"I wouldn't dare, Qingxue, you've really misunderstood," Steward Huang said quickly.
Without the Xu clan backing them, the Huang clan alone could never hold onto such a massive deal with Divine Medicine Valley. Countless predators were circling this trade, drooling at the chance, only kept at bay by the Xu clan's authority.
And Xu Qingxue's influence inside Divine Medicine Valley was even more terrifying. Compared to her, a mere steward like herself was nothing.
"I misunderstood?" Xu Qingxue's voice was cold. "Then explain to me why my honored guest, Xu Qingxue's guest, somehow became someone holding a fake invitation in your mouth."
Steward Huang lost all composure. This seemingly ordinary boy was valued so highly by Xu Qingxue?
"Qingxue, I…" She tried to explain.
But Xu Qingxue had already turned, bowed slightly to Yang Cheng, and said, "I didn't know young master would come today. I failed to welcome you at the entrance. This is a crime deserving death."
At that moment, even her own heart trembled.
Others saw her as lofty, her status exalted. But she knew well—all of it came from His Highness.
And if His Highness could give her everything, he could just as easily take it away.
If Lin Shu hadn't warned her privately that His Highness didn't want his identity exposed yet, she would have dropped to her knees right then and there to beg forgiveness.
The crowd stared wide-eyed. Xu Qingxue's attitude toward Chen Cheng was far too respectful.
Even Yang Cheng himself was a little surprised. From the whispers around, he learned that the Xu clan was the true owner behind this inn.
"I never told you I'd be coming, so what crime is there?" Yang Cheng said calmly. "But I am curious about one thing. Qingxue, help me take a look. Is this invitation in my hand real or fake?"
Steward Huang's heart sank. She hurriedly said, "Qingxue, this is really a misunderstanding."
"Misunderstanding? I have eyes of my own."
Xu Qingxue took the invitation from Yang Cheng, her tone icy. "This invitation clearly has your name on it, Steward Huang. How do you explain that?"
"It's real?"
"Looks like Steward Huang was just trying to curry favor with Fang Wunian, calling a real invitation fake."
"How shameless. I never thought Steward Huang would be that kind of person."
The crowd broke into noisy chatter.
"This casts serious doubt on your credibility and that of the Huang clan. I will consider ending all cooperation with you," Xu Qingxue said.
Her words sent Steward Huang into a panic. Instinctively, she looked toward Fang Wunian, hoping he would step in. After all, it was for him she had stirred up this trouble.
But Fang Wunian himself was uneasy. Xu Qingxue's status far surpassed his. She was someone who stood on equal footing with his father.
And someone like her was showing such deference to Chen Cheng, even becoming furious on his behalf. That gave him a very bad feeling.
Still, no matter how rattled he was, Steward Huang had acted for his sake. If he didn't say anything, how would he save face?
"Miss Xu, this matter started because of me. I ask that you give me some face and not punish Steward Huang…" Fang Wunian said quickly.
"And who are you?" Xu Qingxue cut him off icily.
Fang Wunian's face stiffened. "I am Fang Wunian of the Fang clan…"
"Fang clan? Then have Fang Muxian come speak to me."
Fang Wunian froze, humiliated. Around them, the crowd's curious looks burned his cheeks hot.
"Seems your so-called face isn't worth much," Yang Cheng said. "So this is the 'worlds apart' difference you wanted me to see?"
"Don't get cocky," Fang Wunian's expression turned venomous.
But Xu Qingxue's face was darker than his. She turned to a nearby young girl. "What exactly happened here just now?"
She had only overheard Steward Huang making things difficult for Yang Cheng and didn't know the full story.
The girl, thrilled to be noticed, quickly recounted what had happened.
When she finished, Xu Qingxue's eyes were like frost. "Fang Wunian, you'd better have Fang Muxian come at once and apologize to young master. Otherwise, no one will be able to save your Fang clan."
Fang Wunian's face tightened. "Miss Xu, aren't you making a mountain out of a molehill?"
He admitted today's matter had been handled poorly. He'd likely be scolded when he returned. But Xu Qingxue speaking as if his entire clan might be destroyed over this? That was surely just to scare him.
Xu Qingxue drew back her gaze. In truth, her words had been meant to save the Fang clan.
Since Fang Wunian didn't appreciate it, she couldn't be bothered to say more.
"Young master?" She looked at Yang Cheng.
How the Fang clan should be dealt with was for His Highness to decide.
Dong, dong, dong—
At that moment, a bell rang from the second floor of the inn.
"The auction is starting."
"The pills downstairs are nothing. The real treasures will be on the second floor."
Everyone's spirits lifted.
"Let's head to the auction first," Yang Cheng said to Xu Qingxue.
"Of course." She nodded.
Steward Huang still clung to a shred of hope, though her earlier arrogance was gone. Fang Wunian's face kept shifting between pale and flushed. Even Jiang Hengwu couldn't be bothered to look at him again.
Not far behind—
"How is this possible? He even knows Xu Qingxue, and she treats him with such importance," Zhou Chong muttered in disbelief.
"Zhou Chong, this Xu Qingxue is that powerful?" Ouyang Xue bit her lip.
"Of course she is," he answered.
Huang Yu lowered his voice. "Put it this way—her status is on par with Fang Wunian's father. Otherwise, why would my aunt be so terrified?"
