Chapter 34 - 31

While Yu Yingyi was putting her jades up onto the shelves, more and more people gathered outside of the store. Most of them were women which weren't surprising considering how handsome she was. There were even men outside, but they were there probably only to see her.

"You're very popular around these parts."

"Yep, since this isn't a very rich environment, not many would expect someone in the higher parts of the city to come down here. But I don't think that way, I'm still a commoner and I don't consider myself part of the higher ranking of society."

"I see, I'm glad you're still the same. I've seen many people change in my life when they achieve something. They often tend to leave us and forget us and move on in life. But it seems you're quite different from them."

"Of course, it would be disrespectful to forget the place I'm from and never visit again. Just because I achieve something great, that doesn't mean it'll change me, I'm still me."

"I have more admiration for you now, if you ever need anything, I'll help in any way I can."

"Huh? Did that mean you didn't admire me before?"

"Of course not, back then, you would drop off jades and leave notes and would occasionally speak to me. Do you believe that was admirable?"

Yu Yingyi chuckled and rubbed the back of her head. "I guess not, but I'll keep the second offer in my mind, if I ever need help, you better help me."

"I'm a woman of my word, but I doubt you'll ever need help from me, you have the princess by your side after all."

Yu Yingyi shook her head. "Trust me, you'll be a great help in the future."

In the future, if Yu Yingyi was able to beat the empress where she could reveal herself as a woman, the legalization of same-sex relationships would start. But she can't do it by herself, she needed support, and this was perfect.

"Is that so? Then I'll note down this conversation since I might forget, I'm getting old."

"Don't kid yourself, you look just as young as the princess."

This earned Yu Yingyi a nudge.

"Don't compare to the princess, you might get in trouble for that. Moreover, how are you going to deal with the crown outside?"

"Huh? Me?"

"Who else? You're the one who caused the commotion, naturally, you'll be the one to disperse it."

"..."

This was one of Yu Yingyi's weaknesses, she didn't know how to deal with crowds, what made it worse was that these crowds were after her. Well, there was one way to find out how to deal with crowds, it's to deal with one.

When Yu Yingyi made it out the door, people immediately started swarming around her. There was barely any space for Yu Yingyi to walk.

A bunch of shouting and questions could be heard, everything was becoming hectic.

"Prince Yingyi! You're so handsome!"

"Please marry me instead!"

"I want you to touch me everywhere!"

Yu Yingyi was shocked, she couldn't believe that people were bold enough to say that in public. They were bolder than her in some ways, it hurt her pride in some ways.

"Now, now, everyone calm down. I need some space to walk."

Surprisingly, everyone listened and immediately made space for Yu Yingyi to walk. That was how much of an effect Yu Yingyi had on them, it was even surprising for Yu Yingyi considering in the modern world, people would never listen to famous people who were asking to make way for them.

This era was truly different for the better.

There was another problem though, she didn't know how to greet the people that came for her. Did autographs exist in this era? That question was answered when someone shouted a question.

"Can I have your autograph?!"

"Of course, give me a second," said Yu Yingyi before turning to the crowd. "Would you all like autographs too?"

""Yes!"'

Immediately, there were quick movements within the crowd, everyone now had a pen and a small piece of paper in their hands. Their hand speed was crazy.

Yu Yingyi started making her way around the crowd, signing the paper with her signature. Somehow, the feeling of people wanted her attention and being happy just by her appearance felt good. Perhaps this was what being a celebrity is like?

After a while, her hand was starting to hurt, just how many people wanted her autograph? Soon enough, she reached the back of the line where a little girl stood, somehow she looked familiar.

"Prince of Badminton!" the girl called out.

"Now I recognize you, I'm surprised you were able to make it here. The place where we played together is quite far away from here," said Yu Yingyi.

"My mother brought me here since there was a big commotion about someone very important was here so we came here. I'm surprised it's you, big brother."

Yu Yingyi felt an arrow piercing through her heart when she was called big brother, it was a wonderful feeling despite being a girl.

Everyone who got their autograph was already walking away, it was normal behavior.

"Little girl, what's your name again?" Yu Yingyi asked.

"I'm Xiao Qing!"

"Well then Xiao Qing, where is your mother?"

"I think she's buying groceries right now, she told me to wait for her to come back here."

Yu Yingyi was surprised again, what kind of mother would leave their child alone here? But she knew about the environment they lived in, there was probably something important her mother had to deal with.

"Alright Xiao Qing, how about I buy you something in the store?"

"Is that fine? Mother told me the store here is very expensive, it might take a lot of your money away.

The way Xiao Qing spoke was so cute.

"It's fine, I have enough to buy you something anyway, you can pick whatever you want."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Thank you, big brother!"

Before they entered a store, there was a familiar voice calling out to her.

"You look like you're having fun, Yu Yingyi."