Chapter 848: Finale

Chapter 848: Finale

The ready-made clothing shop.

Ye Jiuyou looked at the row of women's garments, a faint annoyance stirring within her.

In a moment of impulse, she had said she wanted to buy some clothes. What were these things, anyway? Did they offer the same protection as her dark magical robe? Could they provide spiritual power enhancement? Could they amplify her skills?

None of that. What use was mere prettiness? Besides, she didn't think her own pitch-black attire was ugly. Why should she cater to your human aesthetic?

What infuriated her more was this fellow surnamed Zhao. From the moment he entered, his eyes had been fixed on the bellybands, a lecherous smirk plastered on his face. Was sneaking into a women's clothing shop to ogle bellybands his true purpose?

Little did she know that Zhao Changhe was merely reminiscing about the time he had stolen a bellyband for Cui Yuanyang. The roguish wanderings of those days, compared to the present, carried a different flavor entirely.

That smile was clearly one of nostalgia, but in Ye Jiuyou's eyes, it was nothing but lechery.

"Zhao!" Ye Jiuyou took a deep breath and bellowed, "Are you here to pick clothes or to visit a brothel? Where are your eyes looking?"

"Huh?" Zhao Changhe snapped back to reality. Beside him, the shop assistant and the other ladies and noblewomen buying clothes were staring at him with utter disdain. Unfazed, Zhao Changhe scratched his head with a puzzled expression and asked, "You've never worn these things before... And I've been kept on a tight leash, never allowed to go out and fool around, so I've never seen them. I was just curious... What are these?"

His words softened the onlookers' gazes by seven or eight parts: "What a wonderful man..."

Ye Jiuyou was so furious she could spit blood: "Don't listen to his lies!"

"Have you worn them, then?" Zhao Changhe asked innocently.

"Of course not!"

"Then there you go." Zhao Changhe swiftly put his arm around her shoulders and steered her toward the garments. "Don't be angry, my lady. I won't look anymore. Come, let's look at the dresses."

The watching girls let out a drawn-out "Ooh~" sound. So they really were a married couple. This young couple was quite conservative—the man had never been out carousing, and the woman had never even worn a bellyband... Chang'an, due to its long history of trade with the Northern Hu and the Western Regions, was relatively open-minded. Such a conservative couple was truly rare...

Ye Jiuyou snapped out of it and turned to shout at the crowd, "I am not his wi—"

Zhao Changhe quickly interrupted: "Indeed, we are only engaged, but it's close enough..."

"Engaged..." Someone had a flash of insight. "That man looks familiar. Isn't he Zhao Changhe?"

Someone else immediately caught on: "Right, look at that scar... His build and demeanor—it must be Zhao Changhe."

"I heard Zhao Changhe is betrothed to the young lady of the Li family... Since he's strolling through Chang'an's streets with his fiancée, this lady must be Miss Li. No wonder she has such grace..."

"No wonder the Prince of Zhao dares to swagger into Chang'an. He's about to marry Miss Li, so he's here to buy gifts for his bride?"

"So the betrothal is real. Look how affectionate they are—they seem to have already been living together..."

Chang'an's customs did not have the absurd rules of the Cui and Wang families forbidding meetings before marriage. It was perfectly normal for an engaged couple to go shopping for clothes and accessories. While living together before marriage might invite some criticism, when the couple in question was the Prince of Zhao and Miss Li, no one dared to utter a word. Instead, it solidified the rumored betrothal and painted a picture of a loving couple.

Ye Jiuyou was dumbfounded.

Only then did she realize why this scoundrel had brought her to Chang'an. In any other city, this effect could never have been achieved.

Now that their identities were exposed, Ye Jiuyou had two choices: either abandon the identity of Miss Li and retreat back into the abyss as a demon god, or continue to use the Li family's status to dominate Guanlong. If she chose the latter, this betrothal would become a deadly curse. Under the consensus of all, Guanlong would truly become her dowry, and she would never again be able to split the Central Plains.

She had subconsciously felt that this betrothal was not as useless as it seemed on the surface. Since the cause and effect had been set, trouble was bound to arise. And indeed, in the hands of someone like Zhao Changhe, who had begun to manipulate cause and effect, it would stir up chaos.

Standing before a row of garments, Ye Jiuyou stared at the clothes, her eyes icy cold. "So this is the meaning of bringing me to Chang'an for a stroll, isn't it? Such scheming—do you really think I can't break it?"

Zhao Changhe admitted frankly, "Choosing to come to Chang'an did have that intention, but this cause and effect was not something I manipulated... Before we came, I thought, if we were recognized, so be it; if not, so be it. I left it to fate. I didn't hint at my identity to anyone. On the contrary, you called out my name at the cotton candy stall, but fortunately, no one noticed at the time."

"The effect is so good—do you expect me to believe you didn't do it on purpose?"

"I really didn't... If I had, I wouldn't have chosen this moment to let it explode."

"Why?"

"Because I truly wanted to see you in beautiful clothes... Now, perhaps you won't be willing. What a pity." Zhao Changhe sighed. "I shouldn't have been so glib. Who knew that a single careless remark would expose our identities? It seems I underestimated my own national recognition."

