Tome of Troubled Times-Chapter 854 (1): How Dare You Nearly Break It!

“Is that so?” Ye Jiuyou drawled lazily. “Believe it or not, I’m not going to spar with you right now.”

Zhao Changhe paused. What’s she planning now?

Could it be that she really wants to stay here with me longer, nestled on my shoulder, sipping breakfast tea while looking at the scenery?

Then, he heard her say, “You went to such lengths to make me experience ordinary human life, to let me feel what it’s like to be a normal girl with a man’s affection and care... So now that we’re here, is breakfast really all you planned?”

Zhao Changhe looked down at her and was momentarily dazed. There was a faint smile playing on her lips, a trace of softness rarely seen. She looked a bit like a young lady sneaking out for a date with her lover. For a moment, he could not tell if she meant it or if it was all calculated.

Of course, with the conversation already headed in that direction, he could only answer, “What else do you want to do? You name it.”

“Only buying one outfit? Isn’t that a little too deliberate?” Ye Jiuyou blinked at him. “I want a whole wardrobe to change through, and accessories too. Bedding, furniture, a full home furnishing. I want to try all kinds of food, not just cotton candy and pastries. If you don’t pamper me thoroughly, don’t expect me to play along with you.”

Zhao Changhe laughed. “As you wish, my lady.”

“Did you bring enough money?”

“Honestly, I might not have brought enough... High-grade materials and jewelry are expensive.”

“Isn’t budgeting within limited funds also part of the human experience?”

“Normally, yes... but unfortunately, you’re playing the role of Miss Li of the Li Clan, and your fiancé is King Zhao. So the only experience you get is being spoiled to the heavens by a domineering CEO.”

Ye Jiuyou did not quite catch the meaning of those last few words. Though confused, she still followed Zhao Changhe as he settled the bill. They made their way back to the clothing store from the other day.

Robes of every color and fabric lined the walls. Truth be told, Zhao Changhe was not great at picking clothes. At best, he could tell whether the color suited her. Ye Jiuyou was even worse, completely lacking aesthetic sense. She just picked things up randomly, held them against herself, and set them back down, her expression faintly conflicted.

Zhao Changhe suddenly waved a hand like a true magnate. “Wrap up everything she picked up just now.”

He found himself a little regretful. The line lacked that final flourish—if only there had been a jealous villainess trying to snatch the clothes away, he could have added, “Everything except what she touched? Leave it. I’m buying the rest.”

Even so, it was enough to make Ye Jiuyou laugh until her eyes curved. “This is what you mean by spoiling me to the heavens?”

“Close enough,” Zhao Changhe grinned. “If we’re doing this, you shouldn’t even have to bother choosing.”

The shopkeeper was overjoyed, silently praising herself—turns out that dudou from last time had been the best investment of her life.

Ye Jiuyou teased, “Isn’t this extravagance a little at odds with your reputation as a frugal, benevolent ruler?”

“If it wins over Miss Li’s heart, then the price is more than worth it. Personally, I’ve never had much desire for material things.”

“Oh? So I have material desires, is that it? Better not then. I don’t want to be the one who ruins your reputation.” In the end, she only chose three outfits. With a sweet smile, she turned and said, “Pay up.”

The shopkeeper looked like he might cry.

What happened to buying everything? How did it end up only being three outfits...

“As for accessories...” Ye Jiuyou said cheerfully, “I want a ring.”

“Then let’s pick one out.”

“Why didn’t you buy me a ring last time?”

“Where I come from, a ring has a different meaning... I instinctively thought you wouldn’t want that. I didn’t want to rush things.”

Ye Jiuyou halted mid-step outside the jewelry store, half-smiling as she turned to him. “Don’t tell me... You didn’t know that where I come from, a necklace has its own meaning?”

Zhao Changhe blinked. “What?”

“It means binding someone... Seems our King Zhao doesn’t know everything after all...” And with that, she stepped inside.

Zhao Changhe stood frozen outside for a long moment. If you knew, why did you accept it? And if you accepted it, why bring it up now?

Isn’t the attacker and defender dynamic starting to reverse...?

Inside, Ye Jiuyou was already looking at rings, but her brow was furrowed. She seemed even more dissatisfied with the options than with the clothing.

This era did not have diamonds or platinum. The rings were all made of gleaming gold. Not that there was anything wrong with gold or silver, but they did not suit her at all. If Zhao Changhe had his pick, he would give her a jet-black jade ring, but unfortunately, they had nothing like that here. The closest match was a thumb ring, which did not quite carry the right meaning.

Zhao Changhe stood nearby, stroking his chin. After a while, he offered, “How about I make one for you myself?”

Ye Jiuyou turned to look at him.

Zhao Changhe said, “I’ll pick a suitable material on par with the treasures of heaven and earth, and I’ll carve an array into it myself. I’ll make you a proper storage ring. Even if you probably don’t need it, you can use it to carry a whole mountain around without anyone knowing where you keep it...”

