Chapter 174: A Thousand Taels of Gold

“Brother Ming, wait a moment.” Lianyue glanced at Zhen Bizhu, who was subdued by Zizhu, and mischievously waved the luminous pearl in front of her eyes. Then she turned to Dark Ming with a sweet smile. "Brother Ming, I’ll leave this person in your hands."

Zhen Bizhu watched helplessly as her only hope of regaining her true appearance slipped away before her eyes. She bit her lips in frustration, unable to utter a single sound. Before Zizhu had even released her arm, she had already struck the mute point, or else with Zhen Bizhu’s temperament, she would never have been so quiet.

Dark Ming didn’t even look at Zhen Bizhu collapsed on the ground. He addressed the guards accompanying her: “Go back and inform Prime Minister Zhen that today’s matter requires an explanation to the Xiangyun Pavilion. Also, from now on, the Xiangyun Pavilion will no longer entertain this young lady from your household.”

The guards were already intimidated by the murderous aura radiating from Dark Ming—he was like a god of death. None dared to object. Two guards cautiously helped Zhen Bizhu to her feet and then fled the Xiangyun Pavilion as if escaping for their lives.

When the three arrived at the reception hall, Qiu Yifei was nearly in a daze. The Xiangyun Pavilion was known for transactions in real gold and silver. The two thousand taels of gold gleamed dazzlingly on the table, almost making Qiu Yifei drool.

The shopkeeper, seeing their master enter, discreetly withdrew, and both Mushan and Zizhu were equally tactful.

Yuwen Lingxiao, noticing Qiu Yifei’s expression, cleared his throat a couple of times, bringing him out of his stupor. The first thing Qiu Yifei did was to reach for the gold before him, his green-bean-sized eyes warily watching the three.

This only made Yuwen Lingxiao sweat profusely, as if the three were something to be feared.

Dark Ming understood his brother’s thoughts and spoke first: “That gold is yours. If it is inconvenient for you to carry, the Xiangyun Pavilion can exchange it for silver notes from Datong Bank.”

Qiu Yifei knew he looked somewhat sly and awkward. Straightening up sheepishly, he cast a reluctant glance at the gold ingots on the tray and swallowed hard. “That would be troublesome, then.”

“Such pearls should come in pairs. Brother, do you happen to have the other one? The Xiangyun Pavilion is willing to pay the same price to purchase it.”

Yuwen Lingxiao’s eyes brightened; his gaze finally lifted from the pearl in Lianyue’s hand and looked at Qiu Yifei as if eyeing a tender lamb.

At these words, Qiu Yifei knew he was dealing with a connoisseur who must be aware of the pearl’s origin. Feeling somewhat embarrassed to ask for such a high price, he rubbed his hands together and flattered, “Young master is indeed a man of discernment. There is indeed a pair. The other is stored at an inn. Today’s pearl was just a lucky find. If you wish, consider it a buy one, get one free.”

Though these words pained him, the two thousand taels of gold were already more than enough for his indulgence. Greed would only lead to ruin. Moreover, before coming to the Xiangyun Pavilion, he had already gathered information. The eight major powers alone could frighten him out of his wits, not to mention the assassin organization among them—a careless move could cost him his life.

Having money meant little without life. For Qiu Yifei, nothing was more precious than his life at this moment.

Lianyue hadn’t expected Qiu Yifei to be so sensible. She fondled the pearl in her hand, feeling especially delighted—it was Dark Ming’s first gift to her, excluding those bottles and jars.

Thinking of this, Lianyue suddenly felt that both Dark Ming and Yuwen Lingxi seemed to carry countless bottles and jars, able to conjure things out of thin air anytime, anywhere.

Yuwen Lingxiao was nearly losing his composure. After several deep breaths, he calmed his excitement. Not wanting his elder brother to hand the pearl to his wife, he eagerly spoke, “Lord Dark Ming, might I have this luminous pearl?”

