Her Highness The Princess Comes from A Thousand Years Ago - Chapter 10

Shen Yanbing took her to a nearby pedestrian street, one of the most famous shopping streets in the West District.

Summer evenings were lively and crowded. Neon signs glowed everywhere in dazzling colors, and Li Mingyue stayed close beside Shen Yanbing, afraid they might become separated in the sea of people at any moment.

A gentle breeze drifted through the street. Cool air spilled from the storefronts, and the noisy crowds constantly reminded Li Mingyue that this was a real, vibrant world.

Most of the shops along this street sold clothing. It lacked the smoke, food, and bustle of an ordinary night market.

Shen Yanbing rarely came here. She did not buy clothes often and usually rotated through the same styles already hanging in her wardrobe.

Her Highness was staring absently at the outfits displayed on the mannequins behind a shop window.

“Do you see anything you like?”

Li Mingyue shook her head awkwardly, then nodded.

“…I am not accustomed to them.”

Shen Yanbing smiled and entered the nearest brand-name clothing store.

A sales associate quickly came over to greet them. Li Mingyue stood behind Shen Yanbing and cautiously looked at the clothes hanging all around the shop.

Shen Yanbing was not particularly skilled at choosing clothes. She pointed toward Her Highness and told the enthusiastic associate directly, “Please help her find a couple of suitable outfits.”

The associate’s smile became genuinely delighted. Choosing clothes for a beauty was never difficult; no matter what compliment she gave, it was unlikely to be wrong.

Li Mingyue hesitated when the stranger handed her a camisole. Her eyes instinctively turned toward Shen Yanbing.

Shen Yanbing closed her phone and looked over with a smile.

“Find her something with sleeves.”

The associate immediately went to look. Another employee perceptively stepped forward with a dark blue short-sleeved collared top.

Shen Yanbing thought it looked good and turned toward Li Mingyue.

“Want to try it?”

Li Mingyue did not quite understand how she was supposed to try it on. Shen Yanbing also found the process troublesome, so she simply held the shirt against Li Mingyue’s body. It looked close enough, and she told the associate to wrap it up.

“Do you like this one?”

Shen Yanbing asked for final confirmation—though, based on what she knew of Li Mingyue, the princess would probably nod.

As expected, Her Highness nodded.

Following that style, the associate quickly brought over several more tops, along with matching linen trousers and knee-length skirts. Li Mingyue nodded to everything. Shen Yanbing waited at the counter while the purchases were wrapped, then scanned the code and paid.

The moment they left the store, warm air—sharply divided from the air-conditioned chill inside—rushed toward them.

Carrying several bags of clothing, Li Mingyue suddenly asked, “Do I already owe you a great deal of money?”

Shen Yanbing was surprised and laughed.

“Yes.”

Her Highness immediately became uneasy, as though she had encountered an enormous problem.

Shen Yanbing changed the subject.

“Let’s go look at shoes.”

Li Mingyue could only hurry after her into a shoe store.

The shop was bright and transparent, with illuminated displays and an entire wall of eye-catching designs.

Modern footwear was vastly different from shoes in ancient times.

“One pair of athletic shoes and one pair of casual shoes. See whether there are any you like.”

Shen Yanbing had little skill in selecting shoes either. Most of the time, she simply chose a reputable brand, examined the styles, and bought a pair if they felt comfortable enough.

Li Mingyue did not understand the differences between the various shoes. She only stared at them, trying to recognize the characters printed on the labels.

Smiling, the sales associate recommended a pair of white embroidered casual flats.

Li Mingyue held one shoe uncertainly. She had already noticed that most modern people’s shoes had long cords attached to them, but the Velcro sandals she had worn before did not.

Shen Yanbing took the shopping bags from her and set them aside.

“Try the shoes on.”

Then she looked at the associate.

“Bring a size thirty-six first.”

While the other woman went to fetch them, Shen Yanbing sat beside Li Mingyue, loosened the laces of her own shoe, and taught her how to tie them again.

Her hands moved through a complicated sequence before producing a bow.

Li Mingyue stared blankly.

“Did you understand?”

Her Highness was silent for a second.

“No.”

Shen Yanbing paused, untied the laces again, and moved more slowly. This time, she demonstrated another, simpler way of tying them.

“Like this, and then tie it once more.”

Shen Yanbing stood and stopped tormenting her own shoe.

“Do you know how now?”

Li Mingyue nodded with a little more confidence.

The associate had already returned with the shoes.

Her Highness removed her sandals, pulled on the short socks provided for trying on shoes, and thought for a moment. Then she clumsily tied a knot that did not appear obviously wrong.

The associate noticed nothing unusual and asked her to stand and walk around.

Li Mingyue took two steps on the soft insoles.

After those two steps, the laces loosened and hung down.

Shen Yanbing pretended not to notice.

“…Does the size feel right?”

Li Mingyue was uncertain. The associate immediately crouched down and pressed the area over her toes.

