Chapter 8

The auctioned items was now down to the last three.

The idle nobles on the second floor was now participating with full attention.

Xiao bai also looked for to the items and focused on the stage. Another girl with a beautiful face and sexy body delivered the 1st item on the last three.

The announcer took off the cover and appeared a very fine double-edged sword, "We are now down to our last three and the first on our list is this powerful double-edged sword. This sword in the only one in the world. Everyone might not know but this is the last work of a famous artisan. Yes that artisan, the legendary Ling ShiQuan."

And there came an uproar all of a sudden.

"Ling ShiQuan?", Xiao Bai thought for a long time, thinking that he might've heard this name a while ago.

"My past master." Ming Xue calmly said. On the other side Ruo Lan was also speechless but soon calmed down when he looked at the sword.

"This is your master's work. Should we bid on it?" Xiao Bai suggested having known that ancient people always have a deep and strong bound towards their master.

"It's fine, this was just a low grade sword. Looking at it now, I do remember that there was someone who broke in Master's crafting room and took the sword that he was currently forging. This was a defective product. Apprently, Master never sells his works so even this defective product was a one of a kind." Ming Xue explained.

Xiao bai nodded at his explanation. Indeed, his uncle Zhao once mentioned that Ling ShiQuan is very skilled when forging weapons, however his works that appears in the public were very limited. 

This sword even though it was considered to be 'defective' still has that aura into it.

The bidding started and numerous rich people we're fighting against it. Among the many people who started off, only two young lords remained.

One of them was arrogant and proud while the other was silent and seems to be calculative.

"Those two are pretty intense." Xiao Bai commented out of habit.

"Those two are the young masters of Lou clan and Yuan clan. The two clans have always been in each other's throat when the Emperor ellected the heads of each family as ministers.

And was always on an equal footing so they would always be on a showdown.", Ming xue said.

Xiao Bai nodded once again, "Who's the one in red robe and the one with white?"

Ming xue, "The one in red was the Lou clan's young master, Lou ZiYan. While the other one is Yuan clan's young master, Yuan XiangXin."

"Eh.. This Lou Ziyan seems to be arrogant and prideful but looks like an idiot. While this Yuan XiangXin seems to be very calculative and looks like a schemer." Xiao Bai commented without thinking once again.

The nearby table heard him but didn't dare to tell something.

Lou Ziyan and Yuan XiangXin are very deadly when provoked but since the young master in blue didn't even care, it looks like he also have a powerful backer.

The bidding rised and rised, again and again, and made Xiao Bai's head spin. So he just decided to go out instead and buy something for Xiao Ling.

XuWei saw that the two had retreated but he still had to collect the night pearls, so he left Ruo Lan to wait until the auction finishes and get the night pearls then return to the inn first.

Xiao bai and Ming Xue strolled all around looking for gifts to be brought back. They entered various shops and also bought a bunch of stuffs.

Walking along the streets, Xiao Bai felt that someone has been staring at him. He should be used to it by now but his intuition told him that 'that' someone was not staring because he was a new face but something else, it was more like curiosity.

Sometimes, Xiao Bai, himself, would stop and look back, scanning the area.

Everytime this happened XuWei would also turn to a towards a random stall and pretend to be buying something, and breath a sigh when the person hadn't noticed him.

This continued for how many times before Xiao Bai finally gave up and stopped infront of a small stall, actually it's not even a stall, the old woman selling was sitting on the ground with a wide clothe spread with multiple jewelries displayed on top of it.

Just by glance, the owner of the store is a scrap collector and was lucky to find this treasures to sell.

The old woman really seemed to be very cold. The snow had stopped falling recently but the weather is still a little cloudy and cold, add the fact that she's wearing a very thin cloth with holes.

Xiao bai squatted down and glanced at the store owner then seriously stared at a piece of hairpin. It was very eye-catching with peach blossoms carved from pink jade and adorned with little diamonds that made an illusion of water droplets that sparkles when the sunlight strikes it.

It was very dazzling.

Very captivating.

And he couldn't help but be in daze for a while. The owner thought that this young master didn't have anything that suited his liking so she immediately panicked and persuaded him by lowering the price of everything.

Xiao bai was brought back to reality and smiled at her, and picked up that peach blossom hairpin, "Store owner how much is this?"

The old woman also smiled back at him and answered, "just 2 pieces of silver is enough."

Hearing this he opened his own money pouch and fish out 3 pieces of gold. He thinks that this hairpin is very exquisite and worthy of his pay.

The old women's eyes grew wide and insisted that it's too much and cannot accept his pay but Xiao Bai grabbed her hands, put the 2 pieces of gold on her palm and closed them using his own hands, as if saying that she can't turn it back neither refuse it.

"Please accept it, I think this hairpin is very worthy. With it's sophisticated craftsmanship, it's a shame if I only buy it in just a few pieces of silver."

The old woman was powerless against this young man so she just nodded her head and said, "Then thank you." Xiao bai let go of her hands and stood up then nodded his good bye.

Ming Xue, "Xiao Bai, there's a carriage waiting for us a head to escort us back home. But if you still want to stroll around then its okay as well. It's still a little cold so walking back, you might catch a cold."

