Are you envious, jealous, and hating me?

"Two million six hundred thousand taels!" Leng Qing'er raised the bid once more. She was certain that Luo Yuhuan could not possibly possess that much ready cash, which meant the Youth-Preserving Pill would inevitably belong to her in the end.

On the other side, Luo Yuhuan wore an anxious expression, clutching her wooden tally tightly while hesitating.

"Three million taels!" She directly called out the highest bid in the history of the auction.

It completely crushed Leng Qing'er!

Luo Qianfan watched their petty rivalry unfold, thoroughly entertained. Yet inwardly, she was calculating just how much money she could rake in from this single trip!

Beholding Luo Qianfan's delighted expression, Dongfang Yuyue felt a warmth blooming in his chest as well. Who would have thought this little one loved money so dearly!

By this point, the price of the Youth-Preserving Pill had already surpassed Leng Qing'er's bottom line. However, how could she bear to humble herself and lose to another at a time like this?

Especially not to Luo Yuhuan.

Thus, unable to resist her inner struggle and madness, she continued to raise the bid:

"Three million five hundred thousand taels!"

Three million five hundred thousand taels! One could only imagine that the annual revenue of an entire empire amounted to no more than this.

Everyone present was utterly stunned by today's auction!

When Maiden Jinyu heard this figure, her mouth dropped open in shock.

Luo Yuhuan regained her composure in the very last second and decided to give up on the Youth-Preserving Pill.

Aside from Leng Qing'er, the only other person currently capable of competing for the pill was Murong Xin. Just as everyone expected Murong Xin to step in, she abruptly departed.

Consequently, the auction concluded with Leng Qing'er winning the Youth-Preserving Pill for three million five hundred thousand taels of gold.

With the scorching, burdensome Youth-Preserving Pill resting before her, Leng Qing'er found herself unable to rejoice.

Exceeding her expected budget and parting with three million five hundred thousand taels of gold in one go—how could she possibly be happy?

Leng Zimo tried his best to comfort her, but as he gazed at the crystal-clear Youth-Preserving Pill, his heart ached fiercely as well.

Following the extravagant and magnificent auction banquet, the black market reaped a massive harvest. The spectators, having their minds satisfied and deeply shaken, reluctantly took their leave.

In the end, Luoxuan Xuan failed to find Luo Qianfan and only managed to acquire a pearl-inlaid hairpin, leaving her in a thoroughly foul mood.

......

Youth-Preserving Pill — Three million five hundred thousand taels of gold.
Tassel Skirt — Ten thousand taels of gold.
High-grade Spirit Stone — Two thousand one hundred taels of gold.
Pearl-inlaid Hairpin — Five hundred taels of gold.
............

On this night, the Underworld Medical Valley became a legend, and the Youth-Preserving Pill catapulted to become the most sought-after high-grade elixir.

As the crowds dispersed, Murong Xin, who had left midway, reached the palace gates and suddenly asked, "What urgent business does the Empress have with me?"

She had been right in the middle of a crucial moment when the Empress suddenly summoned her to come over immediately; otherwise, she certainly would not have let the matter rest today.

Hearing this, the maid trembled without uttering a word, her panicked gaze betraying her small scheme.

In truth, there was no imperial summons at all.

Murong Xin seemed to realize something and snapped angrily, "Oh~ So the Empress didn't summon me at all. You were lying to this princess, weren't you?"

The maid lowered her head even further.

Murong Xin instantly caught on and immediately turned back.

These people truly kept ruining her important plans!

She returned to the black market at top speed, but by then, only a handful of people remained. Murong Xin crossed her arms, put on grand airs, and shouted, "Where is the Youth-Preserving Pill? This princess is going to continue bidding! Everyone, come out!"

Those few who had lingered at the auction venue were instantly terrified by Murong Xin's aggressive, fault-finding posture and fled in haste.

Princess Xin was about to cause a massive scene!

Flee for your lives!

In the end, Jinyu had people physically carry Murong Xin out. Anyone daring to cause trouble in the black market simply hadn't been born yet!

