Diligence System: From Servant to Martial King-Chapter 426 - 294: Steady Progress, Pearl Oil Bath, Treasure Cauldron, Maiden at the Door
Li Xian destroyed the "Water Gold Lair," exchanging heads for merit money, earning one tael of merit silver and three hundred merit coins.
The boxes of gold and jewels obtained were brought back to Cyan Ox Residence. Last night, Nangong Liuli kept solitary vigil in her empty chamber, feeling quite lonely. She was often annoyed at Li Xian’s mischief, always finding ways to tease her, yet in truth, without anyone to vex her, she felt a sense of unease and melancholy.
Since moving into Cyan Ox Residence, she had never been apart from Li Xian. This short separation for half a day made her realize how hard it was to part. Worrying all night, she paced around at times, practiced her sword skills at others, going without sleep the entire night.
Seeing Li Xian finally brought her relief. When Li Xian, considerate and gentle, offered her tea and asked about the bandit hunt, she was thrilled to hear how, even while in the bandit’s den, he managed to do good deeds. She clapped in delight and praised Li Xian for his excellent work.
With her delicate hands, she rubbed his shoulders, gazing at Li Xian’s side profile, her thoughts drifting: "This mischievous brother seems flawless, handsome and principled, clever and alert, with martial arts talent worthy of a dragon-phoenix. His Pure Gang Qi Clothing is superior. If... If I were to take him as a husband, though mischievous and always teasing me, I wouldn’t actually mind."
"I wonder how he sees me..."
Thinking thus, Nangong Liuli’s face flushed red, her heart pounding. Yet, she did not ask, knowing Li Xian’s nature well; his answer would surely be sweet as honey. She doubted its sincerity anyway.
Continuing on:
"Hmph!"
"I see that he’s quite the flirt. Just ten days ago, an unruly elder visited him at night. He got very close to that elder; they went out together. Who knows what shady dealings they’re involved in. Do you not know that sly elder wants to eat you alive!"
"Regardless of that, the two of us already... using cooperation as a pretext, such shameful things cannot merely be treated as child’s play."
Her gaze was tender yet sometimes troubled. The intensity of her shoulder rub varied.
Li Xian, embellishing the events, described the bandit hunt as thrilling, telling how he got into dangerous situations, sustained serious injuries, narrowly escaped death, and turned peril into safety. Nangong Liuli pulled open his clothing to find no injuries, amusing and exasperating her at once, not knowing what to do with this mischievous brother.
Sharing a tender moment, they turned to business. Li Xian collected three boxes of jewels, but the thick-bottomed boxes were large on the outside and small inside, with gems only covering the top layer and empty below. Laying out the jewels on the table, the candlelight reflecting, a dazzling display that left them dazzled but also led to some complaints for not being as expected.
Nangong Liuli shook her head gently, explaining that jewels and precious artifacts are usually packed this way. If really piled into full boxes, during transport, they’d scratch and lose their appearance.
Moreover, jewels are rare, and if boxed fully, they’d fail to highlight luxury.
There’s also the rule of ’more overflow.’
Wealth filling a vessel will eventually spill over.
Li Xian understood the lesson with a realization, feeling very educated.
Nangong Liuli ground ink and held her brush, brows slightly raised, carefully recording the jewels and artifacts. She said, "Lift it higher."
Li Xian obliged, lifting a jade pendant to the light, the daylight penetrating it, revealing all its colors, texture, and lines. Nangong Liuli laughed, "Quite nice."
With graceful handwriting, she wrote the title "Jade Chiwen Pendant." Then noted the next jewel, shimmering pearl, yellow stone jade wall, gold embroidered cloud pattern...
Her knowledge was extraordinary; from past family banquets, where exquisite jade artifacts were exchanged, she was well-acquainted with the value and quality of jewels, recognizing the appearance, quality, and name at a glance.
Recording page after page, her cheeks blushed with joy, estimating the jewelry and artifacts to be worth five thousand taels. Each item inscribed felt like money credited, accumulating over time. Managing this property, the joy and accomplishment couldn’t be felt elsewhere. Li Xian laughed, "Sister Liuli, is there something special you like here? If so, it’s yours."
"You do have a conscience," she replied. Nangong Liuli usually didn’t care much for these jewels; although valuable, they could seem pretentious, appearing to flaunt wealth unnecessarily, falling into the lower realm. The Nangong Family was affluent enough not to need to flaunt.
In a good mood today, and with Li Xian’s gift, she felt different. Adoring the dazzlingly crafted pieces, she picked a necklace and two hairpins, skillfully tucking them into her dark hair, the jewels complementing her beauty.
Looking into the mirror, she raised her brows slightly, extremely pleased, asking, "Do you think it looks good?"
Li Xian said, "It looks great, like a celestial fairy descending to earth." Nangong Liuli, unable to hide her delight, blushingly teased, "Fairies descending end up cheap for mortals eventually."
Li Xian chuckled, "Well, would you be willing to bless me with such fortune?" Nangong Liuli, feeling wronged, replied, "If I say no, you wicked rogue, you’ll surely be rude to me again." Softly she said, "So, I can only bless you."
Seeing Nangong Liuli’s evolving feelings, Li Xian said, "Sister Liuli, I have other matters to attend to."
Nangong Liuli frowned, "Is it important? Can it be postponed?"
Li Xian said, "It can indeed be postponed. But..." Nangong Liuli replied, "Then postpone it; don’t forget, we are partners, and you owe me for last night when you didn’t return."
Li Xian laughed, "Sister Liuli, if you’re so nitpicky, you’ll end up bringing trouble upon yourself."
Nangong Liuli said confidently, "Little brother, I’ve been lenient before, do you really think you’re that impressive? To me, you’re just so-so."
Li Xian sneered, "Fine, you’ll see." Nangong Liuli slightly raised her brows; she was best at provoking him, yet Li Xian never fell for it. Seeing him bristling with anger, she felt both a twinge of fear and a trace of delight. Snorting, she blushed brightly and said, "Am I afraid of you? Today is different from the past, so what can you do to me?"
