Chương 32: 21.1. The Fourth Princess

Faust walked out the Faram estate and returned to the gate to Westonia. A Golden Core realm guard stepped forward and Faust presented the silver capsule. The guard opened it without a word, read the contents, then stowed the documents back, passing the document.

"Open the gates!" The guard cupped a fist and Faust returned the gesture, before walking through the open gates. He had passed through by flying sword before, but looking now, Faust noted the bustle of people and carriages. Small flying ships scuttled about low in the sky, hauling pallets of grain, bolts of silk or miscellaneous crates and boxes. The whole thing resembled an ant's hive. Faust weaved through the crowd, scanning the nearby buildings. For a while, there were mostly shops.

But it turned into quieter residential areas soon enough, before eventually turning back into sprawling shops. The air was clean, filled mostly with the smells of ground ink and tea. Different from the cool, clean yet empty feeling air of central Zentrum. After mentally measuring the distances in his head, Faust guessed every 5 kilometers was a square commercial district. It was a simplistic layout.

Faust wondered if it was an administrative capacity problem that forced this kind of layout, instead of a more natural one. Looking back to the walls of Central Zentrum in the distance, he supposed the capital was more like 9, or even 81 smaller cities all in extremely close proximity. With walls between every district— lined by red uniformed guards between Meridian Opening and Open Palace. Seeing the sun slowly approach the top of its arc through the sky, Faust found a small tea house to have lunch.

He sat down on one of the small, intricately crafted wooden tables just outside the stall. They were much higher class than those he normally saw in places like this. Was it because this was still so close to the capital's centre? A young woman gently put down a tea set in front of Faust, before taking his order. After the waitress took his order, they disappeared back into the teahouse proper. While waiting, Faust took a sip of the tea and listened to the surrounding conversations.

From the seats beside him to the tavern across the road.

"I heard that another doctor failed the other day." A slightly older man spoke gruffly from a seat in the tavern. Another person laughed, "I heard that after their tall claims about healing the young master and failing. The duke of Han personally threw them out of the estate onto the street."

"All these doctors are trying their luck. The duke's even raised the reward further. There's a flask of primordial spirit beast blood on the line now."

"Never heard of it, what does it do?"

"I'm not sure. I asked a scholar who visits the grand archive often but they didn't know either."

"It must be valuable then."

"Who knows. The Grand Archive is so massive that mortal scholars can spend their whole lifetime living there and failing to even completely read even a single hall."

"Ah… Wouldn't it be great to be a cultivator."

"Hey! I'm a cultivator! What do you mean?"

"Yeah. A fifty year old early Qi Refining cultivator maybe! I've never cultivated and I'll still outlive you with your drinking habit!"

"Oi! It's not that bad!" On the tea house's side, two scholars at the middle of Qi Refining were also discussing.

"It's a shame that the duke's only grandson wasn't healed."

"To think even the apprentice to the royal physician was helpless."

"I've heard that it's not a disease. It might be a curse or a physique. So the duke of Han has even been contacting shamans, alchemists and technique masters to break the curse or resolve the physique."

"Of course. So Lord Faram hasn't tried anything?"

"Not that I've heard of. He's the tutor of the fourth princess, even if he's eccentric he won't rashly help someone supporting the second prince."

"It's a shame. What a shame. With the faction politics going around, a military clan like the Han Dukedom can only call on so many of the known experts and has to rely on untested strangers. They must feel the pressure."

"Indeed. The fourth princess has just been too aggressive with recruiting scholars and various specialists."

"And to think— her elder siblings were so focused on the military nobility that they didn't even realise what the princess was doing until she pulled out the rug from under them."

"Right, she's a tricky one. She's also formed a Heavenly Golden Core. At only twenty-nine years old as well."

"To think even the royal physician favours her."

"I heard that as well. It's no wonder he hasn't gone to try to treat the duke's son."

