The children, upon hearing about the smelly feet, tossed the boots around in disgust, pinching their noses.
You throw it to me, I throw it to him, while Ming Xiajing hobbled after them, chasing with all his might.
"Stop right there, you little brats! If you don't stop, I'll throw you all into the river to feed the fish!"
The children weren't afraid of Ming Xiajing. They stuck out their tongues at the anxious Ming Xiajing. Some even threw Ming Xiajing's boots directly into the nearby river.
"You've gone too far! I'll beat you to death!"
Soon, a scene of chase unfolded on the street. Onlookers pointed and mocked Ming Xiajing.
"Look! Isn't that the arrogant Young Master Ming? How can he even bully children!"
"Look! Young Master Ming still has one foot bare, hobbling along. How hilarious!" Someone deliberately imitated Ming Xiajing's gait, drawing another round of hearty laughter.
Zheng Haonan, standing not far away, couldn't bear to watch any longer. How could he have befriended such an idiot?
He stepped forward, grabbed the barefoot and limping Ming Xiajing, and quickly disappeared into the crowd.
Inside the Cloth Store!
By the window.
Xiao Ju stood beside Qin Yun and smiled. "This Ming Xiajing is going to be in trouble when he gets back. If his father gets angry about losing so much face on the street today, he'll be furious!"
Qin Yun smiled. "He deserves it. Who told him to bully people all the time!"
Xiao Ju looked around. Seeing no one, she whispered, "Young Master, why didn't Dr. Qiao take your pulse just now? Aren't you afraid of your identity being exposed?"
"Also, what did Young Master Zheng say to you earlier? Why did he change his mind from five thousand taels to three thousand taels?"
Qin Yun tapped Xiao Ju's forehead. "It seems you're not that foolish. Did you see through my setup from the beginning?"
"Young Master, at first, I was also worried. But then I saw you could argue with Ming Xiajing, and you spoke so eloquently. Recalling your recent exploits, I understood the reason!"
"If you could see through it, then Zheng Haonan naturally could too. But it wasn't a loss today, we earned another three thousand taels!"
"As for why Dr. Qiao couldn't discern my pulse when he examined me, that's a secret!" With that, Qin Yun walked towards the hall on the second floor.
"Young Master, where are you going?" Xiao Ju hurried to follow.
"Didn't you hear someone say there's an auction banquet here later? Of course, I'm going up to take a look!"
Qin Yun arrived on the second floor and followed the corridor to the end. Just then, a familiar male voice caught his attention.
"Your Highness Li, what treasure has caught your eye today? You only need to give a command, and I will immediately bid and have it sent to your mansion! Why must you come in person!" The speaker was Li Fengsheng.
Hearing this voice again after three years, Qin Yun trembled all over. His entire body instantly turned as cold as frost. His feet felt heavy as if burdened by a thousand pounds. He stood frozen in place, motionless.
"There is indeed an item that this King fancies!" Xie Zixuan sat upright, his red attire particularly striking.
"Oh! May I know what kind of treasure it is that has caught the eye of Your Highness Li?" Li Fengsheng said with a flattering smile.
"I heard that today's auction banquet has a Purple Gold Gourd. This item is the personal treasure of the previous King of the Western Regions. This King is very curious!"
"Since it is a treasure that Your Highness Li desires, who would dare to snatch it? I will go bid for it shortly and deliver it to your hands!"
Xie Zixuan smiled. "This King is not short of this small amount of money. How can I trouble Lord Li to go to such expense?"
"Your Highness is too kind. This official has long wished to associate with Your Highness Li, but due to busy official duties, I have never had the chance to visit your mansion. Today, Your Highness Li, please do not compete with this official. This official will acquire the Purple Gold Gourd for Your Highness!" Li Fengsheng patted his chest, his promise sincere and fervent.
Outside the door, Qin Yun's expression was blank. Every time he heard Li Fengsheng's voice, he wished he could rush in and dismember the man to vent his rage.
Xiao Ju also noticed Qin Yun's abnormality and shook his arm, asking, "Young Master, what's wrong?"
As soon as the words fell, the people inside the room immediately became alert.
"Who is it?"
Upon opening the door, they saw Qin Yun and Xiao Ju standing motionlessly at the doorway.
Xiao Ju was a bit nervous. Seeing Xie Zixuan and Li Fengsheng inside, her body trembled slightly.
These two were important figures; how could she dare to offend them!
"Young Master?" Xiao Ju called out cautiously.
At this moment, Qin Yun was also pulled back from his vengeful memories.
Standing outside someone's door and eavesdropping like this, only to be caught, was indeed inappropriate.
Feeling a bit embarrassed, just as he was about to speak, Xie Zixuan's attendant spoke first. "Young Master Qin? It's you again? Why are you always stalking His Highness Prince Li?"
Seeing that it was the good-for-nothing Qin Yun, the people inside the room breathed a sigh of relief, but their expressions became increasingly grim.
Especially Prince Li, Xie Zixuan, who looked at the stunned Qin Yun outside the door, let out a cold snort and didn't even glance at him, as if the latter were a plague god he couldn't wait to avoid.
Li Fengsheng looked at Prince Li, Xie Zixuan, with a playful glint, then turned to look at Qin Yun, a deeper smile forming on his lips.
"So, it's Young Master Qin? You're quite well-informed. His Highness Prince Li just arrived, and you followed right behind. Truly shameless!"
Li Fengsheng's words, if left unsaid, would have been fine. But as soon as he spoke, Qin Yun's temper flared.
"You sycophant, what nonsense are you spouting? Just do your job as a lapdog, and don't butt into everything!" The moment he finished speaking, everyone looked at Qin Yun in disbelief.
At this moment, Qin Yun also realized the inappropriateness of his words and thought to himself, "Damn it, how did I lose control of my emotions? I can't make any more mistakes!"
"Uh... I have something to do, so I'll be leaving now. You guys continue your chat! Sorry to have disturbed you!" With that, Qin Yun scurried away.
Li Fengsheng, who was left standing there, felt extremely awkward.
He gritted his teeth secretly!
Good for you, Qin Yun. I didn't provoke you, yet you came to provoke me. I will definitely punish you properly when I get the chance.
Prince Li, Xie Zixuan, also remained frozen.
He had just realized that Qin Yun had been staring at Li Fengsheng the whole time and hadn't looked at him at all.
With this thought, Xie Zixuan slowly raised his gaze and looked at Li Fengsheng.
Could it be that Qin Yun knew Li Fengsheng?
Li Fengsheng noticed Xie Zixuan's peculiar gaze and smiled. "I've made Your Highness laugh. Shall we move to the banquet hall now?"
Xie Zixuan nodded and remained silent.
Inside the Auction Hall!
The banquet hall was vast. At the very front was a high platform where all the auctioned treasures would be presented one by one for the guests below to bid on.
Around the hall were private rooms, each with a window. Those inside could see everything happening in the hall, while those in the hall had no idea who was in the private rooms.
This was because the private rooms were occupied by distinguished guests of great wealth, or influential officials.
Qin Yun found an inconspicuous corner and sat down. He had originally come up just to look around aimlessly.
But now! He had changed his mind!
Wasn't Li Fengsheng planning to bid for the Purple Gold Gourd from the Western Regions to give to that peacock Xie Zixuan?
Today, he would slap Li Fengsheng in the face and see how he planned to acquire the Purple Gold Gourd.