“Before leaving Pofuta, how about visiting the traditional market?”
It was Lady Hanja, the Duchess of Pofuta, who suggested first.
The next day, as the tension on the extermination front eased and the demon subjugation reached a subdued state.
Since both the Emperor and Empress had vacated the palace, it was a good time for a leisurely visit.
“It happens to be the day of the harbor market.”
“You’ve even prepared traditional costumes.”
The harbor market coincided with their plans. Since it was a rare opportunity to see the traditional market, the Emperor decided to make a secret visit.
“If it’s a traditional market, there will be a lot of people. Do we need an escort?”
“Escort troops?”
“Is it okay? If a crowd gathers, it could be tiring for you.”
Instead of the imperial cloak, Benjamin wore traditional clothing.
“It’s okay. If the mercenaries can’t fend off blind knives, I might as well return my guard position and retire.”
“Hahaha. It’s not that I’m afraid of dying; it’s okay!”
Pedelin laughed heartily and slung a greatsword over his back.
“Don’t worry! Even the swordsmen need to relax, and it’s necessary when they let loose. Also, the escort troops will accompany us!”
In a harbor full of mercenaries, it was not a job to send only the Emperor’s party!
“Empress, I will assist you with wearing traditional clothing.”
Lady Hanja helped at the side. Shalov wore traditional clothing.
“It’s made of Ballingazi Yangku fabric. It’s comfortable to wear and good for heat insulation, suitable for going outside.”
Yangku fabric was exclusive to Pofuta and made from processed tree bark.
Ballingazi tree bark has a texture similar to leather.
The Yangku was named “Yangku” in ancient language because it resembled leather.
Dyed with red fruit pulp, it produced a low-saturation reddish fabric. It was suitable for wearing anywhere as traditional clothing.
“Oh, you must also try traditional liquor and traditional stew. Once you taste the stew boiled with plenty of seafood, you won’t easily forget it.”
After that, Shalov returned to the harbor.
“After circling the harbor, we plan to return to the palace.”
The Imperial Guard protected the Emperor’s party.
Afterward,
The merchants in the traditional market displayed their signs and were actively engaged in selling goods.
“Shoes made from the hide of Winter River crocodiles. The leather is tough and durable, even if worn roughly!”
“A spear made from the horn of a royal rhinoceros. Hey! Stop right there! I’ll cut off your hands and hang them on the sign! Be careful, petty thief!”
The Emperor silently observed such merchants. The Empress also had a discerning hand when choosing items.
The Imperial Family was not in need of money. Would the Imperial Family leading national businesses be in need of money?
The Imperial Family has enjoyed various luxury items. For such a royal family, luxury goods are a medium and means.
The current Emperor is no different. It is merely a means to build relationships.
“I’ve woven clamshells together. Isn’t it cute, all densely packed?”
“Is it red shells? It’s called a fisherman’s guide as it illuminates the way in the darkness. It’s red and the shell is hard.”
“Small and pretty.”
Shalov tapped his wrist.
“I will pay the price.”
The peddler waited quietly. Even though the Emperor’s party covered themselves with cloaks, a rough atmosphere lingered. Even with a few shady pickpockets trailing them,
“Ouch!”
“Let me take a look.”
The Imperial Guard caught the necks of the troublemakers.
“Get rid of them. Just get rid of them.”
The Imperial Guard quietly shouldered the troublemaker and disappeared somewhere.
“What is this?”
“It’s Black Amethyst. There’s a superstition that making jewelry from this stone wards off misfortune.”
Usually, they might engage in charlatanry, but it was evident from their rough demeanor that they weren’t the type to buy such miscellaneous items.
“This, it resembles your eyes.”
“Only the black color.”
“No impurities.”
The peddler replied cautiously.
“Originally, Black Amethyst is mixed with soil, but this one is made up of crystallized Black Amethyst. There are no impurities, but the rocks are small.”
“Then, I’ll take it along with this Red Obsidian.”
Just like this, it resembled you, just like the red obsidian shell.
“It’s two silver coins.”
Benjamin paid the price again.
“Shall we share?”
Goods are a medium. Sharing them with each other. A medium that holds memories, and when those memories are recalled, they become meaningful.
“Your size is large, so you’ll end up being buried.”
“The crowd is getting thicker.”
“Be careful not to be pushed.”
Even with just a shoulder push, some people would draw their swords.
“Take hands.”
“……. ”
“Don’t get lost, and you have to follow well.”
Sometimes, they were bewildered. The peddler spoke while selling dolls.
“It’s a child doll. It’s given as a gift to a couple to embrace…”
“……Ah, I see.”
“Or, aren’t you a couple?”
Shalov smiled faintly and held the child doll in his arms.
“Did you like children?”
Male lead is a Divorced Husband
She said to him: “Tell me, what makes you like me? I’ll change it!”
Liu Changning transmigrated into a female cannon fodder character in a female-dominant novel.
After reading the first half of the novel’s plot, the first thing she did upon transmigration was to divorce the Pan Jinlian-style male protagonist she had just married.
She indulged herself, pretending to be ugly and poor.
But as time passed, the way that man looked at her became more and more unusual…
Liu Changning was dumbfounded: Tell me, what makes you like me? I’ll change!
――
This lifetime, Pei Yuanshao was rejected by the same woman twice!
The first time, she drove him away. Forced by the situation, he endured the waves of anger in his heart, yielding and humbling himself.
That person lay slanted on a rocking chair, her sallow face emotionless: “If you don’t want a divorce, go cook!”
Pei Yuanshao’s face was dark and gloomy: “You!”
The second time, after the crisis in Jinling City was resolved, the new emperor sent someone to pick him up. He turned around, stammering: “I… I have to go. If you keep me…”
That person lay on the kang bed, her back to him, as if she had long anticipated this day, crisp and clear: “Goodbye!”
Pei Yuanshao was so angry his fingers trembled: “You… you!”
The mission of family and country made him restrain himself, averting his eyes and turning to leave this broken household.
Two years later, they met again. Seeing her ethereal face, his body shook like a sieve.
“She was originally a ‘she’!”
At the Qionglin Banquet, the top scholar of the imperial examination, a talented person with exceptional speech and conduct, all the unmarried young gentlemen from aristocratic families looked at her with shy and timid eyes.
The peerless imperial official Pei Yuanshao felt the anger in his heart erupt. He pointed at the woman surrounded by the crowd at the Qionglin Banquet, his thin lips slightly curled: “Little sister, I wants that person to be the wife-master of my Mingde Prince Manor.”
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
