115 Reunion

I never imagined we would meet here again.

Just as Dongfang Qingyu and I were preparing to leave, I caught sight of a figure both familiar and strange. It had been more than six years, and she looked far more beautiful than before.

She was Du Qinglian, the daughter of Minister Du of the Lingyun Kingdom. I had once been honored as the most beautiful woman in Lingyun, and Du Qinglian was the one who firmly held the second place.

Originally, I had been quite fond of her. At first, she dared not get too close to me, but later, I set aside my princess’s airs, and we spoke quite happily. That was until a certain incident turned us into strangers. We gradually lost contact and were no longer as close as we once were. When we met again, it was merely the relationship between sovereign and subject; she would bow and call me "Eldest Princess," and I would say, "No need for formalities." There were no further words between us.

Looking back, perhaps when one is born into the imperial family, unless one lives under an assumed name, it is rare to meet anyone who treats you as an ordinary person. People are either driven by ulterior motives or paralyzed by the fear of your status.

It was not that there was some unforgivable, deep-seated hatred. It was simply that she had frequented my side to play, yet behind my back, she was taking in my palace servants and probing everywhere for news of my father the Emperor’s preferences. Sure enough, not long after, the Du family sent her elder sister into the palace to become a consort. More than a year later, she gave birth to a princess—my younger sister. Since she was not born of the Empress and was still very young, she rarely appeared in public. Even I, as her eldest sister, had very little impression of them.

After the palace coup, that consort and the princess survived unscathed. Two years ago, the news brought by the Sha-Fa Twelve was that they were not only living well but had even been granted the title of Heshuo Princess.

Heh, "Heshuo Princess." It was simply laughable. In my eyes, it was nothing more than a pathetic title bestowed by a false emperor with no legitimacy; to think they actually believed it meant something.

I clenched my fists tightly, gritting my teeth.

"What is it?" Dongfang Qingyu’s gaze followed mine, landing on the woman dressed in the attire of a married lady.

"Just an old acquaintance. Let’s go." With a wave of my sleeve, I strode toward the Maple Leaf Wine City.

Days passed in the blink of an eye, and it was the night before the Maple Leaf Auction.

"Elder Sister, you called me over so late. Is something the matter?" My younger brother walked in with a smile; it seemed he had been having a wonderful time with the Xu girl.

"Wait a moment longer."

I personally poured him a cup of tea and lifted one for myself, but he snatched it away before it reached my lips.

"It’s not as if I didn't pour you one; why are you grabbing mine?"

"Huangfu Ziyun, why are you putting on such a somber act?"

"Have you had enough fun these past few days?"

A flash of surprise crossed my brother’s eyes, and he spoke slowly, "I know I was wrong. I shouldn't have let my heart be consumed by matters of romance."

"Xu Xun is a fine girl, but if you wish to stand by her side, you must sit on that throne. You should understand that."

"You are right, Elder Sister. I understand."

A shadow flitted past the window.

"They are here."

"Your subordinate greets the Princess."

"Rise. Do you have the items?" The third of the Sha-Fa Twelve was the most skilled in the art of disguise, and I had long since asked him to prepare the skin masks.

"Did I arrive late?"

"No matter. How is Mu Feng?"

"Aside from shouting that he misses you and the three閣主 (Pavilion Masters), he is doing well."

"Thank you for your hard work. Go back now, and remember to protect him well."

"Yes."

With a flicker, the third was gone. I handed the skin mask to my brother.

"My dear Elder Sister, can I not wear this thing?"

"I am afraid that is not possible. You showed your face in the Lingyun Kingdom far more often than I did. Besides, there are quite a few old acquaintances at this Maple Leaf Auction. You can explain things to Xu Xun yourself; in any case, the Fantian Pavilion has three Pavilion Masters, and they don't know which one you are."

"Then why aren't you wearing one?"

"I told you to wear it, so wear it! Why so much nonsense?"

"I’ll wear it, I’ll wear it, I’ll put it on right now..."

"..."

"Elder Sister, look how ugly this mask is. My face..."

I pretended not to hear him and went off to find a place to sleep.

On the day of the Maple Leaf Auction, I rose especially early. Today, I was determined to make the Fantian Pavilion the talk of the Jianghu.

I wore white men’s attire, with a precious blue agate-inlaid belt around my waist. The cuffs of my sleeves were tightened with the same pattern as my belt. My hair remained styled as usual, and I donned the small golden eye mask once more. With my slight frame and slender waist, it was obvious at a glance that I was a woman, and I carried several concealed defensive weapons on my person.

I had already given my mother’s golden bell to Mu Feng. As for the piece on my hand, it had originally been crafted by Kong Yuelin, but it had been melted down and reforged by Gu Teng. It was only after meeting Gu Teng that I realized how naive my own designs had been. Even if they saw it, they would no longer recognize it.

I hung the Gong Jade, the symbol of the Fantian Pavilion’s Chief Pavilion Master, at my waist.

Not long after, Dongfang Qingyu appeared in black robes, and Zijun in blue. He looked a bit awkward in the skin mask, but I nodded in satisfaction. Accompanying us were Manager Xu and Xu Xun.

I had originally wanted to give Dongfang Qingyu a mask as well, but he refused. Rumor had it that the Prince of Bei’an was elusive by nature, so there was no need; if he were recognized, it would simply be free advertising for the Fantian Pavilion. I thought that made sense, so I let it go.

