Chapter 6: 6.第6章 九皇子

Without waiting for Luo Bingluan to ask for details, the Young Master put away the box and smiled, "Miss Luo, this object you have made is incredibly wondrous. To think that such melodious sounds would emerge simply by opening it—the exquisite craftsmanship is truly inconceivable. I wonder where Miss Luo learned such a thing?"

Luo Bingluan’s elegant brows furrowed slightly before she spoke, "You jest, Young Master. Luan'er does not possess such great skill. This is called a music box; I purchased it from a foreigner. Let us not speak of this further; you should focus on discussing the cooperation matters with my father."

After speaking, Luo Bingluan gave Master Zhao a slight smile. "Uncle Zhao, Luan'er feels a bit stifled and wishes to take a stroll in your estate's garden. I wonder if that would be alright?"

Upon hearing this, Master Zhao first glanced at the Young Master. Seeing that the Young Master had no objection, he said with a chuckle, "Haha, go ahead. Do you want me to send someone to accompany you?"

"Thank you, Uncle Zhao. Luan'er can manage on her own." Having said this, she rose, performed a polite bow, and walked out.

Once out of the living room and into the garden, Luo Bingluan continued to speculate in her heart about this Young Master's origins.

He was young, yet he had managed to enter the Imperial Trade Commission and appeared to hold significant power. He also seemed to deal frequently with foreigners. Judging by his accent, he sounded like someone from the Imperial Capital.

Wait! Luo Bingluan suddenly remembered a novel about the Tianqing Empire she had read before. There was a man who had obsessed over the daughter of the Tianqing Empire's Ship Guild leader—'Zhu', 'Yue', and even the character 'Qing'. Could it be him? If so, everything made sense.

As she was thinking, a voice suddenly interrupted her thoughts.

"Miss Luo, you seem to have something on your mind?" Zhu Yue stood not far away with his hands behind his back, speaking teasingly.

Having confirmed this Zhu Yue's identity, Luo Bingluan let out a somewhat annoyed, cold laugh. "Young Master Zhu seems quite skilled at pursuing girls. However, Luan'er advises you to pay more attention to your health."

Zhu Yue was shaken by her words, and his gaze turned icy.

However, he recovered quickly, continuing to look at Luo Bingluan with a smile. "Miss Luo is indeed extraordinary."

Luo Bingluan ignored him further and walked straight back toward the living room. *You think you're so great just because you're handsome? I simply won't acknowledge you.*

As she walked forward by herself, when she reached Zhu Yue, the Young Master actually reached out to block her path.

Seeing this, Baihu reached for the hilt of the blade at his waist, and Zhuque was also about to step forward.

Luo Bingluan reached out to stop them.

"Young Master Zhu—or should I call you Ninth Lord? If Ninth Lord still wishes to cooperate with the Luo family, it would be best to let me pass." Luo Bingluan looked at this Ninth Prince, Tianqing Xiao, with a beaming smile.

Tianqing Xiao's expression shifted unsteadily. After a long moment, he smiled with a hint of provocation in his eyes. "Miss Luo jokes. I don't quite understand. However, I am a businessman, and I do not easily let go of a business that promises immense returns." Having said that, he stepped aside with a "please" gesture.

Luo Bingluan moved with graceful steps. As she passed an ancient tree in the courtyard, she gave it a seemingly casual, light pat, causing leaves and branches to fall one after another.

For this strike, Luo Bingluan had used less than two percent of her strength.

*Still trying to make a move on me? Can that small frame of yours even handle it?* Luo Bingluan thought to herself.

Behind her, the gaze Ninth Prince Tianqing Xiao directed at Luo Bingluan no longer held its previous provocation; instead, it had turned into a trace of doubt, a trace of solemnity, and a trace of... admiration?

By the time she returned to the Luo Estate, Luo Bingluan's mind finally began to clear. "Even though I know the history of the Tianqing Empire, that history has already been altered because of my arrival. It seems I cannot afford to be careless in the future."

Over the next few days, as her family was busy with the cooperation with the Zhao family, the idle Luo Bingluan decided to take Qinglong, Baihu, Zhuque, and Xuanwu to Hangzhou to clear her mind.

In Hangzhou,

Luo Bingluan was on a carriage, chatting animatedly with Baihu and Zhuque about the interesting happenings along the way.

Outside the carriage, Qinglong, who was following on horseback, rode up to the side of the carriage canopy and asked, "Miss, it is already noon. Should we find an inn to eat something?"

"Qinglong, I think it's you and Xuanwu who are craving food, isn't it?" Lifting the carriage curtain, Zhuque said with a grin to Qinglong outside.

"It's not craving, but rather, I am somewhat hungry," Qinglong laughed.

Luo Bingluan smiled. "If you're hungry, why didn't you say so sooner? Let's find an inn and eat something."

Just as they were speaking,

Baihu suddenly pointed out the window. "Miss, look at that person. How strange."

"Eh? Truly." Luo Bingluan looked in the direction Baihu pointed through the carriage window and saw a person at a roadside noodle stall.

The person looked very strange, yet one couldn't quite put their finger on what was wrong.

Calling for the carriage to stop, Luo Bingluan murmured, "Though the fabric isn't top-tier, the craftsmanship is extremely fine and meticulous. The clothes are clean; even eating at a roadside stall, he maintains such an elegant posture. However, this posture doesn't seem forced; it seems to be a long-term habit. It looks like he might be a fallen young master."

"Miss, I feel that this person possesses a certain aura. Furthermore, although his build isn't massive, he is very sturdy, unlike an ordinary scholar or young master," Zhuque added.

"Mm! It seems he isn't just an ordinary fallen young master; he might be a descendant of a fallen noble family," Luo Bingluan nodded.

As they spoke, they saw the diner finish his meal and prepare to leave, only to be called back by the owner. He was indeed destitute; he didn't even have enough money for the buns and intended to run a tab. Seeing that the owner wouldn't budge, the diner actually reached for the pouch at his waist to hand it over.

"Miss, that pouch is a rare piece of exquisite embroidery. It's such a waste to give it to a roadside stall," Baihu sighed from the side.

"Qinglong, go invite that gentleman for a cup of tea." Luo Bingluan observed the man closely. He appeared to be in his late forties or early fifties, with elegant movements and sharp eyes, unlike an ordinary person. If he could be recruited for her own use, it would be excellent.

Hearing this, Qinglong dismounted and walked toward the noodle stall.

"Boss, I'll pay for this gentleman's meal. Keep the change." As he spoke, Qinglong casually handed the old man some loose silver.

Unexpectedly, the old man running the stall looked toward the carriage where Luo Bingluan was, then handed the pouch to Qinglong with both hands, refusing to take the silver.

Qinglong was stunned. "What are you doing...?"

The old man smiled and asked, "Is the lady in the carriage the Miss of the Luo family?"

"That is correct," Qinglong did not deny it.

"Haha, Miss Luo is truly our family's great benefactor. If Miss Luo hadn't looked after us poor folk and allowed my son to work in the Luo family's factory, how could we have such a prosperous life without worrying about food or clothing? How could we even run a small business? We wouldn't dare accept Miss Luo's money." Having said this, he bowed toward the carriage and turned back to his work.

Qinglong shook his head with a smile, had no choice but to take the silver, and turned to hand the pouch to the man. "Sir, my lady would like to invite you for tea. I wonder if you would do us the honor?"

The man turned his head to look toward the carriage. Only then did Luo Bingluan see his face clearly—he possessed a refined elegance mixed with a martial vigor, a truly extraordinary presence.

The man hesitated for a moment, but ultimately nodded in acceptance.