse it."
Shang Hongxiu believed that Sikong Jian was an old acquaintance of her late mother, but that pearl hairpin was worth a lot of money. How could she dare to accept it rashly? She quickly waved her hand and said, "Senior, my niece is very grateful for your kindness, but this pearl hairpin is too much." It’s expensive, I can’t accept it.”
Sikong Jian's expression became more serious, and he said more sincerely: "I am still alone, and I don't have any female relatives at home. If my niece insists on not accepting it, no one will claim this hairpin, so I will have to trade it at a low price and give it to the pawn shop. Isn't that right? Too much of a pity?"
Shang Hongxiu paused secretly, then said in a solemn voice: "There are many female relatives among the disciples of your sect. The seniors can give this pearl hairpin as a gift to show their favor for the younger generations. After all, I have nothing to do with your sect, so I accepted it rashly. It’s really difficult for my conscience to show such a heavy courtesy.”
Sikong saw his eyebrows twitching, and said disapprovingly: "My niece insists on evading it, are you worried that I have ulterior motives for you? It's just a pearl hairpin. If my niece feels sorry for it, she will find something suitable for me, and I can share it with you. No, I will accept it happily when the time comes."
Seeing that he could not shirk it, Shang Hongxiu had no choice but to accept the pearl hairpin shyly. Sikong saw that he was very proud and smiled and said: "Yes, this can be called valiant and heroic. Although my niece looks exactly like Junior Sister Baixiu, when it comes to behavior, His style is very similar to that of my good friend Bai Ling."
Shang Hongxiu said in shock: "Senior, you are ridiculous, Bai Ling...Senior has great martial arts skills and a particularly cool and unrestrained temperament. How can I compare with him?"
Sikong Jian chuckled and said, "My niece, why should I be so modest? Let's not talk about anything else. At least in terms of drinking ability, I think you are not weaker than her."
Shang Hongxiu's pink face turned red, and he heard Sikong Jian harmoniously say again: "But drinking all the time is harmful to the body, so it is proper to fill your stomach first. There happened to be a century-old restaurant in front of you, and it is said that the sesame balls are quite good. It’s famous, why don’t we go and taste it?”
Although Shang Hongxiu had no intention of eating, she couldn't refuse Sikong Jian's invitation, and since she had nothing to do, she finally nodded in agreement.
Sikong Jian smiled at this and led Shang Hongxiu along. The two chatted on the way, and their relationship unknowingly got closer.
After walking for about a meal, Sikong Jian and Shang Hongxiu entered a busy market. Not far ahead, they saw a chain of shops. The golden signboard in the middle said the four characters "Zhang Ji Cake Shop", which looked impressive. .
There were several long queues in front of the cake shop, among which the queue selling honey sesame balls was the longest, almost reaching the end of the street.
Sikong Jian and Shang Hongxiu looked at each other clearly, and couldn't help but be startled. Their eyes fell on a female champion in the team at the same time.
This female crown wears a gray Taoist robe, has an ebony hairpin in her hair, a long sword is inserted diagonally behind her back, and a shiny vermilion gourd hangs from her waist. Although only the profile of the face can be seen at this moment, it shows that the appearance is very beautiful, but unfortunately the facial contour is a bit too stiff and lacks the unique feminine charm of a woman.
Shang Hongxiu recognized that it was the uniform of Beiyue Hengshan Sect, and the person in front of her was no stranger to her, so she couldn't help but feel hesitant.
At this time, Sikong Jian smiled while stroking his beard, strode forward, and slapped the crowned woman on the shoulder with his palm.