“The size is just right—”

Before she could finish, Li Mingyue nearly kicked her away.

The associate was startled. Seeing the customer’s expression change, she immediately understood and put on a professional smile.

“I’m sorry. I should have warned you before touching you.”

Li Mingyue’s reaction had been entirely instinctive. Now she looked embarrassed.

“It was my fault…”

Shen Yanbing frowned slightly.

“All right. We’ll take this pair.”

She then quickly chose a pair of classic black athletic shoes for Her Highness, paid, and left.

Both of them were now carrying more bags than they could comfortably hold.

Shen Yanbing had probably not shopped like this in years. At that moment, all she wanted was to return home and lie down.

Even so, she forced herself to say, “One final stop. The lingerie store.”

Shen Yanbing did not have many new undergarments at home, and buying them online without trying them on was unreliable. She had been planning since the previous day to bring Her Highness out and find her several properly fitting sets.

Li Mingyue stopped outside the shop. When she glimpsed the scene inside, her pupils contracted, and she froze, not daring to move forward.

Shen Yanbing turned to look at her and deliberately asked, “What is it?”

“…This.”

Everything before her delivered an enormous blow to the worldview of a woman from ancient times. Her Highness’s lips moved, and she frowned as she said, “It is injurious to public morals.”

Shen Yanbing finally failed to hold back her smile.

“Come inside and take a look first.”

A fierce struggle took place inside Li Mingyue’s heart. In the end, she lowered her head and followed Shen Yanbing inside with a faint blush on her face.

This was the first shop where she did not dare look around.

Shen Yanbing was entirely at ease. She pointed toward Li Mingyue and briefly explained what they needed to the sales associate. Soon, bras of various styles had been placed in front of Her Highness.

Li Mingyue wore a deeply troubled expression. She hugged the shopping bags tightly against her chest and let her head droop listlessly.

The associate looked at the young woman and laughed.

“Are you an adult yet? Don’t be shy.”

Shen Yanbing took all the shopping bags out of Li Mingyue’s arms and set them aside.

“It’s only buying underwear.”

Li Mingyue reluctantly straightened but still refused to raise her eyes and look properly.

The lingerie-store associate was very familiar with situations like this and teased, “Is this your first time here? You’ll slowly get used to it, pretty girl.”

Li Mingyue tried to hide behind Shen Yanbing, but Shen Yanbing caught her by the wrist and pulled her forward.

Before she could object, the associate suddenly wrapped her arms around her. With an expert eye, she rapidly estimated Li Mingyue’s approximate size and smiled.

“What style would you like?”

Her Highness’s cheeks flushed bright red. She pulled her wrist free from Shen Yanbing’s hand, circled behind her, and refused to speak.

The associate looked somewhat surprised.

Shen Yanbing pointed at a style with slightly wider shoulder straps.

“Something like this.”

“What color?”

For the first time, Her Highness pinched the lowered palm of Shen Yanbing—the good person she trusted.

Shen Yanbing turned her hand over and caught Li Mingyue’s palm, smiling.

“Anything is fine. Bring two in light colors.”

She also asked for matching underwear.

Li Mingyue kept her eyes fixed on her sandals the entire time. As soon as the payment was completed, she tugged Shen Yanbing’s clothes and urged her toward the exit.

“Why are you in such a hurry?”

Shen Yanbing rarely had Li Mingyue dragging her along like this and found it rather novel.

“Your state of mind needs work.”

Li Mingyue released her and walked ahead without saying anything.

“You even have a temper now.”

Shen Yanbing laughed and caught up, patting her on the shoulder.

Li Mingyue turned toward her and, unusually, assumed an aloof and dignified manner.

“What?”

Shen Yanbing laughed in exasperation. She raised a pile of shopping bags directly in front of her face.

“You don’t want your things?”

There were no palace maids here to wait upon her.

Li Mingyue’s face instantly grew hot. Without speaking, she took the pile of bags. Then she moved forward at a snail’s pace, refusing to make contact with Shen Yanbing.

She felt that Shen Yanbing had been laughing at her, and the thought left her uncomfortable.

“Don’t get lost.”

Seeing the distance between them continue to widen, Shen Yanbing had no choice but to stop.

“What are you sulking about?”

Li Mingyue lowered her head and hugged the bags. Only after a long while did she answer, “Nothing.”

Shen Yanbing stared steadily at her. She could not bear seeing her like this and wanted to say something, but people surged around them in every direction.

She freed one hand, caught Li Mingyue by the wrist, and quickly led her forward.

Countless tiny warm-yellow lights were strung above the pedestrian street. Together with the glittering shop signs, they covered the entire area in a uniquely charming glow.

After they turned the corner and left the street, the number of people immediately diminished.

Shen Yanbing released her hand.

Li Mingyue’s wrist fell naturally back to her side.

One streetlamp after another illuminated the road ahead.

The bustling prosperity receded behind them, and the night breeze was silent.