Chapter 22: Don

Li Chen was stretching when a long, pale leg stepped into the imperial study.

As he glanced at the figure, his eyes met the girl’s clear, bright gaze.

Li Chen didn’t think much of it, but the girl pressed her lips together and lowered her head slightly, appearing shy and introverted.

“Your humble subject bows to Your Majesty.”

Chu Ruoyan knelt before Li Chen; it was clear she had prepared this time, unlike yesterday when she had stood there dazed.

Today she wore a light purple silk robe embroidered with floral patterns, radiating the vibrant charm of a young maiden in full bloom.

From the front, her slender waist bore full, ripe curves.

From behind, her tall figure revealed graceful elegance.

“Rise.”

At Li Chen’s words, Chu Ruoyan slowly stood.

She was still slightly nervous, but Li Chen soon began chatting with her.

Li Chen said he planned to inspect the eastern district today and asked if Chu Ruoyan was familiar with the area.

This was a question she could answer—she immediately patted her full chest and declared she had grown up in the eastern district.

In her view, this emperor must be on a covert inspection.

For this outing, Li Chen had changed into ordinary clothes, concealing his royal identity.

And learning from last time’s lesson, he had brought plenty of money.

The eastern district was full of merchants, and the guilds had built numerous commercial streets, where every shop was upscale and elegant.

The street Li Chen visited was one ordinary people could never afford; only imperial capital nobles and nouveau riche could shop here.

Compared to imperial nobles, the nouveau riche preferred buying such items to prove their wealth.

Li Chen and Chu Ruoyan first entered a clothing store called “Nishang Yuyi Pavilion.”

This shop was renowned throughout the capital for its unique designs and precious materials, a dream destination for countless nobles and cultivators.

Stepping inside, a faint fragrance filled the air—specially blended incense that calmed the mind, as if one had entered a celestial realm.

The interior was ancient yet elegant, with walls hung with various garment patterns, each revealing the designer’s meticulous artistry.

Along one side stood bolts of silk and brocade, all handwoven by renowned imperial weavers, each bolt infused with unique spiritual energy to nourish the wearer’s body and spirit.

If a customer wished to customize, they could choose any silk or brocade they desired.

On the opposite side, finished garments were displayed.

There were exquisitely embroidered robes adorned with intricate totems and runes, each stitch a testament to the artisan’s skill; there were flowing long gowns whose hems swayed like fairy skirts descending from heaven.

Li Chen casually pointed at one garment and said to Chu Ruoyan, “Do you like this dress?”

Chu Ruoyan looked at the outrageously expensive brocade robe, a flicker of delight crossing her heart—how could any woman not love such things?

But out of modesty, she claimed she didn’t like it much.

Li Chen didn’t bother with further talk—he turned to the shopkeeper beside him and said, “You heard her? She doesn’t like this one. Pack up everything else.”

This stunned both the shopkeeper and Chu Ruoyan.

Clothes here were expensive; they’d seen people buy multiple items at once, but never like this.

Li Chen didn’t care whether Chu Ruoyan agreed or not.

Don’t ask why—ask because I brought enough money today!

With money, you can do anything!

The shop naturally offered professional delivery services—pay, and they’d send elite guards to escort the goods.

Holding the silver notes, the shopkeeper’s hands trembled.

Today’s sales had skyrocketed; bowing low beside Li Chen, he acted like a humble servant, treating Li Chen as his ancestor. Had he known Li Chen’s true identity, even calling him ancestor would have been an honor he didn’t deserve.

Before Chu Ruoyan could recover from the shock, they arrived at a luxury women’s goods store called “Qiluo Xuan.”

Above the entrance hung a plaque carved from ancient wood, inscribed in gold powder with the three characters “Qiluo Xuan”—fluid, ancient, unmistakably the work of a master calligrapher.

Stepping inside, a faint, exotic fragrance filled the air—perfumes and rouge crafted from rare treasures, each bottle infused with unique spiritual energy to nourish the skin and enhance cultivation.

The store displayed all manner of cosmetics: some colors blazed like sunset glow, others shimmered like morning dew—each one irresistible.

Li Chen’s shopping spree grew even more absurd: anything Chu Ruoyan glanced at, he bought outright.

The sheer extravagance made one’s scalp tingle.

The owner of Qiluo Xuan, hearing of such a major customer, personally rushed out to greet them.

The owner’s tongue was slick as honey, lavishing praise on Chu Ruoyan, calling her a celestial fairy—these perfumes and rouges were honored to be used by her.

Any new products would be delivered to her first.

This was a privilege reserved only for noble families who had shopped here for over a decade.

!

Chu Ruoyan’s expression was dazed; she thought the world had gone mad—no, it was Li Chen who was insane!

In the past, when she came here with her mother, even choosing mid-range perfumes made her wince.

Now, the most expensive, finest perfumes and rouges here felt like bulk purchases.

Most of all, what stirred Chu Ruoyan’s heart was that Li Chen bought things for her without asking—this tyrant-style generosity, which woman could resist?

Chu Ruoyan couldn’t resist it.

Especially with the envious glances from nearby women, making her feel light-headed.

This was the aura Li Chen gave her—her fondness for him was rising without limit.

But it wasn’t over—Li Chen had brought so much money today that he led Chu Ruoyan, still in a daze, to a shop called “Jinyu Mantang.”

This shop was famed throughout the capital and the entire Tiance Dynasty for its jewelry and gold.

Its exterior walls were built of translucent jade stones; under sunlight, they glowed with soft, warm radiance—clearly priceless.

Inside, shelves displayed all manner of jewelry: some set with dazzling gems, others forged from pure gold, each piece a marvel of craftsmanship.

Most striking of all was a rare piece called “Tear of the Stars”—crafted from fragments of fallen stars fused with deep-sea blue coral, unique in the world!

Jinyu Mantang’s greatest prestige lay in its right to supply the imperial family with gold and jewels.

If the imperial family approved of something, how could it be inferior?

Hearing this, one understood Jinyu Mantang catered to the elite—its patrons were all nobles of some kind.

Especially the nouveau riche: hearing the imperial family bought here, they too bought, proving their taste matched royalty—and they spent lavishly just for the face.

Chu Ruoyan had never dared enter this place before—only passed by.

Her family, a cultivation clan, spent all their money on cultivation resources and weapons.

But which woman didn’t love glittering treasures?

Chu Ruoyan had been sensible since childhood; even if she liked something, she never burdened her family.

Today was different—before she even saw what the “Tear of the Stars” looked like, Li Chen had already ordered it all packed for her.

More stunned than Chu Ruoyan were the Chu family members who saw the priceless treasures being delivered to their home.

Their shocked faces seemed to say: Is Chu Ruoyan planning to move the entire commercial street into our house?

They saw shop assistants even carrying in door panels and ceiling decorations—this was beyond their comprehension.

Li Chen simply bought whatever he saw, regardless of whether the shop intended to sell it.

While some rejoiced, two shadowy figures nearby gritted their teeth in fury.

(End of Chapter)