Chapter 38: Madam Silver Pool
Chapter 38: Madam Silver Pool
Ning Xiaochuan did not head straight to the auction house. Instead, he first made his way to the Golden Roc Heart Nurturing Hall to collect his Monthly Allowance.
"Ning Xiaochuan!"
A woman's voice called out from behind him, clear and melodious, carrying a hint of grace.
Turning around, Ning Xiaochuan saw a young woman in green standing not far behind him. A golden hairpin adorned her dark hair, and delicate jade ornaments hung from her waist. Petite in stature, her skin was smooth and fair, but it was her eyes—round and sparkling like gemstones—that were particularly captivating.
She stood beneath an Osmanthus Tree, autumn leaves drifting around her, exuding an air of nobility and elegance.
A look of surprise crossed Ning Xiaochuan’s face before he smiled. "Steward Yu, it’s been a while."
Unaware of Yu Qianqian’s true identity, he simply assumed she was a steward of the Golden Roc Heart Nurturing Hall.
Yu Qianqian smiled sweetly. "A few days ago, I went to the Jian Pavilion Marquis House to look for you, but the guards said you no longer lived there. What happened?"
As the favored daughter of a prince’s manor, she understood all too well what it meant for a direct descendant of a marquis house to be barred from residing within its walls. It signified the complete loss of eligibility to inherit the marquisate—a clear abandonment by the family.
She was deeply curious. Someone as talented as Ning Xiaochuan should have been a prized heir, groomed with the utmost care by the Jian Pavilion Marquis House. How could they possibly cast him aside?
Even if Marquis Jian had concealed his true potential by claiming he suffered from a congenital illness, banishing him from the estate made no sense at all.
Ning Xiaochuan’s expression darkened slightly. "You didn’t tell anyone at the Jian Pavilion Marquis House about me becoming a Heart Nurturer, did you?"
Yu Qianqian shook her head. "No, I didn’t. When I heard you no longer lived there, I left immediately. I didn’t mention a word about why I was looking for you." She paused, then added, "By the way, where are you staying now? I can have your Monthly Allowance delivered to your residence personally."
Relieved, Ning Xiaochuan walked side by side with her toward the Golden Roc Heart Nurturing Hall. "Haitang Manor in the South Mountain Gathering. If you have time, Steward Yu, you’re welcome to visit."
"When I find the time, I’ll definitely come to discuss Heart Nurturing techniques with you."
Yu Qianqian escorted Ning Xiaochuan to collect his monthly stipend. Along the way, everyone treated her with utmost reverence. Maidservants knelt by the sides of the path the moment they spotted her from afar.
Ning Xiaochuan accepted the small box containing his allowance and opened it to count the contents. "Why is there so much? A Primary Heart Nurturer’s stipend is only 500,000 Small Coins, isn’t it?"
Inside the box were fifty Large Silver Cakes, worth 5 million Small Coins—ten times the usual amount.
Yu Qianqian smiled knowingly. "It was the Hall Master’s decision. He said you have the potential to become an Intermediate Heart Nurturer—a true prodigy—so you naturally qualify for an Intermediate Heart Nurturer’s stipend. The Golden Roc Heart Nurturing Hall spares no effort in supporting geniuses."
Ning Xiaochuan closed the box. "Then I’ll have to thank the Hall Master."
With his current financial constraints, he wasn’t about to refuse.
As Murong Wushuang had once said, only fools turn down generosity.
Now with an additional five million Small Coins, Ning Xiaochuan felt much more confident in purchasing the Intermediate Elixir.
Upon learning of Ning Xiaochuan’s intention to buy the Intermediate Elixir, Yu Qianqian immediately recommended the Golden Roc Auction House to him.
This was also an asset of the Golden Roc Financial Group. The Intermediate Elixirs refined by the Heart Nurturers of the Golden Roc Heart Nurturing Hall would all be consigned to the Golden Roc Auction House for sale.