Xiao bai, "Let's go home. We still have to give this gifts to mom. And you seem to be tired as well, dragging all that stuff around."

Ming Xue hummed in response, leading the way. Xiao Bai followed behind walking while staring at his newly bought hairpin. Checking everything corner and every side.

'It was indeed very high-end.'

"Young master here we are, please enter first." Ming Xue called him and hurriedly tuck the hairpin in his belt and stepped inside.

The carriage is simple but when you look closely it was very classy.

The wood used was carved in various patterns and was very pleasing to see. It has a small window on both side that and was covered with a baby blue see-through fabric that's gives off a calming effect.

The entrance doesn't have a door but there was a curtain made of small blue and white beds, just enough to cover the person/s riding inside.

The inside of the carriage though was more amazing. The sit was very comfortable, like those soft sofa in the modern times, the sit was made with a high quality wool and is very smooth to touch, it was also estimated that 6 people can fit inside with three people sitting on both sides.

Ming xue settled the things they brought in the front, where a little compartment was built and joined him inside, sitting at the opposite side and shouted, "Let's go!" And the carriage slowly moved.

XuWei didn't follow anymore, he finally knew what household the young master came from.

All carriages, step litters or sedans from nobles or rich households have their family's crest carved in them, and he found them earlier.

Seeing that the carriage has disappeared out of sight, XuWei finally stepped out away from hiding. But then he saw something sparkle on the ground.

The Hairpin!

It was very likely that he dropped it earlier when he stucked it in his belt. XuWei went and picked it up, then unknowingly smiled towards where the carriage headed earlier.

'Now I have an excuse to see you, lil' young master.' he thought with a big grin on his face.

.

.

.

Sigh, it was a little sunny earlier, I thought winter finally ended. Xiao bai was ranting in his mind.

Will he's training continue to be cold again? Moving around layers of clothes while fighting is exhausting you know?

Ming Xue gave him a deep look and asked, "Is something wrong?"

Xiao Bai, " Nothing, I just wished that spring will aproach soon. I can't train with a cold weather and heavy clothes."

Ming Xue, "It will be spring soon. Don't worry."

Xiao Bai answered, "I hope so." while looking through window, his face supported by his propped arm and hand against the window. Looking extremely lazy but still elegant, the gentleman breeze blowing on his face.

They arrived at the manor. The servants immediately came to assist them with their things with bowing heads not daring to look directly at the young master.

Xiao bai stepped out of the carriage and steward Bao was bowing his head, "Do you know where uncle is?" he asked.

Steward Bao was still hung his head low and answered respectfully, "Answering, young master. General Zhao is currently with Madam Xiao in the Lotus pavilion. I am specially waiting for young master to inform you."

Xiao bai thanked him and gestured the maideservants carrying his gifts to the lotus pavilion.

Xiao bai had visited the lotus pavilion countless times already. The first time was when Xiao Bai and his uncle medidated on the first day of their training.

The weather was already getting better so it's not that cold but a little foggy making at look so mystical and fantastical.

The lotuses growing in the small, but not so small, pond are very healthy full of vitality. He can't really wait to see it in a full bloom once spring comes.

Xiao bai, with a bunch of servants following behind, treaded the stone path all the way to the pavilion. Xiao Ling and uncle Zhao was smiling towards him.

Uncle Zhao, "Xiao Bai, you've returned."

Xiao bai, "Thank you uncle zhao."

He then walked towards Xiao Ling, gave her a peck on her cheek, muttering the words 'I'm black' and proceded to his sit. Fengsheng picked a cup and poured him a tea.

Fengsheng, "How was your stroll around?"

Xiao bai awkwardly said, "It's fun. We stopped by a tea house and checked the auction house out. We also bought some gifts. I don't know what uncle likes tho so I haven't got anything."

Fengsheng chuckled, "It's fine."

Xiao bai also smiled and told the servants to show the items to his mom.

Xiao ling smiled sweetly, "This are all good. Thank you a-bai."

Xiao bai, "I'm happy that you're happy. You should check them out carefully when you go back to your room."

Xiao ling nodded. Xiao bai also ordered the servants to deliver it to xiao ling's room, and the three of them we're left there.

They talked about random things, laughing and talking. It was like a beautiful painting of a small happy family, very beautiful to look at.

After teasing Xiao Bai about his continuous glow up this days and his issue being a single adult he just said that he's still a small child, not suitable for marriage.

Xiao ling let out a hearty laugh and stood up, "Well then. You two talk about serious matters, I'm going to prepare dinner."

Xiao also stood up, "But it's still early."

Xiao ling, "Aish.. I also have things to do. Preparing dinner is just one of them."

Xiao bai, "Then I'll walk you back."

Xiao ling, "I have a personal servant waiting just beyond that door. If you really want, you can accompany me until there."

She knew that Xiao Bai is stubborn so refusing him would only lead to further discussion. The only way for him to shut up is to give a third option-a stalemate, with neither side having an advantage of disadvantage.

Xiao bai nodded and walked side by side with her. Approaching the door, a woman appeared to be waiting for Xiao Ling and Xiao Bai bidded her goob bye telling her to be careful.

