Chapter 46: Shopping Spree

Mingyue’s return to the academy caused a sensation once again, as was customary. However, this time, no one mocked her for doing hard labor and carrying bricks in the Alchemy Sect; instead, they envied her for becoming Feng Qingcheng’s personal alchemy attendant, able to spend every day in the company of the immortal grandmaster from the Mount Shu Immortal Sect.

Wherever she went upon her return, people pointed and whispered, discussing her incredible luck in the Alchemy Sect with a mixture of envy and jealousy.

When Mingyue crossed paths with Nalan Meidai in the academy, Nalan Meidai looked at her with pure hatred. Nalan Meidai had never expected that Sun Qinglai would not only fail to expel Mingyue from the Alchemy Sect, but that Mingyue’s presence would instead lead to Sun's permanent expulsion from the immortal sect—becoming an utter disgrace to the alchemists. This made Nalan Meidai detest Mingyue even more. The mere thought of Mingyue spending all day with Feng Qingcheng drove her green with a maddening jealousy.

The day after Mingyue returned to the immortal academy was the fifteenth, a rest day. Having spent ages enduring grueling labor in the Alchemy Sect, followed by many more days as a personal attendant, Mingyue had long been yearning to vent her pent-up frustration. As soon as she got back to the academy, she arranged with her sworn sisters to go shopping and unwind from the vexations of recent days.

It was a crisp and clear autumn day. Mingyue, Nangong Yurouru, Dou Ruhua, and Mo Yao took the teleportation array early in the morning to Jinlu City for a shopping spree.

Mingyue had been a bit troubled lately. She had noticed that over the past year, not only had she grown taller, but her breasts had also become fuller and more upright, her skin had grown softer and fairer, and the hair on her lower body had gradually thickened. Whenever she moved too vigorously, she would feel her chest bouncing up and down, which felt terribly awkward.

It was only after secretly consulting Nangong Yurouru and her other roommates that she realized these were normal changes during a girl's puberty, and she needed to buy some properly fitting undergarments. Like any young woman, she had a list of essentials to purchase: rogue and face powder, undergarments, bras, and care products for her monthly period.

The four girls were frequent visitors to Jinlu City. They knew the locations of all the best eateries, the finest merchandise, the high-end luxury spots, and the modest budget shops like the backs of their hands. Jinlu City sold everything under the sun, even care items for menstrual periods. Consequently, the four headed straight for a time-honored establishment called "Pleasing Oneself." As usual, they picked and chose, purchasing plenty of items until each of them was carrying a large bag on her back.

Mingyue also took the opportunity to buy a large package of smoked plums for Feng Qingcheng. Nangong Yurouru asked in confusion, "Mingyue, since when did you like eating such sweet and sour things?"

Mingyue smiled without a word. This package of plums was quite substantial and would keep Feng Qingcheng supplied for a good while.

After settling the bill and stepping outside, Mingyue’s mood instantly brightened. It turned out that shopping really could make someone feel better, she mused to herself.

Mingyue still had some private savings of her own. Part of it had been left to her by her mother, and the rest was the reward she had earned for curing the sick and saving lives along her journey to Mount Shu practicing medicine, so she did not hold back when spending. It was also said that the Alchemy Sect regularly issued a monthly stipend to alchemy attendants like them, and that sum of silver was quite considerable.

Seeing that Mingyue no longer had to suffer or do heavy labor in the Alchemy Sect, Nalan Meidai, Mo Yao, and Dou Ruhua were genuinely happy for her. They unanimously demanded that Mingyue treat them to a lavish feast at noon, and Mingyue happily agreed.

In this era, ordinary folk typically ate only two meals a day—breakfast and dinner—skipping midday altogether. Only wealthy households, powerful gentry, and imperial relatives ate three meals a day, usually partaking in dim sum or an extra meal at noon. Therefore, the various restaurants and snack bars in Jinlu City served food all day long. As long as you had silver, you could eat whenever you wanted and whatever you desired; the moment you paid, a chef would prepare it and serve it right to your table.

