"This store's jade is made from the finest materials, crafted by the best artisans in the Capital City." Although Xiao Anning was blind, his sense of hearing and touch exceeded that of ordinary people. He walked into the store with Tianmiao, introducing as he went, "I remember a white jade magnolia hairpin, I'll have the shopkeeper bring it out for you to see."
As soon as Xiao Anning stepped through the door, someone came up to greet him.
"Young Marquis!" The shopkeeper, with sharp eyes, instantly recognized the visitor's identity. In the past, Young Marquis had come twice with his mother, the Commandery Princess of Yong'an, but this time he was accompanying another woman. Not Young Marquis's fiancée Ji Liruo.
Then who was this woman? To have such, such beauty. The shopkeeper was momentarily lost for words to describe her stunning looks, and finally could only think of the simplest remark: beautiful.
"Bring out the latest designs," Xiao Anning ordered. "Also, I remember my mother mentioned there's a white jade magnolia-shaped hairpin, bring that over as well."
"Yes, yes, please take a seat, you two. Waiter, serve good tea." The shopkeeper hurriedly instructed staff to serve tea and retrieve those latest styles.
"Miss Tian, you can take a look first. Choose whatever you want, we'll buy it. If you like everything, we'll buy it all." Coming from Xiao Anning's mouth, the Guard Leader found these words slightly discordant. Their Young Marquis always wears a gentle smile; though blind, he never wallows in self-pity. Gentle as jade, a sunny disposition, that's what described someone like Young Marquis. Yet for such a Young Marquis to suddenly speak such… well, such worldly words was somewhat unacceptable to him.
If Kong Hou were present to know the Guard Leader's thoughts, he would surely laugh heartily. Worldly words—this description is not fitting at all; this is unmistakably the style of a domineering CEO.
"Then thank you, Young Marquis," Tianmiao smiled, as the shopkeeper presented tray after tray of exquisite jewelry, and she began selecting unabashedly.
Tianmiao picked up a bracelet, and the shopkeeper eagerly introduced it: "Miss has good taste, this bracelet's design is the only one in the world. Because this craftsman never creates the same style twice. Would you like to see his other accessories? Each is a masterpiece, guaranteed not to disappoint Miss..."
"Buy." Before Tianmiao could speak, Xiao Anning interjected with a single word.
The Guard Leader watched as Tianmiao asked the store to wrap one item after another, with a great question mark in his heart. Is this lineage of diviners fond of these worldly things? Aren't they supposed to be indifferent, viewing these as dirt?
The story that Tianmiao was from the lineage of diviners had already been spread by the Duke, providing a reasonable explanation for Tianmiao's identity to prevent random speculation which would be unseemly.
When settling the bill, the store rounded down the total, which made the shopkeeper smile uncontrollably. Xiao Anning paid calmly, then had the items sent back to the Duke Mansion before taking Tianmiao to the next store.
The Guard Leader watched the backs of Xiao Anning and Tianmiao, smacked his lips. Spending money like water, this truly described their Young Marquis. Yet if it were on such a beautiful woman, as long as he had the money, he too would be willing.
What puzzled him slightly was that while Miss Tian was indeed beautiful, she did not provoke any feelings of desecration. Only the kind of admiration or even veneration that one feels from afar.