Chapter 152 - Grateful
The word 'ugly sister' is not really an exaggeration to describe her. Bei Li Yan is so beautiful if it were not for his noticeable body proportion, it makes people wonder if he is a man or a woman at first glance. With his looks, he can seduce both men and women easily.
If Zhao Li Xin has the 'don't-come-near-me' vibe around him, Bei Li Yan, on the other hand, has a 'come-at-your-own-risk' vibe.
Rather than pretending to be his sister, it would be better to pretend to be his maid, that would be more believable. Bei Li Yan saw the hesitation in her eyes, he clenched his chest with a sorrowful expression.
"Could it be that Miss Luo does not want me to come with you?" he asked, acting like a pitiful young concubine.
Lory smiled dryly and scratched her head awkwardly, "Fine. Let me just dress up a little bit." she helplessly surrendered.
Bei Li Yan smiled excitedly, "Then I shall wait for you outside~"
Lory closed the door while shaking her head helplessly. She turns towards her wardrobe to choose a dress carefully. Forget about being low-key, if she walks with someone like Bei Li Yan, it would be like walking with a signboard saying, 'watch me!'.
The difference between walking with Bei Li Yan and Zhao Li Xin is like the difference between walking with a famous superstar and a powerful CEO. So why not take this chance to doll herself up?
She chose a white and royal blue one that is embroidered with delicate Lily flower, the dress is tightened with a deep blue silk sash. She then styled her hair slightly better than how she previously did and wore the hairpin and jewelry that Zhao Li Xin gave her. After putting a light make-up, she is ready to go.
Bei Li Yan waited for her near the front gate, he smiled when he saw her walk towards him, on the other hand, Lory felt her heart drop to the ground. Looking at Bei Li Yan, her one-hour dress-up meant nothing in front of him, she still looks ordinary compared to Bei Li Yan's outstanding beauty.
But what can she do? This is why normal women do not walk with Beauty Queens. It makes them feel sad.
"Goodness, Miss Luo, you look so beautiful. I hope Milord won't get jealous of me," he said while smiling sweetly.
Lory's mouth twitch, 'Shut up! Beautiful my a*s!'
Bei Li Yan helped her get on the carriage, while Mong Yi became the coachman and more shadow guards followed her from the distance. Compared to when they are guarding Zhao Li Xin, they are more vigilant and careful when protecting her. More Hei Shen Sect members went undercover as civilians and secured the perimeter where she might go, she is more protected than a noble daughter.
"He gave you the Xin Xen Token?" Bei Li Yan smiled calmly. He already knew about this, so he's not surprised, just a little confused as to why Lory never wears it from the start.
"Yes. He just explained to me what this token meant yesterday. I almost lost it," Lory sigh.
"What?! You almost lost it?!" Bei Li Yan gasped. But he could not blame her, it is his Lord's fault for giving something important without explaining anything. So many jewelry had been sent to Lory, of course, she would not be able to differentiate their values without any explanations. He had underestimated his Lord's laziness.
Lory laughed while Bei Li Yan massaged his temple, letting out a long sigh, "But I'm glad it's in your hands now. With that token, no one will question your position in Hei Shen Sect ever again."
"Hmm, he told me that too," Lory smiles softly, she appreciates his consideration to her.
Lory wants to take a stroll, so the carriage stopped near the center of the market in the city. Bei Li Yan helped her climb down and just as she thought, all eyes were on them. Lory already expected this, so she did not make a fuss.
They visited a small stall that sells candies and some snacks. She also visited stores that sell jewelry. Of course, compared to those what Zhao Li Xin gave her, these small shops can't even be a match. She's only here to do some 'window shopping' and she's curious to what common people sell.
She went in and out of stores just to satisfy her curiosity. She also visited stores that sold fabrics and embroideries. Every time she enters a shop, the shopkeeper would welcome her with a big smile plastered on their face. With just one glance they knew her dress is made of a very high-quality fabric that only a few people can have.
The jewelry on her hair is also exquisite. The intricate craft and the gemstones that the artist made for one single hairpin is one that is without a flaw. It made the jewelry not simple but instead a masterpiece that only of those royalty and above could afford.
Lory knew that the jewelry she's wearing is above that of the normal one she used to see in the Lao Manor, but she can't comprehend its real value or even that of the dress she's wearing. Zhao Li Xin has succeeded in making her numb to all the luxury around her that she started thinking that everything is normal with her.
All the while, Bei Li Yan was following Lory from behind and when her leg grew tired, she looked at him and asked, "Should we rest somewhere?"