"The duke must be wavering by now. I sought out one of the doctors from a smaller clinic that tried to treat them. Just out of curiosity. They said the duke's grandson only has maybe a year or two left."

"Mhm. The princess is probably aiming to force him to her side soon." Faust watched idly as the two scholars signaled to the waitress to pay, before calmly leaving. The two both had a purple sash lined with gold. It was the signal of an Imperial Official. One wore the sash wrapped around the waist while the other wore it over the shoulder. Faust wondered if the way the sash was worn meant anything. Probably not, but he added it as one of the things he should check, just in case.

From the single golden markings on the sash, they should only be 8th ranked officials. The waitress appeared out of the tea house again, bringing out a small, simple but elegant lunch. After eating, Faust paid an exorbitant 10 silver for the meal and continued to wander the East Westoria district where the Grand Archive was visible to the side. At an intersection. Faust paused. A sign read, 'For rent. Five gold a month. Contact us in the Archive's Blue Cloud block, Fishers Crossroad 8.' Faust stroked his chin.

Did the locals call it differently? He supposed they did, just like the outer sect courtyard was actually labeled main courtyard 4. Fortunately, the official directions were just below.

'East Westoria, Block 59, crossroads 3, estate 8' At 5 gold a month, it would be 180 gold for a 3 year stay. Expensive, but not too bad. Looking around, it was close to the Grand Archive. Smaller than the other courtyard he saw for rent, but also a fraction of the 20 gold cost. Faust nodded to himself, before passing the small manor and pulling out the map of the Westoria district he had.

Using the Grand Archive as a landmark, Faust navigated the roads and streets of East Westoria, or the Archive district as it seems to be called by locals. Miu followed Ning out of the Faram estate to a carriage waiting outside, one attached to four pure white horses with horns on their heads, dressed in gold armour. There were eight red uniformed soldiers on dark blue silver armoured horses, but no royal guards.

"Uhm… Is Shuy—""Please refrain from calling her highness by name when outside." Ning cut her off. Miu shut up, looking at the ground as Ning gently nudged her onto the carriage, before stepping in herself. Stolen story; please report. Jung quickly slithered inside as well, before Ning shut the door gently. The white horses with horns began pulling the carriage forward. Miu still couldn't get over them. Each of those horses was a 3rd level spirit beast as powerful as the soldiers following outside the carriage.

She wondered where Ning was taking her. Supposedly to get new clothes. She clutched her own green robes, which were given by her mother before the trip. The journey didn't take too long. Maybe twenty minutes of silence later, Ning stood up. Miu didn't even feel the carriage move or stop.

"Please." Ning opened the door and put down the step, then gestured for Miu. Miu followed reluctantly, stepping down and looking up at the building in front of her.

'Golden Circle Boutique' She looked around. The soldiers had cleared a path. Ning walked past and Miu snapped out of her daze, following in a hurry. Ning was much taller than her and with her cultivation so much higher, it was easy to fall behind and hard to catch up to her. Around the area cleared by the soldiers, Miu saw countless people in fine golden embroidery and covered in glittering jewels and ornaments— all staring at her.

"Whos that?"

"I'm unsure."

"Green hair? Is it a physique?"

"I believe it's an alchemy related physique."

"The princess attendant is here."

"I heard the princess recently took in a pet. Could it be her?" Miu glued her eyes to the floor. But it wasn't much use. The polished tiles reflected her wet eyes and the hall's grand interior.

"This way." Ning called out from somewhere ahead and to the side. Miu forced herself to look up and picked up her pace, almost running to the door that Ning was standing beside. After she passed the door, Ning closed it behind her, silencing the murmuring voices from the main hall. Miu followed Ning down the hallway, with large golden double doors on either side, before stopping in front of the largest door at the end of the hall. The door seemed to open by itself before revealing another hall on the other side.

Miu's eyes darted around. Endless dresses were lined up around the hall. Boxes of amulets and trinkets were stacked up and a long desk filled with creams, pastes, brushes and other such things covered the entire far end.

