Rege quickly reached out to catch the courtesan as she tumbled forward. He was a knight, so even if he was fed up to the extreme, he wouldnât allow a traveling companion under his protection to encounter danger.
After he stabilized the person, he looked at Jian Qiao. His expression seemed unconcerned, but in reality he was embarrassed to death.
What a damn original way to meet someone! He couldnât wait to find a hole in the ground!
Jian Qiao carefully placed the two crystal balls into a velvet-lined box, then stood up and nodded politely. âMy lord, a pleasure to see you.â
His face had no expression and the melancholy air that lingered around him hadnât dispersed by half, but his voice was very gentle and his eyes shone with a radiance theyâd never had before.
He always preferred to hide his feelings deep in his heartâs defenses, but just to welcome Rege, he opened a rarely seen crack in the door.
He was really delighted to see this person again.
Rege possessed the keen intuition of a beast. Although he didnât know Jian Qiao well, he could sense his happiness at this reunion. The sudden light in the other personâs eyes lit up his heart as well.
In the space of a moment, Regeâs embarrassment and annoyance disappeared. With a bright smile he lifted his arm to wave, and at the same time got rid of the social flower who was holding tightly to him.
The courtesan was almost hoisted up by his raised arm and had to reluctantly let go.
âDid you come to shop?â Jian Qiao slowly stepped forward and said, âNo matter what you buy today Iâll give you a twenty percent discount.â
Twenty percent wasnât low. When all was said and done it might save thousands of gold coins.
Rege raised his eyebrows and asked, âOh? They say you never give discounts, why are you so generous to me?â
Jian Qiao looked directly in his blue eyes and replied, âBecause youâre a good person.â
Regeâs lifted eyebrows involuntarily twisted together. A good person? Just because of that? Damn, what a disappointing answer! There were so many good people in the world, did Jian Qiao give all of them discounts? Could he even do that? The phrase âgood personâ was so mediocre, it didnât capture how unique he was!
The more he thought about it the more dissatisfied he felt. Rege asked in a deep voice, âWhy am I good?â
Jian Qiao lowered his eyes and considered for a moment, then replied with great seriousness, âLetâs put it this way. In Grande and Polsa, youâre the best person Iâve met.â
Yes, the best person.
Jian Qiao knew very well that if he hadnât found a suitable reason to leave the palace that night, the consequences would have been tragic. Duke Lewis wouldnât offend the future king just for him, and Queen Moen wanted to spend the rest of her life in peace, she also had to rely on Prince Andrewâs care.
Once the pros and cons were weighed, Jian Qiao would inevitably be sacrificed. Everyone would choose to look on from the sidelines, or even add fuel to the fire, working together to push Jian Qiao into the abyss.
But in the face of this cold reality and power, Regeâa person who had nothing to do with him, who even had reason to hold a grudgeâreached out a helping hand.
When the whole world was indifferent to his life and death, only Rege had cared.
Wasnât that the best person?
Thinking of this, Jian Qiao gently touched the corner of his long, narrow eyes with his fingertips and said in a soft voice, âA twenty percent discount is still a bit small in my opinion. How about this, Iâll give a set of jewelry to this beautiful miss. Whatever she likes, no matter how expensive it is, itâs yours to take away.â
The courtesan who was glancing around the shop immediately looked at Jian Qiao with flames of greed burning in her eyes.
There was no doubt sheâd choose the most expensive set of jewelry in the store. She was just a beginner âĄâĄ, she hadnât undergone rigorous training, nor had she experienced the pomp and circumstance of high aristocratic circles, and she couldnât control her emotions well.
She wasnât capable of suppressing her vulgarity like her other sisters to win the long-term love of patrons.
She immediately pointed to the dazzling array of jewels and asked, âWhich set is the mostââ
Rege regretted it. If time could flow backwards he would have tied Lord Duncan and this woman together and kicked them to the sky.
âShut up!â he reprimanded in a low voice, then hurriedly threatened, âIf you want to live in Grande in peace, youâd better not say a word!â
Seeing the chill hidden in his eyes, the courtesan was frightened into silence.
Rege glared at her fiercely, but when he looked at Jian Qiao his face completely changed. What was the best way to put it? He now felt very satisfied. The phrase âthe best personâ highlighted how special he was, but also it revealed his weight in the gentleman Earlâs heart.
It had only been a small, insignificant favor, but this person actually took it to heart and treated him with such sincerity. He was so simple! If you wanted to cheat him, it would be very easy, right?
Rege secretly tsked as if mocking the gentleman Earlâs stupidity, but the corners of his mouth kept rising.
âYouâre too courteous. I have no nothing to do with her.â Rege pointed to the courtesan and couldnât help but emphasize, âIn fact, I first met her ten minutes ago. I donât even know her name.â
Jian Qiao merely nodded. He didnât ask why Rege brought a woman he didnât know to go shopping.
âSo you donât have to give her anything. Iâll pay for whatever she chooses.â Rege pointed to the jewelry in the counter and emphasized again, âNo need for a discount, I have plenty of money.â
He wasnât sure why, but he felt a little uncomfortable taking advantage of the gentleman Earl.
A moment ago the courtesan had been disappointed, but now she revealed an excited expression. She rubbed her hands together, ready to go all out.