Just as Yu Qianqian and Ning Xiaochuan were about to head to the Golden Roc Auction House, an unfriendly voice rang out from outside the gates:
"The prestigious Golden Roc Heart Nurturing Hall actually sells fake Mystic Medicine? What a disgrace to the reputation of the three great Heart Nurturing Halls! Shouldn’t your Hall Master come out and explain this?"
Yu Qianqian’s expression darkened slightly as she strode out, standing atop the steps and staring coldly at the chaotic crowd below. "What’s going on?" she demanded.
The Sixth Steward of the Golden Roc Heart Nurturing Hall hurried forward and bowed respectfully to Yu Qianqian. "It’s Madam Silver Pool. She claims the Mystic Medicine she just purchased from our hall is fake."
Yu Qianqian frowned deeply. "How could the Golden Roc Heart Nurturing Hall sell fake Mystic Medicine? Wait—Madam Silver Pool is an Intermediate Heart Nurturer from the Imperial Heart Nurturing Hall. Why would she come here to buy Mystic Medicine instead of there? She’s clearly here to stir trouble."
The Sixth Steward replied, "I also suspect she’s here to cause trouble, but we can’t find any flaws in her accusations. A genuine Fourth-Grade Bloodstone Mystic Grass suddenly lost all its Mystic Qi and medicinal properties, turning into an ordinary stone grass. Something like this has never happened before. It’s bizarre—utterly bizarre!"
Ning Xiaochuan stood not far away, glancing at the Sixth Steward and Yu Qianqian.
Having visited the Golden Roc Heart Nurturing Hall several times, Ning Xiaochuan was well aware of the Sixth Steward’s status and position within the hall. Yet, he was bowing to a young female steward, which made Ning Xiaochuan question Yu Qianqian’s true identity.
At the same time, Ning Xiaochuan looked down the steps.
Below, an extravagant carriage stood parked—massive in size, resembling a small palace mounted on wheels. It could easily seat ten people without feeling cramped.
In the Imperial City, where nobles and the wealthy gathered, hidden Dragons and crouching tigers lurked everywhere.
Influential figures all had their own carriages, each more lavishly decorated than the last, competing in extravagance. Some carriages were built so large that they resembled palaces, requiring 108 martial artists to carry them.
The carriage before them was particularly awe-inspiring, pulled by eighteen First-Grade Mystic Beasts, each of a different species yet all with pure white fur and hides.
This alone indicated that the owner of the carriage was no ordinary person.
Ning Xiaochuan’s gaze shifted to the noblewoman standing beside the carriage. She was dressed in resplendent attire, adorned with Mystic Stone jewelry and a Green Gold belt—every detail exuding opulence and nobility.
This was Madam Silver Pool.
Madam Silver Pool was the wife of the previous Marquis Qi Tian. Over a decade ago, she had been a renowned beauty in the Imperial City, peerless in grace and fame, with countless admirers yearning for her favor.
Yet, against all expectations, she had married the then-ailing Marquis Qi Tian in his twilight years and bore him a daughter and a son.
Marquis Qi Tian died ten years ago, passing the title of Marquis to his son with Madam Silver Pool before his death. At that time, Young Marquis Qi Tian was only two years old. Though the nominal master of the Marquis Qi Tian Manor is the current twelve-year-old Young Marquis Qi Tian, everyone knows the true power behind the manor lies with Madam Silver Pool. For a woman to subdue the entire marquisate and become its ruler speaks volumes about her cunning.
Though Madam Silver Pool has already borne a daughter and a son, she maintains herself exquisitely—bright-eyed, with pearly teeth, cascading black hair, seductive lips, and a voluptuous, graceful figure. She looks like a wealthy young lady barely in her twenties. Yet, compared to those naive noble girls, she is far more elegant, alluring, and captivating—the kind of woman who would make any man’s blood boil with desire.
Standing beside Madam Silver Pool is a handsome young man of seventeen or eighteen, with fair skin, delicate features, and a spirited gaze. The way she glances at him, full of suggestive charm, makes it obvious to any observant person that their relationship is far from ordinary.
