Bab 68: Lotus Pavilion (2)

The next day at Chen hour, Shen Tianyu got up and walked down the stairs to the first floor after cleaning up and dressing. She was wearing a wide sleeved soft blue robe with silver branches and leaves weaved into it.(1) Under it was a light lavender robe that trailed past the hemline of the outer robe. On each side of her head were two small buns that were held in place by matching dew drop flower hairpins with blue ribbons trailing from the flowers. Below the buns trailed two locks of hair tied with a small gold rings. The rest of her hair flowed down her back. Above her brows was a painted lotus. Tied to her wrist was a conspicuous red magic pouch embroidered with gold. Her appearance gave off an elegant yet youthful air.

On the other hand, Rong Jian wore a red sleeved robe with various colorful embroidery. On his head was a jade guan hat(2) holding his long ponytail in place. The jade guan hat was held in place by a simple jade hairpin with the image of a cloud carved at the end of the handle. In his hand was a wooden painted fan that he was lightly fanning himself with. The clothes he wore looked like something a pampered wastrel would wear but his presence managed to make him look like a scholar from a wealthy family instead.

Shen Tianyu smiled at him. "That reminds me, I should also bring a veil." She turned to the servant at her side and had her bring over a light blue veil that bordered on white.

"That's the first thing Tian'er says to me? Not even a greeting. Fiancee is sad." Rong Jian said as he covered his face, displaying sad eyes.

Shen Tianyu chuckled. "Good morning Jian lang. I hope you slept well last night?"

"Tian'er is only saying that now that I complained. Not sincere at all." Rong Jian humphed like a scorned wealthy daughter.

"Yes, yes. I'm sorry." The servant girl came back with a veil and Shen Tianyu put it on her lower face, showing only her eyes. "Let's go now."

Rong Jian followed Shen Tianyu with a sulky expression out of Lavender Palace.

Perhaps because of the slight mysterious aura added by the veil, many eyes on the streets turned to look at this heavenly couple. One elegant and youthful mysterious beauty and a handsome, glamorous scholar. Shen Tianyu in particular, attracted more of the stares, most of awe and admiration but also some of jealousy and hatred. This caused Rong Jian's face to darken even more.

"You look so scary, totally unbefitting of your scholarly image." Shen Tianyu remarked next to him.

"Too many insects are staring at you." Rong Jian replied.

"It's just the veil, my appearance isn't really anything to gawk at."

"How can Tian'er say such a thing that degrades oneself? Of course your appearance is worth gawking at. Even a million yuan would not be expensive just to take a look."

"Oh? The Young Master has seen my face so many times, now that you say that, how many yuan do you owe me for this?"

"Ahem. This Young Master is obviously special. We're already engaged, what's the point in differentiating so distinctly between what's mine and what's yours?" Rong Jian shamelessly stated.

"Then, not counting since we got engaged, the amount of time you saw me before definitely wasn't few." Shen Tianyu kept pushing forward.

"Eheh... we are engaged, how can you try to make your husband pay for matters from before? Besides, I have bought you some things and acted as your bodyguard, that alone should pay it off right?"

"Oh? You've bought me some accessories certainly, but that alone isn't worth millions of yuan. As for bodyguard... I believe the most well paid bodyguards still only earn 100 silver taels a day."

"Guh... Tian'er is so stingy... I'll buy you something from the Lotus Pavilion so don't pursue this anymore..." Rong Jian tied to compromise with a dejected expression.

"Hahaha... there's no need. I was just teasing you. You were the one that started it." Shen Tianyu laughed at him. This time, she won in the verbal battle.

Hearing the beauties sweet voice and bell-like laughter caused the men and some women that were staring at her to turn red. The gazes of the other women increased in intensity.

When the couple arrived in front of Lotus Pavilion, there was already a crowd in front of the main doors. Though there were a lot of rowdy people, it was not chaotic. There were guards stationed at set intervals around the crowd to make sure nothing bad happens.

This day was a special auction day. It was the once in a year special auction of Lotus Pavilion where numerous treasures accumulated through hard effort for a whole year would be brought out to auction off. In addition, the Goodwill Tournament was starting soon. Even if the tournament was to build friendly relations between the countries, no one wants to loose. Especially since the enmity still existed between the citizens as the wars were still fresh in their memories, no one wanted their country to loose face. More importantly, their children might be going on stage. Being able to be selected was a great honor so, getting items to quickly raise one's level was important. If they did well, endless glory will be brought to the families, who wouldn't want that?

It was precisely because it was near the time for the Goodwill Tournament that Shen Tianyu had Lotus Pavilion hold an auction. It has become somewhat of a custom to hold a special auction near the time for the Goodwill Tournament. That way, everyone would be doubly hyped about spending money.

'In addition...there are many things a person can do for power, what's some yuan compared to one's endless future prospects.' The corners of Shen Tianyu's lips lifted up into a smile behind the veil. 'It's the same as gambling. And on one's future no less. Such obedient moneybags.'

Shen Tianyu led Rong Jian to a side door on the right side of the five story building guarded by some guards.