Chapter 4

In the lounge sat the two girls leisurely eating fruits time to time sipping their tea and chatting amiably as they waited for the auction to begin. The floor beneath them was filled with the buzz of excitement as other bidders and collectors filtered in, discussing the various items whose existence had been leaked.

It seems like no one knows what will be sold today.

That is right the auction house likes to keep everything a mystery.

If none of the bids are known then how sure can I be, that they will sell spirit eggs?

But all the items that have been leaked are always sold. Some say it is a marketing trick.

This sentence calmed Li Meirong's worried heart as she took a sip of her tea. She leaned back in her chair trying to sit comfortably until she met the gaze of Tan Ai gesturing her to sit straight.

What a bother. Ancient Times. She sat up straight and after a few seconds of sitting "properly" she slumped back into her chair and stood up, when she saw Tan Ai's murderous gaze.

Knock, knock a knock came from the door.

See, I predicted this .she said giving a dry laugh afterwards.

Li Meirong opened the door. Chao Tao stepped in.

I pay respects to the…

It is irritating to stop it.

Chao Xiang was surprised and looked up.

I thank the miss for pardoning formalities between each other. He said with a deep bow.

Li Meirong pinched her forehead and asked. So what is the matter?

Miss the alchemist wish to speak to you about the product.

Do they suspect anything? Tan Ai asked raising an eyebrow.

They were pretty happy, but I couldn't really tell.

You couldn't tell if they were pleased or angry, pathetic. Tan Ai said.

Tan Ai don't be a meany. It is tough to tell if people are angry or pleased.

Lead the way to the alchemists. She said.

…

There is a problem with the draught given to me by this man, pointing at Chao Xiang. A young-looking man with a long white beard said scrutinized his eyes whiles looking at the draught.

The young miss is very sorry. Tan Ai fell to her knees. She is kowtowing on the floor.

Tan Ai what are you doing we do not know what the issue is yet. LI Meirong said with her eyes glued on a couple of biscuits. They look just like the biscuits she saw when she first arrived here. First, arrived?

How can a young miss who smells of her mother's milk refine this? With this, she was called back into the current situation.

So what is the issue?

Well, we can't sell this today.

Why?

For marketing reasons. She said with a grin and the man nodded.

Before the man could open his mouth Li Meirong said. This looks like it is going to take a long, and I am tired so if you can sell give me a down payment or something and pay the rest when it is sold.

If possible may I get the recipe for this draught? The man asked.

No. Tan Ai said.

Get me a piece of paper. Tan Ai there is no need to make a big deal. Li Meirong rubbed her eyes. She felt tired and exhausted once more.

Then she had a look at the alchemist brimming with joy.

But I will charge you ten times the draughts bid price. She said with a smile. Of course, She will be there to make the draught will sell at a reasonable price.

A young boy brought a piece of paper and some ink. Li Meirong dipped the ink brush into the ink. On a closer the ink had a purple hue to it and had a soothing smell.

What kind of ink is this? She asked the young boy with curiosity. The young boy shivered and fell to his knees. I am sorry we only had the ink of grade 2 luminous purple squid left.

A grade 2 luminous purple Squid? She said even louder than before.

I beg you I have family to take care of. Please spare my life. He said.

A family. How old are you?

12 My lady. I beg you.

Do explain what a grade 2 luminous purple squid is? She asked with curiosity.

It is nothing. I will run to Harbour as fast to buy proper ink worthy of the lady. The boy kowtowed before running away.

What was that all about? She said with a chuckle.

Reporting to the miss, the imperial concubine killed all nine branches of the waiter's family because the waiter had offered her grade one Squid ink to write the bill check.

She is a crazy lady. Li Mekong was stunned. No wonder the young boy was so scared. She had thought it had something to do with her face.

My lady, please watch your words.

Of course.

Back to what we were talking about. Here is the down payment.

He handed a bag of bright-coloured stones.

Spirit stones she had a look at them. Li Meirong had read about them in the book before.

How many pillows can I buy with this? She asked the alchemist.

Maybe all the stores that sell pillows! He shrugged his shoulders. No one had ever asked him how many pillows they could buy with it.

Really she said with delight and then she frowned.

We must return at once. She left in a hurry. She remembered that she had to attend an auction and buy three eggs. One of them holding the power to nurture her back to health.

In the hallway, Li Meirong overheard a couple's quarrel about their lazy son. Bingo!

Your son keeps goofing off in class tell him to act noble and poised. A Lady dressed in a green garment said.

My son, that boy has your eyebrows, your nose, your brains, your habits. He keeps the wrong choices with friends, career path, and even how he handles money just like you. Last year's spring banquet, you bought a bag for a spirit stone when you owned the same bag. A man in a matching green garment said.

The wrong choices, you are one of my wrong choices. The woman said opening her fan at once.

I accidentally heard a thing or two. I have a friend who owns a draught that instantly makes you productive, and smart and in most cases increase your cultivation. Li Meirong said whiles Tan Ai tried to evade their eyes.

What in the world is the miss thinking

With this, he will not goof in class. The lady asked raising an eyebrow.

Of course and he will not laze around.

If you are interested, meet me two weeks after the auction.

What if we can't make it?

Then a month after the auction the same time.

Will you be able to hand me the down payment?

Of course, the lady beamed with joy.

How much? The man said with a sceptical look.

Oh, just spirit stone will do.

Here the lady handed it to her.

Until then, Li Meirong left the scene. Tan AI and Chao Xiang hurried behind her.

Miss, do you really plan on giving them the pill?

There is no such pill. She whispered.

Do you plan on giving them something?

Depends on my mood.

I never knew that scamming was so easy. Chao Xiang said.

Scamming? Do not put me on the same level as those con artists.

Then what are you?

I am a business lady who sometimes advertises products a little differently from reality.

So you can not teach us a few tricks? Chao Xiang said.

Maybe. But not now.

She ascended the stairs and entered their lounge.

Li Meirong took a seat. Wake me up when the bid for the eggs start.

She drifted off in her seat.