Chapter 194: Jade Hairpin

Bai Yunxian walked around the street, looking at people and their lifestyles, he was reminded of the days he spent in his childhood.

At festivals of the Capital, young Bai Yunxian used to sneak out with his mother fron the General’s manor at night, enjoying the festival together.

They also bought snacks to eat, and lanterns to make wishes for a happy life. Though he really never had the peaceful life he wanted, Bai Yunxian never once regretted the times he spent with his mother.

He was reminded of the old times as he wandered around the market, until a shop attracted his attention.

The hairpin in the showcase was made of high quality obsidian, which reminded him of a certain someone.

’This hairpin, it would look great on Shu’er, right?’

As Bai Yunxian thought, a small smile formed on his face subconsciously, immersed in imagination.

His standing for a long time attracted the staff inside as they politely called him in, guessing he must be some rich tourist from the high quality clothes he wore.

“Young Lord, I saw you were staring at the hairpin earlier. Would you like to take a closer look?” The staff clapped his hands as he smiled at Bai Yunxian’s thoughtful face.

“Show it.” Bai Yunxian nodded as he looked nonchalant, the smile from earlier had vanished from his face, instead a cold expression taken over.

The staff also saw his expression change, but didn’t read too much into it as he came back with a jewelry box, and handed it over to Bai Yunxian.

Bai Yunxian opened the box as he was slightly surprised. The obsidian hairpin was the same as earlier, but beside this one, there was a ruby hairpin made for girls too.

“A pair?” Bai Yunxian asked as he looked up.

“Young Lord, this is the same hairpin you were staring at earlier. However, it actually comes as a pair, especially made for couples or lovers who like to show off their affection.”

“So, the Young Lord can buy this pair of hairpin and give one to your lover or wife as a token of love, to show your appreciation towards them.” The staff smiled as he saw Bai Yunxian’s stiff expression.

It’s been three years since he started working as a staff, and he is experienced in these things. So he pretended not to care as he patiently awaited the Young Lord’s answer.

Such a graceful and handsome man like him not having a lover or wife doesn’t fit!

It’s definitely because he is shy and thus considering the gift!

’Hmm, seeing how he is hesitating, should I persuade him a little?’

Just as the staff were preparing to give a big lecture to this newbie lover, he heard two unexpected words.

“How much?”

“A?! It’s not much, this pair of exclusive hairpin is only a hundred taels… but we are on a discount so…!”

The staff’s jaw dropped along with the pocket of money, which contained a hundred tael for real, he looked at the handsome man, no, the handsome god who seemed to be satisfied as he fiddled with the hairpins in his hands.

“Young Lord, aren’t you being too hasty? We can’t take the full money when everyone else is getting a discount?”

“Keep it. Because this money is worth it if it means he will be happy…”

The staff fell in a daze when he saw the soft and loving gaze in Bai Yunxian’s eyes. Whoever was the owner of the hairpin must be a lucky person!

“That’s really generous of you, Young Lord! Your lover must be lucky to have someone like you by their side!” The staff flattered Bai Yunxian, though he didn’t hear what he said, his mind was wondering about Yun Shu’s thoughts.

’Will he like it?’

Even if Bai Yunxian didn’t know, Yun Shu would be happy even if it was just a small trinket from him.

Wandering various thoughts, Bai Yunxian walked out of the shop and started wandering on the streets again, not noticing a certain individual following him for a while.

The person in red clothing and long veil hiding their face has been following them ever since they started from the Capital, but no one noticed their presence. A perfect disguise for being a Master martial artist.

No one would notice the high quality of the fabric unless they observed the person from close distance, even if the veil was also of high quality silk satin.

This person has been observing and stalking Bai Yunxian without him knowing, as he wandered the streets, and visited the shops and restaurants around the County.

After wandering for a long time, Bai Yunxian felt a little thirsty and hungry, his eyes naturally making their way towards the inns and restaurants.

“Hmm, I should probably grab something to eat…” Bai Yunxian nodded his head as he heard his stomach grumbling.

.

.

.

After wandering for about three- four days, two of the cultist spies got caught by them. Though the number was actually five- six, four of them committed suicide right after they got caught.

And this time, the group hardly held the two guys back from commiting suicide and took them for interrogation.

Three days remain before the Martial Arts Contest starts, and many martial artists start to gather around the County, increasing the population within the area.

Bai Yunxian knew most of their faces, but he didn’t bother to take a second look at them. Because he was currently going back and forth to decide whether or not he should just let go of his sanity and punch that stalker bastard’s face.

Even before the two spies were caught, Mo Ling Yuan was constantly stalking Bai Yunxian whenever he went outside, and upon their meeting, he didn’t deny that he stalked him.

Rather, he would enthusiastically walk with him, feigning innocence and frailty.

Though every time he was stalking him, Mo Ling Yuan got interrupted by something. As if an invisible force was working against him, every single time his efforts were wasted by a sudden interruption.

That allowed Bai Yunxian to breathe a sigh of relief, though he wondered how he got interrupted at the right moment every single time.

Not only that, it seems that Mo Ling Yuan actively seeked out Bai Yunxian during night time too, trying any excuse to have a private conversation with him.

Though, the most annoying thing was not that he stalked Bai Yunxian…

It was his strange questions that made Bai Yunxian feel baffled.

“So, Master Bai, about Lord Yun…”

“He is your superior, so you must know many things about him…”

“What does he prefer to eat for dessert…”

“Lord Yun…”

Yes, every time they met. Mo Ling Yuan only asked him things related to Yun Shu, which made Bai Yunxian feel uncomfortable.

Not that he answered any of them. Since the first day of coming here, Bai Yunxian gave a cold shoulder to everyone present here.

The investigation conducted by him was separate from Mo Ling Yuan, with a different report.

“So I was saying…” Like any other day, Mo Ling Yuan started to talk again, when Bai Yunxian interrupted him.

“Do you have any work for me, Chancellor Mo? If not, I would like to stay alone for a moment.”

“Master Bai is being so cold, I don’t think I’ve ever done something to disrespect you…” The professional smile smeared on Mo Ling Yuan’s face vanished for a little before returning to normal again as he smiled and asked, pretending not to take Bai Yunxian’s rude tone in heart.

“As you can see, I’m not interested in talking with you, Chancellor. Please leave.”

“But I just…”

“I don’t have anything to tell you about Lord Yun as well.” Bai Yunxian’s voice was stern as he looked at Mo Ling Yuan with a cold stare.

As soon as Bai Yunxian finished talking, he turned around and started walking away, leaving without a single glance.

Bai Yunxian didn’t particularly feel easy to see Mo Ling Yuan being interested in Yun Shu when he was clearly chasing after him for a long time.

Was there some kind of conspiracy?

Bai Yunxian walked down a narrow alley until he reached a two story building, taking a deep breath, he walked inside.

Unbeknownst to him, a red silhouette crossed behind him at a fast speed, enough for not to get noticed by general people.

***

On the third floor of the inn, a couple of young stars in group matching robes were chatting with each other on the table, discussing among themselves.

“This time, we are really lucky enough to join the tournament!” A chubby guy exclaimed, seemingly excited.

“Really, I didn’t see this coming, or else, I almost flunked this tournament this year!” Ren Jie almost jumped and rolled over the table as he said.

The senior among them were two person.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep