Elegant Young Master, Gentle as Jade

The backyard was elegantly furnished, exuding an antique charm that complemented the cloud-patterned banners outside.

The shelves were gone, replaced by display cabinets showcasing a wide variety of goods. From precious medicinal herbs to finished pills, from calligraphy and paintings by renowned artists to rare antiques, everything was exquisite and unique.

A female attendant in yellow greeted Xiang Yuan and led him into a private tea room. She lit incense, brewed tea, and offered it with a gentle smile, inviting him to enjoy.

The attendant was reasonably attractive. She wore a dress similar to a qipao, with a small sachet tied at her waist. While not as stunning and graceful as Sima Qingyan, she was certainly enough to make Xiao He and Xu Jixian stop in their tracks.

No, they're just acting like idiots.

Xiang Yuan stroked his chin. After all this time complaining, he realized he was the only true idiot among the three of them.

Between the front and back courtyards, the attendant who had previously received Xiang Yuan stood obediently before the shopkeeper, her head bowed as she was scolded.

"You dared to sell it for three hundred and fifty taels? Why didn't you just give it to him?" the shopkeeper roared. "If you sell it at the bottom price, how are we supposed to stay in business?"

Who knows, if he'd spouted a couple more rhymes, I might have just given it to him.

The attendant looked dejected and explained, "Shopkeeper, you don't understand. His words are so persuasive. After a few rhymes, I was completely dazed."

"Dazed or not, you can't sell it for three hundred and fifty taels!"

"I know I was wrong. That's why I brought him to the backyard. You can arrange something, sell him a weapon at a high price, and make up for the lost profit. We'll say it's an Acupoint Opening pill given as a gift with the weapon purchase," the attendant said.

"How much money does he have left?"

"Looking at the stack of banknotes in his arms, about a thousand taels."

"That's not too much..."

The shopkeeper nodded. A thousand taels was more than enough to recover the loss from the low price. He nodded and said, "The young master has arrived, and I don't have time to deal with that constable. Arrange for someone else to handle him. Be more careful in the future and don't make mistakes again."

"If the sisters in the backyard take care of him, the little constable will be easily dealt with," the attendant said happily.

The two of them didn't care how a small constable got so much money. White Cloud Manor was a business. As long as it wasn't counterfeit money, it didn't matter if he was a notorious thief or a righteous gentleman; that was the court's concern.

Meanwhile, with Xiang Yuan, the yellow-clad attendant gazed at him affectionately. The moment she saw Xiang Yuan, it was as if she had fallen in love at first sight. As she offered him tea, her fingertips accidentally brushed against his, and she blushed shyly.

Blushing like a teapot!

I'm only fifteen this year, and I didn't even blush when you touched my hand!

Seeing the woman in her late twenties showing no self-awareness, Xiang Yuan feigned infatuation. Listening to the sounds of music around him, he pretended to exchange meaningful glances with her.

Just practicing my acting skills.

After flirting for a while, the attendant felt the atmosphere was right. If she didn't act soon, the man opposite her might start thinking about it. Smiling, she invited Xiang Yuan out of the tea room and to the weapon display counter.

Eight Trigrams Purple Gold Hammer, from the Heavenly Thunder Gate, crafted by a master, forged with lightning and fire, priced at three thousand taels.

Golden Light Sword, from the Golden Light Sword Sect, forged with a secret technique, its draw resembling the rising sun, priced at eight thousand taels.

Water Breaking Saber, origin unknown, acquired by White Cloud Manor by chance, made entirely of ice iron, embedded with a Mind Awakening Stone. If a martial artist possesses the corresponding cultivation technique, they can wield the saber like ice, freezing flesh and blood, comparable to a high-grade martial art, priced at twelve thousand taels.

Taihe Sword, from the Qingxu Sect, True Man Taihe once wielded it to fight against the demons of the four provinces, creating the Taihe Demon Subduing Sword ultimate technique. White Cloud Manor is selling it on their behalf, priced at thirty thousand taels.

Azure Dragon Halberd, origin unknown, its tempering involved the blood of a great demon, capable of summoning clouds for protection and manifesting rain, priceless, price negotiable, exchange for goods.

Ghost Shadow Hook, suspected to be from the Southern Border Demonic Beings...

The weapon display counter was dazzling. Xiang Yuan's eyes widened, wanting everything. He only regretted that his martial uncle had died too cleanly, leaving him no one to possess him.

Otherwise, if he could conjure a gust of demonic wind and sweep away all the treasures, how joyful would that be?

The fool's mind wandered, but his purse was empty. He reluctantly withdrew his gaze, not looking at these tempting, corrupting evil objects, and began to search in the cheaper corner.

