"Miss, this... this isn't... quite appropriate, is it?"
The maid asked cautiously. "If the family finds out..."
"And?"
Ya Fei glanced at her, her gaze as calm as still water, yet somehow sending a chill through the maid.
"Do you dare disobey my orders?"
The maid shuddered and hurriedly lowered her head. "I wouldn't dare! I'll go take care of it right away!"
With that, she quickly withdrew.
Ya Fei stood by the window, watching the maid's retreating figure as a faint smile tugged at her lips.
Of course she knew that handing all the resources of the Mite'er Auction House over to the Xiao Family would stir up no small amount of controversy if word got back to her family.
But so what?
Xiao Yan was a fifteen-year-old Dou Zong!
And he had an Eighth-Tier alchemist behind him!
Such a figure stood at the very top of the pyramid—not just in Wutan City, but across the entire Jia Ma Empire!
For the Mittel Family to get in his good graces was a blessing earned over several lifetimes!
If those old fogeys knew the truth, they'd probably be clamoring to give the entire auction house to the Xiao Family!
If they insisted on being stubborn... then for the sake of the Mittel Family's future, she wouldn't mind resorting to a little force!
After all—
Xiao Yan had promised to arrange for a hundred Dou Wang experts for her!
With those hundred Dou Wang experts, she would have the greatest say in the Mittel Family!
Ya Fei gave a cold laugh in her heart, then turned and headed out to prepare the resources for Xiao Yan.
It had to be said: Ya Fei was incredibly efficient.
Xiao Yan had barely arrived at the Xiao Family and warmed his seat when Ya Fei showed up with a crowd of people, hauling dozens of carts piled high with medicinal herbs. Their imposing procession rolled right up to the Xiao Family's front gate.
The herbs on the carts were piled like mountains. Most were second- and third-tier spiritual herbs, and there were even a few extremely rare fifth-tier medicinal plants, all radiating rich spiritual energy.
The guards at the Xiao Family's gate were completely stunned by the sight.
"W-what's going on?"
"People from the Mite'er Auction House? Why have they brought so many medicinal herbs?"
"And Miss Ya Fei... why did she come in person?"
The guards exchanged bewildered looks.
The news soon reached Xiao Zhan.
He was handling clan affairs in the main hall when he heard the report. He immediately put down his work and hurried outside to greet them.
When he saw the imposing convoy outside the gate and the red-clad figure at its head, he froze for a moment.
"Miss Ya Fei?"
Xiao Zhan hurried forward, his face wreathed in smiles and his manner exceedingly courteous.
"What brings you here? Please, come in!"
Having done business in Wutan City for many years, Xiao Zhan naturally knew the weight carried by the Mite'er Auction House.
Although the Xiao Family now had ten Dou Wang experts protecting it and was far stronger than before, the Mittel Family was one of the three great families of the Jia Ma Empire, with deep foundations. It was no small household like the Aoba Clan.
The proper courtesies still had to be observed.
However—
What Xiao Zhan hadn't expected was that Ya Fei would be even more respectful toward him than he was toward her.
"Clan Chief Xiao, you're too kind."
Ya Fei gave a slight curtsy. Her voice was sweet and melodious, yet carried a note of solemnity.
"I've come on Young Master Xiao Yan's orders to deliver these goods to the Xiao Family."
She turned slightly and gestured toward the convoy behind her.
"These are all the medicinal herbs in the Mite'er Auction House's storehouses. From now on, they'll all be under the Xiao Family's control."
"Besides that—"
She paused, looking calmly at Xiao Zhan.
"From now on, the Mite'er Auction House's resources in Wutan City will all be available to the Xiao Family without conditions."
"Medicinal herbs, pills, Dou Techniques, intelligence... Whatever the Xiao Family needs, we'll provide."
"What?"
Hearing Ya Fei's words, Xiao Zhan froze.
He widened his eyes and stared at Ya Fei in disbelief, thinking he must have misheard.
Available to the Xiao Family without conditions?
Wasn't that practically the same as submitting to the Xiao Family?
Good heavens, what was going on?
Although the Mite'er Auction House was only a branch of the Mittel Family in Wutan City, it was still a veritable gold mine. Countless people coveted it!
And they were just giving it to the Xiao Family?
"Miss Ya Fei, you... you're not joking, are you?"
Xiao Zhan asked tentatively.
Ya Fei shook her head and answered earnestly:
"Clan Chief Xiao, I never joke."
"This is Young Master Xiao Yan's decision, so I'll naturally carry it out."
Xiao Zhan opened his mouth, but for a moment he didn't know what to say.
She's being so deferential because of Yan'er?
Waves crashed through his heart.
Yan'er...
What had he done?
How had he gone out once and come back having subdued the Mite'er Auction House?
The Mittel Family wasn't some insignificant household!
They were one of the three great families of the Jia Ma Empire, with deep foundations and experts in droves. They controlled numerous commercial networks!
Even with ten Dou Wang experts protecting the Xiao Family, getting the Mittel Family to bow down would still be harder than ascending to heaven!
And this was Ya Fei, the proud chief auctioneer of the Mittel Family?
Yet now, her attitude was unmistakably...
Complete submission?
What on earth was going on?
Suddenly!
A thought flashed through Xiao Zhan's mind.
He remembered the mysterious Medicine Elder by Xiao Yan's side, remembered how that old man could casually refine pills of higher quality than Pill King Gu He's, remembered the old man's nonchalant tone when he'd said, "What is Pill King Gu He, anyway?"
That was it!
The reason for her fawning attitude had to be Medicine Elder!
An Eighth-Tier alchemist...
How much weight did that title carry on the Dou Qi Continent?
Forget the Mittel Family—even the Jia Ma Imperial Family would have to treat such a figure with the utmost respect!
And Yan'er was that person's disciple!
Wasn't it only natural for the Mittel Family to curry favor with Yan'er when faced with an Eighth-Tier alchemist?
Once he'd thought it through, Xiao Zhan's heart settled.
He drew a deep breath and looked at Ya Fei's stunning face, his heart filled with emotion.
Yan'er, oh, Yan'er...
Your father understands you less and less.
Still—
Since the Mittel Family had delivered everything right to his doorstep, Xiao Zhan wasn't one to stand on ceremony. Besides, if the Xiao Family could take over the Mittel Family's resources and intelligence network, it would surely gain wings and soar.
"Hahaha..."
"In that case—"
Xiao Zhan laughed heartily and waved a hand.
"Then we'll be counting on you, Miss Ya Fei!"
"Someone! Quickly prepare a feast of fine food and wine. Give Miss Ya Fei a proper welcome!"
He turned and gave the order, his voice full of bold warmth.
The Xiao Family now had the pills and cultivation techniques Xiao Yan had provided, as well as Medicine Elder, an Eighth-Tier alchemist, overseeing things. They were in dire need of abundant resources.
The medicinal herbs delivered by the Mite'er Auction House had come at exactly the right time!
Before you continue