Lianyue had long noticed Yuwen Lingxi’s keen interest in the pearl she held. For someone usually so aloof, to be this captivated meant the pearl must hold great significance for him.

If the pearl hadn’t been a gift from Dark Ming, Lianyue wouldn’t mind giving it to him. But now, it had a special meaning to her, and she would never part with it painlessly.

As for the other pearl, of course, Lianyue would not try to take it.

Dark Ming understood his brother’s intentions. That second pearl was meant for him anyway. It seemed Lianyue’s attentiveness had made his brother feel somewhat insecure about his standing.

“If Young Lord Yuwen needs it, I certainly will not take what belongs to another.”

Yuwen Lingxiao knew his thoughts weren’t hidden from his elder brother. But such rare treasures were not easily encountered again, and losing this opportunity would also mean losing face for Yuwen Lingxi. The world did not know there was also a Yuwen Lingxiao.

“Then Lingxi will not be polite. Young master, might it be convenient now?” Yuwen Lingxiao directly turned his attention toward the direction of the gold ingots.

Qiu Yifei hastily withdrew his gaze. “Convenient, convenient, but…” His green-bean eyes obviously were fixed on the gold, an unspoken implication.

Yuwen Lingxiao frowned slightly. Could the reputation of the Yuwen family and the Raksha Hall be so unreliable? But such petty folk were often like this.

If two thousand taels of gold were before him, he probably wouldn’t be indifferent either.

Dark Ming, sensing his brother’s impatience and knowing the fat man wouldn’t run away, said, “I’ll prepare the silver notes first. Brother, why don’t you accompany Young Lord Yuwen to the inn to retrieve that pearl?”

Even if Qiu Yifei was reluctant, he had no room to refuse. He could only nod reluctantly and follow Yuwen Lingxi (or Lingxiao) to fetch the pearl.

For a moment, only Lianyue and Dark Ming remained in the room, the atmosphere slightly awkward. Lianyue lowered her head, fiddling with the pearl in her hand, a faint blush on her face.

Dark Ming gazed at Lianyue’s charming appearance, struggling to suppress the urge to draw her into his arms. “I have some business to attend to and must leave for a while.”

“Ah…” Lianyue, without a trace of embarrassment, stared intently at the only visible eye of Dark Ming and anxiously asked, “How long?”

Then, realizing she might have been a bit too eager, she suddenly lowered her head again, focusing on the luminous pearl in her hand, feeling a slight tinge of disappointment. Meeting only to part so soon—was it too soon?

Dark Ming did not want to part so quickly either, but this trip was unavoidable. “About half a month.” If not for the significance of his identity, he would have told Lianyue he was Yuwen Lingxi, the one betrothed to her.

If possible, he wished to marry her immediately and keep her in his embrace, thus feeling truly at peace.

“Is it a mission?” Lianyue still dared not lift her head, merely asking as she watched the reflection on the pearl.

The room was exceptionally quiet, save for their voices and breaths. Dark Ming no longer concealed his emotions; his voice trembled slightly. “No. It’s someone very important to me who has passed away. I want to see him off properly.”

Lianyue lifted her head, focusing intently on Dark Ming’s voice. She had heard his story before. For someone to be described as “important” by Dark Ming, it must hold profound meaning.

Unable to resist, she stepped forward and took Dark Ming’s large hand into her small one. This was all she could do.

Dark Ming felt the warmth radiating from her hand—the care, the concern. Since childhood, only a handful of people had ever given him such warmth. The pleasant heat coursed through his veins, filling him with unparalleled satisfaction. He turned his palm, enclosing Lianyue’s small hand within his own.

Lianyue felt no shame for her boldness. This was exactly what she desired. She always sensed a fatal attraction in Dark Ming, losing herself effortlessly in it. Feeling the warmth in his palm, she finally lifted her head boldly, gazing at him with deep affection. Their eyes met in midair, entwining.

For the first time, Dark Ming felt the mask on his face was utterly unnecessary. Those thin lips were so tempting, as if he wanted to taste them.