Ouyang Xue's pupils shrank.
"How could this be?"
She seemed even more unwilling than the others to accept the truth.
Jiang Hengwu was left dazed, feeling that Chen Cheng was becoming more and more mysterious.
On the second floor of the inn, the hall had been arranged as the auction venue.
Yang Cheng followed Xu Qingxue and was unexpectedly led straight into the inner hall.
"Young Mistress."
An old matron was waiting there for Xu Qingxue.
Yang Cheng was slightly surprised.
"Young master, this is Protector He of Divine Medicine Valley," Xu Qingxue explained. "I was lucky. With Xu clan business expanding, we established contact with Divine Medicine Valley. Their current Valley Master intends to enter Great Zhou. When he came to Chanzhou last year, he said I had talent in alchemy and accepted me as a disciple. I already sent this news to you last year through Lady Lin Shu."
Xu Qingxue had actually become the Valley Master's disciple?
That was far beyond Yang Cheng's expectations.
Lin Shu had indeed passed him jade slips containing Xu Qingxue's information. But he hadn't paid much attention, dismissing her affairs. He hadn't expected to overlook something so important.
"Xu Qingxue really does have outstanding alchemy talent," Yang Cheng thought. "The Ancient Demon That Devours the Heavens valued her not only because she was his white moonlight but also because she was a powerful alchemist."
Yet her becoming the Valley Master's disciple hadn't happened before. Clearly, with the Ancient Demon That Devours the Heavens's death, Xu Qingxue's fate had shifted completely.
'This might be a factor I can use,' Yang Cheng mused. 'Divine Medicine Valley is split into two factions. One led by Valley Master Yu Qiuyue, the other by Grand Elder Zhang Shifan. Yu Qiuyue's faction is already weakening and will be completely sidelined in the future.
Ten years from now, Yu Qiuyue will be poisoned and die, most likely murdered by Zhang Shifan and the others. At the same time, Zuo Qiuming will rise swiftly and, a century later, fully control Divine Medicine Valley.'
The Valley's internal struggles were complex. Founded by Zuo Jurong, its leadership had always been passed down within the Zuo clan. That changed when Yu Qiuyue seized power.
But the Zuo clan's influence inside the Valley was still too strong. Yu Qiuyue eventually faced backlash and died miserably. The Valley fell back into Zuo Qiuming's hands.
Yang Cheng wasn't particularly interested in their infighting. But if it gave him a chance to deal with Zuo Qiuming, he wouldn't hesitate.
"Young Mistress, please," Protector He said.
She barely glanced at Yang Cheng. Xu Qingxue valued him, but Protector He didn't. She believed that after her mistress followed the Valley Master for a few more years and broadened her horizons, she'd no longer think much of this so-called young master.
"This auction's pills were all refined from herbs gathered beyond the heavens," Protector He said.
"Young Mistress, look. This is the Rejuvenation Pill, a holy medicine for healing wounds, made from top-grade snow lotus seeds, bloodvine, and thousand-year stalactite."
"This is the Vein-Guarding Pill, refined with seven-colored moon orchid, black gastrodia, three-tailed wind leaf, and wolf peach. It is the best choice for protecting meridians."
"And there's more…"
Protector He went on introducing the pills. Xu Qingxue was awed.
"Young master, what do you think of these pills?" she asked Yang Cheng.
He was the Crown Prince of Great Zhou—he must have seen countless rare treasures. She herself had studied alchemy, but her time was short, and her knowledge was likely still beneath his.
"They're not fake pills," Yang Cheng said lightly, "but they're all made with wasteland herbs."
Protector He wanted to scold him for talking nonsense. These herbs had been purchased personally by the Grand Elder—how could they be wasteland herbs?
But since her young mistress valued this guest, she swallowed her anger. Still, she resolved to give this arrogant boy a harsh lesson.
"Young Mistress, let me show you a rare pill up for auction this time," Protector He said.
Xu Qingxue's eyes filled with expectation.
Soon, the three of them stopped before a golden pill. Its surface glowed with rich color, faint golden mist rising off it. Just looking at it shook the soul.
"Protector He, this is…?" Xu Qingxue asked, startled.
With a touch of pride, Protector He said, "This is the Nine-Turn Marrow-Washing Pill, personally refined by Divine Medicine Valley's top true disciple, Zuo Qiuming."
"Unlike ordinary Marrow-Washing Pills, this one can wash the marrow nine times. It is truly a supreme pill. The golden aura it radiates is a pill glow unique to it, proof of its extraordinary quality."
Xu Qingxue gasped. "This pill is breathtaking."
Then she turned to Yang Cheng. "Young master, what do you think?"
"This is just an ordinary Marrow-Washing Pill," Yang Cheng said. "Nowhere near supreme."
Protector He finally snapped. "Young master, as her guest, I should hold my tongue. But with words this bold, I must ask—on what grounds do you make such claims?"
"Qingxue, bring me a piece of ordinary licorice root," Yang Cheng said.
"That's easy."
She quickly had someone fetch a piece of licorice.
Yang Cheng took it and placed it beside the Nine-Turn Marrow-Washing Pill.
Then something shocking happened. Smoke drifted off the pill, flowing straight into the licorice.
Within moments, the pill's golden glow had faded completely, leaving it dull and lifeless.
Seeing this, both Protector He and Xu Qingxue were utterly stunned.