Jian Qiao faced her, bowed slightly, and said in his quiet voice, âBeautiful miss, youâre very lucky. Your knight is both handsome and generous.â
âAh, yes! Iâm so lucky today!â The courtesan grinned from ear to ear.
Regeâs feelings were complicated. On the one hand, the gentleman Earl had complimented his handsomeness and generosity, which really pleased him. On the other hand, he disliked the gentleman Earl paying attention to others, even if he was just making polite conversation.
âGo pick something.â He waved his hand impatiently.
The courtesan rushed to the counter immediately, her huge petticoat completely unable to hamper her exuberant pace.
Several sales clerks immediately followed her, ready to serve.
Rege looked over at the red velvet sofa. He could sit here with the gentleman Earl and have a few cups of coffee, chat for a while, and enjoy the afternoon in peace. When evening came maybe they could agree to have dinner.
The restaurant on the next street was quite well known, he could send someone to reserve a place right now.
Rege secretly calculated their next outing with a mood that couldnât be restrained. And he had no idea why his emotions changed so much.
Meanwhile, Jian Qiao followed the courtesan to the counter. As a man from modern times he practiced the motto, âthe customer is Godâ. Rege was his valued customer, and the female companion brought by his valued customer naturally deserved his personal service.
Therefore, when Rege recovered his senses, he saw Jian Qiao standing next to the courtesan patiently introducing one piece of jewelry after another. He even went so far as to hold the courtesanâs hand and slip a sapphire ring onto her ring finger.
He had a soothing voice, a gentle demeanor and a very distinguished pedigree and status. When he personally put a ring symbolizing love on a woman, no one could resist his charm.
The courtesan, whose eyes had been full of greed before, was now blushing her cheeks. The trace of glistening tears in her eyes revealed she was moved. She couldnât help but lose herself in such a beautiful scene.
Regeâs face, however, was full of gloom.
He licked his sharp tiger teeth, and with a cold smile he strode over and said, âThis ring isnât for you. Your skin is too sallow and rough.â
The courtesanâs dreamy smile instantly froze on her face.
Rege lifted his chin at Jian Qiao and said, âI think itâs more suitable for my sister. Try it on for me. Your skin tone is the same as hers.â
Sapphire rings were indeed more particular in terms of skin tone. In order to highlight the color and brilliance of the stone, many noblewomen would use perfumed powder to paint their hands a creamy, milky white. And this young miss from the bottom of the pile obviously didnât have that kind of financial resources.
She drew back her hand in shame.
Jian Qiao put down the sapphire ring and picked up a ruby ring.
Rubies didnât require a particular complexion.
But Rege suddenly grabbed Jian Qiaoâs hand and forced the ruby ring, along with the previous sapphire ring, firmly onto his index and ring fingers.
The pale and slender fingers and the dazzling gemstones complemented each other, a collision of colors and visual impact. Rege gently caressed the gemstone rings, and at the same time caressed Jian Qiaoâs delicate skin, sincerely admiring, âBeautiful!â
He knew that even if this gentleman Earl wore jeweled rings with huge stones on all ten fingers it wouldnât look cumbersome or vulgar. He was suited to all that was the most expensive and luxurious.
Jian Qiao had the feeling heâd been molested again.
Without giving him time to think deeply, Rege generously waved his hand. âWrap them up.â
The price of both gemstone rings wasnât low. Jian Qiao, who had a city full of people to feed, immediately forgot the strange feeling in his heart and nodded his head. âThank you for your patronage.â
With his business concluded, Rege looked at the counter beside him and said to the courtesan, âChoose what you like.â
The social flower whoâd been attacked and threatened repeatedly had now become visibly timid. She meekly extended a finger, tapped on the glass counter, and asked, âMay I see this ruby ring?â
âOf course.â Jian Qiao immediately took the ring out and explained, âHowever, this isnât a ruby ring, itâs a precious garnet ring. Its price is a little lower than a ruby.â
After saying that, he opened his palm and asked politely, âMay I?â
He wanted to put the ring on the guest himself. In modern times this was the most basic of services.
The courtesan looked at Rege.
Rege grinned and seemed to be smiling, but his eyes shone with a dangerous light.
The courtesan immediately shook her head. âNo, no, you can try it on for me.â
Jian Qiao felt a little helpless. He couldnât figure out what kind of secret signals these two were exchanging.
However, without waiting for him to react, Rege had already taken his hand and slowly but gently slid the fiery red gemstone ring onto his ring finger.
TL Notes:
BTW, donât let Rege deter you from wearing sapphires⌠We all know heâs jealous. If you like em, rock em.
âĄâĄ â Redacted/censored in the original. The filters routinely catch random stuff so who knows. Based on context Iâm guessing the word âprostituteâ but I could easily be wrong.
grinned from ear to ear â çŹĺžč§çä¸č§çź â smiled so you can see the teeth but not the eyes. A smile so big the personâs teeth are revealed and their eyes are squinting.
exchanging secret signals â ççźĺŽĺ¸ â âeyebrow lawsuitâ. This seems to mean theyâre communicating or quarreling with their eyes.
Transliterated names, titles, and placesânew in this chapter: