Chapter 514: Chapter 506: I Want to Gain Something for Nothing
Upon hearing Yue Ding’s words, Qin Liuxi was stunned for a moment, then laughed.
“I merely treated your paralysis, and yet you’re offering me your life. No matter how you look at it, I’m the one profiting. Would you really agree to such an unequal exchange?”
Yue Ding shook his head and said, “A gentleman’s word is as good as his bond. As my grandfather had once promised you to find the Jiao Pearl as payment for the treatment, it is only natural we provide something else now that we’ve gone back on our word. I don’t know what use that thing has for you, but since you’ve asked for it, it must be extremely important. The Yue Family’s family teachings are there, loyalty to Emperor Dafeng and the nation, we can’t betray our Emperor and country for personal matters. After much thought, the only debt I can repay is with my own life; hence, this life is now yours.”
Qin Liuxi smiled faintly, “The Jiao Pearl is indeed very important to me, but knowing its location, I’ll find a way to get it. However, since you’ve said your life is mine, it is mine then. Take good care of this life and don’t die so easily. Apart from me, no one else can take your life, got it?”
Yue Ding was taken aback.
Seeing this, the old servant said, “Junior Temple Master, the Meng Family’s momentum is soaring. Facing them, I’m not sure…”
Qin Liuxi snorted disdainfully, “I’d like to see if they truly have the guts to offend a Mystic Sect Magician.”
Yue Ding, with a cold expression, said, “The Meng Family acts cunningly. They lured a fisherman’s son surnamed Wei into gambling, incurring a considerable gambling debt. They pressured him with the debt, then threatened the lives of the entire Wei Family, and finally, they lured him with promises of wealth and a promising future. After successive coercion, they managed to get their hands on it. Such lowlifes act without a trace of honor or openness. You needn’t risk your merit to confront them. Aren’t there regulations like the Five Disadvantages and Three Deficiencies to hold you back? It’s not worth jeopardizing that to confront them.”
“Yes, Junior Temple Master, maybe wait and see if Mou Junshi and Marquis An Cheng can negotiate successfully before planning further.”
Qin Liuxi’s heart warmed slightly, “Don’t worry, they’re not worth me going all out.”
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief and cursed the Meng Family in their hearts once more.
Qin Liuxi returned to Feichang Dao with Teng Zhao, where Feng Xiu was laid back like a lord on a tree in the courtyard. Seeing her return, he leaped down and, with a twist, transformed back to human form.
“You little ingrate, if I don’t look for you, you won’t come to me?” Feng Xiu accused, “What’s the matter, I heard from Little Chen Pi that you treated a young General for paralysis. Is it done? Where’s the man?”
“There’s no such thing as instant cure for paralysis. I’m a Daoist doctor, not an Immortal. There’s no way I can make a patient paralyzed for two years jump around with just a needle. If there are, they’re all lies—fake paralysis.” Qin Liuxi entered the Daoist Room and asked, “But why are you back here? Didn’t you say you’d take advantage of the Imperial Examination’s buzz to hold an auction?”
“I missed this ingrate. The auction is just the same old thing, so boring. I left Meisheng in charge.” Feng Xiu said, “But the Imperial Examination is indeed bustling. I heard the Palace Examination is in mid-March, and then there will be the top scorer parading in the streets, eligible for the capture-a-groom tradition. Do you want to go see the excitement?”
“I will.”
“Huh?” Feng Xiu straightened his face, “Really? You really want to go to the capital?”
Qin Liuxi scowled, “The Jiao Pearl was snatched away by someone from the Meng Family.”
Feng Xiu paused, then asked, “The five-hundred-year-old Jiao Pearl? What happened?”
Qin Liuxi briefly shared the news she received from Yue Ding and the others.
Knowing that the Jiao Pearl was important for her medicine, Feng Xiu rubbed his hands together with interest, “So, are we going to the capital to commit robbery?”
Ah, this is way more exciting than an auction.
