The fiery girl exploded, slamming the seat. "Since when did I owe you that much?"
"Calm down, Princess." Wally Wang produced an abacus and ledger from somewhere, calculating earnestly.
"Per our Golden Yuan Merchant Guild's rates, eleven percent monthly interest. Last month, you owed me nine hundred eighty thousand. Interest is ninety-eight thousand, totaling one million seventy-eight thousand. For Your Highness's sake, I'll round it down to one million seventy thousand."
Wally spouted nonsense with a straight face. Since Ming Jiang's reign began, such usury was illegal. Lenders charging over three percent interest faced execution, their families wiped out.
But his audacity was threefold: a month of fear passed without Li snitching, emboldening him; he'd just paid Emperor Ren's "protection fee," with the final sum yet to reach the treasury, securing his ties to the new emperor; and, as expected, her face showed regret and fury, clearly anguished over borrowing so much from him.
Wally had guessed right, her grasp of legal matters was feeble.
Li huffed and turned away. After a long pause, she suddenly whirled back, glaring. "Wait, how did you know I was here? Were you following me?"
Wally had spies near the palace, learning of her outing almost instantly, but he'd never admit to stalking. Feigning innocence, he said, "Coincidence, pure coincidence."
"Today, a troupe from the west arrived, called... a circus?"
He drawled casually, as if offhand. "They say they've got giant elephants from South Yue, lions from the far plains, a horned beast called a 'si' long gone from Bright Hua... and monkeys that leap through fire hoops."
Li pretended not to hear, but her lotus-like ears perked up subtly, delighting his sneaky gaze.
Her playful nature couldn't resist novel, exciting things. Her eyes flickered with distraction, but she stayed silent. The clever princess knew speaking first would trap her in his scheme again. So she sat, sulky and mute, like a little gourd.
"My dear Princess, don't you want to see it?"
Wally grinned, his fatty eyelids nearly swallowing his eyes, leaving only slits where his mung-bean pupils glinted, utterly sleazy.
"No."
Li tilted her delicate head, gazing out the window at the bustling, lively streets. She turned away, leaving only the back of her head for him to see.
But she didn't realize that, with her hair tied up in a gentleman's style, this motion exposed her usually hidden, snow-white jade neck. The smooth, silk-like fairness of her skin, that tender glimpse of white, was like freshly made tofu, dazzling and almost blinding.
The girl was flawless, like a swan, her skin whiter than snow. This beauty wasn't something those lustful harlots or seductive vixens could compare to. It was as if the chill of early winter snow met the warmth of spring sunlight, a clear stream flowing over stones, pure and untainted. Her face carried a hint of petulance, her youthful yet blossoming features showing a mix of annoyance and charm. The innocence between her brows marked her as an unwed maiden just come of age, clear as a flowing brook.
In an instant, it stirred the heart, evoking the sweet and sour rush of first love, a feeling of youthful days reborn. Even Wally, who usually saw women as mere tools for his lust, was entranced, nearly driven mad. The deformed cock hidden beneath his pants, thick as a white jade ginseng or a giant radish, sprang to life, pressing against his trousers. He flinched, using the flab of his belly to cover it, his eyes practically blazing with desire.
Yet he knew he was playing a dangerous game. One misstep, and he'd plunge into ruin. If he angered the princess and she told the emperor, Ming's fury could have him flayed, his bones crushed, his body torn to pieces.
So he coughed twice, breaking the silence. "But I've been thinking, Your Highness. Since fate has brought us together, this time, let me treat you."
"Treat me?" Li turned back, her beautiful eyes narrowing with suspicion. "Free? You, being this kind?"
"Of course! I'm a businessman, and businessmen value honesty above all. My word is like water spilled, never taken back. Free means free, no lies."
Wally saw at once that she had fallen into his trap.
But the free things are the costliest, my naive little princess... he thought, his eyes glinting with deep intent.
"Hmm... Since you're inviting me so respectfully, I'll graciously go with you!"
