The prosperity of the Capital City indeed exceeded Shen Yu’s imagination, and its security was formidable.
Almost every single intersection was guarded by tall Huchengwei wearing armor and carrying blades.
Although Shen Yu had only been wandering for a short half-day, she was already astonished by the prosperity of the Capital City.
Unlike the remote Border, the Capital City began buzzing with activity as early as Yinshi.
Merchant ships from various regions arrived in a continuous stream.
Every day, 100-zhà ng cargo ships entered and exited Jingcheng Port more than 100 times, concentrating goods of all kinds from across the country into the Capital.
Of course, “100-zhà ng” was certainly an exaggeration, but those massive cargo ships were indeed the best proof of the Empire’s immense productivity.
As time passed, the smoke from dye works, blacksmith shops, and official kilns never ceased, and the various trading markets were bustling with the clamor of people.
Shen Yu strolled around for a while.
The Jingcheng Medicine Market, in particular, surprised her.
It was a fact that medicinal herbs could not be artificially cultivated, yet the market was stocked with every variety of herb imaginable.
As long as one had the money, there was basically no herb that could not be found in the Jingcheng Medicine Market.
“Sister, there is no need for us to buy ready-made clothes. We can just buy a few bolts of fabric and go back; I can make them myself. I could even make one for you!”
Yin Qiu followed beside Shen Yu, her small hand gently tugging at the corner of Shen Yu’s clothes while she warily scanned her surroundings.
The prosperity of the Capital City seemed completely out of place for her.
Having grown up in a remote region, where would Yin Qiu have ever seen such a scene?
Just one look at those exquisite dresses made of silks and satins was enough to dazzle Yin Qiu’s eyes.
How could she dare to dream of owning one?
Furthermore, the prices, which easily reached more than ten taels of silver, were enough to make her recoil in fear.
One had to realize that even if she sold herself, she might not even be able to scrape together five taels of silver.
“I think the fabric sold by the street vendors over there is quite good. It is much, much cheaper than ready-made clothes!”
“No need. If we are buying, we buy the best. What do you think of this pink Ruqun?”
Shen Yu had taken a liking to a pale pink Ruqun hanging in the most prominent spot of the tailor shop.
Its style was similar to the Hanfu she had seen in her previous life, but compared to those, this piece clearly had a greater sense of design and layering.
Since it was the most popular style and was displayed in the shop’s most conspicuous location, it naturally featured the finest fabric and the most top-tier design.
Yin Qiu was already naturally beautiful; if she were to wear this Ruqun, she would likely be even more adorable and moving.
“Tw-Twenty taels of silver?”
Yin Qiu was stunned.
She subconsciously took a few steps back, her throat feeling parched and unable to utter a single word.
Twenty taels of silver—she had never seen twenty taels of silver in her entire life!
A laborer or a servant would have to go without food or drink for three or four years to have any hope of saving twenty taels of silver.
Even the annual salary of a Seventh-rank County Magistrate might only be slightly more than twenty taels of silver.
Even in the Capital City, twenty taels could easily buy a pleasant-looking maidservant to take home.
Twenty taels… if given to Yin Qiu to count, she would probably need to use her trembling fingers for quite a while to finish the task.
But now, all of it was being spent on a single dress?
“What are you standing there for? Change into these clothes. From now on, wear this when you go out with me.”
While Yin Qiu was still in a daze, Shen Yu had already paid for the Ruqun.
The little maid in the tailor shop warmly pulled Yin Qiu’s arm, intending to take her to the back room to change, but Yin Qiu’s head was still spinning.
By the time she snapped out of it, the beautiful pink Ruqun was already on her body.
“Yes! It looks good!”
Shen Yu nodded with satisfaction.
“You are truly blessed, Young Lady, to have such a doting sister. You look absolutely wonderful in this dress!”
The little maid was also not stingy with her praise.
When doing business, it was never wrong to be a bit sweet-talking.
Moreover, Yin Qiu was truly beautiful.
Praising her was not at all like praising those overbearing customers who looked like dinosaurs; there was no burden in it whatsoever.
“This will be the standard whenever we go out from now on. Remember, you are an Apprentice learning medicine from me, not a Servant sold to me to wait on my daily life. I want you to live an upright life as a person, learn the skills you ought to learn, and do the things you ought to do! In the future, you should have the ability to establish yourself and support yourself.”
Shen Yu gently stroked Yin Qiu’s head.
An Apprentice and a Servant were certainly different.
It was very important what kind of status Yin Qiu held when she accompanied Shen Yu while she practiced medicine in the future.
If she were a Servant, she might even be turned away at the doors of certain wealthy families.
“Let’s go. I will buy you a few pieces of jewelry as well.”