Madam Silver Pool’s voluptuous figure, snow-white skin, and every coquettish smile exude an irresistible allure, making the surrounding martial artists restless—many even dare not look directly at her.
"Qianqian, your Golden Roc Heart Nurturing Hall is one of the Yulan Empire’s three great Heart Nurturing Halls, yet you dare sell fake Mystic Medicine? This is quite damaging to your reputation," Madam Silver Pool said with a smile, her eyes curved like crescent moons, making her seem almost girlish.
A crowd of martial artists had already gathered, many of whom were long-time patrons of the Golden Roc Heart Nurturing Hall. Fake medicine could deal a severe blow to a Heart Nurturing Hall’s reputation—word spreads fast, and once trust is lost, who would dare buy Mystic Medicine from them, let alone sell it to them?
Moreover, with so many witnesses, a single misstep could allow the other two major Heart Nurturing Halls to suppress the Golden Roc Heart Nurturing Hall, leaving it in ruins.
"The Golden Roc Heart Nurturing Hall must give an explanation. This is the main hall—if even the main hall sells fake medicine, the branch halls must be even worse."
"I seriously doubt the competence of the Heart Nurturers here. They couldn’t even tell it was fake? I guess I’ll have to buy Mystic Liquids and Mystic Pills elsewhere from now on."
"I recently mastered the Heart Nurturing Cauldron and planned to join the Golden Roc Heart Nurturing Hall, but now I’ll have to reconsider."
……
Listening to the murmurs of the crowd, Madam Silver Pool’s beautiful face bloomed with a bewitching smile. She had come prepared—no wonder even the experienced Sixth Steward found this situation troublesome.
Yu Qianqian frowned deeply, thoroughly annoyed by this woman. "May I see the so-called fake Mystic Medicine?"
Madam Silver Pool waved her hand gracefully. "Xiao Li, hand that worthless Fourth-Grade Bloodstone Mystic Grass—no, that worthless stone weed—to Princess Qianqian for inspection."
The handsome young man standing beside Madam Silver Pool smirked mockingly and presented the box of Mystic Medicine to Yu Qianqian.
Ning Xiaochuan did not head straight to the auction house. Instead, he first made his way to the Golden Roc Heart Nurturing Hall to collect his Monthly Allowance.
"Ning Xiaochuan!"
A woman's voice called out from behind him, clear and melodious, carrying a hint of grace.
Turning around, Ning Xiaochuan saw a young woman in green standing not far behind him. A golden hairpin adorned her dark hair, and delicate jade ornaments hung from her waist. Petite in stature, her skin was smooth and fair, but it was her eyes—round and sparkling like gemstones—that were particularly captivating.
She stood beneath an Osmanthus Tree, autumn leaves drifting around her, exuding an air of nobility and elegance.
A look of surprise crossed Ning Xiaochuan’s face before he smiled. "Steward Yu, it’s been a while."
Unaware of Yu Qianqian’s true identity, he simply assumed she was a steward of the Golden Roc Heart Nurturing Hall.
Yu Qianqian smiled sweetly. "A few days ago, I went to the Jian Pavilion Marquis House to look for you, but the guards said you no longer lived there. What happened?"
As the favored daughter of a prince’s manor, she understood all too well what it meant for a direct descendant of a marquis house to be barred from residing within its walls. It signified the complete loss of eligibility to inherit the marquisate—a clear abandonment by the family.
She was deeply curious. Someone as talented as Ning Xiaochuan should have been a prized heir, groomed with the utmost care by the Jian Pavilion Marquis House. How could they possibly cast him aside?
Even if Marquis Jian had concealed his true potential by claiming he suffered from a congenital illness, banishing him from the estate made no sense at all.
Ning Xiaochuan’s expression darkened slightly. "You didn’t tell anyone at the Jian Pavilion Marquis House about me becoming a Heart Nurturer, did you?"
Yu Qianqian shook her head. "No, I didn’t. When I heard you no longer lived there, I left immediately. I didn’t mention a word about why I was looking for you." She paused, then added, "By the way, where are you staying now? I can have your Monthly Allowance delivered to your residence personally."
