The Mulberry Manor had stood in the capital for five generations so far; green and prosperous.

So when the squad of heavily armoured blackguards appeared at their doorway, the old manager couldn’t help but curse as he wondered which of his children had called this calamity to their house.

His mood slightly lightened when they carried an expensive carriage to the entrance way, but it plummeted somewhat when the occupant emerged.

The local merchants considered the Young Lord Ren a demanding customer.

If he just trod carefully, it should be alright, thinking these sorts of superficial thoughts the manager of the establishment went to greet the Young Lord personally.

Of course, if this were the same Young Lord of several weeks ago, this type of thinking would likely end up causing the manager to lose more than he gained considering he had his attractive daughters working inside the shop.

The Ren Yao of today, however, cared very little about his past pursuits.

He gave a small nod to the manager then unfolded a small fan and held it in front of his face. Seeing this, the young servant stepped in.

“Our Young Lord Ren has come because he heard about the great reputation of this Mulberry Manor and has decided to purchase a few new clothes.”

“I see, I see. Please follow me. This way, I will prepare some tea for my honoured customer, so you can rest and take your time to browse our wares.” With an ingratiating smile the manager led the small party into the manor proper.

The manager’s wife further greeted them as she served them some fragrant tea.

Ren Yao sat there quite relaxed delicately sipping from his cup. Behind him stood three of his Black Tiger guard and seated on the other side of the small table to his left was Xiao Wan, utterly lost in both the fragrance of his tea and the beauty of the girls of the Manor.

Only the gentle prodding of his Young Lord's fan awoke him from his stupor.

“Ah, y-yes please bring out so suitable robes for our Young Lord.”

The serving girls bowed and disappeared somewhere in the back of the manor before reappearing with a simple mannequin wearing a plain robe and several bolts of exotically patterned silks.

Looking passively at the beautiful fabrics he waved them on.

No matter what was brought out, the young Lord would wave them away with a mere flick of his fan. The manager was close to tears and pulling his hair out, but he kept such feelings tightly locked in his heart and maintained his professional attitude.

“Please, Young Lord tell us if you are looking for anything specific?”

“Female robes.”

With one disinterested sentence, both the manager and Xiao Wan reached enlightenment, although the clarity it brought to each was different.

The manager understood why none of the previous garments were suitable, but for Xiao Wan, he could feel his stomach twist.

The Young Lord had a habit for showering gifts upon women that he favoured, and they changed with the seasons or the passing of the clouds. A shopping trip to buy presents for the women he played around with could very quickly run up excessive costs.

With a few simple words, one man was sent to heaven while another fell directly to hell.

Truthfully there wasn’t much difference between male and female robes in specific styles; merely the lines were tighter to emphasise and accentuate the curves.

The next robes and fabrics that they paraded out were brighter in colour and more feminine in the pattern and choice of embroidery.

Indeed the next few that they showed managed to bring a small genuine smile to the Young Lords face, if only for a moment, but when the Manager saw that he felt the relief wash over his heart and the boulder drop.

It took the time it takes to drink four cups of the stores generously offered fragrant tea before, with a raise of his fan, the Young Lord selected the style and colour of the robe he desired. All others were cleared away instantly.

The finished article was brought out in sizes most suitable, and the Young Lord felt the fabric between his fingers.

Compared to his previous sunset cherry blossom robe, it was lacking, but it was still elegant and beautiful.

This new one was a sky blue robe with darker blue peony flowers growing up the sleeves and across the breast. They were tastefully placed and gave a subdued sense of beauty.

He received the robe and headed to the small screened off area.

“Xiao Wan. Settle accounts.”

The voice drifted out from behind the barrier as the young servant turned to the manager.

From now on was his battlefield; both parties narrowed their eyes at each other as though they had just come across their most hated enemy. The Manager struck first with three raised fingers.

Xiao Wan countered with two.

To speak openly of money, unless in an auction hall, was a crass thing and many nobles disdained to be in the vicinity of those people squabbling over a few taels more or a few coppers less.

The silent war between the two continued.

Ren Yao stepped out from behind the painted screen; the new robe clung to his body.

As a man who had never know hardship the body of the previous Ren Yao had been on the plump side, he wasn’t one of those prodigal debauchee Fatties, but he was certainly well fed.

However, since the incident, he had lost much of his puppy fat while recovering.

The female robe strangely suited him, catching himself in the reflection of a highly polished bronze mirror Ren Yao couldn’t help but think that if only he could improve the face slightly, then he could regain his beauty.

There wasn’t much difference between the silk robes he had worn before and the one he had slipped into, but as soon as he put on the new robe he felt more comfortable than before.

As he stepped out from behind the screen, both the Manager and Xiao Wan stopped arguing, they stared at the figure of the Young Lord dressed in woman’s clothes.

Strangely Xiao Wan couldn’t help but think how it suited the Young Master.

“Still not settled? Well, I’ll wait for you outside, there are still a few things to do, and it’s getting close to lunch.”

He said lazily before sashaying out into the sunlit courtyards with a certain grace and elegance.

The awaiting Black Tiger guards were surprised by the Young Lords attire but said nothing and turned the palanquin around. By this time a triumphant looking, if not slightly bedraggled, Xiao Wan exited the Manor.

“Next to an accessory shop or a restaurant. Which is closer?”

The servant sorted his clothes and paused to consider his answer.

“The Capitals premier inn is on the other side of town closer to the north district. So probably the several long-established eateries situated nearer the central district, they’re closer to the shops that Young Master is interested in.”

“Acceptable. Send a runner on ahead to reserve a place where we can all eat while we travel to our next shop.”

The procession left the Mulberry Manor as quickly as it arrived.

The manager of the long-standing textile store lit extra incense that evening when he thanked his ancestors for allowing him to live through such an ordeal.