The five of us arrived at the Maple Leaf Auction Hall on horseback. Compared to six years ago, the place was even more magnificent. The plaque bearing the five characters for "Maple Leaf Auction Hall" had been replaced, and beneath the characters was the private seal of Li Yexuan. Had the Prince Regent inscribed it himself? The strokes were vigorous and powerful—truly fine calligraphy.

"Why have you only just arrived? It’s almost starting, and I don't know if there are any seats left."

I said nothing; I had come late on purpose.

Manager Xu handed over the invitation. The man accepting it took one look and gestured toward the back in surprise.

"Please, sirs."

"The Fantian Pavilion has arrived—"

I took the lead and strode into the Maple Leaf Auction Hall, with Dongfang Qingyu and Zijun following closely behind.

"It is truly a splendor to the Maple Leaf Auction that you could come, Pavilion Master. I am Xing Lin, and I am honored to be the manager of the Maple Leaf Auction House."

"No need for formalities. How could the Fantian Pavilion stay away from such a grand event?"

As my voice rang out, there was a chorus of gasps from those nearby.

A woman—it was actually a woman—

"Pavilion Master, please follow me."

The five of us were seated in the front row, in the VIP section.

Half the industries in Maple Leaf City were under the name of the Fantian Pavilion, and the Fantian Pavilion had also contributed a sum of silver to this auction. Who would dare to be disrespectful? Who would dare to slight us?

Three of the four legendary Pavilion Masters had arrived; it was impossible not to cause a stir. If it weren't for the fact that my strength was sufficient and my body could not hold out for much longer, I would never have set foot in the Central Plains.

My gaze swept over the high seats. Baili Changfeng was seated there; the old City Lord had already retired. Baili Yue and her husband Wu Quan had also come, though they were seated in the lower tier.

My gaze shifted to another spot, and it stung my eyes. Seated beside Li Yexuan was Yun Rong, and she was dressed in the manner of a married lady.

They really were together.

"Pavilion Master."

Dongfang Qingyu called out to me softly. He did not say much, only looked at me with his eyes. Everyone here was a master; even the softest word might be overheard.

I nodded to him, signaling that I was fine.

For all these years, I had deliberately avoided asking about Li Yexuan’s life. It had been five years; it was impossible for him to have no woman by his side. Yet, when I finally saw it, it still hurt.

I took a deep breath and looked elsewhere.

Yun Heng, Wang Huan, Du Qinglian... they had all come, one by one.

I did not overlook the gaze that had been fixed on me without moving. I looked back with feigned indifference, glanced at Li Yexuan once, and then turned away as if impatient.

Covering my face with a fan, I gave a half-yawn. When Gu Teng was about to come on stage, Zijun nudged me with his elbow.

A smile touched the corners of my mouth. The good show was about to begin.

"At the Maple Leaf Auction six years ago, the most outstanding items were the Millennium Black Iron and the Myriad-Year Heavenly Silkworm Silk. Does everyone remember the man from the Ancient Tribe? He has returned today."

Sure enough, the crowd in the auction hall grew excited. The man from the Ancient Tribe had disappeared after selling those two treasures, which had been a mystery.

Gu Teng, now dressed in the attire of the Ancient Tribe, stepped onto the high platform, step by step, and opened the brocade box in his hand.

"This is a Myriad-Year East Sea Pearl. It beautifies the skin and prolongs life. The starting price is open."

An emerald-green light radiated from the box.

Green was nothing rare, but an East Sea Pearl was incredibly scarce—like finding a needle in an ocean. The point was the "myriad years"—the power to prolong life. It was said that as long as a person still had one breath left, keeping this pearl in their mouth could sustain them. It was a true treasure, rare and impossible to seek.

The fish had taken the bait.

"Five hundred taels..."

"One thousand taels..."

"Two thousand taels..."

"Five thousand taels..."

The bidding price climbed steadily, reaching the climax of the auction.

"One hundred thousand taels..." When the hundred thousand was called out, the entire hall fell into a dead silence. Wang Huan, who had shouted such a high number, looked a bit embarrassed.

I signaled to Dongfang Qingyu, and he spoke lazily: "One hundred and fifty thousand taels."

"Two hundred thousand taels..." Wang Huan’s voice trembled.

"Two hundred and fifty thousand taels..."

"Three hundred thousand taels..." Wang Huan looked like he was about to cry.

Dongfang Qingyu’s skill was truly remarkable; he had goaded Wang Huan into paying five hundred thousand taels for the pearl, all while putting on a face of deep reluctance.

In the end, Wang Huan obtained the pearl.

The bait had been cast; now, I just had to see how much we would reap in return...

Gu Teng walked away with the silver notes, his expression unchanged, though I knew he was secretly gloating. His hand hidden in his sleeve was likely already counting the money.

When the auction ended, I strolled out with my entourage.

Once we were alone, Dongfang Qingyu and Zijun could no longer contain themselves.

"Elder Sister, how did you know Wang Huan would definitely fight for the pearl?"

"It’s simple. Look at who is behind him."

After some thought, my younger brother laughed heartily, but Dongfang Qingyu still looked clueless.

"It’s not because you’re stupid," I patted his shoulder.

"..."

A sharp gaze pierced through the air. Li Yexuan was walking toward me...