Chapter 37: The Young Mistress
"I am Qian Gongyu of the Baiyun Qian Clan. And you?"
"Jiang Ten."
"Jiang Clan? Jiang Clan… could it be the Jiang Clan of Nanyang? No, I heard the Jiang Clan of Nanyang has already fallen from nobility, like birds scattering from a toppled tree... Could it be the Jiang Clan of Qiantang?"
"Orphan."
"But you are definitely not an ordinary commoner. You're around my age yet so skilled in combat, even among elite disciples from noble clans who entered the path early and honed their skills, few can compare to you.
What's more, you're so beautiful and powerful—this clearly shows that your parents must come from a family with hundreds of years of heritage."
Qian Gongyu declared with conviction, "Only noble bloodlines can produce noble descendants."
Ever since 'Jiang Ten' got on the carriage, Qian Gongyu’s mouth hadn’t stopped moving.
Even if Jiang Ten only responded once every ten sentences, she never grew tired of talking.
Thanks to her help, 'Jiang Ten' successfully cleared the lime from her eyes and swapped out the filthy coarse linen newbie outfit.
It’s worth mentioning that even from Yan Qing’s perspective before transmigrating, this carriage could be considered one of the most comfortable and luxurious vehicles he had ever seen.
The entire floor was carpeted with silk and gold-silver thread, the benches padded with velvet cushions, and a semi-transparent crystal tea table sat in the middle.
Both corners of the carriage were designed as fan-shaped display cabinets—one side filled with uniquely shaped wine bottles, the other displaying various Spirit Jade artworks.
Although the space was packed full, it didn’t feel cramped in the slightest.
Every piece of furniture was perfectly tailored to the carriage’s interior and cleverly designed to maintain smooth movement through the space.
No matter what one did, there was never the feeling of being obstructed—truly a prime example of creating a sanctuary in a snail shell.
And this was only the reception area; there was also a bathing room and a bedroom with a bed.
Meanwhile, a fierce storm raged outside, yet the carriage remained steady as a mountain.
Aside from the faint swaying of the ceiling lamp, there was almost no disturbance at all—this shock-absorption technology left Yan Qing in awe.
Anyone who understood the features and décor of this carriage would immediately form the clearest impression of its owner:
Filthy rich.
Naturally, 'Jiang Ten' went to the bathing room to change clothes.
But don’t misunderstand—being an all-ages game, 《The Messenger》 had no questionable clothing mechanics.
All outfit changes for game characters were instantaneous.
And if one insisted on streaking, the game character would automatically equip underwear.
The design and color of the underwear were closely tied to the last outfit worn by the character.
It would appear as if the character cut out the underwear herself in protest of the player’s indecency—just like how Ashley in Resident Evil 4 would cover her skirt depending on the player's camera angle.
"As expected, I thought of this outfit the moment I saw you—it suits you perfectly!"
'Jiang Ten' changed into a dress primarily dark blue with white accents.
The hem reached the knees, white lace adorned the sleeves and neckline, and she wore dark trousers and brown leather boots underneath—formal yet soft.
But Qian Gongyu still wasn’t fully satisfied.
She circled around 'Jiang Ten' twice, mumbling, "A pendant at the chest would look good... maybe a belt with a jade ornament at the waist... hair is fine loose, but tied with a ribbon would be prettier..."
As she spoke, Qian Gongyu began pulling accessories from the nearby jewelry box to dress 'Jiang Ten' up.
Yan Qing glanced at the equipment bar and saw every slot filled with purely cosmetic gear—none of it added defense or had any special effect.
"I just killed someone. Aren’t you afraid of getting into trouble by treating me so well?"
"Trouble? What trouble? I didn’t help you deal with those black-coated dogs," Qian Gongyu replied disdainfully.
Yan Qing recalled that those constables did indeed wear black clothes and boots under their straw cloaks.
"Isn’t letting me on your carriage considered helping me escape?"
"Seems like you don’t quite understand the relationship between our gentry clans and the government," Qian Gongyu raised her eyebrows.
Now, she finally displayed the arrogance and confidence befitting a young mistress.
"As long as our gentry clans don’t blatantly break ceremonial law, who in the government would dare question us?"
"Besides, those black-coated dogs were clearly up to no good."
