Finally, just as Sun Youcai’s throat was about to go hoarse from coughing, Zhao Zhitong suddenly exclaimed, "Oh, I forgot!"
With that, she asked Sun Youcai to bring over the basket and said joyfully, "Xue’er, do you remember the peony flowers I told you I grew? Could you help me see if your daddy will like the peonies we grew?"
Liu Baixue knew that her father preferred rare and valuable varieties of peonies. He probably wouldn’t be fond of the ordinary ones Zhao Zhitong had grown.
However, she didn’t voice these thoughts. Instead, she decided that if her father wasn’t fond of them, she would buy them herself. They would look very nice in her courtyard.
With this in mind, Liu Baixue leaned in to look at the peonies Zhao Zhitong had brought.
When she saw the flowers, she froze. Her small mouth formed an "O" shape, and it took her a moment before she asked in disbelief, "Wow, Tongtong, are these the peony flowers you grew?"
Zhao Zhitong said with immense pride, "I didn’t grow them all by myself. My Younger Uncle grew them, and my cousins and I helped with the watering."
Liu Baixue gazed at the peonies, her eyes filled with amazement, and sincerely praised, "You all are amazing! This flower is so unique! My daddy will definitely love it. You should come inside with me and show him."
With that, she led Zhao Zhitong and the others inside.
It was Sun Youcai’s first time inside such a grand residence, and he felt somewhat constrained. Clutching the bamboo basket with both hands, he kept his head lowered, following closely behind Zhao Zhitong and the others.
Zhao Zhitong, however, chatted with Liu Baixue as they walked, the two young friends seemingly having endless things to discuss.
Just then, a clear, bright voice of a young man suddenly rang out.
"Xue’er, who are these people?"
A handsome young man appeared before them. He was dressed in white martial attire, carried a long sword, and was walking towards them.
While he sized up Zhao Zhitong and her companions, Zhao Zhitong was also observing him.
This young man looked to be around the same age as her eldest brother. Perhaps due to his martial arts training, he possessed a natural heroic aura, and his gaze was remarkably clear as he looked at them.As for his appearance, he bore some resemblance to Liu Baixue, especially his eyes. Both of them had particularly beautiful peach-blossom eyes.Her first impression was that he didn’t cause her any aversion.
Seeing him, a friendly smile touched Liu Baixue’s lips. "Brother, you’re back."
Then, taking Zhao Zhitong’s arm, she said, "This is my good friend, Tongtong, whom I’ve often mentioned to you. These are her family members."
Then she introduced him to Zhao Zhitong, "Tongtong, this is my brother. His name is Liu Baian."
Zhao Zhitong glanced from Liu Baixue to the young man and offered a polite greeting, "Hello, Brother Baian."
Liu Baian nodded at Zhao Zhitong and her companions. When he looked at Liu Baixue, a bright, sunny smile appeared on his face.
Liu Baixue asked, "Brother, is Daddy in his room?"
Liu Baian shook his head. "No. When I just returned, I saw Daddy going to the Martial Arts Practice Ground."
As he spoke, his gaze swept over Zhao Zhitong and her companions, a hint of appraisal in his eyes.
Liu Baixue didn’t notice her brother’s scrutiny. She nodded and took Zhao Zhitong’s small hand, saying, "Let’s go to the Martial Arts Practice Ground."
Saying this, she led Zhao Zhitong towards the Martial Arts Practice Ground.
Liu Baian was very curious why his little sister was bringing strangers to see their father. He called out from behind them, "Xue’er, why are you looking for Dad?"
"I need Dad for something important."
Liu Baixue didn’t stop walking, merely tossing a casual reply over her shoulder.
After they had left, Liu Baian summoned a few servants and instructed, "Find out about those people."
Once his subordinates had departed to carry out his orders, he also left.
Meanwhile, Bai Xue led Zhao Zhitong and the others directly to the Liu Clan’s Martial Arts Practice Ground. Just as they neared it, they heard the SWISH, SWISH of swords cutting through the air.
Two servants guarded the entrance to the Martial Arts Practice Ground. Seeing Liu Baixue arrive, they both clasped their fists in salute.
Liu Baixue turned to Zhao Zhitong and said, "My dad is inside. Wait here for a moment; I’ll go get him."
Zhao Zhitong nodded. "Alright."
Martial families generally disliked outsiders observing their practice. Although Zhao Zhitong didn’t know this specific custom, her father had taught her not to pry into the private affairs of others when visiting their homes.
Therefore, she wasn’t curious at all and waited obediently at the entrance to the Martial Arts Practice Ground.
After a short while, the sounds of swords from the practice ground ceased, and faint voices engaged in conversation could be heard.
A little later, Liu Baixue emerged, followed by a sturdily built middle-aged man.
He had a tuft of a beard on his chin and his hair was tied up high. He wore martial attire, a style typical of men from all corners of the country.
When he wasn’t smiling, he exuded an air of authority, naturally inspiring a sense of awe and fear in others.
Liu Baixue said, "Tongtong, where’s your peony flower? Quickly, let my dad see it."
Zhao Zhitong nodded, then turned her head and called to Sun Youcai, "Younger Uncle, please bring it over."
"Ah, right here, right here."
This was Sun Youcai’s first time entering such a large manor and his first time meeting such an important person. The humility seemingly ingrained in him as a farmer made it difficult for him to stand up straight in the presence of such a family.
He bent down, placed the carrying basket on the ground, and then carefully lifted the flowerpot out of it.
Despite the bumpy journey, the peony flower was completely unaffected, still standing gracefully on its stem.
Master Liu, who hadn’t paid much attention at first, found his eyes fixed on the peony flower the moment it was presented.
"A three-color peony?"
Master Liu couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise. He quickly stepped forward to examine it. Upon confirming it was a genuine peony flower, the delight on his face was unmistakable, and he praised it repeatedly, "Marvelous, truly marvelous!"
"This is a peerless specimen among peony flowers!" He stood up, his face alight with pleased surprise. "It’s already June, yet this peony flower is still blooming so vibrantly. Truly exceptional!"
Then he looked at Sun Youcai and asked, "Did you grow this?"
Sun Youcai nervously wrung his hands, his face flushing red as he managed a nod. "Yes, we... we grew it."
Master Liu nodded decisively. "Good, I’ll take this peony flower." He paused in thought for a moment, then said, "How about 500 taels?"
Hearing this sum, Sun Youcai was so startled he stammered, "F-five hundred?"
Master Liu asked, "Yes? Is there a problem? Do you think it’s too little?"
Sun Youcai frantically waved his hands. "No, no, that’s more than enough!" Find the newest release on novᴇlfire.net
On the way here, Sun Youcai had figured the flower might sell for over 100 taels of silver. He never expected the Villa Master to be so generous, offering 500 taels for a single plant!He was truly astounded.
Master Liu finally smiled and said to a subordinate behind him, "Ah Shao, go get 500 taels in silver notes for this good fellow."
Then he looked at Sun Youcai and said, "In the future, if you cultivate another three-color peony , come directly to me. I will purchase it for the same price of 500 taels."
"Yes, yes, absolutely!"
Sun Youcai nodded eagerly.
With two more plants at home, that would be 1,000 taels!
Just as Sun Youcai was about to say they had two more at home, Zhao Zhitong tugged his sleeve. She grinned sweetly and asked, "Uncle Villa Master, this three-color peony is very rare, you know. What if the price goes up in the future?"
Master Liu, whose attention was entirely captivated by the peony flower, was startled by a young girl’s childlike voice. He looked towards the sound and saw a little child beaming at him with a radiant smile.