"The auction house rule is simple: the highest bid wins. If Prince Xue Xing's purse can't keep up, why embarrass himself at the gate, wagging his tail like a begging dog?"
Because of the Prince's earlier greed, Yu Yan already disliked him; seeing who blocked the way, he offered this cutting sarcasm without the slightest courtesy.
Prince Xue Xing's greatest backer was Dugu Bo, yet if Dugu Bo truly came he would one-hundred-percent stay neutral. The Prince himself was merely a Spirit King just past rank fifty—Yu Yan could crush him one-handed.
Back when he was weak he couldn't point at the man's nose and curse; now that he was strong, if he still swallowed every insult, hadn't he wasted all those years of cultivation?
"Quite the bold youngster."
Prince Xue Xing glared at Yu Yan and waved his guards forward, sealing every escape route.
It wasn't that he hadn't wanted to bid in the auction hall.
Those two reckless boys had run the price of the slaves up threefold; forcing a win would have brought more loss than gain.
Yu Yan and Xiao Wu stayed motionless. Spirit Cat Wu Xue, curled in Xiao Wu's arms, was already hissing at the approaching men; it sensed strong malice. Had Xiao Wu not held it back, it would have leapt and slashed them.
"A law-breaking pauper prince—what, you want to start a fight?"
Knowing the Prince would never dare, Yu Yan calmly beckoned him closer, unimpressed by the empty threat.
"Hmph—best not leave Heaven Dou City."
Prince Xue Xing glanced at the watching nobles, left that warning, and departed with his guards.
As an established beneficiary of the Heaven Dou Empire, he had to uphold its laws—at least on the surface.
Besides, Yu Yan and Dugu Bo were close; Dugu Bo had once told him to look after the youth. Offending Yu Yan might cost him his greatest patron.
Breaking Heaven Dou law would bring only a minor punishment;
offending Dugu Bo would strip him of power and status, and plenty of people coveted his position.
Yu Yan could see the same calculations. Beyond all this, the real reason was simple: he now possessed the strength to ignore Prince Xue Xing.
Watching the Prince leave, Ning Rongrong sighed inwardly.
Prince Xue Xing really was useless—if he'd held out a moment longer, she could have stepped in and won Yu Yan's favor.
She composed her expression and stepped forward. "Yu Yan, do you want me to deal with this nuisance?"
Since she couldn't offer help in adversity, she would at least add flowers to brocade.
"No need—just a small bother. We've plenty of time; let's go pay a call on the Crown Prince."
"Mm."
Ning Rongrong nodded and led Yu Yan and Xiao Wu toward the Crown Prince's residence. She already knew why they were visiting [Xue Qinghe].
She felt a tiny delight at the thought of [Xue Qinghe] suffering a setback.
As Ning Fengzhi's Disciple, [Xue Qinghe] had mastered his mentor's ways and was held up as a model for Ning Rongrong to emulate—something no child enjoys.
The unfortunates bought at auction would be sent by Xiao Wu to Newborn Village near Ice Soul City; she hoped they might find new life and meaning there.
The Crown Prince's palace, near Heaven Dou's royal citadel, was barred to commoners, but Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School token let her pass unhindered.
Approaching [Xue Qinghe]'s residence, Yu Yan saw him waiting at the gate—whether he had stood there all along or only just arrived, he showed courtesy in receiving guests.
"Your Highness, my apologies—an emergency in the Mad Axe Mountain Range delayed me."
He stepped forward, clasped his hands in greeting, and explained his missed appointment.
Whatever he thought of the real Qian Renxue beneath the disguise, outwardly he must show nothing amiss.
"Brother Yu Yan, think nothing of it. I meant to invite you again; I never expected you to come through the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School."
In truth, Qian Renxue longed to seize and interrogate him, but she needed him in her service and so kept her manner gracious.
Besides, her reports said he had lingered at the School half a month after reaching Heaven Dou City—proof he had no wish to serve her and came only from courtesy.
"I'm glad Your Highness bears no grudge."
Hearing [Xue Qinghe] claim indifference, Yu Yan relaxed.
"Standing at the gate is no way to talk. Dinner hour nears—won't you three join me for a meal?"
Still hoping to recruit him, [Xue Qinghe] smiled and invited them to dine inside and speak freely.
"With pleasure. Sampling the palace cuisine is an honor."
Yu Yan answered first; he had planned to eat here when he timed the visit.
Xiao Wu left the decision to him; as long as he stayed sensible, she would follow.
Ning Rongrong was their escort and naturally agreed once they accepted.
The palace architecture bore the swan motifs reserved for the Heaven Dou royal family, and rare plants from across the realm delighted Yu Yan's eyes.
He was stunned to find a fair-sized pond stocked with swan Spirit Beasts of the same strain as the royal Swan Spirit.
According to [Xue Qinghe], the royal citadel kept even ten-thousand-year swan Spirit Beasts, and many princes raised them as symbols of their station.