Calamity Messenger-Chapter 47 - 37: The Eldest Miss

"I am Qian Gongyu of the Baiyun Qian Clan, and you?"

"Jiang Shi."

"The Jiang Clan? Perhaps the Nanyang Jiang Clan? No, I’ve heard the Nanyang Jiang Clan has long fallen, like a tree with scattered birds... could it be the Qiantang Jiang Clan?"

"Orphan."

"But you are definitely not an ordinary commoner. You’re roughly my age and yet so skilled in combat, even among the elite offspring of noble lineages who train after entering the path, few can surpass you. What’s more, your beauty and strength indicate your parents must be from a lineage of hundreds of years of noble heritage." Qian Gongyu asserted confidently, "Only noble bloodlines produce noble offspring."

Since "Jiang Shi" had boarded the carriage, Qian Gongyu’s mouth hadn’t stopped, even if Jiang Shi replied only once for every ten sentences she spoke, she found joy in it. With her help, Jiang Shi successfully cleared the lime from her eyes and changed out of the dirty, rough linen new outfit.

Notably, even by Yan Qing’s pre-transportation standards, this carriage was among the most comfortable and luxurious vehicles he had ever seen. The entire carriage carpet was woven from silk and gold-silver threads, there were long velvet cushioned benches, and a half-transparent crystal tea table. The two corners of the carriage were designed as fan-shaped display cabinets, one packed with uniquely shaped wine bottles and the other displaying various Spiritual Jade artworks.

Though packed to the brim, it didn’t feel cramped at all because every piece of furniture perfectly matched the carriage’s interior space, and the layout was skillfully designed for smooth movement. Regardless of what you were doing, you wouldn’t feel blocked by the furniture; it was the perfect model for making use of tight space ingeniously. And this was just the display in the reception area; inside were bathing facilities and a bedroom with a bed.

Meanwhile, outside there was a raging storm, yet inside the carriage it felt as stable as Mount Tai, except for the slight sway of the lanterns hanging from the ceiling, there were hardly any other effects. The shock-absorption technology was simply spectacular to Yan Qing.

Anyone who understood the performance and decor of this carriage would form the most direct impression of the carriage owner:

A dead wealthy person.

Jiang Shi naturally went to the bathing room to change clothes, but don’t be misled. As a game for all ages, "Messenger" did not feature obvious loopholes like ’changing clothes’; all game characters changed clothes instantaneously. And if one were to run naked, the game character would be equipped with underwear, the style and color of which are closely associated with the final clothing worn, making it seem like the game character was protesting the player’s lack of propriety by tailoring underwear themselves, similar to Ashley from Resident Evil 4 covering her skirt based on the player’s view.

"As expected, the moment I saw you I thought of this outfit; it’s absolutely fitting for you!"

Jiang Shi changed into a primarily Deep Blue and pure white dress, the hem reaching knees, with white lace at the cuffs and collar. The lower part consisted of dark pants and brown leather boots, looking solemn yet gentle. However, Qian Gongyu was still not completely satisfied, circling "Jiang Shi" twice and murmured: "Some jewelry on the chest, a belt with a Jade Pendant at the waist, though the hair can remain loose, tying it up with a band would look better..."

While speaking, Qian Gongyu took things from the jewelry box beside and dressed "Jiang Shi," Yan Qing glanced at the equipment bar, only to see all slots filled with appearance-only equipment that didn’t add defense nor had special effects.

"I just killed someone, aren’t you afraid of trouble for hosting me like this?"

"Trouble? What trouble? I didn’t help you fight off those black-skinned dogs." Qian Gongyu’s tone was very disdainful.

Yan Qing recalled, indeed, those constables wore black clothes under their straw capes.

"Letting me on the carriage doesn’t count as aiding my escape?"

"Seems like you don’t quite understand the relationship between our Scholarly Clans and the Government Office." Qian Gongyu raised her eyebrows, finally showing the arrogance and confidence a rich lady should possess: "As long as our Scholarly Clan didn’t clearly violate etiquette, which Government Office would dare prosecute Scholarly Clans? Besides, those black-skinned dogs had no good intentions; they were trying to grab you out of lust without any order to arrest you. Even if I took you away then, it wouldn’t violate any law of Daliang, what could the Government Office do to me?"