Even if she was a princess, the black market had no fear of her whatsoever!

Thus, Murong Xin was shoved and jostled all the way out of the black market. She cursed up a storm in fury, yet remained utterly helpless, and could only stomp back in a rage.

However, had she known that Luo Qianfan, the object of her infatuation, was currently upstairs watching her pathetic and disheveled spectacle, she probably would have fainted from anger!

And if she were to discover that the Luo Qianfan she adored was actually a woman, she would likely question the meaning of her entire existence!

At the same exact time, various noble families received all the intelligence from the auction house and rushed to dispatch messengers bearing heavy gifts to visit the Underworld Medical Valley at the earliest possible moment.

Meanwhile, the source of it all—Luo Qianfan—was leisurely enjoying the black market's most luxurious set meal service, clutching a gleaming platinum card in her hand with a triumphant expression.

Dongfang Yuyue could no longer bear to watch.

"Is this really necessary? It's just a broken card, look at how happy it's made you!" The moment he saw the little person beside him treating his presence as non-existent, an inexplicable wave of discomfort and unprovoked jealousy welled up in his heart.

It was merely a black market VIP card, yet look at how smug it made this woman. When all was said and forth, wasn't it just a money-saving trinket? What was so precious about it?

A greedy little ghost!

Just as Luo Qianfan was basking in her triumph, she was doused with cold water, prompting her to retort indignantly, "Yes, yes, yes. His Highness the Prince Regent has power when he wants power and influence when he wants influence, so naturally I cannot compare!"

With that, she paused abruptly, beamed at Dongfang Yuyue, and teased, "Could it be that Your Highness doesn't have one, and is thus green with envy and jealousy of me?!"

Upon hearing this, Dongfang Yuyue chuckled and cast a glance at her. "Envious of you?" Suddenly, he let out a scoff of disdain.

He would be envious of her? You must be joking.

"Of course it's because I'm smarter and more formidable than Your Highness! Has Your Highness never thought of recruiting me? Besides, the injuries on Your Highness's body should be much better by now."

At this moment, Luo Qianfan's unabashed display of haughtiness was practically more insufferable than a blue peacock. The more speechless Dongfang Yuyue became, the more pleased she was.

Provoked to no small degree, Dongfang Yuyue let out a helpless sigh and finally asked out of curiosity, "What was that trick you used last time?"

Dongfang Yuyue had never seen anyone employ silver needles in such a manner. A wave of doubt had lingered in his heart, and he finally seized the opportunity to ask.

He hadn't expected this young girl to possess genuine skills; just the fact that she could refine the Youth-Preserving Pill and had the ability to suppress an illness that left high-grade alchemists completely helpless was proof enough!

Dongfang Yuyue felt as though he had struck gold! Perhaps his year-long wait was simply to encounter the girl before him.

Luo Qianfan didn't immediately catch the meaning of his words. She let out a cold snh, lifted her chin proudly, and probed, "Are you talking about the silver needles?"

Seeing that Dongfang Yuyue did not refute her, she raised an eyebrow comfortably and said unhurriedly, "That is this Young Master's unique secret technique, not to be imparted to outsiders. For Your Highness the Prince Regent to ask about it... could it be that you want to steal my teachings?"

In the end, a sharp, aggressive gaze shot fiercely toward Dongfang Yuyue.

"Hmph, those little tricks of yours aren't worth this Prince stealing!" Although Dongfang Yuyue knew Luo Qianfan's medical skills were exceptional, he still put on airs, proudly turning his head away to pretend indifference.

This fellow was simply far too smug.

This was the first time Luo Qianfan had ever seen someone pull off such overt haughtiness.

"Then Your Highness had better protect yourself well. If you happen to contract some poison or illness again in the future, my Underworld Medical Valley won't cure you!" Luo Qianfan feigned extreme annoyance, speaking through gritted teeth.

This little one truly held onto grudges.

At that moment, a knock sounded at the door, followed by Elder Nan's benevolent yet dignified voice: "Underworld Young Master, may this old man enter?"

"Come in, Elder Nan!"

