In the teahouse, under Qin Ruqing’s smiling gaze, Yang Wenxu shifted uncomfortably.

“Miss Qin, are you really here in Xiling for sightseeing?”

By normal reasoning, this was obviously nonsense.

Xiling was so remote—what scion of a noble family would be so bored as to cross mountains and deserts just for sightseeing?

Even if the place was bare and barren, there wasn’t much to see.

Were they here to watch tumbleweeds roll?

But as Yang Wenxu pondered over the unusual logic, he found it oddly fitting for Miss Qin.

Thinking back to her behavior in the Qin family’s Alchemy Chamber that day, wasn’t everything about her peculiar?

She was just a peculiar person who did peculiar things—nothing surprising!

While Yang Wenxu contemplated, Qin Ruqing casually played with her cup and said, “What’s wrong with sightseeing? Sandboarding on the dunes is so much fun… Oh, that tool where you stand on a board-like object, control the direction with reins, and slide across the desert effortlessly, what’s it called?”

The image of that beautiful sister riding that board-like vehicle on the sand dunes, with her wheat-colored thighs exposed as the wind billowed her skirt, left a deep impression on Qin Ruqing.

Quite spicy! If possible, she would like to try it herself.

Yang Wenxu was perplexed for a moment.

Could it be true that she came for sightseeing?

Were the kids from the Southern area really so fascinated by this place?

Or should he explain?

“That’s called a sandboard, a simple spiritual tool for sliding on the desert sands. It requires no effort going downhill and can be propelled uphill by infusing spiritual energy. You control the direction with reins, making it suitable for short-distance travel. If Miss Qin likes it, I can give you a few. They’re not worth much.”

“I like, I like, I like it! Four would be great!” Qin Ruqing exclaimed.

Yang Wenxu hesitated. “Uh… sure.”

Qin Ruqing looked at his expression and couldn’t help but laugh.

She hadn’t been chatting aimlessly for so long without reason.

Did he really think she had so much to say to someone she had only met once?

In Xiling, they had to rely on a prominent family.

Since the Tang family wasn’t welcoming, and considering the remaining families, Qin Ruqing had a bit of interaction with the Yang family.

When they first met, she found Yang Wenxu to be relatively straightforward.

However, knowing someone’s face didn’t mean knowing their heart.

She needed to test him a few more times.

She had talked so much just now to gauge Yang Wenxu’s reaction.

If he showed impatience, Qin Ruqing wouldn’t mind switching to another family.

Seeing his patience and politeness, Qin Ruqing changed the subject, “It’s true that I came for sightseeing, but… beyond sightseeing, there are other things we could do. For example, cross-mountain cooperation.”

“Cross-mountain cooperation!” Yang Wenxu was excited upon hearing those words.

He leaned forward, eager to say something, but restrained himself and replied politely, “I wonder if the Yang family would have the honor to cooperate with the Qin family?”

“Don’t worry about me just stringing you along. After all, I’m young and a few casual words might not represent the Qin family,” Qin Ruqing replied.

Whether she could represent the Qin family, Yang Wenxu was well aware.

On that day, with such a large order amount, under normal circumstances, it would have required the steward of the Alchemy Chamber to handle, verify, inspect, and deliver the goods.

If they wanted any discounts, it would have had to be reported up the chain to Elder level for approval.

With Yang Wenxu’s years of experience traveling and dealing with different regions, he knew there would be negotiations involved.

But when the matter reached Miss Qin’s hands, she casually approved it, saying she would give an 20% discount without even consulting the steward or elder.

Yang Wenxu even felt that if she had given him the order for free, no one in the Qin family would have objected.

This was the kind of authority and influence that only someone at the Elder level could possess, Yang Wenxu was quite certain.

Although it sounded absurd, Yang Wenxu managed the caravan transportation for the family business, shuttling back and forth between various domains and mountains.

He had heard many rare and bizarre things in his travels.

He had even heard of a ten-year-old girl becoming a clan leader, which was truly baffling.

What Qin Ruqing did was nothing compared to that.

Therefore, he said solemnly, “Miss Qin, whether you can represent the Qin family, I am well aware. At the very least, even if not with the Qin family, cooperating with Miss Qin alone is still quite worthwhile!”

Wow! What a swift and graceful flattery!

Qin Ruqing chuckled, nodded, and asked directly, “I may have some influence in the Qin family, but what about you? Do you have a say in the Yang family?”

Yang Wenxu didn’t hide anything and replied immediately, “I am the third son of the Yang family. Yang Wenming, the clan leader of the Yang family, is my older brother. I am responsible for managing the family’s external caravan transportation affairs.”

“In that case, you’re at least more influential than an Elder, aren’t you? Not bad,” Qin Ruqing remarked.

One of Yang family’s main businesses was caravan transportation, and he was in charge of those affairs, indicating he held real power.

Yang Wenxu had never received such straightforward praise before, but Qin Ruqing seemed sincere rather than mocking.

He felt his face warm up and replied, “I wouldn’t dare claim to be at Elder level, but I do have some say in the Yang family’s matters.”

“But,” Qin Ruqing’s lips curled slightly, “what I’m about to discuss with the Yang family probably doesn’t concern caravan transportation. I want to talk about the auction house of the Yang family.”

“The auction house.” Yang Wenxu unconsciously tightened his expression.

The position of the auction house was somewhat special in the hearts of the Yang family.

He admitted frankly, “Indeed, I don’t handle matters related to the auction house.”

Qin Ruqing smiled and remained silent.

Yang Wenxu was observant and understood immediately.

He couldn’t manage matters related to the auction house, which was one aspect.