"But isn’t killing someone criminal?"

"Without a warrant from the Ministry of Justice, who can declare you a criminal? Daliang isn’t one of those barbaric countries in the north, it values etiquette and legal systems." Qian Gongyu smiled: "Even if a warrant is issued, I could just feign ignorance. Searching for criminals and transmitting warrants is the duty of the Government Office, not something they could push accountability onto us, could they?"

"However, you’d better find a way to obtain a legal identity." She continued: "Not to mention being considered an outlaw without a legal identity, aren’t you planning to attend the annual Mansu Forest Land? You can’t enter without a legal identity."

Yan Qing naturally didn’t understand what a legal identity was, but fortunately, Qian Gongyu liked teaching—or rather she loved talking to "Jiang Shi"—soon he understood the importance of legal identity in the Jiangnan Liang Kingdom.

Legal identity refers to the various armbands worn by everyone, although different combinations are due to profession, official rank, and service, generally speaking, they can be classified in nine colors corresponding to three major classes: commoners, aristocracy, noble lineages.

Commoners’ three colors are gray, brown, black, as these colors are considered dirty and muddy, thus collectively called ’muddy colors’;

Aristocracy’s three colors are blue, cyan, grass-colored, the lighter the color the higher the status, thus collectively called ’clear colors’;

Noble lineages’ three colors are vermilion, purple, gold, the gold color being exclusive to the Royal Family, these colors are collectively called ’noble colors’ due to their high status.

In Jiangnan Liang Kingdom, the system of legal identity connects the whole country like capillaries; almost everyone wears a legal identity similar to the rarity of concealed noble lineages in the north found here. It can even be said that those without a legal identity in Jiangnan are either rebels or criminals.

"Must one have a legal identity to enter Mansu Forest Land?"

"At least you need to be black-banded and above." Qian Gongyu affirmed: "Without even a black band, it means your family is unknown locally, you don’t hold any governmental position, and neither are you a Quasi-Messenger. Without family contributions to the Court, personal achievements, nor adequate strength, they surely wouldn’t allow you to enter the Mansu Forest Land."

"I see, before arriving at Mansu Forest Land, please let me off, I’ll find a way directly inside."

"What way do you have?"

"Sneak in."

"What if you get caught? You’re an outlaw, the Government Office will arrest you!"

"I was caught just now, but those who came after me are dead."

"The Forbidden Army guarding Mansu Forest Land is responsible for protecting Jiangnan City, they’re far stronger than constables; you’ll die!"

"Then let it be."

Qian Gongyu obviously hadn’t anticipated hearing this kind of answer, the words prepared in her throat were instantly choked back. Her lips moved, and muttered: "Actually, there are other ways, after all, my Baiyun Qian Clan is still aristocracy, if you are willing to ask me..."

Qian Gongyu quickly glanced at "Jiang Shi," and seeing the latter still expressionless, she immediately changed her tone: "Meeting by chance is fate, my Baiyun Qian Clan loves helping people, even if you don’t say it, I will assist you!"

She took out a black band embroidered with blue thread from her bosom.

"This is the guard’s black band from my family; though it has no registered information, as long as you enter with me, the Government officials at Mansu Forest Land won’t fuss about it." she said: "You can use this legal identity."

"Thank you."

Since going openly was an option, Yan Qing naturally wouldn’t make things hard for himself.

"But Liang Kingdom is strict about etiquette; those of different statuses must adhere to the norms of their own rank." Qian Gongyu probed: "In front of others, you must pretend to be my guard, or else they will suspect."

"No problem."

"What would you call me outside then?"

"Young Lady."

This "Young Lady" made Qian Gongyu nod enthusiastically, her face showed a faint blush. She clenched her fists, full of anticipation and said: "Could you say it again?"

"Young Lady."

"Wait, the accent of our Baiyun Qian Clan should be like this, you should pronounce it—"

"Young Lady, shut up."

"Yes."