A Pawn's Passage-Chapter 594: Return to Jade Capital

After Qi Xuansu recited the famous passage from the Primordial Daoist Ancestor’s Five Thousand Words Classic, Ji Jiaozhen led him away from Shuzhong Prefecture.

Qi Xuansu’s literary knowledge was not entirely lacking. The fact that he did not recognize the complicated character on the Jianxiu Mountain Master’s seal was simply because the Wanxiang Daoist Palace did not teach classical literature. However, that did not mean he was unfamiliar with the Primordial Daoist Ancestor’s Five Thousand Words Classic, which was a fundamental scripture mandatory for all Daoist disciples to memorize.

Thus, he committed the entire text to memory from a young age, much like how scholars memorized the Four Books and Five Classics in private academies. While he might not be able to recite it backward, he would never forget it for the rest of his life.

Over the next few days, Qi Xuansu and Ji Jiaozhen traveled through various parts of Shuzhou before returning to Qingcheng for a brief stay.

Qi Xuansu had left Wanxiang Daoist Palace on the 16th of September. Half a month passed in the blink of an eye. On the first day of October, he spent his last 100 Taiping coins to purchase a ticket on a flying ship that departed from Tiancang Mountain, heading straight for Jade Capital.

The journey went smoothly. Qi Xuansu arrived in Jade Capital on October 2nd.

Upon arrival, Qi Xuansu did not immediately seek out Zhang Yuelu, nor did he report to Ziwei Hall. Instead, he made a beeline to Duzhi Hall. More precisely, he was visiting its subordinate office, the Guangying Division, located in one of Jade Capital’s Upper Eight Blocks, Xuanyuan Place. In essence, it was a massive treasury where salaries were distributed.

Among the Nine Halls, only Tiangang Hall, due to its numerous Spirit Guards, handled its own salary distribution. The personnel from other halls were required to collect their stipends from Duzhi Hall.

Since Qi Xuansu had spent the past three months studying at the Wanxiang Daoist Upper Palace, he was still eligible to receive his stipend. Moreover, for these three months, he was compensated according to the salary of a fourth-rank Jijiu Daoist master and Ziwei Hall Superintendent, which was 300 Taiping coins per month, totaling 900 Taiping coins.

At the Guangying Division, Qi Xuansu presented his credentials, completed a few administrative procedures, and received nine large cash notes.

Qi Xuansu had originally considered purchasing a residence in either the Upper Eight Blocks or the Middle Eight Blocks. However, most of his funds had already been confiscated by Madam Qi, and with his imminent transfer to the Imperial Capital, it seemed unnecessary to settle here.

To Qi Xuansu, 900 Taiping coins was certainly a considerable sum, but for a fourth-rank Jijiu Daoist master, it was not particularly extravagant. That was because with higher status and rank came greater social obligations.

By convention, when visiting figures like Pei Xiaolou, Xu Xiaoying, and Ji Jiaozhen, Qi Xuansu was expected to bring gifts. Given that these individuals were all Sages, he could not simply show up with a few pieces of fruit like a commoner visiting relatives.

At the very least, he would need to present refined gifts, such as calligraphy brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. For occasions like childbirth or marriage, he would also have to gift auspicious tokens—like Ruyi scepters or jade pendants. These kinds of gifts were far from cheap. Even the most modest selections could cost over 100 Taiping coins each. With just a few social visits, his 900 Taiping coins would vanish in no time.

This time, Qi Xuansu had no choice but to visit empty-handed, which was rather embarrassing in terms of social etiquette. Fortunately, aside from Xu Xiaoying, both Pei Xiaolou and Ji Jiaozhen had known him before he gained status. They understood his circumstances and did not hold it against him.

However, he could not continue like this forever. After all, a Daoist’s rank and salary were publicly recorded, and staying broke indefinitely was simply not an option.

It was no wonder Zhang Yuelu always seemed short on money. The demands of social obligations were indeed a significant burden.