Being number one on the Heavenly Ranking was certainly famous, but there were many people cosplaying as Zhao Changhe and Yue Hongling. Who would have thought that in an era without photographs or the internet, he could be recognized so easily? And now he wasn't even carrying his signature broadsword...

Ye Jiuyou's expression was strange. "You have so many great matters to attend to. Why would you care about something as trivial as changing clothes?"

"So you think the situation in Guanlong is the great matter, and that should be my focus?"

"Is it not?"

Zhao Changhe chuckled. "I thought everyone knew that in my eyes, rivers and mountains can't compare to a beautiful woman. Besides, as long as we can hold you back, Guanlong's fall is only a matter of time. It's not worth my scheming over such trifles."

What exactly was a trifle? Ye Jiuyou was speechless. "Then why did you say coming to Chang'an had that intention?"

"The intention wasn't to subdue Guanlong, but to deepen the cause and effect between you and me—so deep that cutting it would cost you dearly." Zhao Changhe turned to her, his eyes gleaming. "What is the great matter? You are my great matter."

Ye Jiuyou's heart skipped a beat uncontrollably. She said coldly, "Buying me these mortal women's trinkets, clothes, and cotton candy—that's how you achieve your so-called great matter?"

"Since you think such things are meaningless, then there's no reason to refuse them, is there?" As he spoke, Zhao Changhe's eyes had been scanning the various garments. Suddenly, he reached out, and a purple dress hanging on the wall flew into his hand. "After much thought, I figured you might not be used to suddenly wearing lighter colors. This one should suit you. The size should be about right. Want to try it on?"

Their previous conversation had been carried out via telepathy, unheard by others. Only this last sentence was spoken aloud, and immediately someone chimed in: "Miss Li would look stunning in that! It matches her temperament perfectly!"

Ye Jiuyou glanced at it instinctively. It was a pure silk long dress, not overly ornate, entirely purple, with only a few flame-shaped cyan patterns as embellishments. It looked more like a martial sect's robe than a noble lady's gown. But in this world of martial arts, it was perfectly normal for a clothing shop to carry such styles. She had to admit, it did suit her aura.

A young girl behind her urged, "Miss, try it on for us! I refuse to believe that our Miss Li is inferior to that Tang Wanzhuang."

Ye Jiuyou, who had been about to refuse, was provoked by this remark. She snorted, took the dress, and slipped into the changing room.

A moment later, the entire shop erupted in a low "Whoa~" of admiration. Zhao Changhe's eyes sparkled as he stared at Ye Jiuyou stepping out, unable to look away for a long time.

Even if it wasn't overly ornate, it still had some embellishments, far more flattering than her previous all-black attire. The moment she put on this dress, she exuded the aura of a goddess—majestic and mysterious. But that wasn't all. The most crucial aspect of human design was its deliberate emphasis on the figure, accentuating long legs, a slender waist, and graceful curves. She was the epitome of a stunning beauty.

Paired with the sapphire on her snow-white neck, it added three parts more allure.

Meeting Zhao Changhe's slightly dazed gaze, Ye Jiuyou felt a faint hint of pride. She asked coldly, "How do I compare to Tang Wanzhuang?"

The bystanders, who didn't know Tang Wanzhuang, flattered her without restraint: "How could Tang Wanzhuang possibly be as beautiful as Miss Li!"

Ye Jiuyou only stared at Zhao Changhe. He could only say, "Each has their own merits."

Tang Wanzhuang, in fact, would never wear such figure-hugging clothes. Noble ladies rarely chose such styles; they preferred flowing sleeves and drifting sashes. It was truly impossible to say who was more beautiful—one was a celestial herb from the heavens, the other a demonic flower from the abyss.

Seeing that Zhao Changhe wouldn't even say she was more beautiful than Tang Wanzhuang behind her back, Ye Jiuyou snorted again, her face darkening, and strode out the door.

My opponent is Ye Wuming. Why do these mortals keep comparing me to some mortal woman?

She had completely forgotten that not long ago, when arranging the southeastern situation, she had praised Tang Wanzhuang highly. Now, her opinion of Tang Wanzhuang had plummeted to the depths...

Poor Tang Wanzhuang, back in the capital doing nothing, had been caught in the crossfire for no reason, riddled with bullets like a sieve.

Meanwhile, Zhao Changhe quickly paid the shopkeeper a silver ingot and was about to chase after her when the shopkeeper stealthily slipped him a small package. "A small token of my esteem."

Zhao Changhe weighed it. It was soft. "What's this?"

The shopkeeper whispered in his ear, "A bellyband... Since your wife hasn't used one before, we can only help you this far, Prince Zhao."

"Ahem." Zhao Changhe accepted it with a righteous expression. "Thanks. If anyone bullies you, just mention my name."

With that, he dashed out. Outside, he found that Ye Jiuyou hadn't gone far. She was standing quietly to the side, watching a troop of horsemen galloping toward them from a distance.

The group approached rapidly and knelt in unison from afar: "Miss."