Relieved, Ning Xiaochuan walked side by side with her toward the Golden Roc Heart Nurturing Hall. "Haitang Manor in the South Mountain Gathering. If you have time, Steward Yu, you’re welcome to visit."
"When I find the time, I’ll definitely come to discuss Heart Nurturing techniques with you."
Yu Qianqian escorted Ning Xiaochuan to collect his monthly stipend. Along the way, everyone treated her with utmost reverence. Maidservants knelt by the sides of the path the moment they spotted her from afar.
Ning Xiaochuan accepted the small box containing his allowance and opened it to count the contents. "Why is there so much? A Primary Heart Nurturer’s stipend is only 500,000 Small Coins, isn’t it?"
Inside the box were fifty Large Silver Cakes, worth 5 million Small Coins—ten times the usual amount.
Yu Qianqian smiled knowingly. "It was the Hall Master’s decision. He said you have the potential to become an Intermediate Heart Nurturer—a true prodigy—so you naturally qualify for an Intermediate Heart Nurturer’s stipend. The Golden Roc Heart Nurturing Hall spares no effort in supporting geniuses."
Ning Xiaochuan closed the box. "Then I’ll have to thank the Hall Master."
With his current financial constraints, he wasn’t about to refuse.
As Murong Wushuang had once said, only fools turn down generosity.
Now with an additional five million Small Coins, Ning Xiaochuan felt much more confident in purchasing the Intermediate Elixir.
Upon learning of Ning Xiaochuan’s intention to buy the Intermediate Elixir, Yu Qianqian immediately recommended the Golden Roc Auction House to him.
This was also an asset of the Golden Roc Financial Group. The Intermediate Elixirs refined by the Heart Nurturers of the Golden Roc Heart Nurturing Hall would all be consigned to the Golden Roc Auction House for sale.
Just as Yu Qianqian and Ning Xiaochuan were about to head to the Golden Roc Auction House, an unfriendly voice rang out from outside the gates:
"The prestigious Golden Roc Heart Nurturing Hall actually sells fake Mystic Medicine? What a disgrace to the reputation of the three great Heart Nurturing Halls! Shouldn’t your Hall Master come out and explain this?"
Yu Qianqian’s expression darkened slightly as she strode out, standing atop the steps and staring coldly at the chaotic crowd below. "What’s going on?" she demanded.
The Sixth Steward of the Golden Roc Heart Nurturing Hall hurried forward and bowed respectfully to Yu Qianqian. "It’s Madam Silver Pool. She claims the Mystic Medicine she just purchased from our hall is fake."
Yu Qianqian frowned deeply. "How could the Golden Roc Heart Nurturing Hall sell fake Mystic Medicine? Wait—Madam Silver Pool is an Intermediate Heart Nurturer from the Imperial Heart Nurturing Hall. Why would she come here to buy Mystic Medicine instead of there? She’s clearly here to stir trouble."
The Sixth Steward replied, "I also suspect she’s here to cause trouble, but we can’t find any flaws in her accusations. A genuine Fourth-Grade Bloodstone Mystic Grass suddenly lost all its Mystic Qi and medicinal properties, turning into an ordinary stone grass. Something like this has never happened before. It’s bizarre—utterly bizarre!"
Ning Xiaochuan stood not far away, glancing at the Sixth Steward and Yu Qianqian.
Having visited the Golden Roc Heart Nurturing Hall several times, Ning Xiaochuan was well aware of the Sixth Steward’s status and position within the hall. Yet, he was bowing to a young female steward, which made Ning Xiaochuan question Yu Qianqian’s true identity.
At the same time, Ning Xiaochuan looked down the steps.
Below, an extravagant carriage stood parked—massive in size, resembling a small palace mounted on wheels. It could easily seat ten people without feeling cramped.
In the Imperial City, where nobles and the wealthy gathered, hidden Dragons and crouching tigers lurked everywhere.