Qin Liuxi looked at him with contempt, “Robbery, I can’t believe you’d say such a thing. I’m a law-abiding citizen, how could I possibly do something that violates the law?”
Feng Mu chuckled, “Do I need to remind you? At the age of eleven, you were already dragging people into back alleys, stuffing them into sacks, and giving them a good thrashing. Who are you trying to fool with this righteous facade?”
“That was a different time; I was young and had a rash temper,” Qin Liuxi explained. “Although the Jiao Pearl was acquired through the Meng Family’s shameless and sly methods, the transaction was ultimately consensual, and the karma has been sealed. The Jiao Pearl now belongs to the Meng Family. It’s impossible to steal it back; I’m afraid of getting struck by lightning.”
Heavenly Dao is becoming increasingly strict with her. If she really did it, would she receive a Heavenly Punishment that fries her to a crisp both inside and out?
“I won’t steal it, but the Jiao Pearl, I must retrieve.” Qin Liuxi stated, “They must willingly part with it, that’s the only way.”
“You have a plan?”
“No.”
Feng Mu: “!”
If you don’t have one, then what are you blabbering about?
“Let’s head to Shengjing first and then see. Postpone the auction that hasn’t started yet. Take ten bottles of Jade Snow Skin to the auction. Then have Changsheng Hall release a message saying that Jade Snow Skin will no longer be sold this year or next, signaling a shortage,” Qin Liuxi suggested. “If the Meng Family bids, just let them exchange it for the Jiao Pearl.”
Feng Mu retorted, “You want to trade ten bottles of Jade Snow Skin for the Jiao Pearl as if the Meng Family is foolish?”
“I don’t want to, what I really want is to get something for nothing!” The thought was delightful.
Feng Mu: “…”
Then why did you bring this up?
“I just can’t be bothered to think too hard; bartering is also fair, isn’t it?”
“Even if it’s fair, that’s only ten bottles of Jade Snow Skin. The Jiao Pearl is such a rare Holy Object appropriate for a Longevity Festival gift, exuding prestige. Should Emperor Dafeng be pleased, it might very well earn the Meng Family a promotion in nobility,” Feng Mu still felt it was unlikely.
Qin Liuxi countered, “You’ve forgotten that the rise of the Meng Family depended on Noble Princess Consort Meng. As long as she is favored in the harem, the Meng Family’s prosperity won’t falter. Unless they do something foolish, a promotion in nobility is only a matter of time. However, maintaining favor without decline isn’t easy. After all, there are three thousand beauties in the harem. To keep the Emperor’s everlasting love, not to mention status, one’s appearance and figure are very important. Do you really think the Emperor will only favor you for your inner qualities? Don’t make me laugh!”
Feng Mu touched his own face: “Lucky for me, I was born irresistibly attractive.”
“Sure, you’re such a lady.”
Feng Mu got angry, “Mock me again, and I’ll take you down!”
Qin Liuxi chuckled and rolled up his sleeves, ready for a challenge.
Feng Mu changed to a smile, “I’m just spouting nonsense; it’s boring if you take it seriously.”
Qin Liuxi huffed disdainfully and continued, “Not selling Jade Snow Skin for two years? The women in the palace are the most anxious. Noble Princess Consort Meng is surely among them. Compared to those new young beauties, even with her distinguished status, she’s still a woman who’s had kids and aged a bit, needing Jade Snow Skin to maintain her youthful beauty even more than those in the prime of their youth. There may be different gifts befitting a longevity celebration, but Jade Snow Skin is the only thing that can preserve a woman’s beauty. Tell me, will she ask the Meng Family to do everything possible to win it at the auction? Especially if there’s selective recruitment after the Longevity Festival, she’ll be even more anxious.”
Feng Mu thought about it and felt there was logic to it.
“That’s just one of the methods. The other, I’ll think of once we reach Shengjing. Who knows, we might not even need to give up the Jade Snow Skin in exchange,” she said. Therefore, she needed to make a trip to Shengjing to see if any opportunity presented itself.