The other aspect was that Miss Qin wanted to gauge the Yang family’s attitude through this.

If the Yang family didn’t have sincere intentions to cooperate, viewing her as young and treating her casually, she could naturally turn to the Lin family.

The Lin family’s Linmu Auction House was the second largest in Xiling, second only to the Fifth Auction House managed by the Celestial Bureau .

He said, “I understand Miss Qin’s concerns. How about this? Let’s not discuss business today. Let me invite the Grand Elder in charge of the Yang family’s auction house another day, and we can have a proper discussion then. How does that sound?”

Qin Ruqing giggled, “That sounds good. Today, let’s catch up as friends and also inquire about sightseeing in Xiling. Is there any place here with particularly good scenery?”

“Call me Brother Yang then. Xiling…”

…

Across the teahouse, Tang Zifeng and the others sat by the window, watching in the direction of Qin Ruqing.

She was also seated by the window, and they had a clear view of her from their position.

Half-shadowed profile.

Lu Wei looked at Tang Zifeng’s intense focus across the street and thought he was worried.

She couldn’t help but reassure him, “Don’t worry, Brother Tang. Qingqing is very good at handling these situations.”

She had heard that Qingqing often argued with the Elders in the council hall, often coming out on top every time without anyone able to argue against her.

Now, dealing with just one person from the Yang family, Qingqing would handle it effortlessly, without any pressure.

Tang Zifeng calmly withdrew his gaze and nodded.

He wasn’t actually worried.

From where he sat, he could see Qin Ruqing’s smiling face, and he thought she was probably calculating something again.

Qirong took a bite of Xiling’s special Fairy Fruit, which was made from prickly pear cactus fruit.

Unlike the soft pastries commonly found in the Southern Ridge, this Fairy Fruit was somewhat difficult to swallow.

Qirong took several sips of water before managing to swallow it and said, “How did Sister get the Yang family’s waist plaque?”

Lu Wei smiled and said, “It happened that day when I was in the hall and happened to meet this person from the Yang family. He came to my medical pavilion to buy elixirs, and Xiaowu happened to be nearby. She was idle, probably found this person interesting, and helped him finalize the deal. She even gave him a discount, so I suppose that’s why the Yang family gave her the waist plaque.”

Qi Rong suddenly understood. “I see. Sister is really lucky. She can casually meet someone useful.”

Tang Zifeng sneered inwardly.

He thought to himself that it wasn’t just luck.

With her insight, she probably saw that the group was from Xiling from the beginning.

Crossing mountains and valleys in Xiling wasn’t easy.

Most of the caravans that could buy elixirs in bulk were from noble backgrounds.

She must have seen this and deliberately gave them a discount.

Otherwise, who could easily get money from her?

Tang Zifeng picked up the tea cup in his hand and said, “The person who gave her the waist plaque is called Yang Wenxu, the third son of the Yang family. He is known for his hospitality and loyalty, and I haven’t heard anything negative about him. He should be reliable.”

Lu Wei nodded casually and glanced across the window. She saw Xiaowu had already stood up and said, “They should have finished their discussion. They’ll come over soon, Brother Tang, you…”

Earlier, when discussing, Qingqing had said it was best for Brother Tang not to show himself now, so as not to alert the grass and scare the snake, letting the Tang family know about it.

Tang Zifeng understood and immediately took out a black robe, sweeping it over himself.

Like this, he became a dark wooden stake again.

Lu Wei laughed when she saw this appearance.

Qirong was slightly curious and walked around Tang Zifeng in a circle, saying, “Brother Tang, Sister told me before that you have a good face but poor taste, and you like to dress mysteriously in dark clothes.”

Tang Zifeng put on the mask, and both the mask and his face underneath remained expressionless as he said, “Would you dare say that in front of her?”

Qi Rong smirked and scratched his head. “I’m not that stupid. If I said bad things about her in front of her, using her words, I’d ruin her image as a female immortal, and she’d beat me up.”

Lu Wei suddenly smiled even more deeply, and the wooden stake standing before her seemed to emit a strange atmosphere.

Qirong, sensing something, turned around and saw his sister standing right behind him.

As he turned his head, she smiled and raised her fist playfully. “Rong’er, you knew I’d catch you!”

Qirong seemed startled and bounced to the corner of the wall. “Sister, watch your fairy-like image!”

Qin Ruqing put down her fist, snorted.

It was just a scare, after all.

But as she turned away, she gave a discreet glare at the innocent-looking wooden stake nearby.

Don’t think she didn’t know he had seen her come in earlier, deliberately leading Qirong to say those words.

Tang Zifeng was also a crafty hypocrite!

Yang Wenxu followed her over, but without her introduction, it was awkward to speak up.

Qin Ruqing walked over and introduced Yang Wenxu, “These are my siblings from home, you’ve met my sister before.”

Lu Wei smiled at him.

Yang Wenxu was instantly reminded of the dignified and sweet temperament. “The physician girl who sat in the clinic that day?” Seeing Lu Wei nod, he smiled and saluted.

Qin Ruqing also pointed at the dark wooden stake. “This is… a friend of mine.”

Yang Wenxu was also discerning, so he asked no more, just smiled at the wooden stake, as if greeting it.

After chatting for a while, Yang Wenxu planned to take his leave. “Miss Qin, the communication jade slip has been given to you. If you have the time, please let us know, and I will have our clan’s elder come to discuss with you formally.”

His words were quite elegant, only mentioning when Qin Ruqing would be available, showing complete deference to her.

Qin Ruqing didn’t say much, just nodded and smiled.

Yang Wenxu saluted Qirong and the others before leaving.

After he left, Lu Wei asked, “What did he say?”