Young Miss

"I'm Qian Gongyu of the Baiyun Qian Clan. And you?"

"Jiang Shi."

"The Jiang Clan? The Jiang Clan—could it be the Nanyang Jiang Clan? No, I heard the Nanyang Jiang Clan had long since fallen from the ranks of the great clans, leaving its members scattered... Could it be the Qiantang Jiang Clan?"

"An orphan."

"But you're definitely not an ordinary commoner. You're about my age, yet you're so skilled at fighting. Even among the great clans, there are few elite descendants who entered the path of cultivation early and trained diligently who could match you. Besides, you're so beautiful and so powerful. That proves your parents must have come from great clans with centuries of heritage." Qian Gongyu spoke with absolute certainty. "Only noble blood can produce noble descendants."

Ever since Jiang Shi had boarded the carriage, Qian Gongyu's mouth had not stopped moving. Even though she said ten sentences for every one Jiang Shi replied with, she still enjoyed herself immensely. With her help, Jiang Shi successfully cleaned the lime from his eyes and changed out of the filthy coarse-cloth novice outfit.

It was worth mentioning that even by Yan Qing's standards from before he crossed over, this carriage was one of the most comfortable and luxurious vehicles he had ever seen. The entire carriage was carpeted with rugs woven from silk and gold and silver threads. The benches were covered with velvet cushions, and a semitransparent crystal tea table stood between them. The two corners of the carriage had even been designed as fan-shaped display cabinets. One was crammed with uniquely shaped wine bottles, while the other held all kinds of spirit-jade artworks.

Although the place was packed to the brim, it did not feel cramped at all. Every piece of furniture fit the carriage's interior perfectly, and the layout had been designed with smooth traffic flow in mind. No matter what one did, the furniture never got in the way. It was practically the perfect example of building a grand temple in a snail shell. And this was only the arrangement of the reception room. Inside, there was also a washroom for bathing and a bedroom with a bed.

Outside, meanwhile, raging winds and torrential rain battered the world, but inside the carriage, everything was as steady as a mountain. Other than the lamps hanging from the roof swaying slightly, there was almost no disturbance at all. The carriage's suspension technology left Yan Qing utterly amazed.

Anyone who understood this carriage's performance and furnishings would form the most direct impression of its owner:

A filthy rich person.

Jiang Shi naturally went to the washroom to change clothes, but there was no need to misunderstand. As an all-ages game, "Messenger" had no blatantly suggestive loophole like "changing clothes." Every game character changed clothes instantaneously. And if one insisted on running around naked, the game character would equip underwear. The underwear's style and color were closely linked to the last outfit the game character had worn, making it look as though the character had tailored underwear for herself to protest the player's rudeness and avoid running naked—much like how Ashley in Resident Evil 4 would cover her skirt's hem depending on the player's camera angle.

"As expected, the moment I saw you, I thought of this outfit. It suits you perfectly!"

Jiang Shi changed into a dress primarily in deep blue with pure white as an accent. Its hem reached her knees, and white lace trimmed the cuffs and collar. She wore dark trousers and brown leather riding boots below. She looked dignified without losing her femininity. Qian Gongyu was still not quite satisfied, however. She walked around Jiang Shi twice and muttered, "You could wear an ornament on your chest, and a belt and jade pendant around your waist. Your hair looks fine loose, but it would look even better tied up with a hair ribbon..."

As she spoke, Qian Gongyu took items from the jewelry box beside her and dressed Jiang Shi up. Yan Qing glanced at the equipment panel and saw that every slot was occupied by purely cosmetic equipment that added no defense and had no special effects.

"I just killed someone. Aren't you afraid of getting yourself into trouble by treating me so well?"

"Trouble? What trouble? I didn't help you deal with those black-skinned dogs." Qian Gongyu's tone was full of disdain.

Yan Qing thought back. The constables had indeed been wearing black clothes and black boots beneath their straw rain capes.

"Does letting me onto your carriage not count as helping me escape?"

"Jiang Shi, it seems you don't quite understand the relationship between our Scholar Clans and the authorities." Qian Gongyu raised her brows. At last, she displayed the arrogance and confidence befitting a young miss. "As long as our Scholar Clans have not openly violated the rites, which official would dare hold us accountable? Besides, those black-skinned dogs clearly had evil intentions. They had no order to arrest anyone; they simply wanted to seize you because of your beauty. Even if I had taken you away right in front of them, I would not have violated a single law of Nanliang. What could the authorities do to me?"

