Chapter 20: The Eccentric Fool, Song Bao’er

The next day, as the morning glow emerged, the first rays of dawn peeked through.

When the appointed time arrived, the tightly closed city gates of Xian City gradually opened. A well-trained city guard contingent marched out from within.

Xie Jiuniang and her family arrived early to queue up, with the burdensome Song Bao’er tagging along behind them.

The current Song Bao’er was now wearing clothes borrowed from Mo Lan, along with restyled hair and shoes. Due to their early arrival to line up, the tips of her hair were dampened by the morning dew.

Initially, Song Bao’er muttered under her breath that the Xie family was being overly particular by arriving so punctually, as if they had never experienced the world before. It was just entering the city after all; no need to make such a fuss about it.

However, upon seeing the long, serpentine queues, Song Bao’er felt embarrassed, realizing it was herself who lacked worldly experience.

After queueing for a full hour, it was finally the Xie group’s turn. 

A city guard holding a mirror-like magic tool shone it on each of them. No abnormalities were detected. “Proceed to pay the spirit stones,” he said.

Not far away stood a long table, beside which hung a notice board detailing that during the Tianxu Sect’s recruitment period, the city entry fees would be raised to control the population inflow. The rates were ten spirit stones per adult and one spirit stone per child, though those with outstanding talents could be exempted.

Xie Jiuniang’s eyes scanned back and forth across the words “those with outstanding talents may be exempted” on the notice. 

She felt belittled by the notice board; it was piercing.

Seeing Xie Shen take out twenty-two spirit stones, Song Bao’er stood up straight with her chest out, glancing at Xie Jiuniang with satisfaction. “Uncle Xie, I possess the dual fire and wind spiritual roots, so I should be exempt from the entry fee.”

Just speak if you want to speak, why are you glancing at me while talking?

Xie Jiuniang stood ramrod straight with her little figure. “What are you looking at? I have spirit stones, you don’t.”

Song Bao’er’s complacent expression stiffened. She was still proud inside, but her spine unconsciously bent a little.

Soon, she straightened her back again. “But I have talent. I’m from the Song family.”

“Heh, I have spirit stones,” Xie Jiuniang snorted coldly.

Mo Lan covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. This was exactly what her daughter needed—to banter and spar with peers of her own.

Xie Shen asked the city guard who was collecting the fee. The other party took out a spirit root testing plate. It confirmed that Song Bao’er did indeed possess dual spiritual roots, exempting her from the entry fee.

The young Miss Song, having been pampered since birth, was overjoyed at being able to save a single spirit stone. She deliberately strutted back and forth in front of Xie Jiuniang. “Xiao Jiu meimei^[1]Meimei: is a Chinese word that means younger/little sister. It can also be used by an older female to refer to a younger female in a respectful/endearing way, similar to calling her “little … Continue reading, I get to enter for free, but you don’t. It seems my aptitude is better than yours, hmm?”

Xie Jiuniang replied flatly, “I have spirit stones; you don’t.”

At this moment, Song Bao’er felt confused.

Little girl, don’t you understand? Shouldn’t you be trying to please me at this time?

At first, she thought the little girl didn’t see her, so she had been swaying in front of her several times…

In the past, many surrounded her trying to curry favor and flatter her. Her elder sister had said it was because of her noble birth and exceptional talent that those around her should pander to her.

But Xiao Jiu meimei did not… Song Bao’er felt deeply aggrieved.

Mo Lan glanced at the dejected Song Bao’er, then turned to her daughter with an inquiring look.

Xie Jiuniang pointed to her own head, indicating that Song Bao’er had a mental problem. “Don’t mind her; she’ll be fine in a bit.”

In her previous life, she was well aware that Song Bao’er was extraordinarily eccentric from head to toe.

Eccentric point one: she had vulgar taste and was always glittering with gold and jewels.

Eccentric point two: she was a spendthrift, as if those who fawned over her all got fat.

Eccentric point three: she had peculiar views, thinking that people who didn’t fawn over her were mentally ill, and she firmly believed this.

Eccentric point four…Forget it, she didn’t want to think about it. Anyway, Song Bao’er was an irrelevant passerby.

In this life, she wouldn’t marry Lin Wangchen, so those ridiculous conflicts with Song Bao’er from the previous life shouldn’t happen, right?

Xie Shen hired a local to guide them, and they soon found a small courtyard to rent. They signed a half-year lease at 800 stones per month, paid in full upfront. 

Three months later, when the sect recruitment ended, the rent would fall back. Why be a fool and rent for half a year?

Xie Shen was also helpless. 

The owner of the house insisted on a minimum six-month rental. 

At present, almost every inn in the city was fully booked, with rental prices skyrocketing exponentially. Had he not spent spirit stones hiring a local guide’s assistance, Xie Shen may not have secured accommodation at all.

It was fortunate they had made preparations this early. In another month or two, not just small courtyards, even tiny huts would be unrentable.

“Song Bao’er!” Xie Jiuniang called out.

Song Bao’er had just finished touring the small courtyard with a look of disdain. “The rooms here aren’t even as big as the thatched hut for my family’s servants. Can’t we rent a better one?”

“Heh, do you have spirit stones?”

“Spirit stones aren’t an issue; you can just put it on my family’s tab first. They’ll pay it back when they arrive,” Song Bao’er replied, never concerned about such trifling sums of spirit stones.

As soon as she mentioned her family, her bent spine straightened again.

Xie Jiuniang took out an account book, swiftly jotting down, “The total rental for this time is 4,800 spirit stones, split evenly between our two families. That means you owe my family 2,400, right?”

“Right.” Song Bao’er calculated it twice in her head; the amount was accurate. “Actually, you can just put the full amount under my tab.”

“No, my family will never take advantage of others,” Xie Jiuniang said righteously.

Song Bao’er’s perception was refreshed again. It turned out there were people in the world who wouldn’t take advantage of others even when they saw the chance. Could it be that they were fools?

Song Bao’er glanced at Xie Jiuniang, her eyes tinged with pity. “My sister says anyone who doesn’t take advantage of me is an idiot, and that I shouldn’t associate with them.”

Xie Jiuniang’s mouth twitched as she couldn’t resist asking dumbly, “Why is that?”

“My sister says if a smart person stays around idiots for too long, even the smart person will become an idiot,” Song Bao’er said with a conflicted frown. “What should I do? I don’t want to become an idiot, but I have to stay with Xiao Jiu meimei for now.”

Xie Jiuniang fell silent. This… was she being insulted?

The ink on the account book had dried, she forcefully snapped it shut. “Fool Bao’er, your sister was absolutely right. Don’t you forget it.”

Upon hearing this, Song Bao’er thrust out her chest proudly. “Isn’t that so? I had some doubts initially, so I went and asked several of my friends, and they all agreed with what my sister said.”

Xie Jiuniang nodded dismissively, abruptly shoving the account book into Song Bao’er’s hands before turning to leave without a second glance.

What kind of intentions the elder sister harbored towards the younger sister was none of her business as an outsider, but Song Bao’er did speak one true thing—one must not linger around fools for too long!

Song Bao’er suddenly remembered something and instantly exploded with anger. “You wicked girl, what did you call me just now?!”

What was it? Don’t you have a clue?

Xie Jiuniang’s steps not only didn’t stop but became even faster.

“Ah! Ah! Ah! You nasty girl, stop right there for this young miss!”

“Stop! Who did you say was fool Bao’er?”

“…” Mo Lan, who had been setting up a formation in the bedroom and came out upon hearing the commotion, paused mid-step. 

She felt a tinge of regret for coming out. Was it too late to turn back?

---

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