He genuinely was not sure if she needed a storage ring.

Ye Jiuyou asked, “Didn’t you say earlier that, in your hometown, giving someone a ring had special meaning?”

“Yes. It means I’m proposing marriage to Miss Li of the Li Clan.”

Ye Jiuyou gave a faint smile, saying nothing, and walked out of the jewelry store.

Zhao Changhe followed, suddenly feeling that his own playbook had been flipped on him. He, the one full of schemes, was now at a loss for words—completely outmaneuvered.

“Zhao Changhe! I want that!” He snapped back to reality as Ye Jiuyou tugged at his sleeve, pointing toward a nearby stall. “That thing looks nice. Is it tasty?”

“Well, how do you define tasty?”

“If it’s sweet, then it’s tasty.”

Zhao Changhe could not help but laugh. He stepped forward to pay, then turned to see Ye Jiuyou smiling as she licked the tanghulu, her eyes curved like crescent moons. In that moment, something dawned on him.

There were no more schemes or tactics at play. She simply was not tangled in the emotional unrest that had plagued her days before. She had let herself go, wholly and freely enjoying what it meant to be a woman cherished by a man, relishing everything this mundane world had to offer.

“Where do we go for custom furniture?” Ye Jiuyou asked while licking the candy.

Zhao Changhe scratched his head. He had never purchased any of that in this world, so he had no idea. He had seen carpentry shops around, but they did not seem to handle design...

The two of them stared at each other in puzzlement, then burst into laughter and said in unison, “The Ministry of Works!”

A perfect case of public resources for private use, justified with a dignified flourish. And to have a witch share the exact same mental leap only confirmed what everyone already suspected: Zhao Changhe might not be fit to govern, but he was the perfect consort for a witch.

Two people licking tanghulu strutted into the Ministry of Works, startling the minister half to death. Upon recognizing Zhao Changhe, he nearly bit off his tongue.

You... eating tanghulu like that... Do you dare let the jianghu hear of this?

“Design home furnishings? Wardrobes? Dressing tables? Beds?” The assistants to the minister looked like they were still dreaming. “Uh... should we have it all delivered to the palace?”

Zhao Changhe beamed. “Just leave it here, we’ll come pick it up. After all, Miss Li is getting married in the capital. This is her dowry.”

Ye Jiuyou’s eyes shimmered, her expression unreadable. But in the end, she did not refute him.

For those from Guanlong, Chang’an was the capital. Saying she was “marrying into the capital” was practically treasonous. And yet, not a single official present seemed to notice anything wrong with the statement.

The tide had turned. Even if she were still the demon god who once plotted chaos and fragmentation, it seemed she could no longer resist the flood of fate. Just like Guanlong would fall to the Great Han, she herself might not escape this emotional conquest.

So she would not remain passive.

“I’m satisfied,” Ye Jiuyou said, patting Zhao Changhe’s cheek. “You’ve spoiled me well these past two days. Now let’s see if your strength satisfies this big sister of yours as well. Let’s go spar.”

Zhao Changhe knew then that all his tactics had been cracked wide open.

Truth was, apart from seeking enlightenment through combat, he had another motive. He wanted her to see that he was not just good at stirring hearts. His strength, too, was a match for hers. He wanted her to see that they could stand as equals.

But now she had seen through it all. There would be no surprise, no thrill of discovering he was stronger than expected.

She even started calling herself as his big sister. Was this her counter-conquest? Was this a reminder that, at the end of the day, no clever flirtation could compare with absolute strength? That no matter how well he played her heartstrings, he was still a little boy needing to fall in line?

Zhao Changhe suddenly found it even more interesting. His fighting spirit, which had not been all that high to begin with, now flared into full blaze.

* * *

Clang!

Ye Jiuyou flicked a finger lightly against the flat side of Dragon Bird, and Zhao Changhe’s strike, which was strong enough to shatter mountains, was cleanly deflected.

They had chosen to fight within the Abyss of Jiuyou, where any energy unleashed would cause no damage, draw no cosmic consequence. There were no external points of reference. It was as if two ordinary martial artists were trading moves, perhaps even less flamboyant than the duel they had seen earlier on Chang’an’s streets.

However, Zhao Changhe knew full well how terrifying that single flick of her finger was.

This was not a contest of brute strength. Within that finger lay a convergence of intricate laws.

He clearly felt the power of life and death surge forth. The essence of death and decay pressed directly onto him, threatening to drain his vitality and leave behind a withered husk of a corpse.

Simultaneously, the surrounding darkness became a thousand blades, slicing into his soul, rending flesh, the crushing pressure threatening to smash his very bones within his body. His organs twisted violently, forcefully being displaced and contorted.

And still, the assault continued. His mind and spirit were under siege. Sensation fled him as thoughts vanished from his mind. All that was left was an impenetrable darkness, engulfing him in fear, loneliness, and madness.