Influential figures all had their own carriages, each more lavishly decorated than the last, competing in extravagance. Some carriages were built so large that they resembled palaces, requiring 108 martial artists to carry them.
The carriage before them was particularly awe-inspiring, pulled by eighteen First-Grade Mystic Beasts, each of a different species yet all with pure white fur and hides.
This alone indicated that the owner of the carriage was no ordinary person.
Ning Xiaochuan’s gaze shifted to the noblewoman standing beside the carriage. She was dressed in resplendent attire, adorned with Mystic Stone jewelry and a Green Gold belt—every detail exuding opulence and nobility.
This was Madam Silver Pool.
Madam Silver Pool was the wife of the previous Marquis Qi Tian. Over a decade ago, she had been a renowned beauty in the Imperial City, peerless in grace and fame, with countless admirers yearning for her favor.
Yet, against all expectations, she had married the then-ailing Marquis Qi Tian in his twilight years and bore him a daughter and a son.
Marquis Qi Tian died ten years ago, passing the title of Marquis to his son with Madam Silver Pool before his death. At that time, Young Marquis Qi Tian was only two years old. Though the nominal master of the Marquis Qi Tian Manor is the current twelve-year-old Young Marquis Qi Tian, everyone knows the true power behind the manor lies with Madam Silver Pool. For a woman to subdue the entire marquisate and become its ruler speaks volumes about her cunning.
Though Madam Silver Pool has already borne a daughter and a son, she maintains herself exquisitely—bright-eyed, with pearly teeth, cascading black hair, seductive lips, and a voluptuous, graceful figure. She looks like a wealthy young lady barely in her twenties. Yet, compared to those naive noble girls, she is far more elegant, alluring, and captivating—the kind of woman who would make any man’s blood boil with desire.
Standing beside Madam Silver Pool is a handsome young man of seventeen or eighteen, with fair skin, delicate features, and a spirited gaze. The way she glances at him, full of suggestive charm, makes it obvious to any observant person that their relationship is far from ordinary.
Madam Silver Pool’s voluptuous figure, snow-white skin, and every coquettish smile exude an irresistible allure, making the surrounding martial artists restless—many even dare not look directly at her.
"Qianqian, your Golden Roc Heart Nurturing Hall is one of the Yulan Empire’s three great Heart Nurturing Halls, yet you dare sell fake Mystic Medicine? This is quite damaging to your reputation," Madam Silver Pool said with a smile, her eyes curved like crescent moons, making her seem almost girlish.
A crowd of martial artists had already gathered, many of whom were long-time patrons of the Golden Roc Heart Nurturing Hall. Fake medicine could deal a severe blow to a Heart Nurturing Hall’s reputation—word spreads fast, and once trust is lost, who would dare buy Mystic Medicine from them, let alone sell it to them?
Moreover, with so many witnesses, a single misstep could allow the other two major Heart Nurturing Halls to suppress the Golden Roc Heart Nurturing Hall, leaving it in ruins.
"The Golden Roc Heart Nurturing Hall must give an explanation. This is the main hall—if even the main hall sells fake medicine, the branch halls must be even worse."
"I seriously doubt the competence of the Heart Nurturers here. They couldn’t even tell it was fake? I guess I’ll have to buy Mystic Liquids and Mystic Pills elsewhere from now on."
"I recently mastered the Heart Nurturing Cauldron and planned to join the Golden Roc Heart Nurturing Hall, but now I’ll have to reconsider."
……
Listening to the murmurs of the crowd, Madam Silver Pool’s beautiful face bloomed with a bewitching smile. She had come prepared—no wonder even the experienced Sixth Steward found this situation troublesome.
Yu Qianqian frowned deeply, thoroughly annoyed by this woman. "May I see the so-called fake Mystic Medicine?"
Madam Silver Pool waved her hand gracefully. "Xiao Li, hand that worthless Fourth-Grade Bloodstone Mystic Grass—no, that worthless stone weed—to Princess Qianqian for inspection."
The handsome young man standing beside Madam Silver Pool smirked mockingly and presented the box of Mystic Medicine to Yu Qianqian.
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