After leaving the weapons store, the conspicuous pair wandered down the neatly paved street towards the shop closest to it, more as it was on route than for any reason of want or curiosity. Conspicuous? Who else would walk so brazenly in amongst the genteel crowds all adorned in silk treasures and rare gems, wearing just neatly sewn hemp clothing, simple jade and carved wooden talismans? Even the servants of the wealthy were better dressed... or at least more expensively!
However, although they seemed out of place, perhaps it was the auras they seemed to exude, they were left alone and not bothered for the most part. For the most part, which madam and master had not witnessed or heard of what the results of crossing crouching tigers and hidden dragons within their midst? What white lotus or good-for-nothing? Believing a stupid maid or ragged soldier could not hurt you just because of their lack of wit or wealth? Such was a joke! In addition, this was a world with Cultivators! When it came to such people, the eyes could lie and ignorance could lead to death! There was a legend that a great Immortal used to descend from the mountain peak that no others dared step foot on and dress as a beggar and sit on the streets once every hundred years. If that beggar was gifted generously by a benefactor, that benefactor's luck might turn great for his lifetime, but if the beggar was abused... of course rumours were rumours, but not worth risking one's seven generations for!
So if a tall, black eyed youth in deep blue colours decorated with simple patterns and a petite boy with an array of wooden charms at his waist walked around these streets as if they had as much right as the wealthy elite, so be it! Just ignore them and hope no trouble will come and disturb the peace!
Of course, not everyone received the memo.
"The proprietor would be wise to ensure that they have the money for it!"
The shop closest to the weapon's store was actually a jewellery store. Once they had entered, Jin Li had sneered, losing interest immediately, but his small alchemist had paused once they entered and he had thought that the youth had found something of interest. Actually, this wasn't so; Leon was simply dazzled by the gold, silver and gemstones upon display. Amulets and necklaces, brooches and hair pins, rings, bracelets, crowns and earrings... and unbeknownst to him, these were just the lower market range. The more expensive and exquisite pieces were hidden away for only the most noble and wealthy of clientele.
Once the initial blinding sparkle eased and Leon's awareness returned to his body, he knew instinctively that even if there was something in this pavilion that he would have liked to buy, his and Jin Li's purse combined would not be able to afford it. They would not even be able to pay for the most measly 'cheap' thing in here. Actually, this sort of window shopping, look but don't bother thinking you can purchase a single thing, was not something that could sustain a person's interest for long. Either they might become infuriated, blinded by self-loathing that their wallets contained more moths than money or they would skitter away in a panic that such prices even exist! Fair enough, these reactions were extreme versions, but Leon's was definitely more towards the latter and he was ready to call this trip to an end.
So as he wasn't actually about to purchase anything, the thrown out sentence could not be for him? He glanced back at Jin Li who's face was one of indifference. His eyes did not take in the treasures at all. Who cared what obscene price tag was placed upon each piece, he'd seen more interesting things. The vaults of his birth home had more abundant treasures, having been brought into the family with his grandmother's dowry. Though she had long since past, his father and mother kept those treasures safe or else they would have fallen into his uncle's concubines hands until not a piece was left. It was his grandmother's wishes that they be divided into the dowries of female descendants of the main line, but she bore no daughters and his mother also bore only sons. And as for Uncle... least said.
The speaker was a young woman with long indigo hair that had been half swept and pinned into an elaborate style then decorated with rose jade blossoms. Her eyes were a startling sky blue, something that Leon was unused to seeing in the months of viewing gems of black, burnt umber or other dark shades. She waved a lace fan lightly before the lower half of her face as if warding off a summer breeze, an impossible feat in Winter. Her line of sight was seemingly upon a head piece made of delicate silver chains and turquoise beads, the teardrop sapphire centre piece of which ought to lay demurely between a woman's shaped brows. However, Leon could see that her attention was not on the head piece, but actually on another young woman, who had been examining a ring.
"Ho, it is interesting that a boudoir bound lady of the Ibis clan," said that young woman without her sight wavering from the ring, "is so well informed of the financial status of the Heron Clan." Her eyes flickered towards the middle-aged man currently holding the wooden box containing the ring. "What sort of capacity does this interspacial ring have?"
This statement caught Leon's attention, for he had never heard of interspacial jewellery. Was it something like the small embroidered bag hanging from his hip or the larger chest container that Sun owned? He glanced up at Jin Li, who as if reading his thoughts, nodded slightly.
"It is not that I have doubts of the Heron Clan, of course," the indigo haired woman snorted, "everyone is well aware of the prestige of the Heron Clan. What is there to doubt? Though an interspacial ring is indeed a rarity, one could not doubt the Heron's Clan's ability to afford it."
"Then what is the point of your previous remark but to cast doubt?" The other girl asked as if curious. Her hair was bundled up in an equally elaborate display, but her's was an unusual lilac in colour and was decorated in complimentary purple jade, but her pin was far simpler in style.
Jin Li yawned as the girls banter continued and leaned down towards his small alchemist and whispered; "You seem to be enjoying this show."
Leon shook his head as the young woman voiced that she was only warning the proprietor to take care, after all, who knew what sort of rogues might try and take advantage of them should they not be aware of just whom they are serving. He glanced up at Jin Li with a thought; "Sh-should we g-get something t-to eat b-b-before g-going back?" He was rewarded by a smile of approval and the pair made their way towards the exit.
"A shu daughter is not a Di daughter after all," the woman from the Ibis clan was continuing to say behind them. "From status to allowance, otherwise masters might be accused of favouring shu children over Di children and therefore concubines over wives!"
"This shu and d-Di thing," Leon murmured to Jin Li as they stepped out of the shop. "Is it really such a b-b-big d-deal?"
Jin Li stroked a finger across his lover's naive face. "It is and it isn't," he replied with a lazy drawl. He'd only ever respected those who had ability regardless of their birth status. In his opinion, birth status was as much luck than anything else and didn't always guarantee privilege. However, if one decided to use their or others statuses as an excuse, then Jin Li had no time for that person at all. "Such doesn't effect you, so don't bother to think about it."
Leon thought about it and decided to nod in agreement. Maimai was Concubine-born and Sun born of the legal wife, but both were still his friends. He, himself, had been brought up by his grandfather and had no status per say, yet Jin Li, this man who was born of privilege in the higher realm, didn't treat him less because of it. And that was all that mattered really.
Not long after they left the jewellery shop, the girl from the Ibis clan followed suit with a look of irritation in her eyes, though the rest of her scowl was hidden well behind the lace fan covering her lower face. Speckles of snow began to descend from the heavens and melt upon her pale pink quilted coat, annoying her more. However, before more than a spot or two could mark it, an umbrella appeared above her head, held not by her servant girls but by a young man with a concerned expression. If Jin Li and Leon had still been around, they might have even recognised him... well Leon anyway.
"What has upset little sister so?" He said, warmly.
"Second brother," the girl pouted, her eyes full of wounds, while her heart was full of schemes.
Author's note; di children are born of the legal wife, shu children born of concubines x