"The princess said you would stay with us for at least 2 weeks. She also wanted you to know it would have just been one afternoon if you hadn't tried to run away." Ning narrated, gesturing to the maids waiting around the hall.

"..." Miu didn't dare meet her eyes. She really did something stupid, didn't she.

"Lets start with something similar to your current style. Something modest and conservative." Ning declared. Several maids approached Miu. Jung hissed at them but was suddenly yanked across the air and into Ning's arms. He wiggled around trying to break free, but to no avail, hissing pitifully.

"Ah— H–heey! St–Stop!" Miu protested as they removed her clothes so fast she thought she heard tearing, but a moment later— completely dressed down to her simple cotton underclothes— she saw one of the maids place her neatly folded clothes to the side.

"Wow, you're so cute." One of the maids complimented her. A few others voiced their agreement, covering their mouths before taking a step back, some of them fetching clothes from the rows upon rows hanging across the hall.

"A Zhuyao. How traditional. Or innocent. But it will get in the way of some of the modern trends." Ning observed, snapping her fingers again.

"Ahh!" One of the maids swiftly unraveled Miu's underclothes and she squealed in surprise.

"You need to be washed while we're at it." Suddenly, Miu felt a warm gush of water drop on her head and the maids brought several scrubs and towels out.

"Waha!" She yelped in surprise again, quickly pulling her messy green hair out of her eyes, only for it to be yanked backwards.

"Your hair's so messy!" One maid complained, holding Miu's hair and a brush.

"It's all knotted and matted." Another agreed. Miu felt her hair getting pulled in all directions.

"Bring the scissors, we'll need to cut this part a bit, it's too tangled." Miu tried to bring her hands up to defend herself from the maids playing with her hair, but her wrists were grabbed.

"Look at these poor fingernails! They haven't been taken care of at all!"

"These callouses too. This won't do! You, bring the whole drawer of skincare products!"

"So much grime." Another maid commented as they scrubbed Miu down.

"The poor toenails too! They're all cracked!"

"Ahhh!" Miu squealed as one of her feet was pulled up and another maid grabbed her waist to support her. Miu looked at Ning with tears in her eyes, pleading for release. Ning looked at her expressionlessly. Miu closed her eyes, surrendering to the maids. A few moments later, she was being rubbed with creams and pastes, something was being done to her nails and she felt the calluses on her hands and feet being poked by something. She wasn't entirely sure what happened after.

She just kept her eyes closed and did her best to bear with it, even as something was rubbed all over her face. Soon though, she felt silk rub against her skin before being tightened around her body.

"Ah." Miu opened her eyes again. A new undergarment, this one made of white and gold silk, was tightened around her. Then the maids pulled on a white and green set of robes with golden embroidery. Finally, the maids pulled away, with two rolling a massive mirror into the hall. Ning hummed at the side, scrutinising Miu, who sank away from her gaze before glancing at the mirror. Her elbows were still covered by disconnected sleeves that started just above them and flowed down like ordinary robes.

But the chest and neck was tight and the robe went from around her chest straight to hugging her neck, leaving her shoulders bare. Miu raised her hands to cover her shoulders, the cool breeze of the hall touching them like cold hands. The silk underclothes also felt strange and overly soft on her skin.

"Miss—Miss Ning…. This— This is too immodest…" Miu shuddered under Ning's piercing glare.

"Are you saying her highness is immodest?" Miu suddenly recalled Faust.

"Careful with your words. Lest you give people the wrong impression about her royal highness." He had warned her. Suddenly, shriveling in front of the princesses attendant, Miu realised why he had said that.

"I— I didn't mean it." Miu tried to backpedal, taking a step back.