Pinching his chin, Bei Li Yan suggested, "We can go to Fu Hua Tea House."
Fu Hua Tea House is owned by Tang Yi Mei, so she's a little reluctant to return there. It's not like she's afraid to meet her, she's just too lazy to encounter childish bickering.
"Let's find somewhere else."
Bei Li Yan stifles. He knew Fu Hua belongs to Tang Yi Mei. He just wanted to tease her a little, but the lady brushed it off with a casual expression making him a little bit disappointed.
"Fine. Do you mind if the place is small?"
"No problem. As long as the food and tea are good." she raised her eyebrows playfully.
"Of course! Let's go~" he said, winking at her.
Bei Li Yan led her to a small tea house which is a lot more modest than Fu Hua's red building. They arrived at the small gate that has the name Yanwo printed on a small wooden plaque. Bei Li Yan knocked and immediately a young male servant about thirteen years old opened the door, he smiled excitedly when he saw Bei Li Yan's face.
"Master Bei, you came!" the boy smiled happily, and then suddenly realized that there's a lady standing beside Bei Li Yan which never happened before. He glanced at Lory curiously.
"This is my little sister." Bei Li Yan said and then added, "Take me to the usual place."
"Yes, Master Bei!" the boy gave Lory one more look before leading them to enter the tea house.
Lory could guess that the boy pitied her for not being beautiful as her brother, Lory sigh inwardly.
They followed the small stone-paved road. On their left and right, they are surrounded by flower bushes and bamboo trees, then they crossed a small bridge above a Koi pond. She can hear birds and fishes making ripples in the water, the air around the place is quiet and serene, so much different from the hustle and bustle outside.
They arrived at a wooden house with only a few square tables to entertain customers, but the place is beautiful with a lot of paintings on the wall and a few calligraphies. Some small bonsai are on the stone tables in the garden seemingly on display for whoever might want to admire them.
"This is a very good place, why have Zhao Li Xin not taken me here before?" she grumbles. She'd rather go to this kind of place than Fu Hua.
"Because this place is only famous among old scholars, Milord probably thought that a young girl like you wouldn't be fond of this kind of place."
"No way, this place is great!" Lory's eyes wandered to all the paintings on the wall. The small bonsai is so unique she can't help but admire it.
The waiter brewed the tea right next to her, she can smell the sweet fragrant coming from the teapot but what surprised her is the color of the tea, it has a similar color to cherry blossom flowers! She so amazed that she can't wait to taste it already. The waiter served them the warmed tea in a white jade cup and then bowed courteously before leaving.
"I like my tea sweet too, so this might suit your taste," Bei Li Yan said.
Lory sips her tea and the smooth sweetness spread in her mouth. It's already sweet even without any honey or sugar. Everything about this tea is beautiful and sweet, she can't be more satisfied.
Her eyes were brimming with happiness that even Bei Li Yan felt that the tea was better than it used to, smiling charmingly, he said, "I'm glad you liked it."
"Yes, perhaps I'll ask Li Xin to purchase some for me." she giggles.
"He might buy the whole store for you." Bei Li Yan can imagine his Lord's over the top pampering.
"Then I'll just say that you already bought some for me, so he won't make a fuss about it," she smacked her lips while saying it.
"You want me to steal the Lord's thunder?! This subordinate does not dare!" he looks so displeased that she reluctantly believed him.
Bei Li Yan took another sip before he continued, "Young Miss, I want to express my gratitude for helping Jiang Jin Wei and his stupid little sister."
"Hm?" Lory looked at him blankly.
Bei Li Yan chuckled. This lady seems to really not mind what happened.
"If it's not because you persuaded Milord, I think Jin Wei wouldn't be able to stay in Hei Shen Sect anymore," he twirls the empty cup on his hand, "Among us, Jiang Jin Wei is the most upright and honest one and he also worships Milord the most.
If he had cast him out, I don't know what would happen to that muscle head person," seemingly murmuring to himself, "It surprised me that he can get away with only fifty times canning, and that stupid girl only needs to kneel for three days on the floor." Bei Li Yan continued, shaking his head with discontent.
But Lory was stunned when she heard about the punishment but realized that as a cultivator, that kind of punishment is nothing. She secretly sighs in relief.
"Well, it's not entirely their fault, isn't it?" Lory brushes his compliment towards her.
Bei Li Yan props his chin while looking upset, "This Tang Mei Yi is slyer than I thought."