Ye Jiuyou looked into the distance. The bustling street had fallen silent at this scene. People shopping had obediently retreated to the sides of the road. Many stalls had been packed up, and those that had been knocked over by the arriving horsemen dared not even pick up their goods.

Ye Jiuyou felt a sudden discomfort at this stark contrast. She said coldly, "Who sent you?"

"The Prince of Qin heard that Miss was here and specially ordered us to come, to await your commands and ensure your safety."

"With the number one on the Heavenly Ranking by my side, what use do I have for trash like you to ensure my safety?"

The leader wiped his sweat and said, "The Prince of Zhao's arrival must not be taken lightly. As dusk approaches, the Prince of Qin asks if the Prince of Zhao and Miss would like to dine together at the palace."

Ye Jiuyou's gaze passed over them, landing on the distant cotton candy stall. Her eyes were slightly dazed. After a long moment, she said, "No need. The Prince of Zhao and I have important matters to attend to. All of you, return."

"Yes."

"Wait." Ye Jiuyou called out to the retreating guards: "There is a human trafficker at the street corner over there, who was just injured by the King of Zhao and is currently unable to move. Take him back and investigate; if there is a gang, wipe them out together."

"Yes." The guards quickly withdrew, but the marketplace never regained its previous bustle.

Zhao Changhe said nothing, helping to prop up several small stalls that had been knocked over.

Ye Jiuyou did not speak either, strolling over to the cotton candy stall, buying two more, and turning to thrust one into Zhao Changhe's hand.

The two of them ate their candy, turned around in unison, and walked all the way out of the city.

The evening glow in the sky was brilliant, a gentle breeze brushed past, and her skirt fluttered lightly.

Originally, Ye Jiuyou had asked Zhao Changhe to meet at night, but they ended up meeting in broad daylight, and until this moment of "dating" for a whole day, it was only dusk. As for what the meeting was originally for, Ye Jiuyou had almost forgotten.

She just felt the atmosphere was serene, and neither of them wanted to speak.

The environments she had always occupied were quiet, and Ye Jiuyou herself was used to being alone without saying a word, but though it was equally quiet now, she didn't know why it just felt somehow different.

In fact, theoretically, she should have detested today's lively occasion and been more accustomed to the solemn atmosphere brought about by the arrival of the guards later, but strange to say, her mood was quite the opposite. This sense of bizarreness also made her disinclined to speak.

She just quietly licked her cotton candy, letting the sweet sensation permeate her taste buds, watching the cloud-like cotton candy grow smaller and smaller until it was no longer white, leaving a small, golden-orange clump which she fiercely bit entirely off the stick in one mouthful.

The bamboo sticks of both persons were discarded simultaneously on the suburban grassland.

Both looked down at the same time, and only then did Zhao Changhe speak his first words: "Littering like this back in our Zhao Village is very uncivilized... I've gotten used to it here, even tossing things inside the city just now."

Ye Jiuyou found it baffling; why mention this?

Zhao Changhe said: "Why did you just tell them to investigate the trafficking gang? That was what I originally wanted to say, yet you beat me to it. I'm so bewildered that I still can't figure it out now."

"Is this the reason you've been silent all this time?"

"Perhaps. I thought it would be absolutely impossible for you to have this awareness, let alone say it a step ahead of me."

Ye Jiuyou smiled slightly: "How human society handles these things is actually something I understand better than you do, after all, I've seen too much. It's just that I usually wouldn't think this way. Since you intended for me to experience the mortal world, then my deliberate performance in the role of the Young Mistress Li would simply be like this."

"You knew my main intention today was to bring you closer to mortal life?"

"Of course. It's just a bit childish."

"I don't think it's childish... If you truly want to break free from the definition of the Heavenly Dao, then you still have to touch a bit of the earthly smoke and fire... This world belongs to the era of humanity." Zhao Changhe said calmly: "Piaomiao possesses a vast amount of Yangyang's memories, so there is no need to say more... Do you know where Ye Wuming used to hang around before?"

"Where?"

"The university town, the student street... well, you wouldn't understand if I told you, but you should know that it might be one of the places with the thickest earthly atmosphere in all the realms."

Ye Jiuyou looked up at the evening glow on the horizon, remaining silent for a long time.

Zhao Changhe suddenly said again: "You said these things can't help me achieve my grand designs... indeed, I also know these matters won't win you over, but I also have my own selfish motives."

Ye Jiuyou turned her head to glance at him.

Zhao Changhe was looking at her too, scanning her up and down: "Because I want to see you at your most beautiful... today like this might not even be the limit."

Ye Jiuyou scoffed with a laugh: "That is merely your aesthetic, utterly meaningless. This transaction has already ended, so don't even expect me to accompany you in experimenting with what the limit is in the future."

Zhao Changhe remained noncommittal, turning to say: "Watching the way you stay alone in the Boundless Gloom, thinking about how you've stayed like that for who knows how many tens of thousands of years... saying it aches my heart might sound greasy and hypocritical, but it's indeed true that there is some discomfort in my heart..."

Ye Jiuyou did not reply.

Zhao Changhe continued: "Actually, I feel... a peerless beauty ought to be praised and admired in front of people like today, rather