Chapter 670 Master's Eldest Disciple
Why was my senior brother with Master Han that day?
Or is it that there really are people in this world who look exactly like my senior brother?
Master Han walked over, greeted Xie Zheng, and exchanged a few pleasantries.
Then, his gaze fell on Song Chunxue, and a fleeting emotion flashed between his brows that Song Chunxue could not grasp.
She braced herself, not wanting to miss a single expression on the man's face.
This person is mysterious and dangerous; beneath his calm and collected eyes lies a potential catastrophe.
"Master Song?"
Song Chunxue cupped her hands and lowered her eyes, saying, "Master Han."
Master Han smiled faintly, "So it really is you. I almost didn't recognize you. Your male disguise is flawless."
"You flatter me." She smiled slightly, but even the hairs on her skin seemed wary.
Fortunately, the surroundings were as bright as day, with people moving about and the atmosphere was lively.
Otherwise, Song Chunxue felt that the next moment, Master Han would transform into a ferocious beast, snatch the Worry-Free Spirit and the Golden Spoon from her body, and give them to whoever wanted them.
"clang!"
Suddenly, a clear bell rang out.
"The bet has been placed. Today, I am in a good mood and will not disappoint the distinguished guests who have come to support me. Those who lose the bet do not need to pay any money. These stones were given to me by someone else."
"We also hope that the person who wins the bet will donate half of the money to help the disaster-stricken people."
The speaker's voice was booming, reaching the ears of everyone present effortlessly.
As soon as he finished speaking, an uproar erupted.
The crowd's voices buzzed like bees, which Song Chunxue found somewhat unsettling.
"It seems that Lord Zhao wants to show his loyalty to the court. Recently, there have been floods in the south, and the national treasury is empty. The court is raising funds and grain for disaster relief. Lord Zhao's brilliant plan explains why the Zhao family has been able to prosper for so long." Xie Zheng lowered his voice and explained to Song Chunxue sitting behind him, "Even if we win later, we can't take that stone."
"Understood. Anyway, just don't try to steal food from a tiger's mouth; it's a sure thing."
As Song Chunxue spoke, she noticed that Master Han, who was in the distance, was also looking in their direction.
It was as if he could hear her speaking.
She lowered her voice, "Don't tell me that. People who cultivate themselves have good hearing."
Xie Zheng nodded, "We'll go back once the outcome of the jade gambling is revealed."
He wouldn't have come to this kind of event before, and he's not used to it now either.
The stone was cut starting from the right. Most of the people present were used to this kind of thing, and they all gathered around to discuss who was lucky and who had good judgment.
The jade merchants and appraisers were the most nervous, as the outcome would determine whether they could keep their jobs in the future, and they couldn't afford to ruin their reputation.
The three of them squatted together, standing out from the rest of the crowd who were craning their necks to watch the spectacle.
Xie Zheng shared the food on the table with Liu Chunshu and told him about the important people in the capital who dared to hold such banquets, showing no airs of officialdom, hoping to broaden their horizons.
Song Chunxue didn't eat anything, nor did she touch tea or wine. She kept her eyes and ears open, vigilantly observing everything around her.
Half an hour later, the results came out: the stone that Song Chunxue had chosen contained top-grade imperial green jade.
"What do you mean?" Song Chunxue couldn't help but ask curiously, "How green is it?"
Xie Zheng laughed and said, "You'll see in a bit. You're really lucky."
She never doubted her luck, but the stone did look ugly.
"I never expected that this ordinary stone could yield such fine jade. I am truly delighted."
From afar, Song Chunxue could see Lord Zhao, dressed in black, holding up two wooden plaques.
"Whose are these two wooden plaques? Mr. Zhao, could you please order two jade plaques? The price is negotiable."
Liu Chunshu was extremely excited, "Sir, sir, hurry up and go up! We've made a fortune!"
Xie Zheng stood up, and amidst the curious gazes of the crowd, he and Daoist Han approached Lord Zhao.
They looked at each other at the same time, then smiled at each other, having made their decision.
“The stone belongs to Lord Zhao. Lord Zhao is generous and kind, and cares about the disaster-stricken people. I, Xie, only want a jade pendant as a souvenir.”
"Han is the same; he only wants a 'no trouble' plaque, and everything else is up to Lord Zhao."
Lord Zhao nodded and smiled, "Then thank you both very much for your kindness. You two have such discerning eyes that you actually chose the ugliest stone. I'd like to know, how did you figure that out?"
Xie Zheng smiled and said, "It was all by chance, just from roll call."
Master Han, who was standing to the side, said gently, "Don't judge a book by its cover; it's just intuition."
Others gathered around to watch.
"Lord Zhao, could you cut a jade bead from the scraps of this stone for me? I'm willing to pay a high price for it, hoping to share in your good fortune and bless my son with a smooth life."
"Yes, Lord Zhao, I don't ask for much. I just want a small piece wrapped in a thin leaf, made from scraps. We don't usually have the chance to see such fine imperial green, so I'd like to share in the good fortune."
"Lord Zhao, I would also like to share in your good fortune. I'll buy some scraps from the excised parts and put them in my family's treasure bowl, hoping to have the same good luck as you..."
"Lord Zhao..."
Whether genuine or not, there were plenty of sycophants who rushed forward to flatter him.
Regardless of how much imperial jadeite could be cut from a stone the size of a watermelon, the price of this stone has increased several times over. The Zhao family has made a fortune and earned a good reputation for being concerned about the country and its people.
As dusk approached, it was already past midnight.
After gambling on the stones, it was time for the grand finale: gambling on the beauties.
At this moment, the dancers who came up to entertain the crowd performed even more vulgar dances, making the men present extremely envious.
Song Chunxue watched quietly. She noticed that among the young men present, there were also two women dressed as men, just like her, half-covering their faces with folding fans. They were surprised and excited, staring intently at the dancers in the room.
But not long after, they were dragged and pulled out of the yard by their own elder brother.
Xie Zheng and his group followed behind them, preparing to leave.
Xie Zheng didn't want to see what happened next.
Because he knew that the beauties to come would be both men and women, and he was worried that Song Chunxue would become so engrossed in looking at them that she wouldn't be able to look away.
"Please wait, Lord Xie. My master, Lord Zhao, invites you to come."
Suddenly, someone ran up to them and blocked their way.
"And this young master."
Before Song Chunxue could suggest that she follow along, the man in front of her pointed at her.
Liu Chunshu immediately looked at Song Chunxue, his eyes filled with fear.
Xie Zheng, who hadn't felt any danger just moments before, suddenly became alert.
"This man is merely a personal guard of my household; I, Xie, can go alone."
The man with a sparse mustache smiled and said, "This is Lord Zhao's intention. Besides, if it were just a secret guard, why would Lord Xie be so nervous?"
Song Chunxue cupped her hands in greeting, "I dare not refuse Lord Zhao's invitation."
Knowing he couldn't avoid it, Xie Zheng walked ahead with a heavy expression.
Fortunately, he still had bodyguards nearby.
They followed the man along the path to a secluded veranda.
The corridor was filled with exquisite lanterns, swaying gently in the breeze.
"Are you a disciple of the Moon-Accompanying Immortal?"
Song Chunxue looked at Xie Zheng, her eyes asking inquiringly, "Is Lord Zhao asking her?"
“I’m asking you. You’re wearing Master’s golden spoon, and I’m Master’s eldest disciple.”
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