Chapter 164: Legends of the Imperial City (Part 1)

While Tao Ming and Su Nanxing rested in the secret chamber, their legend swept through the entire imperial city.

Some skilled painters even captured their likenesses in portraits, which surprisingly sold quite well.

For a time, several teahouses hung signs outside: Portraits for Sale.

Though the portraits bore no names, anyone with ears in the imperial city had surely heard the tales of Tao Ming and Su Nanxing.

Long lines formed before many teahouses, with curious townsfolk eager to glimpse the faces of those they had only heard about.

Even noble ladies confined by illness caught wind of the news and sent their maids out to purchase the portraits.

Since Su Nanxing had left the Su family, a heavy tension hung over the household. Su Fan felt suffocated inside the mansion, as if he might be stifled at any moment. Finally, he found an excuse to leave.

Strolling casually through the streets, he noticed the long queues before many teahouses. On a whim, he approached the end of one line and asked, “Excuse me, is there a new tea today?”

The person at the back glanced back, hesitated briefly, then tentatively asked, “Are you Young Master Su?”

Su Fan nodded, “I am Su Family’s Nineteen.”

The man’s face brightened. “Today, Young Master Su Nanxing and his wife have been parading through the imperial city in strange clothes. We’re all lining up to buy portraits of them!”

“Strange clothes? Portraits?” Su Fan’s confusion deepened.

Despite the puzzlement, he bought a set of portraits wherever they were sold.

Holding seven or eight sheets, he noted the quality varied. Yet all depicted Su Nanxing and Tao Ming baring their arms and ankles. One even showed Tao Ming’s feet strapped by mere slender ribbons, the entire foot exposed.

He selected the best portrait and examined it closely.

The two were hand in hand, intimately close; Su Nanxing’s gaze lowered while Tao Ming looked upward, their eyes meeting with smiles gracing their faces. A strange feeling stirred within Su Fan.

Had he lived on Earth, he’d have called it being “smothered in an overwhelming display of affection.”

He rolled up the portrait and stowed it away, then looked out at the bustling crowd, momentarily unsure where to go next.

After some thought, he decided to return to the Su mansion.

Upon entering, he went straight to the Weixiang Courtyard and called out, “Mother!”

Qiao Ruowei had grown pale and weary in recent days, often lost in thought in the main hall.

Hearing Su Fan’s voice, she rubbed her forehead, feeling an ache whenever she saw him.

Su Fan strode in, spreading open the best portrait. “Mother, look what I’ve brought back.”

Qiao Ruowei took the portrait, her voice urgent. “Come closer.”

She traced Su Nanxing’s face in the painting and tears slowly welled. After composing herself, she asked, “Did you see Seventeen today?”

“No, only heard that Brother Seventeen and Sister Seventeen appeared together in the city market,” Su Fan thought to himself: I’d like to see them too, but where?

“Then where did this portrait come from?”

“Mother, look at their clothes.”

Only then did Qiao Ruowei notice the distinct attire compared to the Weishui style.

Su Nanxing’s jacket had two buttons undone, looking effortless and casual.

Tao Ming’s jacket was slightly loose, subtly revealing elegant curves.

Both wore trousers tightly fitted, accentuating height and long legs.

Upon closer inspection, their sleeves were rolled to the elbows, and trouser cuffs revealed their ankles.

Surprised at first, Qiao Ruowei’s eyes softened into a smile. “I suppose they’ve been wearing clothes like these in the other world all along.”

Seeing her mood lift, Su Fan spoke, “Mother, Brother Seventeen seemed quite happy.”

Qiao Ruowei nodded, handing him a small pouch. “If you see more portraits like this, be sure to buy them all for me.”

Su Fan waved his hand. “I have enough to pay for several portraits, don’t worry.”

...

After resting, Tao Ming and Su Nanxing left the inn. Just outside the southern gate of the imperial city, someone called out, “Nanxing! Nanxing!”

Tao Ming turned toward the voice and spotted a somewhat familiar face running toward them, causing a flicker of confusion.

Su Nanxing squeezed Tao Ming’s hand. “Liu Ange, third floor window of Dongchang Tower the day we entered the city.”

Only then did Tao Ming recall their brief encounter.

Su Nanxing led Tao Ming to greet Liu Ange with a nod. Liu Ange shook the portrait in his hand. “You two have really made a splash now.”

Su Nanxing took the portrait and handed it to Tao Ming. “What are you doing here?”

Wiping sweat from his brow, Liu Ange replied, “Someone saw you two exit the south gate today, so I waited here.”

Su Nanxing thought to himself how careless they’d been. If someone had been tailing their movements, the inn might have been exposed.

Tao Ming flipped through the portraits, displeased. “They made me look so ugly!”

Liu Ange agreed. “I think so too.”

Tao Ming handed the portrait back. “You didn’t paint this?”

“I bought it. One yellow crystal coin a piece.”

Frowning, Tao Ming looked annoyed.

Noticing his expression, Su Nanxing asked, “What’s wrong?”

“I just missed a chance to make money!” Tao Ming’s face looked as if he’d lost a fortune.

Liu Ange stammered, then put away the portrait. “Come on, Yu Xuan’s still waiting.”

Su Nanxing lowered his voice. “Wife, do you want to go?”

“Sure, I was just out for a stroll anyway.”

The three of them passed through two alleys and entered a private room in a teahouse.

Dong Yuxuan, sitting inside, turned his head away the moment he saw Tao Ming, as if to avoid impropriety.

Tao Ming smiled and greeted him, “Hello.”

Dong Yuxuan remained awkward, unsure whether to look or not.

Su Nanxing pulled Tao Ming down beside him. “Yuxuan, we dare to wear these clothes, you just don’t dare to look!”

Only then did Dong Yuxuan face them, eyes lingering on Su Nanxing. “This kind of clothing has a unique charm.”

Tao Ming nudged her leg. “Mostly, it’s just comfortable.”

Dong Yuxuan caught sight of Tao Ming’s pale little feet, blushed, and quickly looked away, thinking to himself how scandalous it was.

Seeing Dong Yuxuan’s blush, Su Nanxing teased, “Looks like Brother Dong should find a wife.”

Liu Ange objected, “Why not mention me?”

“You? Do you think my wife looks good in this outfit?”

Liu Ange scrutinized Tao Ming. “She does.”

Su Nanxing pointed at Tao Ming’s small feet. “Are my wife’s feet white?”

Liu Ange looked down. “Yes.”

Su Nanxing smiled. “No other thoughts?”

Liu Ange frowned and thought for a moment. “Wearing this, wouldn’t her feet be cold?”

Tao Ming laughed aloud, truly a master of singlehood!

Dong Yuxuan laughed too.

The room instantly filled with lighthearted joy.

Only Liu Ange found their laughter puzzling, glancing once more at Tao Ming’s feet. “I’m not wrong, wearing shoes like that, the feet must be freezing.”

Suddenly, Tao Ming had an idea and asked, “Liu brother, do you have any siblings?”

“Only brothers, no sisters,” Liu Ange replied.

Tao Ming hummed thoughtfully, wondering if this fellow might be... different.