Chapter 20: Entertainer

[Zhang Xi Yuan's Narrative][Huang Chen Inn]

I held up a hanfu in front of Yīhán, silver for its upper garment and red for its lower garment, while the outer robe is a combination of the two colors, it was adorned with black and white embroidery.

I'm not really good at styling an outfit, so perhaps it's better to ask for his opinion. If only Qi Fei was here, this would have been settled so easily.

I hummed and spoke, "Hmm, I think this one would suit you better. What do you think, Yīhán?"

I said so because this is actually the 5th set that I showed to Yīhán. I'll be honest and admit that the previous ones are a bunch of mess, although Yīhán always smiled and claimed that he liked it, I'm certain that it's just him being nice.

Yīhán had the same smile until he saw the back of the hanfu. I had forgotten that this one has a huge window on the back, but I didn't really think it would be a big deal as I was thinking about his tail.

I spoke, "As expected, this is too much, isn't it?"

I sighed. I was about to fold it and return it to the basket until Yīhán interrupted me from doing so. He has a huge grin on his face unlike earlier.

He laughed, "Please don't put it back, it's an interesting choice."

I handed the set to him, and he immediately went behind the paper screen, I turned around and sat on the table set and waited quietly. Just like before, Yīhán only took a quick few minute before I started hearing the same light footsteps behind me. He stood proudly in front of me, showing off the front before turning around.

I think I went overboard, this would attract so much attention from the ladies. It might even make it difficult for him to enjoy himself in the festival.

He tucked strands of his long white hair behind his ear and spoke, "Interesting, am I right? I chose not to wear the outer robe as I thought it would be a pity if I hid the design of the upper garment. I believe, this is the first time that I would try such an exquisite style."

With raised eyebrows, I spoke out of concern, "Don't you think you're a bit too under dressed? It would certainly get colder at night."

He shook his head as he smiled, "Do not worry about the harsh cold, such thing should not be able to affect me. Please let me wear this to commemorate your efforts for me."

Woah, this guy sounds so kind. Did he really come from me?

Huh, that sounded weird.

Anyway, I can't honestly believe that this guy was a part of my soul.

Suddenly, I heard a knock from the door. I slid it open, and saw one of Yan Chao Xiang's close aides in front of me. He had a beautiful black hair and eyes that shines with an iridescence purple color under the light.

He spoke with a monotonous tone, "Please hurry and meet Master Yan in the Main Hall, he requires your assistance, he says."

He stood still for a while before eyeing me and then Yīhán silently, his pupils dilated for a bit before it returned to normal.

Huh, is that normal?

I shrugged and spoke, "I understand, I will follow shortly. You may leave."

He left without disappearing immediately from where he stood, unlike Lord Māo, Yan Chao Xiang and Lady Cui Fui Xiang, the servants of the inn aren't allowed to use their power unless they are faced with a threat, the same thing goes for the guests of the inn, but just in case, Lord Māo seemed to had placed another array to prevent the inn from being damaged.

I'm curious, was it him who had constructed such a large array around the inn or did he commission an array master? I mostly use array plate symbols and just draw them on the surface, which seems to consume a bit of my Qi every time I draw one of these. I wasn't sure if what I was doing was right, but as long as it works, all is good?

I turned around and saw Yīhán admiring the design of his clothing for the Lantern Festival.

I spoke, "Yīhán, I will be heading to the main hall. Come to me if you need anything."

He tilted his body towards my direction and smiled.

I wonder what's gotten into this guy?

He spoke in a gentle tone, "I understand, be safe, A'Xi."

[Yan Chao Xiang's Narrative][Main Hall of Huang Chen Inn]

Oh dear, this is disastrous!

Should I invite the yiji? No, I've heard they've been invited by the palace.

Out of habit, I kept pinching my lower lip.

Suddenly, heavy footsteps echoed from the staircase. I turned my face to its direction and saw the guest of Lord Māo.

I called, "Little Chick! Come over here!"

With a sigh and jaded expression on his face, he stood a meter away from me.

I wonder why? I haven't teased him yet today...

Did I do something that he didn't like? Oh well.

He spoke with a dull tone, "What is it?"

As I stared at him, I noticed that there is a hanging Ivory flute by his waist.

Oh? My, what a surprise! Perhaps I could have little chick as one of the performers at the night of the lantern festival!

Upon noticing my gaze, he snatched the flute and hid it inside his sleeve.

He spoke in an irritated tone, "If you're wondering if it's just a decoration, it's not. Keep your hands away from it, or I'll freeze you to death."

I smiled at him as I stared at his sleeve for a while longer.

Urging is better than waiting anyway, I should bring him to my seamstress to make two custom clothes for him.

I held on his arms and smiled, he still has the same jaded expression. He tried to pull his arm several times, but gave up in the end.

It's good that he's quick-witted. I can be at ease, knowing that this guy isn't a burden for me and Lord Māo.

I grinned, "Then shall we, my dear?"

He sighed and lightly tugged his arm away from me before crossing them. He stood still beside me and stared at me as if he is waiting for me to do something.

Why does it feel as if this guy is actually up to something? Is this little chick really that resourceful?

I chuckled as I found myself more curious of the guy in front of me.

Who would expect that a cultivator from a lower realm would piqued much interest from me?

I smiled at him before holding on to his shoulder. In a quick second, our surrounding warped, and we found ourselves inside the main hall of the Zháo Cái Māo Pavilion. This is one of the clothing store where I often purchase my wardrobe, but most of the time, I have the master seamstress make me custom made ones.

I can't be wearing a common clothing as the face of such a wonderful inn, can't I?

I was about to tell Little Chick where we are, but his actions gave me the impression that he isn't unfamiliar with the place, he approached Li Yang, the assistant of the master seamstress who were standing by a wooden counter.

After watching Li Yang as she carefully laid down a few sets of handwoven hanfu, he spoke, "Excuse me, Yan Chao Xiang, the master of Huang Chen Inn is here to buy me clothes. Please hurry."

I wonder why I can't shake off the feeling that little chick is upset with me? He's talking very differently...

Li Yang turned around with a sigh, her figure turned into a smoke before reappearing behind me, she leaned and whispered, "Master Yan, is he one of your many lovers? Where did you steal such a handsome face this time? You didn't steal a prince or a nobleman of the neighboring capital, did you?"

I whispered, "He's from this capital, do not worry."

She took one step away and spoke, "You're not denying of kidnapping a prince or a young nobleman... Could it be...?"

She took another step away, her palm covering her mouth, "You're certainly the worst... You already have plenty of women around you, you're collecting men this time? What a hideous reputation for the inn..."

She grinned, "I wonder how much would I earn if I sold this information? Many would certainly love that."

I burst into a pit of laughter, Li Yang only rolled her eyes.

She spoke, "Laugh all you want, don't come for me if you ended up with a bad reputation in a few days."

Li Yang then reappeared behind the counter, she smiled at little chick and politely greeted him after apologizing.

Li Yang then gestured for little chick to follow her in the second floor of the pavilion to take his measurements and have him browse through the drafts drawn on bound parchments.

This guy can't be this simple...

Before entering after little chick, Li Yang glared at me from the second floor before finally following little chick.

What a lovely lady she is...