Chapter 246

Chapter 246: Young Lord Jiang Spends Freely for Sister

Jiang Liu Yun peered up at her, his round eyes shining with hope like a small, pitiful puppy, then he asked eagerly: “Sister, which horse do you like? I’ll buy it for you.”

[Those puppy eyes are hard to refuse.] But when Yu Zhi Yi met his gaze, another pair of eyes rose in her mind. [Someone once looked at me the same way, saying he would always believe me and protect me. He broke that promise.] She lowered her eyes to hide the feeling and said calmly: “No need, I can buy it myself.”

Jiang Liu Yun’s smile froze. He started to speak again, but seeing how distant she was, hurt flashed through his eyes. He swallowed the offer to buy the horse for her and switched tracks with a bright tone: “Then let me help sister pick a horse.”

As a member of the Martial Alliance, he had trained since childhood. His sword work was refined, and his riding and archery were strong too. People in the martial world had another skill beyond their main forms: they knew how to judge horses. After all, galloping across open ground was basic for anyone in the martial world.

Not wanting to hear another no, he began introducing the horses in the market to Yu Zhi Yi. He had to be given credit: this Jiang Clan young master really had an eye for good stock. One glance and he could point out each horse’s strengths, and he even spotted several that were sick animals dressed up as fine ones. The horse dealers stared at Young Lord Jiang as if he were a mortal enemy who had killed their parents.

Yu Zhi Yi cut in lightly: “Alright, no more looking. I’ve chosen.”

“Ah? Sister already chose?” Curiosity winning over his disappointment, he asked: “Which one?”

She pointed at a mare. By chance, it was one he had already praised as a good horse. Thinking his explanations had worked, he grinned so wide his eyes almost disappeared: “This one is great. Sister has excellent taste.” Of course, his own taste was excellent too.

Watching him try to suppress his smugness, Yu Zhi Yi couldn’t help curving her lips in amusement.

When she moved to pay, Young Lord Jiang was faster. He whipped out his purse and said with bright pride: “Sister, let me pay. It’s my first time buying you something.”

Yu Zhi Yi pressed her lips together. [It’s been a long time since I let anyone buy me anything.] Even with her closest friend Red Luan, they always split the bill; if they ate or had tea together, it was one meal you treat, the next meal I treat.

Afraid she would insist on paying, Young Lord Jiang tossed over a gold ingot and said breezily: “Here, keep the change.” Then he took the reins and led the horse to stand in front of Yu Zhi Yi.

She glanced at the gold, the corner of her mouth twitching: “Does your family own a mine?”

“Huh?” Jiang Liu Yun blinked in confusion and shook his head: “No. Only the Imperial Court is allowed to mine. Our Martial Alliance is rich, but we would never mine in secret.”

Yu Zhi Yi was silent. [So this is that famous generation gap.]

She rubbed her brow and explained: “This horse costs only two hundred taels of silver. That much gold could buy two horses, and they would still need to give you change.”

“Oh…” Jiang Liu Yun blinked again and said with simple honesty: “You meant that? It’s fine. For a gift to sister, no price is too high.”

He was happy to spend for sister, even willing to throw money around. He actually thought the horse was too cheap. Only a blood-sweating horse or a thousand-li horse would suit sister. Too bad there weren’t any here.

Yu Zhi Yi was speechless. The sheltered young master had never been burned by real life. He had no idea that three hundred taels of silver could be enough for many families to eat through for a few lifetimes.

She didn’t argue further, but she also didn’t accept Jiang Liu Yun’s horse. She said evenly: “Since you paid, you keep it. I’ll buy another.”

His smile went stiff again.

Yu Zhi Yi had already stepped over to another dealer. She bargained a price of one hundred and fifty taels, then handed over two banknotes, each worth one hundred taels. She added for the dealer’s ears: “Please help me find a carriage with a lot of space, big enough for two people to lie down inside to rest. If the money isn’t enough, I’ll make up the difference on delivery. If there’s extra, keep it as a tip for your trouble.”

The dealer’s eyes lit up: “Don’t worry, miss, I’ll take care of it for you. And we won’t need to wait long. I know a seller with finished carriages in stock.”

He called someone to mind his stall and went off with Yu Zhi Yi to look at carriages.

Jiang Liu Yun pursed his lips and made a face.

Jiang Yu Chuan stepped out of the shadows. Seeing his foolish son’s aggrieved look, he let out a tight breath and spoke low: “Your sister was mistreated by Yu Manor from a young age. She surely knows the pain of having no money. She values every coin and can’t stand it when you waste them.”

“We people of the martial world don’t fuss over small things, and tipping after eating and drinking is normal. But no one tips in the hundreds or thousands of taels.”

My daughter had a hard childhood. Seeing my son act wasteful would naturally make her angry.

Jiang Liu Yun’s eyes cleared in sudden understanding: “So that’s it. Then I’ll never waste money again!”

Jiang Yu Chuan patted his shoulder with approval: “You can still tip. Just don’t overdo it. One or two taels is enough.”

Jiang Liu Yun straightened, his look solemn: “No. I’m going to save all my money for sister. When she gets married one day, I’ll give it all to her as a dowry.”

All these years, his mother had missed sister and carried her like a wound in her heart. Following his mother, he knew sister was her greatest pain. Also, his friends all had sisters they were close to, soft and sweet girls who, to their brothers, were the best in the world. He had always wanted a sister. His big brother was too serious, always making him stand in punishment and checking his martial skills. Every check ended in a thorough beating.

He believed that if sister had never been lost, she would be gentle with him too. He wanted to be good to sister. He had squirreled away a lot of secret savings just for her.

In truth, he didn’t usually tip so wildly. He only showed off today to leave a good impression on sister. He hadn’t expected it to backfire so badly. [Fine. I can fix this.]

Before long, Jiang Liu Yun caught up. Yu Zhi Yi had no idea what scenes his busy mind had imagined, but once he rejoined them, he behaved much more normally. While the dealer and the carriage master introduced different carriages, he went around knocking and testing. After a round of tapping and tugging, he flashed two rows of bright white teeth and reported cheerfully: “Sister, this carriage is roomy enough and very sturdy.”

Yu Zhi Yi nodded.

Seeing her agree, Jiang Liu Yun beamed even brighter. Then he turned to the carriage master and bargained with a confident tone: “Boss, fifty taels is too expensive. The wood isn’t any rare timber. It’s not worth that price. Counting the labor, twenty taels at most.”

Yu Zhi Yi lifted an eyebrow. [Did the brat finally get it?]