As for Yao Pei, she never had to rely on her stipend. She was the kind of person with direct access to family wealth, so she did not need to worry about personal expenses.

After collecting his Taiping coins, Qi Xuansu slowed his pace and strolled out of the Guangying Division.

The most prestigious Daoist families resided in Taishang Place, where the two most powerful Daoist families—the Zhangs and the Lis—lived side by side, a scene unimaginable anywhere else. Since the Great Xuan Dynasty’s royal family originated from the Northern Daoist Sect, many members of the royal and noble families were also devout Daoists, with a considerable number of them settling in Jade Capital. However, instead of living in Taishang Place, these aristocrats predominantly resided in Xuanyuan Place.

Being wealthy nobles, they naturally had money to spare. As a result, Xuanyuan Place was home to several specialty stores catering to their needs.

As Qi Xuansu was about to leave Xuanyuan District, he passed by a shop selling women’s goods. Suddenly, his feet seemed to be glued to the ground.

After a moment of hesitation, Qi Xuansu stepped into the store.

The shop was quiet, with hardly any customers. Behind the counter, a female shopkeeper sat calculating accounts.

This was considered a specialty store because its merchandise differed from those in Taiqing Market.

Since the time of the fifth-generation Grand Master, the Daoist Order worked tirelessly to eliminate differences between individuals, enforcing rigid uniformity throughout the organization.

Within formal settings, particularly among official ranks, men and women of the same rank wore identical attire—the same hairpins and hechangs. The only distinction was in footwear. Men’s boots had square tips, while women’s boots had rounded tips.

In private settings, casual clothing did show gender differences because most favored modest and simple styles.

Zhang Yuelu, for instance, had long been accustomed to wearing men’s clothing for convenience, while Yao Pei dressed exclusively in male attire.

This practice was completely at odds with worldly customs. Or rather, the Daoist Order had deliberately blurred gender distinctions, promoting unisex garments as the norm.

However, noblewomen from the Imperial Capital were unaccustomed to this aesthetic. As a result, many specialty stores catering to women’s fashion emerged.

The shopkeeper, still busy calculating accounts, looked up upon noticing Qi Xuansu. Though he did not appear to be of noble blood, his fourth-rank Jijiu Daoist master’s uniform commanded respect. She did not take him lightly and greeted him with a smile, “Mage, what would you like to buy?”

Qi Xuansu’s gaze swept across the shelves that were filled with an assortment of elegant items. After a brief moment of contemplation, he asked, “Do you have any recommendations?”

The shopkeeper’s smile widened as she asked, “Is it for your Daoist companion?”

Qi Xuansu hesitated briefly, then nodded.

The shopkeeper smiled and said, “Jade Capital is wonderful in every way, except that the female Daoists here tend to dress too plainly. Our shop recently received a batch of new accessories that are currently the most fashionable styles in the Imperial Capital.”

Qi Xuansu thought for a moment. Zhang Yuelu hardly owned any accessories. He had only ever seen her wear hairpins, and sometimes, she did not even use those, opting for a simple ribbon instead.

The shopkeeper, adept at reading people, could tell that this Mage was utterly clueless when it came to women’s accessories. Thus, she began explaining each item in detail.

Only now did Qi Xuansu realize just how many types of accessories existed for women. Beyond the common hairpins and bangles, there were also ornamental hairpins, double-pronged hairpins, dangling hair ornaments, decorative tiaras, flat hairpins, elaborate combs, floral hair ornaments, forehead bands, decorative brow stickers, earrings, jade pendants, necklaces, prayer beads, brooches, finger guards, arm bangles, dangling waist ornaments, rings, and even various styles of Western jewelry, each distinct in design and purpose.

These were just the main categories. If further divided by color, style, and material, there would be hundreds of variations.

Qi Xuansu’s head began to ache from all the information, so he politely interrupted the shopkeeper’s endless explanations and asked about the prices.

Each item was remarkably expensive, making him wince inwardly.

