Chapter 701: Gifts

What a silly goose!

It was her movement that actually amused Nan Tianzong who was next to her!

“Sisi, when I went out today, I passed a small shop and found this little thing inside. I brought it back specifically for you to play with.” Nan Tianzong held a clay monkey in his hand, grinning at her triumphantly.

It’s a little monkey!

Liu Sisi was indeed attracted by the delicate little monkey. It was obviously made of rubber clay, smaller than a baby chick, crafted so well, especially the way the little monkey tilted its hat, stared wide-eyed, and looked slightly disdainful at the world. It was absolutely adorable.

To her, the little monkey was obviously something meant for entertaining little children and had long lost its novelty. However, receiving such a gift at this moment, she was actually quite happy.

As soon as he took it out, Di Yelei’s face changed immediately: “Isn’t this clay toy for children? When you give it to Sisi, do you think she’s as childish as a child?”

Nan Tianzong’s face also turned red involuntarily.

This little monkey was actually bought for YingEr. He had taken it out just now deliberately to provoke Di Yelei.

Liu Sisi glared hard at Di Yelei before turning back to Nan Tianzong.

“Thank you, big brother.”

This expression of gratitude was heartfelt.

These days, there wasn’t much entertainment, and these little monkeys made of rubber clay were also favored by children. “No need to thank, this is just a little token of my appreciation.”

Nan Tianzong arrogantly raised his eyebrows at Di Yelei, the sense of triumph inside making Di Yelei furrow his eyebrows.

Seeing Liu Sisi’s gaze shift to him, he uncharacteristically blushed. He tugged at his clothes, looking embarrassed: “Sisi, um… I didn’t take any extra silver when I went out, even the accommodation fees for the last two days were paid by big brother, I…”

He slowly approached Liu Sisi, carefully watching her face: “Sisi, next time, next time we go out, I’ll definitely buy you a gift.”

“Pfft!”

This embarrassed Di Yelei instantly made Liu Sisi laugh, unable to keep a straight face any longer.

“Alright, if you didn’t bring it, you didn’t bring it! Right now, there’s a whole family waiting to eat. There’s no spare money to buy those things.”

Her words immediately made Di Yelei smile: “My Sisi is the most considerate!”

“You… YingEr must be bored alone at home. Why don’t I take this little monkey to her? It will keep her from being too lonely playing by herself.”

Liu Sisi shook her head helplessly. This toy was clearly meant for children, and she feared that this was Nan Tianzong’s original intention for buying it.

“Right, your brother thought you were only six years old, so he bought you a toy meant for children. You…”

“Stop talking nonsense, do you want a beating?”

Liu Sisi interrupted him directly and turned to walk towards the other half.

Di Yelei still grinned foolishly, but the moment he turned around, the silly smile disappeared from his face, and he provocatively raised his eyebrows towards Nan Tianzong.

Nan Tianzong, of course, was not willing to be outdone; instead, he raised his chin triumphantly and shouted at Liu Sisi: “Sisi, hurry up and come back, I have something else for you!”

“What do you need me for?” Liu Sisi also laughed.

“You little girl, why are you calling me Brother Nan again? Can’t I come to see you without a reason?”

Nan Tianzong casually flicked his fan closed and playfully tapped Liu Sisi’s head twice.

“Ouch, that hurts! Stop hitting me! Are you really my brother? All you do is bully me.”

Liu Sisi glared at him with an unsatisfied expression.

Nan Tianzong laughed heartily and joked with Di Yelei: “Look, doesn’t Sisi seem more and more like a child? I’ve heard people say that women become ‘silly for three years’ after giving birth. I didn’t believe it before, but now I do.”

“Big Brother is right. However, no matter what Sisi becomes, she is still my Sisi, and my feelings for her will not change in the slightest. They will not change because of money either.” This was naturally directed at Nan Tianzong, and his face was very serious, showing no sign of dishonesty.

A hint of hidden pain flashed through Nan Tianzong’s eyes, and he quickly changed the topic.

“So, what have you been busy with lately? Is it about those new shops?”

According to the imperial edict, officials were not allowed to engage in business, but there were always ways around the rules.

For example, Liu Sisi’s two shops were in partnership with the salt merchant Mrs. Ran, one selling tea and the other being an official salt shop.

“Nowadays, the expenditures in the manor are getting bigger and bigger, and we need more and more silver. Yelei’s salary alone is far from enough.” Liu Sisi also felt somewhat helpless.

There were two sick people living in the manor, and the medicine money for YingEr and Thirteenth Luo was a considerable expense. In addition to the daily food for everyone in the manor, there were also expenses for giving out porridge, repairing bridges and roads, building academies, etc. – an enormous sum that ordinary people could hardly imagine.

“Yeah! Everyone says they lack silver. How nice would it be if we had a mountain of gold and silver in front of us to spend freely!”

Nan Tianzong sighed.

Although he had the support of the Li Sect, but as for the Li Sect…

Liu Sisi’s mind raced, suddenly thinking of something important: “Brother Nan, I have a matter to discuss with you, let’s talk in the study room.”

This was a serious matter and had to be guarded against eavesdroppers.

“What’s the matter? You’re so cautious. Didn’t you see how dark my brother-in-law’s face was? It was as black as the bottom of a pot.”

Even after entering the study, Nan Tianzong was still making jokes.

Di Yelei had already been teased by him on the way, and since he was his uncle, Di Yelei naturally could not fight back and had to accept it. Unexpectedly, Liu Sisi acted like this upon arriving, and the man outside was furious!

Liu Sisi didn’t say anything, but carefully checked the doors and windows, then looked up at the skylight overhead. Only after making sure everything was secure did she turn around.

“Big Brother, Sisi has something to show you. Have a look first before we discuss it.” She took the handkerchief out from her arms and handed it over.

“What is this?”

Nan Tianzong took the handkerchief and looked at the stains on it, confused by what Liu Sisi wanted to say and curiously gazing at her.

Liu Sisi just smiled at him, not saying anything.

With no other choice, Nan Tianzong unfolded the handkerchief. As the layers were peeled away, the item wrapped inside was revealed.

At first, he didn’t recognize it, but after a moment, he stared at the object in his hand with astonishment, even picking up some of the small particles to examine carefully, growing more and more shocked.

“Sisi, where did you get this… Has anyone else seen this item?”