"But I've killed someone now. Doesn't that still make me a criminal?"

"Without a wanted notice issued by the Ministry of Justice, who can say you're a criminal? Nanliang isn't one of those barbarian-ruled countries in the north. We follow rites and the rule of law." Qian Gongyu smiled. "Even if a wanted notice is issued, can't I simply say I didn't know? Searching for criminals and delivering wanted notices are the authorities' responsibilities. Surely they can't push that responsibility onto us?"

"However, you'd better find a way to obtain a household band." She continued, "Putting aside the fact that lacking one would make you an unregistered person, aren't you planning to take part in the Wandering Star Forest's annual event? You can't enter without a household band."

Yan Qing naturally had no idea what a household band was. Fortunately, Qian Gongyu loved teaching others—or perhaps she simply enjoyed talking to Jiang Shi—and he soon understood the significance of household bands in Jiangnan Nanliang.

A household band was the colored wristband worn by everyone here. Although the combinations varied according to profession, office, and duties, they could generally be divided into nine colors corresponding to the three major classes: the Humble Class, the Scholar Clans, and the great clans.

The three Humble Class colors were gray, brown, and black. Since these colors were all considered dirty and turbid at present, they were also called Turbid Colors.

The three Scholar Clan colors were blue, cyan, and grass green. The higher the rank, the paler the color, so they were also called Clear Colors.

The three great-clan colors were vermilion, purple, and gold. Gold was an exclusive privilege of the imperial clan. Because of their exalted status, these three colors were also called Noble Colors.

In Jiangnan Nanliang, the household-band system connected the entire country like capillaries. Nearly everyone wore a household band. Hidden households of the great clans, which were common in the north, were practically nonexistent here. It could even be said that in Jiangnan, anyone without a household band was either a rebel or a criminal.

"Do you need a legitimate identity to enter the Wandering Star Forest?"

"At least a black band." Qian Gongyu answered with certainty. "Not even having a black band means your family is unknown in the region, you yourself hold no position in a local office, and you are not an aspiring messenger. Your family has made no contributions to the court, you have made no contributions to the court, and you lack sufficient strength. Naturally, you would not be permitted to take part in the Wandering Star Forest."

"I understand. Before we reach the Wandering Star Forest, let me off. I'll find a way to enter on my own."

"What way do you have?"

"By infiltrating."

"What if you're discovered? You're an unregistered person. The authorities will arrest you!"

"I was discovered just now too, but the people who came to arrest me are already dead."

"The people guarding the Wandering Star Forest are the Imperial Guards responsible for protecting Jiangnan City. They're much stronger than constables. You'll die!"

"Then I'll die."

Qian Gongyu clearly had not expected such an answer. The words prepared in her throat were instantly choked back. Her lips moved, and she stammered, "It's not as though there's no other way. After all, my Baiyun Qian Clan is still a Scholar Clan. If you're willing to ask me..."

Qian Gongyu quickly glanced at Jiang Shi and saw that she remained expressionless. She immediately changed her words. "Meeting each other means we're fated. My Baiyun Qian Clan is always willing to help others. Even if you don't ask, I'll help you!"

She took a black band from inside her clothing. On closer inspection, one could see blue threads woven into it.

"This is my family's guard's black band. Although it has no registered information, as long as you enter with me, the officials of the Wandering Star Forest won't make an issue of it." She said, "You can use this household band."

"Thank you."

Since he could enter openly, Yan Qing naturally had no reason to make things harder for himself.

"But Nanliang's rites are strict. People of different statuses must follow rules befitting their positions." Qian Gongyu asked tentatively, "In front of outsiders, you'll have to pretend to be my guard, or people will become suspicious."

"No problem."

"Then what will you call me when we're outside?"

"Young Miss."

The way Jiang Shi said "Young Miss" made Qian Gongyu nod rapidly, a faint blush spreading across her cheeks. Clenching her fists, she said expectantly, "Say it again?"

"Young Miss."

"Wait. The accent of our Baiyun Qian Clan is like this. You should pronounce it this way—"

"Young Miss, shut up."

"Yes."