Chapter 14: Buying Clothes for a Woman
Page 1/3
Yang Zhan truly went to great lengths to ensure Bilian could have a proper bath. The wooden tub was too large to fit through the door, so Yang Zhan dismantled it completely and, transforming into a carpenter, reassembled it in the basement. Then, he instructed Luyang to boil water. Bucket after bucket, they carried the hot water to the interrogation chamber. Frowning, Luyang said, “Second Master, why are you going to the interrogation chamber to bathe? Isn’t it fine here?”
“Uh, I prefer a quieter place and don’t like being disturbed.”
After a moment, Yang Zhan carried the last bucket of hot water and noticed Luyang holding his clothes, following him.
Yang Zhan was taken aback: “Luyang, what are you doing?”
“You’re going to bathe, aren’t you? This is your clothing.”
“Oh, just give them to me then!”
“I’ll hold them for you. You’re carrying water, and I’ll help scrub and wash your back later.”
As she spoke, Luyang’s cheeks flushed faintly, revealing a touch of bashfulness. This sight made Yang Zhan involuntarily recall scenes of being attended to during a bath. And… scrubbed?
Swallowing hard, Yang Zhan took a deep breath to suppress his wandering thoughts.
“No need. I’m a rough man and don’t like others around when I bathe!”
Just as Luyang was about to say more, Yang Zhan interrupted again: “Right, go warm a pot of wine for me and prepare some snacks. I want a drink after my bath!”
Luyang’s lips parted slightly but agreed: “Alright.”
Finally, he managed to send Luyang away. Carrying the last bucket, Yang Zhan entered the interrogation chamber and shut the iron door behind him. In the dungeon, the interrogation chamber was off-limits; no one was allowed to enter without his permission.
Inside the basement, the air was thick with mist. Bilian watched Yang Zhan busily but said nothing. Yang Zhan poured the last bucket of water in and grinned: “The water’s a little hot, but for a martial artist, it’s nothing. Alright, you can bathe now. I’m heading upstairs first!”
“Wait.”
Yang Zhan frowned: “Anything else?”
“My clothes are ruined.”
Yang Zhan suddenly understood: “Alright, I’ll prepare some for you.”
But inwardly, he sighed. No matter how fine the clothes, Bilian would tear them—eight holes at least.
Eight iron chains penetrating deep into her body! Just the thought sent chills down his spine.
Whoever imprisoned Bilian here must bear an immense grudge to employ such cruelty.
Leaving the basement, Yang Zhan exited the interrogation chamber and locked the door behind him.
He called out, “Sanzi!”
Page 2/3
“I’m here, Second Master!”
“Keep watch. No one is allowed inside!”
“Yes, Second Master!”
Sanzi’s expression turned serious. Although he and the others did not understand why their Second Master forbade anyone from entering the interrogation chamber, Yang Zhan’s orders were absolute commands, which they always obeyed without question.
…
At the Magnolia Tailor Shop, the proprietress watched a man intently examining several finished embroidered girdles. Though she wanted to shoo him away, seeing that he wore a prison guard’s uniform, she hesitated.
After a moment, unable to contain herself, she asked, “Sir, have you decided?”
Yang Zhan turned, frowning: “Madam, what size do women usually wear?”
The proprietress was taken aback: “That depends on the measurements of the lady in your household.”
Yang Zhan thought for a moment, then looked at her.
Following his gaze to her chest, the proprietress blushed deeply and gritted her teeth: “Sir, you can’t just stare like that. My husband will be home soon, and I don’t know what he might think.”
Yang Zhan gave an awkward laugh: “Haha, no misunderstandings—I just thought it might be about the same as yours.”
The proprietress bit her lip, clutching the hem of her garment, seemingly unaccustomed to such brazen flirtation from a respectable gentleman.
“Get me one, no, two sets.”
The proprietress gloomily stepped forward and retrieved two sets: “Thirty cash.”
“No rush. Do you have finished women’s clothes? I want two sets and two pairs of women’s boots.”
The proprietress paused, frowning: “Sir, the height and measurements of the ladies in your household—”
Yang Zhan estimated they were probably about the same as hers.
Now that he looked closely, the proprietress was quite attractive.
He glanced again, and she suddenly ran out and called her husband back, seemingly worried about his intentions.
Nevertheless, she helped Yang Zhan select two ready-made sets, which she had tailored for customers using her own measurements—perfect for Yang Zhan’s needs.
She bundled the clothes and boots into a package for him.
But when it came time to pay, Yang Zhan winced; it cost him two taels of silver—women’s clothing was more expensive than men’s.
Of course, Yang Zhan hadn’t chosen cheap coarse cloth, even though they’d likely be torn shortly!
Page 3/3
Thinking of Bilian’s hair, Yang Zhan bought two hairpins as well.
At that moment, he suddenly quickened his pace until he disappeared from sight.
Not long after—
In the Eastern Palace’s rear courtyard, a servant dressed in plain clothes hurried inside.
Nearby, Yang Zhan appeared again.
He glanced at the grand Eastern Palace compound and arched an eyebrow: “Interesting. So concerned about me—I’m flattered!”
…
Inside the Eastern Palace’s inner courtyard, a servant knelt before a door and reported:
“Your Highness, just now Yang Zhan went to buy women’s clothing and boots, and even hairpins!”
After a moment, a weak voice came from inside:
“Were they for Luyang?”
“I’m not sure, but in the dungeon, besides three female prisoners, only Miss Luyang is there.”
“Ha ha… cough cough…”
Laughter followed, then a harsh coughing fit.
At that moment, a gentle female voice spoke: “Your Highness, please take care of your health.”
After a while, the person inside recovered: “Good, good. You may leave.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The servant departed.
Inside the room stood a pale, somewhat frail man, yet his eyes were bright and sharp.
A dazzling woman clad in silks was gently massaging the crown prince of the Great Xia Dynasty, Yang Xing’s back.
She whispered, “Your Highness, I didn’t expect that girl Luyang would so quickly win Yang Zhan’s favor.”
“Have you not heard? Even heroes struggle with beauty’s trials. Yang Zhan is indeed our Great Xia’s God of War, but he is still a man—a single man.”
“Yes, Your Highness, why did you send Luyang now?”
Yang Xing frowned slightly. “Sigh… if I don’t take a gamble now, I’ll lose my chance!”
The woman sighed.
Then Yang Xing waved his hand: “No need.”
She stopped, and Yang Xing took her hand: “You should also visit Yang Zhan. After all, if it weren’t for him back then, we’d be dead by now!”
The woman frowned slightly: “Your Highness, we haven’t contacted him in three years. If we go now, might it…”
The ailing Yang Xing’s eyes shone ever brighter: “Go tell Yang Zhan that I understand my father’s thoughts, and I will help him!”