Since the girls had come out shopping today, they naturally planned to stop for lunch. Mingyue intended to treat her dormitory sisters to a fine meal to thank them for looking out for her on ordinary days.

At that moment, the four of them walked down the bustling streets of Jinlu City, each carrying a bundle on her back, chatting and admiring the streetscape as they strolled. Mingyue’s spirits soared. Staying with her dormitory sisters was infinitely better than being cooped up in the Alchemy Sect.

"Little Sister Mingyue, how is it that you've grown prettier lately? Look, your chest has gotten so much fuller," Nangong Yurouru said with a mischievous chuckle as she suddenly reached out and squeezed Mingyue's breast.

"Let me check yours too!" Mingyue pounced with claws outstretched.

"Do you call those chests? This is what you call a chest!" Dou Ruhua proudly thrust out her excessively large bosom.

"Yours is a lethal weapon," Mo Yao giggled, pointing at Dou Ruhua's tall and robust figure. "Other people use internal energy and swords in a fight; the moment you bring out your lethal weapon, the opponent loses."

"Heh, at least I'm better than certain flat-chested people," Dou Ruhua retorted, gesturing toward Mo Yao's board-flat frame.

"I, your Lord Mo, don't make a living off my face; I rely on talent. Talent, do you understand?" Mo Yao wasn't angry at all; she patted her flat chest and shouted proudly.

"Hahahaha..." The four burst into uninhibited laughter, their silver-bell-like giggles causing passersby to turn their heads.

Laughing and scuffling all the way, they nibbled on various street snacks like osmanthus cake, candied hawthorns, and assorted fresh fruits, thoroughly enjoying themselves. Along the way, they bumped into Niu Zhuangzhuang, Han Ruge, Mu Xiaotian, and others. Everyone greeted each other warmly before continuing on their separate ways.

"Look, a h-hanson... handsome guy..." The tall and sturdy Dou Ruhua suddenly froze, staring straight ahead and shouting at the top of her lungs, her face flushed red with overwhelming excitement.

"Wow, a handsome guy! So handsome!" Nangong Yurouru and Mo Yao quickly looked forward, cheering as well, their eyes sparkling with stars.

"Ouch!" Mingyue was walking right behind Dou Ruhua and unexpectedly crashed hard into the latter's solid back. Her nose instantly stung with pain, bringing tears to her eyes.

Teary-eyed, she wailed, "It hurts to death! Why did you all stop walking?" However, no one paid her any mind; the other three were far too busy admiring the handsome man.

Rubbing her teary nose, Mingyue ducked out from behind Dou Ruhua to see what manner of man could make the three of them act like lovestruck fools, hoping to broaden her own horizons.

Could this handsome fellow possibly be even better-looking than that immortal monster Feng Qingcheng?

Mingyue looked closely. Ahead, amidst the surging crowd of onlookers, a tall youth clad in flowing crimson robes was walking toward them with a look of pleasant surprise, surrounded by half a dozen breathtaking maidens in white dresses.

The young man appeared to be eighteen or nineteen years of age. He had skin as white as snow, a pair of watery, amorous peach-blossom eyes, an exquisitely delicate oval face, and a striking red vertical mark between his brows that added an extra dash of charm. A wicked, alluring smile played at the corners of his lips, and his tall, straight posture made him stand out like a crane among chickens, drawing everyone's gaze.

In particular, the gorgeous, fluttering maidens flanking him on either side looked like heavenly maidens scattering flowers as they swayed along, tossing fragrant red petals to clear a path. Walking through the bustling street, their entourage was both flashy and dazzling, completely capturing the audience's attention.

By now, a dense crowd of onlookers was surging forward to watch. Countless young maidens shrieked or even wept with excitement, throwing handkerchiefs, fans, and jade pendants, while some even fainted from the thrill.

"Shui Yaxi! Shui Yaxi! Shui Yaxi!" cried one young woman tearfully, shouting at the top of her lungs, "I like you! I like you! I like you!"

