CHAPTER 42: SHOPPING REVENGE

Just as he stepped out of the shop, a man suddenly blocked his way.

Yue Mingxuan who is still sulking over his lost pendant, said irritably, "Could you move aside?"

The man didn’t move. He just saying in familiar voice. "I have been waiting for you, Young Master Yue."

Yue Mingxuan froze. This man again? How did he find me here?

He quickly glanced around and looking for Shang Qinghua.

Mo Yi saw his cautious look and said softly, "No need to look, the prince didn’t come."

For some reason, when he saw Yue Mingxuan’s anxious face, he couldn’t help but add gently, "My lord isn’t as scary as you think."

"Good, good," Yue Mingxuan muttered with relief, feeling the tension fade from his body.

But then he suddenly remembered how shameless he must have looked earlier when he haggling with that shopkeeper like a greedy merchant...

Oh no... what if Mo Yi saw the whole thing?

Seeing Yue Mingxuan’s expression suddenly turn nervous again, Mo Yi couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly.

That sharp and cold stare from Yue Mingxuan almost looked like he wanted to eat someone alive.

In order to calm things down, Mo Yi quickly pulled out a thick bundle from his robe and handed it over.

"This is from the prince," he said respectfully. "He asked me to bring it to you."

Yue Mingxuan reached out and took it.

The moment he unfolded the bundle, his eyes lit up. It was a whole stack of silver notes.

"The prince said you can use it as you wish," Mo Yi continued. "If it’s not enough, I’ll bring more next time."

When he finished speaking, he looked up at the sky while holding back his laugh that was about to burst out. Then he quickly walked to the corner of the street and finally he let himself laughing freely.

Yue Mingxuan, of course, didn’t notice or care. With the money safely tucked into his waistband, he straightened his back and walked confidently down the street.

He soon reached a pawnshop, went inside and redeemed something he had previously pawned.

It was something that had belonged to a certain "someone." Just as he was about to head back to the palace, he spotted two very unpleasant women standing across the street.

"Elder Sister, it’s a lovely day, but why must I run into such bad luck?" Rong Yuelin said while looking at him mockingly.

Xie Lianhua had a flash of satisfaction in her eyes when she heard her words, but when she noticed the nearby onlookers, she pretended to act kind.

She tugged lightly on Rong Yuelin’s sleeve and said, "Sister, please don’t say that about Younger Brother Mingxuan."

Ha. You think seeing you two doesn’t ruin my mood too? Yue Mingxuan thought irritably.

Not wanting to bother with them, he turned around and said calmly, "I have things to do, so I’ll take my leave."

But clearly, Rong Yuelin wasn’t ready to let him go so easily.

"Oh? I’ve never had the chance to shop with Prince Yue before," she said with a cold smile. "Since you’re here, let’s walk together."

She the. lifted her chin proudly.

At that signal, the two older women whose looks both strong and trained stepped forward, one in front and one behind, effectively blocking Yue Mingxuan’s way.

Yue Mingxuan saw the setup and gave a helpless smile.

"Since Princess insists," he said lightly, "then I suppose I must risk my life to accompany you."

With martial experts escorting him like this, it wasn’t as if he could refuse anyway.

Yue Mingxuan understood Rong Yuelin’s petty mind well enough. She’d probably have seen his simple clothes and just wanted to embarrass him for fun and to amuse herself on a boring day.

As for Xie Lianhua, she seemed eager to impress Rong Yuelin.

Soon, the group entered a high end jewelry shop called Wanbao Treasury Shop.

However, just as they stepped inside, they unexpectedly ran into someone and it was Prince Rong Tieshan.

Is this Prince Rong so free these days? Yue Mingxuan thought dryly. He even has time to escort his sister shopping? Or maybe... this is all Xie Lianhua’s idea.

Rong Yuelin ignored everyone else. She tugging Xie Lianhua by the hand as they looked around.

She pointed toward a fine jade bracelet in the display and signaled for the shopkeeper to bring it over.

The shopkeeper who is recognizing the noble guests quickly come to serve them and respectfully offered the bracelet.

"Elder Sister, do you think this bracelet suits me?" Rong Yuelin asked while slipping it onto her wrist.

As sunlight passed through the cool green jade, it made her already fair skin look even paler and softer.

"Sister, you are naturally beautiful," Xie Lianhua said sweetly. "Anything you wear looks perfect on you." Her words were soft but her eyes kept drifting toward Rong Tieshan.

"You’re right," Rong Yuelin replied proudly. "Beautiful people can wear anything and look good, unlike some people, who paint their faces every day like a dye shop."

Her gaze flicked toward Yue Mingxuan and she sneered lightly. "No matter how much effort is wasted on pretending, an ugly duckling is still an ugly duckling."

"Oh? It seems the princess knows very well what it means to be an ugly duckling," Yue Mingxuan said, not backing down even though he was cornered. "The princess really knows a lot, even these crude and common sayings from the streets."

"You! Yue Mingxuan, don’t get arrogant! Remember everyone in this city knows about your shameful deeds!" Rong Yuelin snapped.

Yue Mingxuan’s words were like a fuse and lighting the explosive temper of Rong Yuelin.

"I didn’t hear others say anything," Yue Mingxuan lifted his head lightly, he was calm but sharp. "I only heard a proper princess insulting me with such vulgar street talk. Is this the dignity of Beirong?"

"You—!" Rong Yuelin was about to speak again, but Rong Tieshan stopped her with a cold glance. "Xiaolin, don’t act recklessly."