Chapter Twenty-One: Paying the Price

"Boss, are there any vacant rooms?" Su Xue'er asked at the counter.

"Yes, yes, of course. What do you need the room for?" the owner responded cheerfully.

"To change clothes." With that, Su Xue'er handed the clothes she had bought to Shen Zixuan. "Xuan, go ahead and change into these."

Her gentle tone almost melted Shen Zixuan's heart. "Alright."

"Follow me," the owner said, leading Shen Zixuan to an upstairs room.

Su Xue'er chose a tea table with a view of the entrance and waited.

After a while, Shen Zixuan came down the stairs. Su Xue'er, sipping her tea at the table, saw his fresh appearance and slowly put down her cup, smiling with satisfaction. "Not bad. These clothes suit you well."

"Thank you, Mother!" Shen Zixuan responded happily.

The owner also smiled at Shen Zixuan, saying, "These clothes are indeed well-made. Your mother is so young and treats you so well. You should appreciate her kindness."

After Shen Zixuan sat down, he asked, "Mother, are we waiting for someone here?"

"We're waiting for the people who hit you."

Shen Zixuan scratched his head and said, "It's not a big deal. They bumped into me, and I hit them back."

"That won't do. They hit you, and anyone who hits my child must pay a hundredfold," Su Xue'er said firmly.

About an hour later, the sound of horses and clanging armor came from the entrance.

A group of soldiers quickly entered, surrounding Shen Zixuan and Su Xue'er. The other patrons in the teahouse either hurriedly fled or watched nonchalantly.

A man in black clothing spoke, "I am Yu Xin, Deputy Captain of the Saint Star City Inspection Office. Who among you assaulted Captain Wu of the patrol team?"

Holding a teacup in her hand, Su Xue'er spoke first before Shen Zixuan could respond, "It was me. What are you going to do about it?"

Deputy Captain Yu Xin, looking at the defiant and arrogant Su Xue'er, suppressed his anger and continued, "Do you know the consequences of attacking a patrol team member?"

"I don't know, and I don't care to know."

Her rebellious tone made Yu Xin uncomfortable.

Enduring it, he commanded, "Men, arrest them."

Shen Zixuan stood up and shouted, "You can try!" He glared angrily, ready for battle.

At that moment, a black token flew toward Yu Xin. He caught it effortlessly, but upon seeing the token, he felt a chill down his spine, and his palms began to sweat.

Su Xue'er, seeing Yu Xin examining the token, impatiently asked, "Have you looked enough?"

Yu Xin quickly wiped the token with a handkerchief, then stepped forward respectfully, saying, "I didn't know it was the elder. Please forgive me."

Shen Zixuan was startled upon hearing this and then watched as Su Xue'er said to Yu Xin, "It's fine. However, if the official in Qingyun City hears about how the patrol team here disregards discipline and acts arrogantly on the streets, I wonder what they would think."

Shen Zixuan looked at Su Xue'er in astonishment, realizing that his mother had known all along.

"But Captain Wu didn't say..." Yu Xin's explanation was cut off by Su Xue'er, who interrupted sternly, "Do you think you can make a decision based on one person's word? What kind of Deputy Captain of the Inspection Office are you?"

After a moment of contemplation, Yu Xin responded flatteringly, "I will handle it immediately."

He took three steps back, then turned around and ordered, "Spread the word, demote Captain Wu Yue."

Su Xue'er coughed twice, and Yu Xin immediately turned back respectfully, "Does the elder have any other instructions?"

"He hit my son. Abolish his spiritual sea, and cut out his tongue for his loose talk."

"Understood. I will take care of it at once," Yu Xin replied, then led his men out of the teahouse.

After they left, Su Xue'er sighed in relief. "That was nerve-wracking." She quickly poured herself a cup of tea and drank it.

Shen Zixuan smiled at her. "So, Mother was just pretending."

Su Xue'er smiled back, "Of course. I've never held any high office."

She thought to herself, if it weren't for the elder's token Yu Shi gave her before he left, she might have been in real trouble today.

Just then, they heard the noise of many soldiers moving outside. Su Xue'er turned to the owner and asked, "Owner, why are there so many people entering the city today? Did something happen?"

"Doesn't the elder know? Today is the opening day of the Saint Star City Grand Auction. Almost all the nobles from the continent come here, hoping to find some treasures," the owner explained. Su Xue'er then asked, "Are there any requirements to get in?"

"No special requirements, as long as you have a high status. Someone like the elder can easily get into the auction."

Su Xue'er smiled politely. "When does the auction start?"

"Tonight."

"Alright, thank you."

"You're welcome."

Su Xue'er turned to Shen Zixuan, who was playing with a cup. "Xuan, what kind of weapon do you like?"

"A spear," Shen Zixuan replied without hesitation, then put down the cup and looked at Su Xue'er. "Why do you ask, Mother?"

"If there is one tonight, I'll try to get it for you at the auction."

"Thank you, Mother!" Shen Zixuan responded happily and continued playing with his cup.

Su Xue'er looked out the door, pondering. What is going on today? She felt something strange, as if there was something related to her at the auction.

In the evening, Su Xue'er used her status as an elder of the Spiritual Master Mansion to enter the auction. To avoid attracting attention, she sat in a relatively secluded corner.

The people with higher statuses sat in the front row. They were either merchants, princes or princesses from empires, or high-ranking members of sects.

"Welcome to the Saint Star City Auction. Today, we have weapons, armor, spirit herbs..." The hostess on the stage was introducing the items and rules of the auction. In the corner, Shen Zixuan was staring intently. Su Xue'er waved her hand in front of his eyes. "Xuan, why are you staring at her? Do you like her?" Su Xue'er teased.

"That woman is so ugly, how could I like her?" Shen Zixuan replied disdainfully, leaving Su Xue'er speechless.

Shen Zixuan then turned to look at Su Xue'er. "There are no women in the world as beautiful as my mother."

"..."