Rainbow Cloud Pavilion

A light rain had fallen over Wutan City last night, washing the dust and summer heat from the air into the ground.

Creak~

The tightly shut door was pushed open, and the neatly dressed Xiao Yan emerged from the room with Little Fairy Doctor.

Originally, Xiao Yan had planned to take Little Fairy Doctor straight out, but she said they should first pay their respects to Xiao Zhan, so the two went to the study first.

After meeting Xiao Zhan and paying their respects, Xiao Yan eagerly led Little Fairy Doctor out of the Xiao Clan gates and onto the streets beneath Xiao Zhan's gratified smile.

It was still early, and the sun had only just risen, but those busy making a living had long since gotten up. Figures streamed back and forth all along the streets.

"How about it? The heavens have given us such lovely weather today. Is there anywhere you'd like to go?" Xiao Yan held Little Fairy Doctor's hand as they wandered aimlessly down the street. Their handsome faces and extraordinary bearing made passersby on both sides repeatedly turn back and stop to stare.

"Then let's buy some clothes first. Come to think of it, I haven't properly bought any pretty clothes in years. Back in the Magic Beast Mountains, you were the one who went back to Green Mountain Town to buy them for me. After that, I only hastily bought two local outfits while we were in Tagor." Little Fairy Doctor spoke with some regret. As a girl, having not even a few beloved, beautiful outfits in her wardrobe was truly upsetting. Then she turned and shot Xiao Yan a glare. "This time, I'll choose the clothes myself. I don't need your help."

Clearly, she was still settling the score over how Xiao Yan had always picked clothes that he "liked" for her before.

"Ahem, don't worry. I won't interfere." Xiao Yan rubbed his nose awkwardly, then thought for a moment before continuing, "Let's go. I remember there's a clothing shop in the eastern part of the city that's supposed to be quite good. We'll go there."

"Mm." Little Fairy Doctor nodded.

Wutan City was not large to begin with, and with the two of their cultivation, even their casual strolling pace far exceeded that of ordinary people. Thus, in less than the time it took to drink a cup of tea, they arrived before a massive pavilion over four zhang tall and spanning several mu.

The three golden characters, Rainbow Cloud Pavilion, hung on the plaque at its center. Quite a few customers came and went around it, most of them women, including many wealthy-looking noblewomen.

Xiao Yan swept his gaze around and quietly breathed a sigh of relief. To be honest, this was his first time bringing a girl to a place like this, and he had been somewhat worried that he might have brought her to the wrong place. But seeing so many richly dressed noblewomen entering and leaving, he finally relaxed. At the very least, this place certainly could not be bad.

"All right, what are you standing there for? Hurry and go in!" Seeing the gorgeous or elegant garments worn by the surrounding customers, Little Fairy Doctor felt a trace of anticipation rise in her heart and urged him on.

"All right, all right, we're going in." Xiao Yan stroked Little Fairy Doctor's delicate hand and smiled indulgently.

Upon entering Rainbow Cloud Pavilion, what met Xiao Yan's eyes was not the scene he had imagined, with every rack densely packed with all kinds of clothes.

Instead, shelves resembling drawers were filled with fabrics that looked exceptionally high-grade. In addition, every so often there stood a glass display case containing various finished garments, with notes beneath them listing the artisan who made them, the fabrics used, and other details.

"This is cloud brocade, this is shimmering brocade, and this one is fragrant cloud gauze!" Little Fairy Doctor named one fabric after another as if reciting treasured items. According to Xiao Yan's understanding, she should never have come into contact with these things before, so how was she so familiar with them? After all, there were many here that even he, the young master of a great clan, did not recognize.

"How about that one?" Xiao Yan suddenly pointed toward an outfit in a glass case not far away.

It was a garment made from cloud brocade, primarily in sky blue and moon white. The upper garment had a crossed collar folded to the right, with a delicate ring of plain brocade trim around the neckline. Its sleeves were broad and long, falling into soft curves naturally. The skirt was in the style of a horse-face pleated skirt, its smooth, fine pleats arranged as neatly as fish scales. A woven satin sash was tied at the waist in a lively, charming butterfly knot, perfectly accentuating Little Fairy Doctor's slender willow waist.

Xiao Yan was not the only one who liked the outfit; Little Fairy Doctor was quite taken with it as well. After looking around and finding nothing better, she called over an attendant to take her measurements.

According to the attendant, if the garment were rushed by their most skilled master tailor, it would still take about a week to finish. Xiao Yan and Little Fairy Doctor understood, then headed up to the second floor.

Unlike the first floor, which mostly featured formal attire for ceremonial occasions, the clothes on the second floor were clearly much more everyday in style. Little Fairy Doctor quickly chose several more pieces... no, over a dozen... no, that wasn't right, it was already more than twenty.

On this floor, Little Fairy Doctor's pent-up desire to shop seemed to burst forth all at once. At a speed Xiao Yan did not even dare imagine, she rapidly piled up more than twenty garments. Could she even wear that many clothes? Xiao Yan thought in stunned disbelief. Then, while Little Fairy Doctor was not paying attention, he slipped several shorter skirts into the pile.

Unfortunately, Little Fairy Doctor spotted them when it was time to pay and had the attendant take them back.

After finishing on this floor, Xiao Yan and Little Fairy Doctor started toward the third floor. But they had barely made it halfway when someone stopped them. It turned out that the upper floor sold undergarments. Under Xiao Yan's regretful gaze, Little Fairy Doctor mercilessly left him downstairs and followed the attendant up by herself.

"Was that your boyfriend just now? He looked quite extraordinary!" With Xiao Yan, that troublesome man, out of the way, the female attendant struck up a conversation with Little Fairy Doctor, her eyes gleaming with gossip.

"Mm." Little Fairy Doctor answered softly, a little embarrassed. "He's from the Xiao Clan."

"Ah! So he's a young master of the Xiao Clan! No wonder he's so handsome and distinguished! Miss, you're truly fortunate. The Xiao Clan is now the uncrowned king of Wutan City! Marrying into their family means you'll enjoy a life of comfort!" the shop attendant said enviously. Then, recalling something, she swiftly picked out several more undergarments and held them before Little Fairy Doctor. "Miss, you have to hold on to such a fine catch. Don't let him get away! Take these as well. I guarantee they'll work!"

Little Fairy Doctor had only intended to buy some everyday clothes, but the sight of the items the attendant brought over made her blush crimson. It was bad enough that each one used less fabric than the last, but that final one... Was that even clothing?!

Little Fairy Doctor had planned to refuse, but under the attendant's relentless persuasion, she quickly surrendered. In a daze, she paid for them, and even the short skirts Xiao Yan had selected and she had previously removed were added back by the attendant.

When she came back downstairs afterward, Little Fairy Doctor still felt some regret. Seeing Xiao Yan waiting below, she shot him a vicious glare.

Xiao Yan was utterly baffled, having no idea how he had offended Little Fairy Doctor.