"You have a cute face. It would contrast well with something more risky." Ning snapped her fingers with a slightly disdainful face. The maids around Miu closed in once more. Her clothes were removed so fast she was surprised they didn't tear. Miu looked in the mirror briefly. Her previously rough skin looked like porcelain and her messy hair was now smooth and shiny. She looked down at her hands and found even the callouses had disappeared, leaving soft and supple skin.

The maids retreated for just a moment and then closed in again with a new 'dress'. The slits on either side of the 'dress' didn't even stop, they went all the way up and only joined at the neck. Some strings wrapped around underneath to pull the 'dress' tightly around her waist. The maids pulled back again and Miu saw herself in the mirror. She realised she was wearing something in similar style to what her highness and a few other of the rich ladies were wearing. Only more extreme.

The shape of her elbows and knees was completely visible through the black silk. If she moved too much or in the wrong way she was afraid of something scandalous happening. Miu sniffled. She had come this far without crying, she wouldn't break now.

"Hmm. Your cute and innocent face doesn't suit this style. Good for you." Ning spoke coldly.

"I— I'm sorry. I won't do it again…" Miu quivered. Ning nodded and snapped her fingers again. This time, Miu looked in the mirror. She was in what should be a proper dress. One which went down to the ankles, proper sleeves that went down to the wrists. It was just a bit tighter than she was used to. Ning snapped her fingers again. Miu looked in the mirror. This time it was similar to the first dress, leaving her shoulders exposed.

Only the top and bottom were separated into a light green shirt with golden lining and an ankle length dark green skirt. A while later.

"We'll take this one, this one. Add some extra in different embroidery patterns. Same with the shirts. And… Yes, this one too." Ning ordered the maids. Miu held her breath. Fortunately, none of what Ning had considered 'risky' clothes were added to the pile. The worst one was what she was currently wearing, similar to the first and fourth ones she tried on, only the skirt was only knee length and she wore black 'stockings' as the maids had called them. Home was the best after all. I promise!

I'll never step foot outside of my hometown ever again when I escape! Miu promised herself. Jung coiled up and leapt to Miu, who caught him in her arms, letting him slither around, only for him to question the new style of clothes as he tried to find some gap to hide under. Ning soon led her back out of the building through the gazes of countless onlookers in fancy clothes, who went in and out of the boutique.

They boarded the carriage that rolled up from somewhere in front of the buildings once more, before returning to the estate. Faust stomped out of the office of the landlord of the small estate he had wanted to rent. It wasn't even the landlord being greedy that had made the experience so grating. It was the bureaucracy. Faust was a firm believer that bureaucracy should make things as simple as possible, but this was just a mess.

He had to go between seven different imperial offices, wait in lines for hours and sometimes be sent back to other offices just with new documents. Why could the office under the ministry of domestic affairs not handle the documents of their branch, the department of travel, which was separate from the office to apply for renting rights as an out of capital citizen? Why even point him to an office of the travel department if they couldn't process his documents? All of this just to rent a house for two years.

The day had passed and it was late afternoon now. Faust faked a smile to the servant who led him out of the landlord's estate, before lifting his foot over his flying sword and ascending into the sky, moving at a relaxed pace until he set back down at the estate he had been trying to enter. He lazily tore down the sign in front with one hand, before taking the key he had been given and entering.

The inside was a small, overgrown courtyard a few meters in each direction, with single story buildings surrounding it in a U shape on three sides. It was the standard layout. Faust looked around, sending strands of Qi around to double check. Cobwebs were everywhere and some rats hid beneath the floorboards in places. There was also the beginnings of a termite infestation in a corner where the estates first level defense formation had weakened. Faust shook his head.

There was work to be done before the place was livable. The landlord wasn't overly greedy. Prices this close to the city centre all seemed to be ludicrous. Even that tea house. 10 silver for such a small meal. Outrageous. At least. Faust thought. He could finally move out of the Faram estate. Three nights or so beside the princess had been enough. He would go back, collect his things, thank Faram, then return here for the night. He shook his head in resignation. He would take care of the cleaning tomorrow.