Seeking Employment

Lei Mingxing's thoughts raced as she contemplated her next steps. She knew her ultimate goal, but the path to achieve it was unknown and difficult. She could try the same method she had before, escape using the Weeping Light Willow, but it would surely be guarded much more heavily after the failed attempt, same with Clear Pond Courtyard. So she had returned to her earlier dilemma, with no support or political sway to call her own, the only thing left was to depend solely on herself and try to create some kind of opportunity, if not, just hope she would get lucky and escape the same way she had during her travel to Black Leaf City when she was to meet her future husband, some unforeseen incendence that would allow her to slip away in the confusion. Although in the capital there were, as far as she knew, no bandits to suprise attack the guards and distract them for a bit.

So, she scrapped this idea and flung it to the back of her mind, instead focusing on a more proactive approach. But in the end, it all boiled down to a money, this was the only realistic option for someone like her, if it wasn't for one, big problem... she had no money. Her courtyard had long been stripped clean of any valuables, her monthly allowances was pocketed by maids since her early childhood and the money she had earned in Dark Spirit Town had all been given to Chang Liuyun so he could buy provisions and the like, and without her cultiavtion she coudn't produce any artifacts to sell.

What a horribly hopeless situation, Lei Mingxing thought with slight desperation, entering her courtyard under the harsh gazes of the guards positioned at the gates. But she simply ignored them.

So what things did she have to earn money?

Looking around the courtyard, just as she expected, there wasn't anything left. No matter how long she searched or carefully appraised the few items there were, like some chopsticks, a hairbrush, old clothes,... pure living essentials basically, even their materials wouldn't sell for more than a few copper coins, if anything at all.

At this point, her mind even jumped to infiltrating the main palace our courtyards of her family members to steal some of their jewels and gold, but she quickly dismissed these thoughts. Was she kidding? Trying that without any cultivation? Ha!

After this, she sat down in her mother's room, folding her legs as if she were meditating to calm her thoughts. If she didn't have any possessions to sell, what about her skills? Sure, forging was out of question, but what about the skills she acquired during her princess education? She was able to fluently read and write, accounting and mathematics were also an essential skill, as were dancing, playing instruments, drawing, poetry,... there were quite a few, the only problem with them was that none of them had any worth inside the palace. To make use of them, she would need to go outside the palace grounds, which was the crux of the problem.

...

...but did going outside directly equate escaping? No. Her siblings often went on outings to the market, accompanied by guards. So why couldn't she?

Lei Mingxing immediately jumped up from the ground, rushing to her dusty wardrobe and she pulled out the most decent-looking robes, taking them with her, quickly ran to the pond and began cleaning her hair and body until there wasn't a speck of dirt left, before changing into the creamy violet and white robes that barely fit her and tying her hair into the elegant updo Chang Liuyun had taught her. Looking proper once more, she raced to the gates, hoping that she hadn't been grounded or put under house arrest yet.

Pushing open the gates, she announced in a calm and commanding voice:

"I wish to go to the market, accompany me."

The guards, a bit startled by her sudden appearance, stared at her, clearly asking themselves if she was kidding. The one on the left with a carefully trimmed mustache replied first.

"Second Princess, you can't be serious, you have just returned, it's night and-"

Lei Mingxing directly cut him off with a wave of her hand.

"And what? Am under house arrest? My siblings can come and go whenever they desire, do I have to obey diferrent rules than them?", she raised her eyebrow inquisitively, but neither guard replied, which made her heart jump in relief, she was not yet completely confined. Her expression didn't reveal any of her inner thoughts, and she just continued, "Well then, let's go, I don't have all day."

With that, she began to resolutely walk out of the courtyard in direction of the main palace gate, the guards hurriedly following her, exchanging disgruntled glances and rolling their eyes at such a delusional, willful princess, unfortunately, they still had to obey. So they simply watched her and their surroundings with unhappy expressions on their faces. Lei Mingxing couldn't care less what they thought, it wasn't like they would risk themselves and help her get out of the palace when it came to it, so let them be annoyed.

They soon reached the main gate and after verifying with the stationed guards there, who also looked at her with doubtfully knitted eyebrows, glancing questioningly between her and her unwilling companions, but ultimately granted her passage after her stubborn insistance, they stepped on the draw bridge in direction of the capital's center. Lei Mingxing rejoiced inside her heart and her steps grew in tempo.

She didn't have much time.

She had to earn money fast, even if it were just a few copper coins, which meant that something like store accountant or other permanent or semi-permanent positions were out. Recalling her conversations with Chang Liuyun about what possible jobs there were for her to pursue with her skills, it all boiled down to performer in the end. So, she immediately aimed for the closest tea house that was illuminated.

The words 'Smiling Immortal' hung on the plaque above the tea house's door, illuminated by a few lanterns, two shop attendants stood outside, waving customers inside and advertising the store. Lei Mingxing stopped in front of one of them.

"Young Lady! Do you wish to enter the 'Smiling Immortal'? We have the finest wine and snacks! Our performers are also topnotch, today Lord Descending Sparrow, the famed guqin player, has graced our venue and will begin his performance shortly! It is simply a must-see!"

Realizing they already had a musician hired for the night, Lei Mingxing felt slightly discouraged but still boldly stated her business.

"Hello, I was hoping to offer my services as a performer to your restaurant. I'm skilled in all 5 virtuous instruments, pipa, guzheng, guqin, ruan and dizi, as well as various traditional dances and have extensive knowledge on poetry and other arts."

At first the store attendant had listened to her speak with friendly business smile, but the more she spoke, the more baffled his expression became, until he couldn't contain his laughter because of how ridiculous he found her proposal.

"Hahaha, little girl don't joke around! Hire you as a performer? What are your credentials? I have never heard of you before, so why would our tea house hire you? And even then, we already have Lord Descending Sparrow, so scram, shush!"

The attendant motioned her away, shaking his head while still laughing at how ridiculous this unknown girl's idea had been.

Lei Mingxing wasn't bothered by it, she only felt her heart squeeze a bit at having failed to get hired but, in the end, she just nodded her head and left. Instead she tried the same thing at the next tea house and the one that followed and the one after... but none of them were interested in her, sending her away everytime with the explanation that they wouldn't hire some strange girl with no reputation whatsoever, so she didn't have any other choice but to leave. The two guards were still following her, a few meters of distance between them, as was custom to not interfere with the royals' outing, but even then they were confused at her behavior, unsure what she wanted to achieve. And this confusion only grew when they stepped foot into the red light district. Feeling alarmed, the guards hurried to catch up with Lei Mingxing, the mustached guard even grabbed her wrist to stop her, forcing her to turn around and face them.

"Stop, your Highness, this is the red light district, it's no place for a princess."

But Lei Mingxing just glanced at the hand wrapped around her wrist before fixating the guard's eyes with an icy glare.

"Let go," although there was no obvious threat in her voice and the guard knew Lei Mingxing didn't pose any apparent threat to him, her unmoving eyes caused his heart to quiver and he quickly dropped his grip around her arm. Only then did she continue: "So? You are here to protect me, so do your jobs and don't bother me."

The guards were speechless at this, and before they could stop her again, Lei Mingxing resumed walking, joining the crowd of people entering the red light district and ignoring the lascivious gazes cast upon her to the best of her abilities.

Small theater:

Clean-shaven guard: 'Let's guard the Second Princess' courtyard! It will be relaxing, she always stays home and doesn't make trouble!'

Mustached guard:... Sorry.