Going back, fengsheng was drinking his tea gracefully, "Uncle." Xiao Bai called and sat back to his sit.

Fengsheng, "Wait for a bit. Ming Xue will come in a short while."

Xiao nodded and continued with his tea. It looks like while Xiao Bai walked with Xiao Ling, uncle Zhao called the guard standing in not too far from them and ordered to tell Ming Xue to join them.

A few minuted later ming xue walked towards them and saluted to general zhao and his young master Xiao Bai.

Fengsheng, "Come and sit."

Ming Xue, "thank you General."

Fengsheng personally poured him a cup and Ming Xue accepted it with both hands while lowering his head.

Fengsheng, "Today I want to inform the two of you that you will be traveling next week."

Xiao Bai, "That fast?! How about training?"

Fengsheng, "You already mastered fighting in close range. So starting tomorrow we'll be dividing our time to train you holding weapons like swords and daggers. I'll also teach archery. Given that you're a fast learner, one week is probably enough."

Xiao bai hummed in response not saying anymore. He was pretty confident in archery, as someone who could be considered rich. His parents would naturally enroll to some extra-curricular.

They thought that if ever the business would grow more successful, their child would be a second rich generation, he should have something unique to him. So they enrolled him to a piano lesson and archery at a young age of 6.

He still remembered when he got 1st places in an archery competition in their school. His parents cheered him on and he felt that he could pierce through anything as long as his parents are supporting him but sadly they died early, leaving him behind to experience despair and cruelty.

"Xiao Bai. Xiao Bai." Fengsheng called his dazed nephew. Xiao Bai snapped back to reality and lied that he was just imagining what would holding the sword and bow would feel like.

Fengsheng cleared his throat, "As I was saying. Xiao Bai, ming xue will enter the school with you." Xiao Bai didn't respond. More like there is no exact words to say it.

FengSheng continued, "Ming Xue is your personal aide but not really just that. He's also going to fulfill the role of your personal bodyguard.

We wanted to keep it from you, but protecting you from the shadow is like a handicap to him and would limit his actions, in comparison if you knew what exactly is his position then he could guard you openly 24/7 thus we chose the second option."

Xiao bai glanced at the expressionless Ming Xue, "Okay, I understand. I actually had that in mind since we arrived at the auction house. He mentioned that he's master is a martial artist and a good swordsman, if he just a normal servant he wouldn't have any master."

Ming xue, "..."

Fengsheng just nodded his head and asked, "Oh by the way, you've said earlier that you visited the auction house?"

Xiao bai, "Yes we have."

Fengsheng rubbed his chin, full of anticipation, "So have you seen the Lou Ziyan and Yuan XiangXin?"

Xiao bai paused, "Uncle you know them?"

Fengsheng laughed, "I specifically let you have a day off today because of them. I received a report a few days ago that Golden Pearl Auction House will open today. Those two people, what do you think about them?"

Xiao bai thought for a while, "How to say this?...They are pretty 'intense'? It's like they wanted to crush each other right then and there. That lou ziyan seem to arrogant and silly while that Yuan XiangXin is a silent schemer."

Fengsheng, "Good. I originally wanted to tell you to observe them but where's the fun in there? So I didn't told before you go and ask if they left you some kind of impression. Seems like you also observed them quite well."

Xiao bai, "I-just don't like that kind of people so I noticed them."

Fengsheng then explained carefully, "Be wary of those two, they are going to Yang Gui Private Academy as well.

Listen xiao bai, in conquering the palace back, you need to collect differenf kinds of people, and yeah some of them might be arrogant and silly or silent and calculative, the important part is to know if they are willing to be loyal to you.

Those two have a strong backer, there families have hundred thousands of soldiers, and their family heads are ministers of Xin Country, bringing them to your side will only do you good."

Xiao bai nodded in full understanding, "So uncle is saying that while we're in the academy, I have to confirm if this two new people -are they and ally? Or an enemy?"

Fengsheng gave a positive response then praised him for his wisdom.

.......................

Author's note: chapter 8 is done!!! Thank you for your continued support and love.

To those who've added this humble story of mine in their library, thank you very much. To those silent readers, thank you as well. And to those who find this story a little worth it, please reccomend it to your friends to give me energy in updating((๑ 丷๑))).

For addition, I am very open for you to comment or message me your advice, I'm just a new writer, and I know that almost all of you, my dear readers, are writers as well. So please feel free to point out my wrongs and I will try my hardest to correct them all.

Additional note: We're finally going to school tomorrow! Yes, we are officially and finally entering 'Yang Gui Academy Arc' in the the N E X T • C H A P T E R~

☘Mini Theater☘

Xiao Bai (after realizing that the jade hairpin was gone): Where is it!

XuWei: Did you lost it baby boy? *says in a seductive and deep voice*

Xiao Bai: nevermind, I'll just buy a new one. *Walks out*

XuWei: Hey wait! Where are you going? Am I not sexy enough? Is my voice not deep enough?

Xiao Bai from the distance: NO AND NO!

XuWei:(Ｔ▽Ｔ)