In front of the Treasure Pavilion, Yun Pianpian looked up. The three-zhang tall Vermilion Lacquered Gate stood majestically, its Gold-gilded plaque radiating opulent splendor under the sunlight. Stone fierce beasts on either side glared with wide-open eyes, the South Sea Luminous Pearls held in their mouths emitting a soft, lustrous glow that further enhanced the girl's delicate and beautiful features.
"Miss, this is it." Liu Ying excitedly tugged at her Cloud Pattern wide sleeve, her Hairpin trembling slightly with the movement. "I heard they just received a batch of new goods the day before yesterday..."
As soon as she stepped inside, a wave of clamor washed over her. The Treasure Pavilion was crowded with people, and the dazzling array of rare treasures shone brightly under the glass covers. Yun Pianpian casually glanced over the ornate but impractical displays, her gaze suddenly drawn to the Artifact Refining area—a master craftsman was hammering a sword embryo using a unique Hammer Forging technique, each strike carrying a mysterious rhythm.
"What exquisite technique!" she couldn't help but exclaim softly.
"Miss Yun!" A white-haired, youthful-faced old man suddenly emerged from the crowd, his long white beard trembling with laughter. "Miss Yun! I knew the magpies were chirping non-stop this morning—are you preparing to select a Spirit Tool for the Second Prince this time?"
The Shopkeeper produced a sandalwood box as if by magic, and when he lifted the lid, a Gold-gilded hammer lay nestled beneath the Brocade.
"Miss Yun, you've arrived at the perfect time. I just received several excellent Spirit Tools, especially this Saint Xin Hammer. It is a First Grade High Rank Spirit Tool, valued at fifteen million Low-grade Spirit Stones."
The old man held up three fingers. "For the sake of an old customer..."
A hint of mockery flashed in Yun Pianpian's eyes. She had long heard about the Original Owner's absurd deeds; how much money had been wasted in this Treasure Pavilion trying to please the Second Prince.
She finally understood why the Duke's Residence had declined so severely—it was all because the Original Owner spent fortunes to win a smile from the Second Prince.
Yun Pianpian: "Hey, it wasn't me, it was the Original Owner. It has nothing to do with me."
The Original Owner was truly shameless, not only fawning but doing so for everyone to see.
Yun Pianpian's face darkened. It seemed the Second Prince hadn't dared to say anything yet. She would figure out a way to make him cough up the money next time they met. "Fifteen million Low-grade Spirit Stones, that's one hundred and fifty thousand Mid-grade Spirit Stones, right? That's so expensive."
The white-bearded old man smiled particularly brightly, his eyes narrowing into slits. "Miss Yun, this Spirit Tool is highly sought after. You are a high-level VIP customer of our Treasure Pavilion, so I specifically saved it for you."
Yun Pianpian sneered, "Is the Shopkeeper taking me for a fool?"
Her fingertip traced the Dark Pattern on the hammer's body. "These quenching patterns are uneven, and there are subtle cracks in the hammerhead." Her finger paused at a certain spot. "One hundred and fifty thousand? I don't think it's even worth eighty thousand."
The old Shopkeeper's smile froze on his face, astonishment flashing in his cloudy eyes. The Duke's Residence young lady who used to spend lavishly today was actually so... knowledgeable?
Yun Pianpian lightly tapped the counter with her fingertip, saying casually, "Eighty thousand. If that works, wrap it up."
What a joke, did he really think she was a sucker? She had brought over the haggling skills she learned in her Previous Life.
The white-bearded Shopkeeper smiled until his eyes were slits, nodding repeatedly: "Miss Yun is straightforward!"
What a loss, what a loss!
"I'll send someone to deliver it to the Second Prince's Residence right away—"
"Wait." She raised her hand to interrupt, the corner of her lips curving up slightly. "I'll take it myself."
The Shopkeeper's smile stiffened, and the Brocade box in his hands nearly slipped. "Miss Yun wants to... take it herself?"
"What about it?" She raised an eyebrow, tapping the counter twice with her fingertip. "Do you think my maid can't carry it?"
Before the words even fell, Liu Ying had finished the last Candied Hawthorn Skewers in two or three bites, casually tossing the bamboo stick, which landed precisely in a distant bamboo basket. She hooked her toe, and the half-man-high sandalwood box settled steadily on her shoulder, as if she were merely carrying a small snack box.