"Shui Yaxi, I want to be your concubine!" screamed another.

Yet the young man remained unfazed, continuing toward Mingyue and her companions with a smile.

Suddenly, Mingyue found the stunning youth looking terribly familiar. Staring intently, she realized the dazzling young master was none other than Shui Yaxi, the young lord of the Ximing Immortal Sect.

Frightened, Mingyue shrank back behind Dou Ruhua with a *whoosh*, her little heart pounding wildly. *What terrible luck to go out today,* she thought frantically. *How did I run into this fellow again? I just hope Shui Yaxi didn't see me.*

Hiding behind the others, Mingyue tugged at Dou Ruhua's clothes and whispered urgently, "Let's go, let's go! There's nothing to look at here."

However, the three of them stood completely motionless, looking as though their wits had been stolen away. Their eyes were filled with countless pink stars as they watched the handsome man approach from the opposite direction; how could they possibly spare the time to pay attention to her?

Mingyue felt a rush of quiet panic, wishing she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

Seeing the stunning youth Shui Yaxi walking straight toward her, Dou Ruhua was overcome with wild joy; she even opened her plump arms wide, preparing to welcome his arrival.

Nangong Yurouru and Mo Yao, having never interacted directly with Shui Yaxi before, watched in a mixture of awe and shock as he strode toward Dou Ruhua. Seeing that Dou Ruhua didn't seem to be meeting Shui Yaxi for the first time either, they wondered: *Could Shui Yaxi possibly have taken a fancy to the stout Dou Ruhua? This... this is too astonishing!*

However, Shui Yaxi didn't spare Nangong Yurouru and the other two even a glance. Walking past them without breaking stride, he stopped right behind Dou Ruhua and called out cheerfully, "Little Moon, is it really you? Am I dreaming?" With that, he plucked Mingyue out from her hiding place behind the others as easily as an eagle picking up a chick.

He cried out in mock distress, "Aiyo, you haven't seen me in so long that you're even crying little tears of excitement? Let me take a good look—my Little Moon has grown taller, and you're getting prettier by the day."

Nangong Yurouru, Mo Yao, and Dou Ruhua all stared at Mingyue and Shui Yaxi with absolute shock written across their faces.

Mingyue hurriedly defended herself, stammering, "No, I bumped into... I... I just bumped my nose earlier."

"I know you missed me and were too shy to tell me. It's fine, I know," he said, glancing at the other three with a smile. "Little Moon, why didn't you use the blood-jade ring to contact me? You have no idea how much I've missed you. Come on, I'll treat you all to a grand feast." As he spoke, Shui Yaxi chuckled and helped wipe away her tears.

"What? The blood-jade ring was given to you by him?" Nalan Meidai asked with wide eyes. "Didn't you say you picked it up?"

Mingyue was at a loss for words. Stammering, she tried to refuse Shui Yaxi, "Um... there's really no need..."

She cast a glance at the neatly lined-up, colorfully dressed maidens standing not far away, and frantically winked at her three companions. To her horror, Dou Ruhua nodded vigorously and said, "We were just looking for a place to have lunch!"

Nangong Yurouru and Mo Yao chimed in with nods of agreement, completely ignoring Mingyue's frantic head-shaking, hand-waving, and desperate blinking.

Mingyue cursed inwardly. These pig-headed teammates of hers were practically shoving her straight into a fire pit!

Shui Yaxi grabbed Mingyue's small hand in a firm grip and dragged her along toward the largest restaurant in Jinlu City. Instantly, one of the maidens scurried ahead to the restaurant to arrange and reserve a table.

Mingyue felt ten thousand times unwilling. Nangong Yurouru and the others might be beguiled by Shui Yaxi's handsome exterior and unaware of his true, cunning nature beneath, but she had crossed paths with him several times—he was truly a cunning fox draped in a skin of peerless beauty!

Pulled along relentlessly toward the towering Fengchang Restaurant by Shui Yaxi, Mingyue found that no matter how hard she struggled, she simply couldn't break free from his grasp.