Chapter 89: Is My Husband Feeling Shy?

The next day, Shen Yian woke up early in the morning. Ye Liyan was still sleeping soundly. There was still a hint of pink on her pretty face, just like a blooming snow lotus on a high mountain stained with a touch of red clouds.

Shen Yian leaned down and planted a light kiss on Ye Liyan’s pretty face, then swiftly dressed and quietly left the room.

In the past, he would have practiced his martial arts in the courtyard to stretch his muscles, but now that there were two of them, he didn’t want to disturb Ye Liyan’s sweet dreams.

Shen Yian took a long detour to the small training ground. He started with the eighth set of radio calisthenics to warm up, then began his fist techniques.

Every punch he threw out brought with it the force of wind and thunder, the roar of dragons and the howling of tigers, and was so powerful that the force of the punches distorted the surrounding air.

This display even tempted Yin Hai, who had been secretly observing, to throw a couple of punches himself.

After finishing his routine, Shen Yian looked at his fists in surprise. Since entering the Divine Wandering realm that night, he hadn’t practiced his punches. Now that he had, the experience was completely different from before. He gained a new understanding of this ordinary fist technique, instinctively making simple improvements as he practiced.

He never expected that this fist technique, which he had used purely for physical conditioning, would lead him to seemingly touch the threshold of the Way of the Fist.

The original name of this fist technique was “Carefree Fist” and is widely circulated in the martial arts world. Swindlers often use it to fool ignorant young people who are just entering the martial arts world.

The name itself sounded deceptive. “Carefree Fist” might make one think it was passed down by some grandmaster, when in reality it was just a common health-preserving technique.

Unfortunately, when Shen Yian first entered the martial world, he too was deceived, spending a full ten taels of silver to purchase it.

In his two lifetimes, his first impression upon hearing the name of the fist technique was that it must be extraordinary, perhaps left behind by characters from wuxia novels.

As for how he discovered he had been tricked, the next day, as he left the inn, he happened to run into the same con artist trying to sell an identical “Carefree Fist” manual to another unsuspecting victim on the street.

After a friendly chat with the man in a small alley, the con artist was moved to tears, vowing to mend his ways and be a better person from then on. He willingly returned the ten taels of silver.

Luckily, Shen Yian discovered the truth in time, otherwise, it would have been an indelible black mark on “Ye Beian’s” reputation in the martial world.

As the sun gradually rose, Ye Liyan also woke up. After washing up, she shared breakfast with Shen Yian.

Since they had planned to visit the North and South markets yesterday, they were determined to go.

Before leaving, Ye Liyan instinctively reached for a veiled hat, but Shen Yian informed her that such a thing probably couldn’t be found in this vast royal mansion.

“You’re now my King of Chu’s consort, and the daughter-in-law of the Shen family,” Shen Yian said, patting Ye Liyan’s hand reassuringly.

Those sapphire blue eyes were Ye Liyan’s trademark in Tianwu City. Now that she was the King of Chu’s consort, any verbal attack on her would be an attack on him, the King of Chu.

And an attack on the King of Chu was essentially an attack on the Shen family, which by extension was an attack on the royal family!

Who would dare verbally assault the royal family? Did they want to try the game of “Nine Tribes Elimination”?

Ye Liyan nodded obediently. Her status was different now; going out represented the face of the King of Chu’s mansion. If a noble consort didn’t dare to show her face in public, she might be ridiculed by others.

“That’s right,” Shen Yian said affectionately, holding her hand and declaring grandly, “Let’s go shopping. Your husband will foot the bill!”

The arrangement remained the same: Shen Yian and Ye Liyan in front, with Cheng Hai leading two guards and the Jinxiu and Jinlian sisters behind.

“Greetings to His Highness the King of Chu!”

“Greetings to the Royal Consort!”

Upon arriving at the fabric shop they had visited before, the shop owner personally led his staff in greeting them respectfully.

“Mm, no need for formalities,” Shen Yian said with a slight wave of his sleeve.

Inside the shop, the owner personally introduced the materials and origins of the fabrics, his face full of flattery. The staff stood in a respectful row, silent as cicadas in winter.

After browsing, Ye Liyan liked many fabrics but found it difficult to choose.

Shen Yian said this was a small matter; they could buy them all and choose at leisure later.

The shop owner, holding bank notes, tearfully bid them farewell.

“So that’s the King of Chu’s consort? She’s truly beautiful! But I’ve heard her reputation is…”

“Bang!”

Before the shop assistant could finish, the owner exploded, kicking him to the ground and slapping him repeatedly.

“Who do you think you are? How dare you discuss the royal consort?” The owner’s eyes blazed with fury. If His Highness had heard this, their entire shop would lose their heads – not even their backers could protect them!

“Remember this, if you want to live and keep working here, keep your mouths shut. If I hear anyone gossiping again, don’t blame me for forgetting your hard work.”

The owner pointed at the dazed assistant on the ground: “You, pack up and leave Tianwu City forever. If you don’t go, I’ll have someone make you leave.”

Meanwhile, Shen Yian knew about this minor incident but didn’t care. If he got angry over such small matters every day, he’d worry himself to death.

Cruel? Reality is cruel. This is the tyranny of noble birth.

Once you reach a certain status, people will try to curry favor with you. Some will talk behind your back, but those seeking your favor will handle it for you without you lifting a finger.

A minor incident remains minor. To dwell on it would be to desecrate such a beautiful day.

Arriving at the North Market, the streets grew crowded. Many recognized the couple, and greetings rang out all around.

The entire street’s attention focused on them. Shen Yian felt a headache coming on, feeling like they were rare animals on display. Suddenly, wearing a veiled hat seemed like a good idea.

Ye Liyan faced the attention with grace, showing no timidity. Her every move exuded dignity, stunning everyone on the street.

After one street, the attention decreased, with fewer people looking their way.

“Is my husband feeling shy?” Ye Liyan, wearing a fox-patterned mask, couldn’t help but giggle softly.

Her husband’s nervous look when buying the masks was truly adorable.

Shen Yian, wearing a grey wolf mask, smiled awkwardly. “It’s not shyness. I just think we’re causing unnecessary commotion that might affect others. It’s better to keep a low profile.”

He had said there were no veiled hats in the palace, but he didn’t say there were no masks.

Indeed, whether in speech or action, it’s always good to leave oneself options.

Ye Liyan lowered her head with a faint smile, making Shen Yian want to explain more.

After walking a dozen more steps, they both stopped simultaneously.

“Liyan, doesn’t that person’s back ahead look familiar?”