Chapter 85: Lady

Chapter 85: Lady

There were downsides to the bustling atmosphere of the common folk: it was noisy, disorderly, and crowded, making it far less leisurely than savoring a fragrant cup of tea in a gilded teahouse. However, there was also an upside—no one would feel lonely amidst the chaos, and two men hugging each other in the crowd wouldn't attract any odd glances.

Ye Jiangbai held Zhao Changnian in his arms as she watched the street performers with rapt attention, while he focused solely on her.

This little lady had long, dark eyelashes that curled up like two banana leaves. Whenever he reached out to touch them gently, she would blink repeatedly and then turn her head, pouting at him. "What are you doing?"

Ye Jiangbai smiled and touched her lashes again. The sensation of her eyelashes brushing against the tip of his finger was ticklish.

"Stop it," Changnian said. "I'm trying to watch if he can walk through the fire."

In the midst of the crowd, a charcoal fire burned on the ground. The performer stepped barefoot onto the scorching embers.

"Ahh—" A puff of smoke rose from the fire, and everyone gasped. beads of sweat formed on the man's forehead, but he gritted his teeth and stepped across the flames in a few strides.

Changnian watched, stunned, and asked Ye Jiangbai, "The knives weren't sharp, but what about this? Isn't the fire burning hot?"

Ye Jiangbai shook his head and whispered back, "They're desperate for the reward money."

Chang Nian was astonished. She turned her head to look at the man who was bowing and reaching out his hand to receive copper coins from the crowd. Her eyes suddenly reddened.

"Doing what?" Ye Jiangbai pulled her out of the crowd and looked down at her. "Weren't you enjoying it? Why do you look like you're about to cry all of a sudden?"

Shaking her head, Chang Nian grabbed his sleeve. "I owe him his performance fee. Tomorrow, I'll make sure someone delivers it to him."

Ye Jiangbai chuckled. "Your Highness, street performers move from place to place every day, leaving no trace behind. That's why they're called 'traveling entertainers'. If you send someone tomorrow, you might not even find a shadow of him."

"What should I do then?" Chang Nian panicked and looked around. "I need to figure out a way to get some silver."

Smiling, Ye Jiangbai leaned closer to her and whispered, "Want some silver?"

Chang Nian nodded but then frowned. "But if you have someone deliver it, that means I lose."

Ye Jiangbai chuckled lightly and pointed at his own cheek with his index finger, gesturing to her. "Right here."

Blushing, Chang Nian stomped her foot. "Marquis, this is in the streets!"

"Mm, I know," he replied.

Knowing that... Chang Nian bit her lip, acting like a thief as she glanced around before tiptoeing to give him a quick peck. She then took two steps back, rubbing her hands guiltily.

Some people nearby had witnessed the scene, emitting a few startled gasps. The young lady in front of him panicked and tried to run away.

Ye Jiangbai was in a particularly good mood, catching hold of her without paying attention to the onlookers. He walked straight in one direction.

"Let go, let go!" Chang Nian struggled, glancing aside to find that over ten girls and women had already noticed them, whispering behind their hands.

Logically, Ye Jiangbai should dislike hearing idle gossip about his supposed same-sex affection the most. Yet, he showed no reaction at all. Not only did he not let go, but he held her hand even tighter, leading her to an eastern flower stall that had just been set up. Glancing over, he asked the elderly woman running the stall, "Could you lend me a branch of winter jasmine?"

The old woman looked up at him with a blossoming smile, immediately standing up to pick out a beautiful branch, handing it to him with both hands. "You're so handsome, I'll give it to you for free."

Ye Jiangbai curved his lips, thanked her, and walked away with the winter jasmine and Chang Nian down half the street, heading towards the livelier end to search for another flower stall.

Chang Nian observed that this flower stall was located in a better spot and was more elegantly arranged, hence the price tag hanging outside was three copper coins higher than the previous old woman's.

The girl selling flowers stared blankly as they approached, asking softly, "What can I get for you, sir?"

Ye Jiangbai sighed in distress. "I forgot to bring any money when I left home, so I can't even buy a bowl of wontons. Could Miss lend me this winter jasmine as collateral? Three copper coins, I'll come back to redeem it later."

The girl blinked and glanced at the exquisite wax plum blossom in his hand. She nodded repeatedly and said, "Sure, but what if someone else wants to buy this wax plum?"

"Miss, you just sell it. No matter how much it fetches, I'll still only pay three copper coins."

"Thank you, young master." The girl stood up to take the flower and placed the coins in his palm. Her index finger accidentally touched his, causing her to blush and quickly turn away.

Chang Nian watched, thinking that good looks could indeed be a meal ticket. If she were to set up a stall here and encounter someone like Ye Jiangbai, she wouldn't hesitate to give him not only three copper coins but also her entire stall.

Holding the coins, Ye Jiangbai found a tree and placed Chang Nian under it. "Wait for me here. I'll be back soon."

Chang Nian asked, "Why don't you take me with you?"

Ye Jiangbai smiled. "Gambling is not suitable for children."

After dawn, small gambling stalls had already been set up on Delong Street. Ye Jiangbai toyed with the three copper coins in his hand, circled around, and chose a stall to place his bets.

Sitting on a pile of stones beneath the tree, Chang Nian thought that Ye Jiangbai was truly an impressive person. Even without his status or any money, he remained calm and adaptable, always finding a way out.

Of course, gambling was not a good path. It should only be an occasional indulgence, as prolonged gambling inevitably led to loss. Chang Nian wondered what would happen if Ye Jiangbai lost those three copper coins later on.

For a whole incense stick's time, Ye Jiangbai stood at one stall before moving to a larger one nearby. After three sticks of incense, he returned and beckoned to her from a distance.

Chang Nian ran over, about to inquire about the outcome, but he pulled her back to the flower girl they had encountered earlier.

"The wax plum blossom was sold," the girl said, her cheeks flushed.

Ye Jiangbai nodded politely, then led Chang Nian back to the old woman from where they started. He handed her six copper coins.

"Oh, you didn't have to pay," the old woman exclaimed, reaching out in surprise and delight. "You've given too much, enough for two flowers."

Selecting one, Ye Jiangbai smiled and said, "A loan must be repaid. Since it was called a loan, it should be returned. Paying for two, you can sell me this third blossom, Grandma."

The wax plum blossoms were pale yellow with a delightful fragrance. He plucked two and inserted them into Chang Nian's hair.

Chang Nian froze in surprise.

Observing this, the old woman chuckled softly and teased, "Young Master is handsome, and so is Madam. With these flowers from Grandma, you'll be even more lovely."

Chang Nian hurriedly waved her hands. "I'm not..."

His wife.

The final three words were left unsaid as Ye Jiangbai reached out to cover her mouth, smiling at the old lady. "Thank you for your kind words."

Then, he dragged her along.

They arrived at the wonton stall they had seen earlier. Ye Jiangbai guided her to sit down and ordered one bowl for himself, two for her.

Chang Nian felt quite embarrassed. "I... wouldn't this be considered cheating? Using the silver you earned to buy food?"

Looking at her, Ye Jiangbai said nonchalantly, "Not at all."

"Huh?"

"It's only natural to use one's earnings to buy food for one's wife." He gracefully handed her the chopsticks.

Zhao Chang Nian: "..."