What truly peerless youths! The moment Elder Nan stepped through the door, he caught sight of Dongfang Yuyue's and Luo Qianfan's handsome gazes, as well as the familiar golden card clutched in Luo Qianfan's hand.

With his sharp eyes and quick reflexes, a flash of pristine brilliance crossed his eyes:

"By auctioning the Youth-Preserving Pill this time, the Underworld Young Master has become a diamond-tier patron of our black market. This gold card is a symbol of authority within the black market, limited to only three in total. The black market wishes to make friends with the Underworld Young Master; with this card, the Underworld Young Master will be treated as the most esteemed presence across any establishment of the black market!"

"And you also get a fifty percent discount, you know!"

True to form, the moment Luo Qianfan heard Elder Nan's final sentence, her eyes lit up like bright pearls.

When dealing with a money-grubbing little imp like Luo Qianfan, cash and discounts were absolute top priorities! Dongfang Yuyue silently wiped the sweat from his brow over Luo Qianfan's lack of backbone.

When Elder Nan spoke of the gold card, a flicker of exploratory appraisal danced in his eyes; even he had never laid eyes upon this particular card before.

The gold card was immensely precious, and this specific one had been dispatched directly by higher authorities with explicit instructions to be delivered to Luo Qianfan. This was more than enough to demonstrate how much importance the upper echelons placed on Luo Qianfan.

While experiencing envy, Elder Nan felt a deep sense of reverence for Luo Qianfan's talent. Seemingly recalling something, Elder Nan bowed slightly and said with a smile:

"Underworld Young Master, I wonder if we might discuss a business proposition."

One does not strike a smiling person. Elder Nan's demeanor compelled Luo Qianfan to hear him out: "Elder Nan is too polite. Speak your mind freely."

Hearing this, Elder Nan nodded in agreement and smiled as he said: "It is like this. Our black market wishes to establish a long-term partnership with the Underworld Medical Valley. From now on, the Underworld Medical Valley merely needs to supply the black market with a batch of rare treasures periodically, and the black market will split the profits fifty-fifty with the Underworld Medical Valley for mutual benefit."

Luo Qianfan weighed the implications of these words and decisively spoke out, "Fifty-fifty won't do. At the very least, a seventy-thirty split—I take seventy, you take thirty."

Noticing the disbelief in Elder Nan's eyes, Luo Qianfan waved a hand and continued:

"Elder Nan, don't be in such a rush to refuse. I guarantee on behalf of the Underworld Medical Valley that following the seventy-thirty split, the Underworld Medical Valley will provide the black market with three high-grade elixirs every month for auction. That way, you won't be operating at a loss."

Not only would they not lose out, but they would also make a tidy profit! As expected, Luo Qianfan could never shed her fundamental nature as an unscrupulous merchant.

Luo Qianfan's terms were undeniably enticing! Three high-grade elixirs, and every single one of them premium goods! With this arrangement, there was no need to worry about recouping lost money!

Elder Nan gazed at Luo Qianfan with mounting excitement.

After a moment, he asked with a tremor in his voice:

"Might this old man ask if this Youth-Preserving Pill was refined by the Young Master herself?"

"Does it not look like it?" Starlight danced in Luo Qianfan's eyes, radiating a confident brilliance; her demeanor spoke volumes.

Elder Nan understood instantly.

"No, no, not at all. It's just that for the Young Master to achieve such extraordinary heights at such a young age, your future prospects are bound to be boundless. If there is ever anything you require of this old man or the black market, Young Master need only say the word, and this old man will do his utmost."

He was a sensible man, well aware of what course of action served his interests best.

What an immense honor it was to cooperate with a high-grade alchemist! Elder Nan was naturally overjoyed.

Luo Qianfan remained humble yet maintained her dignity: "Elder Nan flatters me. In the future, the Underworld Medical Valley will still need to rely heavily on Elder Nan! Furthermore, since I am merely a junior, Elder Nan should simply address me by name; I truly cannot bear the title of 'Underworld Young Master'."

"Since that is the case, then this old man shall call you little brother Luo!"