Qi Xuansu subtly patted the pouch of 900 Taiping coins in his robes. After much consideration, he opted for the smallest and most affordable piece—a set of decorative forehead stickers.

Each one was no larger than a fingernail, crafted from gold leaf and inlaid with jade, sculpted to resemble delicate plum blossoms. The intricate carvings made every detail visible and lifelike. They were meant to be worn on the forehead, a style that had once flourished during the Qi Dynasty, known as the Plum Blossom Makeup.

The set contained three pieces—red, green, and yellow—neatly arranged in a delicate wooden box, setting him back 200 Taiping coins.

Under the shopkeeper’s eager smile, Qi Xuansu feigned nonchalance and paid for the set, as if he had more money to spare. He then left the store and headed straight for Tiangang Hall’s Yaoguang Division in Xuan City, where Zhang Yuelu was currently stationed.

Qi Xuansu was very familiar with Tiangang Hall. Upon reaching the main entrance, the Spirit Guard on duty recognized him, allowing him to pass directly.

After just a few steps, Qi Xuansu ran into an old acquaintance—Sun Yongfeng.

“Tian Yuan! Congratulations!” Sun Yongfeng called out from afar, grinning. “You’ve returned from the Upper Palace training. I daresay you’ll be put in an important role soon.”

By now, everyone in Tiangang Hall knew that Qi Xuansu had not only survived the flying ship crash, but had actually benefited from the ordeal. So seeing him again was no longer shocking.

Qi Xuansu exchanged some pleasantries with Sun Yongfeng and then asked, “Is Qing Xiao in Yaoguang Division?”

“The Deputy Hall Master is in her office.” Sun Yongfeng chuckled knowingly. “Hurry along, then. We can catch up next time.”

Qi Xuansu bid farewell to Sun Yongfeng and headed toward Yaoguang Division.

Along the way, he ran into several acquaintances. It seemed everyone already knew why he was there, so everyone greeted him with a knowing smirk.

Even with Qi Xuansu’s thick skin, he could not help but feel slightly uneasy.

Standing outside Zhang Yuelu’s office, Qi Xuansu halted abruptly. He carefully straightened his robes, took a deep breath, and knocked on the door.

A familiar voice called out from inside, “Come in.”

Qi Xuansu drew another deep breath, then pushed open the door and stepped inside.

The outer room remained unchanged. Mu Jin and Tian Baobao were nowhere to be seen. The inner door was ajar, and as Qi Xuansu leaned halfway in, he saw Zhang Yuelu engrossed in her writing, too focused to notice him.

Zhang Yuelu was the same as always. After all, they had only been apart for three and a half months.

A moment later, Zhang Yuelu sensed something amiss. She lifted her head, her gaze meeting Qi Xuansu’s.

Qi Xuansu cleared his throat softly, stepped into the inner room, and stood across the table from Zhang Yuelu.

Zhang Yuelu put down her brush and asked, “Why did you take so long to return?”

Qi Xuansu replied, “I first visited the Chongyang Palace of Immortality to pay respects to Sage Pei and Sage Xu, then I took a detour to Shuzhou to visit Sage Ji. Along the way, I happened to relieve Zhao Fu’an of one of his arms.”

Zhang Yuelu paused for a moment to recall who Zhao Fu’an was. She laughed and said, “Why didn’t you invite me to go along?”

Qi Xuansu thought for a moment and replied, “That will be an overkill.”

With that, Qi Xuansu took out the box of accessories he had just bought, placed it on the table, and pushed it toward Zhang Yuelu.

For once, he felt slightly awkward and muttered, “I saw this on my way back and thought it looked nice, so I picked it up.”

Zhang Yuelu opened the box and blinked in surprise.

This chapter is updat𝓮d by freēnovelkiss.com.

Qi Xuansu asked softly, “Do you like it?”

Zhang Yuelu smiled and replied, “Since it’s from you, there’s no reason for me not to like it.”