"Miss?" Liu Ying looked back at the doorway, whistling playfully against the sunlight. A golden halo outlined her slender silhouette, making the priceless Saint Xin Hammer look like an insignificant toy.
Yun Pianpian held her forehead and chuckled softly. This little maid might actually be able to carry the entire Treasure Pavilion away.
When they reached the entrance, there were still some things that needed to be made clear.
"The Second Prince and I have absolutely nothing to do with each other anymore. If any of the Second Prince's expenses are charged to my account in the future, be careful I don't burn this place to the ground."
Along both sides of the long street, vendors turned to look. The old man selling Sugar Figurines dropped his straw bundle in shock, and the proprietress of the Rouge shop trembled, causing the Spirit Brow Powder in her cosmetic box to roll onto the ground. Liu Ying, however, was completely unconcerned, even taking the time to buy a bag of Spirit Plums from a roadside vendor and popping one into her mouth as she walked.
"Miss, have a taste?" She handed over a crystal-clear plum, still steadily carrying the heavy Brocade box on her shoulder.
Just as Yun Pianpian was about to take it, she suddenly heard the crowd ahead part like a tide, and cries of alarm erupted—
"It's the Prince Regent's carriage!"
"Make way!"
Eight Gold-armored Guards cleared the path as a dark-colored palanquin slowly approached. The curtain was drawn low, revealing only the vague outline of a tall figure. Yun Pianpian was pushed to the side of the road by the crowd and instinctively helped a staggering old woman. As the palanquin passed, a wisp of cold Snow Pine Fragrance brushed past her nose, inexplicably familiar.
She subconsciously looked up, just as a slight breeze lifted a corner of the curtain—
In that fleeting glance, that side profile... why did it look so much like that flirtatious and dangerous rogue from the lotus pond the other night?
The street suddenly became chaotic, and the crowd scattered like a burst school of silver fish. The Brocade box on Liu Ying's shoulder fell with a 'bang,' kicking up a cloud of dust.
"Miss, watch out!" Her slender fingers flew, Spiritual Power rippling outward like waves, carving a path through the chaos.
"Protect the Prince!" The sharp shouts of the Prince Regent's Guards pierced the noise. Amidst flashes of sword light and shadow, Liu Ying glimpsed the crowd surging toward them like a tide.
"There's trouble, protect His Highness."
In an instant, the chaotic sound of Horse Hoofs and the shadows of swords filled the air. Liu Ying sensed the situation and tried to hold back some of the crowd, but the diverted flow of people had already separated the two of them.
Liu Ying struggled against the human tide, reaching out, trying to pull Yun Pianpian back to her side. Protecting her Miss was her duty, but she saw Yun Pianpian gently shake her head.
But Yun Pianpian knew they were bound to be separated today; protecting themselves was the best course of action. "Liu Ying, protect yourself. We'll meet at the main entrance of the Merchant Guild later."
Liu Ying paid no mind to this; a bold idea in her heart became clearer. In a flash of lightning, a cunning glint crossed Liu Ying's eyes.
She suddenly spun around, shaking her sleeves. Spiritual Power surged like waves, pushing the surrounding crowd away, and she actually grabbed Yun Pianpian's sash and pulled forcefully—"Miss, don't blame me." The Silk Handkerchief Liu Ying pretended to wipe tears with was still suspended in mid-air.
Everything happened too quickly for anyone, including Yun Pianpian, to react. Everyone only saw a white object fly over their heads, heading straight toward the Prince Regent's palanquin.
Onlookers gasped. Who didn't know the Prince Regent detested women getting close? Anyone whose clothes were touched mysteriously vanished.
Yun Pianpian felt the world spin and instinctively shielded her face. The expected pain never came; instead, she landed in an embrace scented with Snow Pine Fragrance. She opened her eyes in alarm, meeting a pair of smiling Phoenix Eyes—wasn't it that rogue from last night!
Her Apricot Eyes suddenly widened, and her trembling finger pointed at Xuan Ye: "You, you, you!"
"Me, me, me...."
Her throat felt as if it held a scorching Lotus Seed, rendering her unable to speak a complete sentence.
"Throwing yourself into my arms?" Xuan Ye chuckled, the sound vibrating her Chest Cavity. His iron arm pulled her closer to him. "Pian'er is quite enthusiastic." He deliberately brushed his warm breath across her earlobe, satisfied to see the blush rising on her jade-like skin.