Jiang Hao wore a scholar's robe, looking dashing and refined. Xiaoxiao had also changed into men's clothes, becoming a handsome young scholar. To avoid drawing attention, Jiang Hao had applied makeup to Xiaoxiao; even those closest to her would not be able to recognize her original appearance.
It took them two quarter-hours of walking to reach Fuzhou City. "Walking is too slow. Let's buy a few horses first. They'll be useful for traveling from now on," Jiang Hao said.
"But I don't know how to ride," Su Xiaoxiao said embarrassedly. The Jiaofang Bureau taught poetry, song, music, The Four Arts, and painting, but not horse riding.
"It's fine. I'll teach you later."
Jiang Hao was highly experienced at choosing horses. When they arrived at the horse market, he selected three fine horses. After gently stroking them, he tamed them, and from then on they would obey their riders' wishes.
After helping Xiaoxiao onto a horse, Jiang Hao leaped up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. It was their first time being so close, and Xiaoxiao's face flushed crimson with embarrassment.
"Let's go on a shopping spree!" Jiang Hao said.
"A shopping spree? Brother Jiang, are you going to fight someone to the death?" Xiaoxiao asked in surprise.
Jiang Hao knew he had let something slip. He chuckled. "I mean we're going shopping. Didn't you want to buy lots of things? You talked about it all the way here—clothes, shoes, rice, flour, grain, oil, vegetables, and meat."
They had eaten buns every day lately, and Jiang Hao had had more than enough. With more than ten days left before the Martial Arts Tournament, they truly needed to buy some living supplies.
Shopping.
Endless shopping.
Xiaoxiao bought many changes of clothes, both men's and women's outfits, as well as some