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66.45% Learning To Live As A Cultivator / Chapter 214: Chapter Fourteen - We go window shopping!

Chapter 214: Chapter Fourteen - We go window shopping!

The gossip about the brazen servant girl would die down in this sort of place as quickly as it flared up for there would always be news or tales to replace it. So it was really not dwelled upon overly. And like a blazing fire that had swept through short dry grasses, the matter was over as quickly as it began. Mond had chastised the male servants he'd assigned to the guest courtyard for allowing the girl to slip into Jin Li's bedroom, though not too harshly as he also was aware that they had been chased out of the courtyard for the most part by the guests in question. Sun had snorted, when he had heard the news; who knew better than him that no female could interest the man who was first wed to his alchemist and secondly to his sword. Hadn't many girls in school tried and failed to gain his attention?

As for the man at the centre of this storm himself...

Jin Li woke to find that his bare chest had not the warmth of blankets, but was instead covered by a long silken mane of yin yang hair and his skin at his collar was subject to the soft breaths of his sleeping alchemist. He didn't bother to wonder over the time, the pair had experienced coital bliss deep into the night, his lover as deeply involved as he. His smooth fingers had gripped Jin Li's arms as the other moved above him, his pelvis lifting to allow their connection to deepen more than normal and not a few times did he call out his name in pleasure. Jin Li has lost himself in the depths of this welcome embrace more than once and would have done so again, were it not for Leon passing out in the end.

So as this was the case and neither man stirred until the sun had reached its zenith point, neither knew what had occurred to the maid, nor did they hear any of the gossip, for by the time Sun dared disturb them for a midday meal, the servants were whispering that fourth Son had possibly impregnated his seventh concubine's personal maid...

Following six bowls of rice, a plate of strips of smoked bacon, a cup of sweet potato soup and five steamed buns, Jin Li placed down his chopsticks and reached for the fresh cup of tea that Leon had poured for digestion. "This Lord feels as if one has lazed around enough," he declared after emptying his cup.  "What to do?"

"Is it t-too late t-t-too explore the city?" Leon asked, demurely, the slightly hoarse tone of his overused voice making Jin Li terribly itchy once more. He settled for stroking the other man's throat gently with his fingers, feeling the gem within move in response.

Before Sun could gleefully offer to take them on a tour of the city, showing them all of the places he used to hang out when he lived here, an older maidservant came to find him.

"Young Master, Second Madam wishes to speak with you," the woman had the same no nonsense tone as the one who'd come to collect him the other day. Sun pouted, but acquiesced in the end. If he didn't that woman was sure to come to him later and use tears to make him feel guilty. And Jin Li was not one for leaving him an escape route. Why would he? This probably suited him better!

He was not wrong in his thoughts; this did suit Jin Li better. If Sun left, it would be just he and his small alchemist once more. What was there not to like?

The Ramas Palace was not located in the most prominent inner ring of the city, but it was in the next best location; the northern section of the city. The land beneath this location was a web of clear rivers and streams with parcels of land on which the affluent northern town was formed. It was spectacularly beautiful with parks and paved roads separating the large residences.

Large ornate carriages were pulled by strong, healthy looking equines, while smaller, less ornate ones traipsed behind pulled by the lesser cousins known as horses. There was a politeness as one train of carriages pulled over to exchange words with another train going in the opposite direction and once priority had been established, one of the trains would allow the other to pass. Curtains flickered in both carriages as the occupants evaluated the prestige and wealth of the other, though if there was discontent or disdain, it was kept out of public sight.

Naturally, this had nothing to do with Jin Li and Leon, who walked along the side of the paved road, deeper into the pristine streets until the stately homes melted away revealing something else. Where there was money, there would be naturally places to spend it. The line of businesses included two restaurants, a fine fabric and dress shop, a pavilion of jewellery and a store that produced exquisite weaponry. And naturally, there was also an auction house. Of course, none of these establishments were going to offer their products and services for small silver.

Leon shuddered over the eye-watering cost of the rare and seemingly vibrant honey moon rose within the Majestic Herb emporium. Seemingly...

"This rose has been grown from a seed obtained from the Cardinal King's Imperial consort's treasured garden," a haughty salesman approached them, with considerable contempt in his tone. "And as everyone is aware, the Imperial Consort is the granddaughter of the sect leader of the highly notable Heaven Arts Medicinal Sect. Each and every herb within her garden could be considered priceless. This rose may be out of your particular range."

Jin Li ignored each and every word spilling from the marks mouth, simply turning to his small alchemist with one simple question; "Do you want it?"

Leon shook his head. It was stupidly overpriced, plus if he ever did need the petals or leaves from the rose, he could ask his Senior Brother, Stygar, to pluck a few from his specimen. At least that one was healthy. "N-no," Leon voiced aloud, before turning to the salesman with a generous smile. "It h-has Rose P-pox. You sh-should g-get it t-treated, less it sp-spreads."

They left the flabbergasted salesperson and left the store. Leon had only ever intended to window shop here. He could see from the elegance of the architecture to the silk adorned clothing of the patrons that his purse, no matter how healthy it had become in recent times, it would not stretch to afford the obscene prices of products within the stores. Jin Li also carried a purse upon him. It probably held no more that Leon's but as usual, the other man had little concept of cost, thus he would willingly part with it all without question if he wanted something.

Fortunately, just as Leon had spied that the herbs and plants within the Herb Emporium were more glitz than glamour, such was also true of the Victory Lies Within Excellence weapon's store. Unlike Leon, who had shown a little tact in the Herb Emporium, Jin Li's uncensored tongue felt too lazy to apply filters. "They call this a sword?" He sneered as he withdrew a long, slender blade from its protective sheath. The silver metal shimmered in the light of the store, but its colouration was bland in comparison to the twinkling rubies set within its finely moulded handle. "Isn't this just an ornament pretending to be a weapon?"

The shop's representatives were angered and embarrassed and wished to shoo the youth out of their store, but his aura declared that they shouldn't attempt to, thus could only swallow the insult. As it happened, they managed to restore their battered pride after the disagreeable youth left, for someone bought that ruby encrusted sword with a handful of glittering golden coins.


Chapter 215: Chapter Fifteen - I’m bedazzled by treasure...briefly

After leaving the weapons store, the conspicuous pair wandered down the neatly paved street towards the shop closest to it, more as it was on route than for any reason of want or curiosity. Conspicuous? Who else would walk so brazenly in amongst the genteel crowds all adorned in silk treasures and rare gems, wearing just neatly sewn hemp clothing, simple jade and carved wooden talismans? Even the servants of the wealthy were better dressed... or at least more expensively!

However, although they seemed out of place, perhaps it was the auras they seemed to exude, they were left alone and not bothered for the most part. For the most part, which madam and master had not witnessed or heard of what the results of crossing crouching tigers and hidden dragons within their midst? What white lotus or good-for-nothing? Believing a stupid maid or ragged soldier could not hurt you just because of their lack of wit or wealth? Such was a joke! In addition, this was a world with Cultivators! When it came to such people, the eyes could lie and ignorance could lead to death! There was a legend that a great Immortal used to descend from the mountain peak that no others dared step foot on and dress as a beggar and sit on the streets once every hundred years. If that beggar was gifted generously by a benefactor, that benefactor's luck might turn great for his lifetime, but if the beggar was abused... of course rumours were rumours, but not worth risking one's seven generations for!

So if a tall, black eyed youth in deep blue colours decorated with simple patterns and a petite boy with an array of wooden charms at his waist walked around these streets as if they had as much right as the wealthy elite, so be it! Just ignore them and hope no trouble will come and disturb the peace!

Of course, not everyone received the memo.

"The proprietor would be wise to ensure that they have the money for it!"

The shop closest to the weapon's store was actually a jewellery store. Once they had entered, Jin Li had sneered, losing interest immediately, but his small alchemist had paused once they entered and he had thought that the youth had found something of interest. Actually, this wasn't so; Leon was simply dazzled by the gold, silver and gemstones upon display. Amulets and necklaces, brooches and hair pins, rings, bracelets, crowns and earrings... and unbeknownst to him, these were just the lower market range. The more expensive and exquisite pieces were hidden away for only the most noble and wealthy of clientele.

Once the initial blinding sparkle eased and Leon's awareness returned to his body, he knew instinctively that even if there was something in this pavilion that he would have liked to buy, his and Jin Li's purse combined would not be able to afford it.  They would not even be able to pay for the most measly 'cheap' thing in here.  Actually, this sort of window shopping, look but don't bother thinking you can purchase a single thing, was not something that could sustain a person's interest for long.  Either they might become infuriated, blinded by self-loathing that their wallets contained more moths than money or they would skitter away in a panic that such prices even exist!  Fair enough, these reactions were extreme versions, but Leon's was definitely more towards the latter and he was ready to call this trip to an end.

So as he wasn't actually about to purchase anything, the thrown out sentence could not be for him?  He glanced back at Jin Li who's face was one of indifference.  His eyes did not take in the treasures at all.  Who cared what obscene price tag was placed upon each piece, he'd seen more interesting things.  The vaults of his birth home had more abundant treasures, having been brought into the family with his grandmother's dowry.  Though she had long since past, his father and mother kept those treasures safe or else they would have fallen into his uncle's concubines hands until not a piece was left.  It was his grandmother's wishes that they be divided into the dowries of female descendants of the main line, but she bore no daughters and his mother also bore only sons.  And as for Uncle... least said.

The speaker was a young woman with long indigo hair that had been half swept and pinned into an elaborate style then decorated with rose jade blossoms. Her eyes were a startling sky blue, something that Leon was unused to seeing in the months of viewing gems of black, burnt umber or other dark shades. She waved a lace fan lightly before the lower half of her face as if warding off a summer breeze, an impossible feat in Winter. Her line of sight was seemingly upon a head piece made of delicate silver chains and turquoise beads, the teardrop sapphire centre piece of which ought to lay demurely between a woman's shaped brows. However, Leon could see that her attention was not on the head piece, but actually on another young woman, who had been examining a ring.

"Ho, it is interesting that a boudoir bound lady of the Ibis clan," said that young woman without her sight wavering from the ring, "is so well informed of the financial status of the Heron Clan."  Her eyes flickered towards the middle-aged man currently holding the wooden box containing the ring.  "What sort of capacity does this interspacial ring have?"

This statement caught Leon's attention, for he had never heard of interspacial jewellery.  Was it something like the small embroidered bag hanging from his hip or the larger chest container that Sun owned?  He glanced up at Jin Li, who as if reading his thoughts, nodded slightly. 

"It is not that I have doubts of the Heron Clan, of course," the indigo haired woman snorted, "everyone is well aware of the prestige of the Heron Clan.  What is there to doubt?  Though an interspacial ring is indeed a rarity, one could not doubt the Heron's Clan's ability to afford it."

"Then what is the point of your previous remark but to cast doubt?" The other girl asked as if curious.  Her hair was bundled up in an equally elaborate display, but her's was an unusual lilac in colour and was decorated in complimentary purple jade, but her pin was far simpler in style. 

Jin Li yawned as the girls banter continued and leaned down towards his small alchemist and whispered; "You seem to be enjoying this show." 

Leon shook his head as the young woman voiced that she was only warning the proprietor to take care, after all, who knew what sort of rogues might try and take advantage of them should they not be aware of just whom they are serving.  He glanced up at Jin Li with a thought; "Sh-should we g-get something t-to eat b-b-before g-going back?"  He was rewarded by a smile of approval and the pair made their way towards the exit.

"A shu daughter is not a Di daughter after all," the woman from the Ibis clan was continuing to say behind them.  "From status to allowance, otherwise masters might be accused of favouring shu children over Di children and therefore concubines over wives!" 

"This shu and d-Di thing," Leon murmured to Jin Li as they stepped out of the shop.  "Is it really such a b-b-big d-deal?"

Jin Li stroked a finger across his lover's naive face.  "It is and it isn't," he replied with a lazy drawl.  He'd only ever respected those who had ability regardless of their birth status.  In his opinion, birth status was as much luck than anything else and didn't always guarantee privilege.  However, if one decided to use their or others statuses as an excuse, then Jin Li had no time for that person at all.  "Such doesn't effect you, so don't bother to think about it."

Leon thought about it and decided to nod in agreement.  Maimai was Concubine-born and Sun born of the legal wife, but both were still his friends.  He, himself, had been brought up by his grandfather and had no status per say, yet Jin Li, this man who was born of privilege in the higher realm, didn't treat him less because of it.  And that was all that mattered really.

Not long after they left the jewellery shop, the girl from the Ibis clan followed suit with a look of irritation in her eyes, though the rest of her scowl was hidden well behind the lace fan covering her lower face.  Speckles of snow began to descend from the heavens and melt upon her pale pink quilted coat, annoying her more.  However, before more than a spot or two could mark it, an umbrella appeared above her head, held not by her servant girls but by a young man with a concerned expression.  If Jin Li and Leon had still been around, they might have even recognised him... well Leon anyway.

"What has upset little sister so?" He said, warmly.

"Second brother," the girl pouted, her eyes full of wounds, while her heart was full of schemes.


CREATORS' THOUGHTS
Ebonsolaris Ebonsolaris

Author’s note; di children are born of the legal wife, shu children born of concubines x

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