Thousands of taels for a single item, how boring. It's better to be down-to-earth!

"Sister, do you have anything cheaper? Something you'd sell for a few taels to a future great power, to earn some goodwill?" Xiang Yuan asked with feigned innocence.

The attendant had never seen such shameless words. She had seen men touch her hand before, but this was the first time someone was asking for her life.

However, she was an experienced salesperson. Her smile remained unchanged as she replied, "We don't have anything for a few taels, but we do have some for two thousand taels. I'll beg the shopkeeper and try to sell it to you at half price."

With that, her eyes became infatuated, acting like a devoted lover whose heart had been captured by Xiang Yuan.

If it were another fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy, especially one from the lower class, who had encountered such a beauty's favor, he would have been overwhelmed and offered all his possessions.

Xiang Yuan was different. The fool declared that you could deceive his emotions, but not his money. If his feelings were gone, there would be another; but if his money was gone, it was truly gone.

He understood the attendant's words. Half price for two thousand taels was one thousand taels. The quality of the money in his pocket had been seen through. No matter how he chose or haggled, the weapon he ended up with would be worth a thousand taels.

This was a bit tricky.

Xiang Yuan saw a few good sabers. He had originally planned to take a look and leave, not staying any longer, but now he couldn't move.

Save where you can. A thousand taels in one go was too much. He pondered that the person who tied the bell must untie it. He needed to find a way to pry open the attendant's mouth and get her to lower the price.

After much thought, he could only betray his conscience and use his good looks!

He had already planned it out. If his good looks didn't work, he would recite a few love poems to fool the auntie and deceive her feelings.

Two minutes later, Xiang Yuan gave up on his good looks. The attendant had seen it all before. Like him, she could talk about feelings, but absolutely not about money.

"Sister, your White Cloud Manor's business practices are not good!"

Xiang Yuan complained, "Look, I'm spending so much money at once, and you only talk about discounts. You don't even have a membership price for gold, silver, copper, or iron. Without a membership price or points, how can you compete with Forget Sword Manor?"

The attendant was stunned, not understanding what the fool was talking about.

"My young friend, what are points and what is a member price?"

A clear, round voice drifted over. Though male, it was like a babbling stream, winding into one's heart, refreshingly invigorating and inexplicably likable.

Xiang Yuan turned to see the shopkeeper, an old man with a white beard, walking over with a young gentleman.

The young man was dressed in white, his face like jade, his skin like congealed fat. His features were more delicate than a woman's. His steps seemed to stir a gentle breeze, his robes fluttering, elegant and refined.

A dashing young man, as warm and smooth as jade.

Xiang Yuan had never met a man with such a gentle and elegant demeanor. If not for the slight worry between his brows, which disturbed his elegance, he could have been considered perfect.

Suddenly, he heard his breathing quicken. He looked back to see the female attendant beside him with starry eyes, gazing at him with infatuated desire, completely smitten.

Good heavens, what is this walking hormone, is it really that powerful?

Xiang Yuan had originally wanted to say that this man's charm was almost as great as his own. After thinking about it, he was only fifteen. Too much charm wasn't a good thing, so it was better to feign humility and compete with him in a few years.

"Young friend, I am Yue Huanjiang, a disciple of White Cloud Manor. I have not yet had the honor of your name."

Yue Huanjiang cupped his hands in greeting. He held a folding fan with a white jade handle. Every movement was as smooth and elegant as jade. One could imagine that even if he had offended someone, others would smile slightly and make excuses for him.

"Xiang Yuan. Greetings, Young Master Yue." Xiang Yuan returned the gesture. The surname Yue is quite uncommon.

"I happened to overhear what you said, young brother Xiang, and it piqued my curiosity, so I came to ask. If I have offended you, I hope you will forgive me." Yue Huanjiang said with a faint smile, causing the female attendant beside him to have a racing heart.

It's alright, you seem to have some status. If you sincerely apologize, I'll give you a 90% discount and interest-free loans with no upper limit, and this matter will be over.

Xiang Yuan thought of something and secretly thought that an opportunity had arrived. Whether it succeeded or not, he would trick him first.

"Business secrets are sensitive. I, Xiang, also received guidance from a master. If Young Master Yue wishes to inquire, this is probably not the place to talk," Xiang Yuan lowered his voice.

"That is only proper. This way, please."

"..."

Watching the backs of the two as they left, the shopkeeper followed them speechlessly. The attendants in the front courtyard said the young constable spoke in smooth platitudes, confusing people with just a few words. He didn't believe it at first, but now it seemed he was indeed a master of deception.

The young master preferred quiet and did not contend, not venturing into the martial world and unaware of the dangers of human hearts. He had to stay by his side to prevent him from being deceived by the young constable's honeyed words.