Li lifted her chin slightly, revealing her swan-like snowy neck, exuding an air of lofty nobility. Yet her eyes betrayed her barely concealed curiosity and excitement.
"Yes, yes, yes! It's my greatest honor that Your Highness would grace me with your presence."
Wally seized the chance to flatter her, his face beaming with a fawning, obsequious smile.
The carriage stopped in the outer city of the capital, before a large tent surrounded by countless iron cages. Animals she had never heard of or seen appeared before her eyes.
The area was already packed, carriages of wealthy families lining the outskirts. Among them were nobles and relatives of court officials. The pathways outside were jammed tight. Seeing so many flocking here, her curiosity and anticipation grew.
Luckily, his wealth opened doors. He'd secured a second-floor VIP box in advance and led her up. She peered down eagerly.
Two monkeys in child-sized red jackets juggled three embroidered balls, tumbling and flipping playfully. Their antics were so comical and endearing that the ladies in the audience couldn't help but laugh.
Then a woman in distinctive western leather strode out. Her long brown curls bounced slightly at the ends, her green eyes gleamed, and her fiery, curvy figure stood out, utterly foreign compared to Bright Hua's people, brimming with exotic allure.
She held a whip, and behind her, a red curtain parted to reveal a covered crate.
"Roar!!!"
A beast the size of a bull, its neck fringed with mane, gray-white all over, let out a low growl. Its gaping maw flashed sharp teeth, exuding a bloody, majestic aura, like the king of beasts, chilling the crowd to the bone.
"Eek!"
"Ahhh!!"
"What is that!!!"
The women in the lower seats, closer to the action, paled and screamed. Even Li, up in the stands, widened her eyes, covering her mouth at the sight of this unheard-of creature.
Those with broader knowledge recognized it as a lion from the distant west, though a gray-maned one was a first.
The tamer cracked her whip, and the lion obediently sat. She directed it casually, and it followed her commands. A flaming hoop was brought out, and with a snap of the whip on the ground, the fearsome lion leapt through it like a docile kitten.
Fear faded, replaced by the thrill of the unknown. The audience warmed up, clapping and cheering as the tamer led the show.
"Too fun, giggle..."
"Wow, what a big guy..."
"What's that next?"
Li leaned against the railing, eyes unblinking, watching the parade of bizarre, never-before-seen animals perform one act after another, like a carousel of wonders.
Time slipped by unnoticed. As the show ended, she watched reluctantly as the crowd thinned, leaving only a few stragglers. Only then did she realize how fast the hours had flown.
Wally waddled over, his fat belly jiggling, grinning. "Was it good? Fun, Your Highness?"
"Mm..." she replied, still savoring it.
"Ai!"
He suddenly sighed, feigning regret. "Such a pity this circus troupe is leaving the capital in a few days."
"Huh? A few days?"
Her heart sank. Something this fun was rare, and now he said it'd soon be gone. How could the lively, free-spirited princess not feel a pang of loss?
"Yeah, these western troupes drift wherever the market takes them, never settling. They're not like shops with a fixed spot..." He paused, coughing, his tone growing weighty.
"Of course, if someone bought the troupe, they could watch it day or night, anytime, those rare beasts and all..."
"Buy it?" she murmured, almost to herself.
Hooked!!!
A flash of glee sparked in his mung-bean eyes. He nodded eagerly, bowing. "Yes, yes, buy it! The officials would issue a permit, and it could stay in the capital legally."
"But I live in the palace," she said, her heart stirring, though she hesitated.
"Oh, Your Highness, I'm in the capital now, but does that stop me from owning a house back home? It's the same for you..."
His tone grew more enticing, like a scheming peddler.
"Wait!!!"
Li was sharp, not as easily fooled as other women. She quickly caught on, her brows arching in anger, though her stunning face made it look more pouty than fierce, even a bit cute.
"You're trying to trick me into borrowing money again!"
"Ahem, ahem!"
Wally coughed hastily, masking his embarrassment, waving his hands. "No, no, no, Your Highness, don't slander me! Where did I mention borrowing money? Not once!"