At that time, Lu Qing Wan and Si Feng Wu were admiring the long-idle Phoenix King and True Dragon Token.
The few people below almost stared Lu Qing Wan, who held the Phoenix King in her left hand and the True Dragon Token in her right, into developing a bone disease, as if the items in her hands could be transferred to theirs.
"What does the Qin King's Consort mean by this? You posted notices for us to claim these items. A full month has passed, and over fifty people from my Sansheng Tower and Han Xiao Hall have come and gone, yet you refuse to return the sacred artifacts. Now, even I, Xiang, and Hall Master Tan of Han Xiao Hall have arrived, and the Qin King's Consort still holds the sacred artifacts, unwilling to return them. Could it be that you're reluctant to part with them at the last moment?"
The speaker was the Deputy楼主 of Sansheng Tower, and currently the highest-ranking person with authority there. The Left Protector of Han Xiao Hall beside him also looked displeased. Hearing this, he added courteously, "The Phoenix King and the True Dragon Token are, after all, sacred artifacts of Sansheng Tower and Han Xiao Hall. It is understandable that you are reluctant to part with them. Please state your demands, and we will do our best to satisfy them."
Si Feng Wu was engrossed in his memorials and completely ignored their nonsense. Lu Qing Wan, on the other hand, was straightforward. Upon hearing this, she quickly put away the two sacred artifacts and said cheerfully, "It would have been better if you were this sensible earlier. I imagine you two know how many of my subordinates have died for your two paltry sacred artifacts. I won't ask for too much from you..."
She made a gesture. "This amount, and you two can take the items back. From now on, these things will have nothing to do with my King and me, how about it?"
"Five million taels?"
The one from Sansheng Tower frowned slightly, but agreed. "So be it. Gold has a price, but sacred artifacts are priceless. I, this Hall Master, agree." The protector from Han Xiao Hall beside him did not speak, feeling that the matter was not so simple.
As expected, Lu Qing Wan acted as if she had heard a ridiculously absurd joke. "Five hundred taels to take away the tokens that command Sansheng Tower and Han Xiao Hall's tens of thousands of followers? Hall Master Xiang, are you joking with this Consort?"
The Deputy楼主 of Sansheng Tower, surnamed Xiang, looked extremely displeased. When Lu Qing Wan and Si Feng Wu had posted notices for them to take back the items, they had thought the two were unaware of the value of the Phoenix King and the True Dragon Token, and wanted to hand them over. Just moments ago, when Lu Qing Wan held up five fingers to sell the Phoenix King and the True Dragon Token, he had been privately mocking her for being vulgar and ignorant. He never expected Lu Qing Wan to be fully aware of the value of the Phoenix King and the True Dragon Token, which was quite embarrassing.
Lu Qing Wan had long given up on negotiating with him and turned to the protector from Han Xiao Hall. "Protector Tan, why don't you name a price? The Phoenix King is your Han Xiao Hall's token. I know your Grand Elder and Hall Master are both vying for the Phoenix King. Give me a reasonable price, and you can take the item. Whether it goes to your Hall Master or the Grand Elder, I don't care."
As soon as Lu Qing Wan finished speaking, the Deputy楼主 of Sansheng Tower, who considered himself righteous, was about to interject again. However, he was silenced by a sharp glare from the protector of Han Xiao Hall before he could speak.
"The new dynasty has just been established, and I imagine the King and Consort are in need of people and money. I won't bicker with you two. This amount, plus five thousand mu of fertile land around Jin City, cash on delivery, how about it?"
Lu Qing Wan looked at the man's clenched fist and guessed a very bold number. "One hundred million taels?"
The protector of Han Xiao Hall shook his head. "No, gold."
Si Feng Wu, who had been quietly reading memorials, looked up at this. Lu Qing Wan also showed a bit of surprise with great tact. "From five million taels of silver to one hundred million taels of gold, that's quite a leap?"
"Are there any additional conditions?"
The man was noncommittal, but said cautiously, "One hundred million taels of gold can be transferred to you from Qing Huang Palace at any time. I can also arrange for the land deeds for the five thousand mu of fertile land to be delivered within three days. There is only one condition: you must hand over the items to us in a crowded place, promise us that the items are genuine, and from now on, no matter what, you will never take them back."
As if afraid Lu Qing Wan would go back on her word, the man emphasized it again. Lu Qing Wan chuckled. "What a coincidence, I was also worried about not being able to let those who should know, know that the items have changed hands. Don't forget to prepare the land deeds. Three days later, at our inn outside Donghua Gate, we will exchange cash for goods. Let everyone entering and leaving the capital be witnesses, and I will not go back on my word."
The two parties reached an agreement. The other party took out a jade token and handed it to Lu Qing Wan. "This is the golden token of Qing Huang Palace. The Consort can send anyone to Qing Huang Palace to verify it. With this token, one hundred million taels of gold can be redeemed at any time."
Lu Qing Wan did not stand on ceremony. She took the token decisively and handed it to Li Su. "Go, take Wu Ying with you to see. If it's ready cash, bring it directly to the Prince's mansion." She and Si Feng Wu were staying in the palace these days, and the former Regent's mansion was still empty. It would be a waste not to use it.
The Han Xiao Hall protector, who had been calm all along, was almost amused by her unceremonious demeanor. He suppressed a smile and said, "If there's nothing else, we'll take our leave?"
Lu Qing Wan's spirits immediately lifted. "Who said there's nothing else? You, one from Sansheng Tower and one from Han Xiao Hall, can you tell us what happened to our parents? Are they dead or alive? If they are dead, where are their bodies? We will bring them back for burial and offer sacrifices. If they are alive, where are they? Why haven't they returned? Or do they not intend to return? Can you give us a definitive answer?"
Since Duan Yue had gone to find the person in charge of Sansheng Tower in Northern Wei last time, Lu Qing Wan had a vague feeling that the people from Sansheng Tower and Han Xiao Hall actually knew the whereabouts of her birth parents and the Crown Prince Cheng An and his consort. However, for some reason, they had kept it from them. Asking this question again today was purely to vex the people from Sansheng Tower and Han Xiao Hall.
Unexpectedly, the man thoughtfully considered it and actually answered. "I can responsibly tell you two that your father and mother, as well as Crown Prince Cheng An and his consort, are indeed still alive. However, I cannot say more about other matters. As for when they will return, I cannot overstep my bounds to make decisions for them. Take care."
After speaking, he dragged the Deputy楼主 of Sansheng Tower, whose nose was not a nose and eyes were not eyes, and fled as if escaping. Lu Qing Wan was left standing there, lost in thought about his meaningful words for a long time.
Seeing that the outsiders had left, Si Feng Wu threw down his memorial and moved in front of Lu Qing Wan. "What are you thinking about? You've earned so much money, but you don't seem happy. That's not like you!" One hundred million taels of gold, Si Feng Wu was shocked to hear it, yet Lu Qing Wan was so calm that Si Feng Wu felt a bit embarrassed to show too much happiness.