"They had no arrest orders—just saw a beauty and wanted to seize you."
"Even if I had taken you by force, I would still not have violated any law in Great Liang."
"What could the authorities do to me?"
"But I killed someone. Doesn’t that make me a criminal?"
"Without a wanted order from the Ministry of Justice, who can say you’re a criminal?"
"Great Liang isn’t like those barbaric northern countries—it values ceremony and law."
Qian Gongyu smiled.
"Even if a warrant is issued, I could just claim ignorance, couldn’t I?"
"Searching for criminals and serving warrants is the government’s job."
"Are they going to dump that responsibility on us?"
"Still, you’d best find a way to get a Household Band."
She added, "Not having a Household Band marks you as a 'black identity'."
"You’re planning to attend the annual Mansu Woodland event, right?"
"Without a Household Band, you can’t even get in."
Yan Qing, naturally, didn’t understand what a Household Band was.
Luckily, Qian Gongyu loved to teach—or rather, she simply liked talking to 'Jiang Ten'.
Soon enough, he understood the significance of Household Bands in Jiangnan of the Liang Kingdom.
Household Band referred to the various wristbands worn by everyone here.
Though their combinations varied depending on profession, official rank, and assignments, they were generally divided into nine colors, corresponding to three main social classes: Cold Gate, Nobility, and Clans.
Cold Gate had three colors: gray, brown, and black.
Since these colors were considered dirty or murky, they were collectively called “Muddy Colors.”
Nobility had three colors: blue, cyan, and grass green.
The higher the rank, the lighter the color—hence they were called “Clear Colors.”
Clans had three colors: vermillion, purple, and gold.
Gold was reserved for the royal family, and due to their exalted status, these three were known as “Noble Colors.”
In Jiangnan of the Liang Kingdom, the Household Band system worked like capillaries connecting the entire nation.
Almost everyone wore one.
Northern traditions like hidden clans had virtually vanished here.
One could even say that in Jiangnan, anyone without a Household Band was either a rebel or a criminal.
"Is it necessary to have legal identification to enter Mansu Woodland?"
"At the very least, you need to have a Black Band." Qian Gongyu affirmed. "If you don’t even have a Black Band, it means your family is unknown locally, you hold no position in the government, and you’re not even a prospective Messenger. Your family contributes nothing to the court, you contribute nothing, and you’re not strong enough—there’s no way you’d be allowed into Mansu Woodland."
"I understand. Before we reach Mansu Woodland, please drop me off. I’ll find a way in myself."
"What method do you have?"
"Infiltration."
"What if you’re discovered? You're a black-identity; the authorities will arrest you!"
"I was discovered just now too. But the ones who came to arrest me are already dead."
"The ones guarding Mansu Woodland are the Imperial Guards responsible for defending Jiangnan City. They're way stronger than constables—you’ll die!"
"Then I’ll die."
Qian Gongyu clearly didn’t expect that answer.
The words she had prepared caught in her throat.
Her lips moved slightly as she mumbled, "It’s not like there are no other ways... After all, our Baiyun Qian Clan is still a noble clan. If you’d beg me..."
Qian Gongyu quickly glanced at 'Jiang Ten' and saw that the latter still wore the same emotionless expression.
She immediately changed her tone, "Since fate brought us together, and our Baiyun Qian Clan is known for being helpful—even if you didn’t ask, I’d still help you!"
She pulled out a Black Band from her chest.
If examined closely, one would see blue silk thread woven into the band.
"This is my family's guard’s Black Band. Although it hasn’t been registered, as long as you go in with me, the officials of Mansu Woodland won’t question it."
She said, "You can use this Household Band."
"Thank you."
Since he could enter openly, Yan Qing naturally wouldn’t make things harder for himself.
"But the Liang Kingdom has strict etiquette. People of different status must follow rules appropriate to their rank."
Qian Gongyu asked cautiously, "In front of others, you’ll have to pretend to be my guard, or people will get suspicious."
"No problem."
"Then how will you address me in public?"
"Young Mistress."
That “Young Mistress” made Qian Gongyu nod repeatedly, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush.
Clenching her fists, she said expectantly, "Say it again?"
"Young Mistress."
"Wait, our Baiyun Qian Clan pronounces it this way—you should pronounce it like this—"
"Young Mistress, shut up."
"Yes."