48 Exchange of Favors 14.3 (1/2)

Coming to an agreement, both Fan Zhu Xia and Fan Yong Rui smiled amiably at each other just as a knock sounded on the door before it opened to let Min Sheng in, leading Chun Hua and an attendant of the Thousand Treasures Pavillioninside the room.

”Esteemed guests, may we ask if you have already thought about what you will be bidding? This is the last call for those who would still like to participate in bidding for the Golden Crystal Spirit Fruit.”

”Ah yes, we've already decided.” Fan Zhu Xia replied with a smile and hearing her answer, the attendant immediately presented a jade slip to her which she gracefully took.

After recording their bid in the jade slip and handing it to the attendant who quickly gave thanks and left the room after excusing himself to submit her bid, leaving Fan Zhu Xia and Fan Yong Rui who were now chatting pleasantly as if there was no animosity just earlier and now acted as if they were very good bosom friends from childhood leaving Min Sheng and Chun Hua baffled and unable to follow the quick changes in their masters.

Meanwhile in a separate room, several jade slips were being delivered and carefully placed in a small table in front of a devilishly handsome-looking man attired in elegant obsidian-colored clothes with beautiful purple and gold embroideries who was partially hidden from view with only his silhouette visible behind a curtain made out of precious jade beads while he passively watched without saying a single word as the jade slips were placed in front of him.

He only reclined languidly against the sofa, the sound of his rhythmic tapping against the arm rest being the only sign indicating his increasing impatience.

”Ho You, where's her slip? Don't tell me that she isn't participating?” the good-looking man asked while his sharp sword-like brows furrowed into a displeased frown.

”Calm yourself my lord, she already said she'll be bidding on the spirit fruit, the young miss just asked for some time to think about what she'll be bidding.”

”Then have you sent someone to follow-up on her?”

”Yes and I also received some information that might interest youfrom the attendant I sent earlier.”

”Hmm... Really? Please elaborate.”

Nodding, Ho You started to relay what he found out in a calm manner yet there was an amused twinkle in his eyes as he spoke.

”My lord, if you recall, one of out guests was bidding against the young miss earlier for the Emeranite long sword right? Well, after she won the bid, the young miss sent thanks to that particular guest for letting her win and she told one of our attendants that she will help him fulfill one request should he need it. Afterwards, that guest of ours went to see the young miss in her private room and has been staying there ever since.”

”Who is that guest again?” the young man icily asked.

”We suspect that he's a major figure, if not the leader of the information network that is being controlled by the Hundred Flowers House.”

Upon hearing that, the young man's voice became frostier than before while as he asked, ”Then why is that man staying with her?”

”It would seem that they know each other, my lord.” Ho You said slowly, as he watched the man's reaction from the other side of the beaded curtain.

”What?! How under heaven's name would she know anyone from that organization? Preposterous!” the man thundered out as a shockwave of murderous aura flooded out from the young man. Although unperturbed by the pressure generated by the man's aura, Ho You couldn't help but feel glad that the room they're in had various seals and talismans that ensured no fluctuation of power and sound could leak outside of the room no matter how strong or loud it is.

Ignoring his worsening mood, Ho You even teasingly said, ”They seemed to be pretty close for new acquaintances. When one of our attendants entered the room earlier, she saw them sitting pretty close to each other and at what point, had even held hands. Apparently, the young miss even told him of her identity and where to find her.”

”And that is?”