Chapter 78 (1/2)

Chapter 78: War takes no Prisoners

”What is the gentleman looking for?” The owner of the first shop on the street came up to Nan Xun and Jun Huang with a servile smile.

”Nothing in particular,” said Nan Xun, his tone cool.

”Oh? The gentlemen should come in and take a look at my wares. I guarantee you that you'll find something you like. Everyone knows that among all the shops on this antique street, mine is the most well stocked. I sell items the other don't sell, and anything you can find in their shops, you can find here as well.”

Nan Xun turned to Jun Huang in question. Jun Huang nodded. She didn't want to waste too much time trying to pick a shop. The owner was very confident. She might be able to get everything she needed for the house. They walked in side by side.

The shop was filled with a great variety of different items. The first thing that caught Jun Huang's eyes was a lamp. It was finely crafted and would make for a good bedside lamp.

The shopkeeper was observant. He could tell from her lingering gaze that she was interested. He walked up to her and smiled. ”The gentleman has a pair of keen eyes. This lamp is said to be from the destroyed palace of Western Que. I can a.s.sure you that it's the real deal.”

Nan Xun was looking at other items on the other side of the room. He turned around when he heard the words ”Western Que”. The shopkeeper was giving Jun Huang his best sales pitch and didn't notice the changes in her expression. He drone on and on about how much Princess Jun Huang of Western Que loved this lamp.

Nan Xun was about to step in when Jun Huang opened her mouth. ”The shopkeeper hasn't been honest with me.” She curved her lips and lowered her eyes. The dark look on her face was replaced by a gentle smile – or her best imitation of a gentle smile. ”If someone does buy the lamp, they'll be paying much more than this is worth. Will you compensate them? Do you believe in compensating your customer tenfold?”

The shopkeeper gaped at her, stuttering. He couldn't form a complete sentence, and Jun Huang didn't give him the chance to try again. She walked out in big strides.

Nan Xun gave the lamp a final look before catching up to her. The sun was already setting, and the lamps on the street were lit one by one.

As they walked, Nan Xun looked at Jun Huang's stoic expression and debated over if he should say something. In the end, he asked, ”Why didn't you buy the lamp if you like it?”

Jun Huang snorted like he had said something ridiculous. She paused and turned to Nan Xun, her eyes reflecting the lamplight behind him, giving her gaze a substantial weight.

”This gentleman has said that the lamp isn't from Western Que,” said Jun Huang. ”The shopkeeper must have heard someone say that there was a lamp precious to Jun Huang. He took a regular lamp and called it her treasure.”

Jun Huang had uttered the words at a rushed pace. In addition, they were surrounded by people, and the vendors were crying out to catch people's attention. Despite his mastery in martial arts, Nan Xun didn't catch every word. He frowned, unwilling to admit that he hadn't heard what she just said.

Jun Huang turned around and looked up at the bright moon in the sky. ”I promised to buy Your Highness dinner,” she said with a smirk. ”I heard that the street food here is delicious. If Your Highness is willing to try, please come with this gentleman.” She made her way to another street without waiting for Nan Xun. This time, Nan Xun did hear her. He caught up to her, shaking his head in resignation.

The food stands street was packed with young people in the imperial city. Some were sons of officials. Others were daughters from rich families sneaking out to have some fun after a day in the boudoir learning needlework. They roamed the street tasting different food with their page boys and maids in tow.

The lamp had filled Jun Huang's head with thoughts about her home country. She didn't feel like eating anything despite the great variety of street food presented before her. If she ran into delicacies from Western Que, she wasn't sure if she could stop herself from breaking down right away.

Nan Xun followed her around without a word. Jun Huang's usually straight back seemed almost brittle right now. The violet silk robe accentuated her elegance, but it didn't cover her sorrow.

They walked in silence for a good while before Jun Huang suddenly remembered Nan Xun's existence. She turned to look at him and twisted her lips into a tired smile. ”Has Your Highness wandered the city at night before? Have you had food like this? If there's anything you want to try, just go ahead and tell me.”

Watching Jun Huang's distant eyes, Nan Xun knew he must not mention anything related to Western Que. The palace lamp they had just seen was also a taboo.

The lamps behind her were bright. Jun Huang seemed so slim and frail at this moment, it was as if a gale of wind would send her flying. Nan Xun felt the urge to break her out of the cage she'd built for herself to maintain her pride. He took a breath before approaching her with a smile. He took her wrist and pulled her into the crowd.

Jun Huang didn't expect that. She was a little startled, but she didn't break out of his hold. Instead, she followed him to a stand selling dishes made from wild animals.

”Are there still seats?” Nan Xun asked at the top of his lungs. The busy owner turned around from the stove and glanced at Nan Xun. He pointed at the seats at the edge of the stand. Nan Xun could see there was another man making his way to the empty seats. His eyes narrowed, he let go of Jun Huang's arm and rushed to the stools in a flash.