The next day, Lu Yun and the other children were on a break, so he took Yang Ming, Lu Xing, Xiao Ma, and others out to explore the capital city.
Lu Yun first took them to see the archery shop. Standing in front of the shop, Lu Xing and Xiao Ma felt their cheeks flush. They realized that they were the ones who were truly short-sighted. Lu Yun had promised yesterday to cover all their expenses for entertainment and food, and he had kept his word.
Even though he was only a 9-year-old child, he already owned two shops!
Yang Ming was also surprised. When he left, the children had just started this business, and he never expected it to have grown to such a scale in just half a year.
The shop was decorated with a childlike theme and stocked with bows, arrows, slingshots, and wood carvings, all exquisitely made.
Lu Xing picked up a bow and arrow and tested it. It felt very good.
"Yun, this bow and arrow is very good. Where did you source it from?" Lu Xing asked, plucking the bowstring.
Lu Yun chuckled, "Brother Xing, that's a trade secret! I can't reveal it." He couldn't give away Uncle Duai.
Lu Yun then took them to the Street Gang base, a courtyard with two entrances. The plaque above the gate bore the large characters "Street Gang."
The base was filled with children, the oldest being no more than twelve years old, and the youngest only one or two.
These children were all dressed in uniform red sect robes and were busy with their own tasks.
Some were weaving small toys from bamboo strips for sale, others were sweeping the courtyard and wiping tables and chairs, while some were practicing in the open space with proper form. Although it seemed crowded, everything was orderly.
Upon seeing Lu Yun and the others, the children respectfully called Lu Yun the Gang Leader, Tian Dou the Great Protector, Tie Zhu the Second Protector, and Tian Ya the Third Protector, Lu Yu the Fourth Protector.
Lu Xing, Xiao Ma, and Yang Ming were all stunned. They looked at everything around them, finding it hard to believe that this two-entrance residence had been bought by Lu Yun and his four companions.
Even more unbelievable was that these five children, all under ten years old, had established a small but established sect in less than a year.
Although this sect was a children's version, it already had over eighty members!
Recalling last night when they teased Lu Yun in a condescending tone, they all felt immensely ashamed. They truly had been ignorant and short-sighted.
Seeing the astonished expressions on their elder brothers' faces, the five children proudly straightened their backs, their smiles stretching from ear to ear.
Bai Sheng slept until after Lu Yun and the others had left before waking up. As soon as she stepped out of her room, A Qiu brought her water for washing.
Seeing A Qiu, Bai Sheng paused for a moment. Before she could ask any questions, A Qiu respectfully said, "Mistress, Lu Yin saw you and Master... kissing last night, and was so frightened that he felt he was not suitable to serve you closely, so he swapped duties with me."
Bai Sheng was slightly taken aback, her old face blushing. She stammered, "Ah, this, Yin's courage is too little." It was just a kiss, it wouldn't kill anyone.
"Mm, I think so too," A Qiu nodded earnestly.
Bai Sheng looked at A Qiu and for the first time felt that this gentle girl was quite bold. As a young lady of this era, she could actually utter such suggestive words as "kissing."
In fact, from the perspective of serving others, A Qiu was more professional and considerate. But precisely because she was too professional, Bai Sheng had not dared to let her provide close personal service.
Normally, Bai Sheng had to enter and exit the spatial dimension frequently. A Qiu was cautious and meticulous, and many matters related to the spatial dimension could not be openly discussed. Lu Yin, on the other hand, was careless and had a more robust nerve than a bucket of rice, which allowed Bai Sheng more freedom. Therefore, she had initially arranged for Lu Yin to serve her closely.
Now that these two girls had privately exchanged roles, so be it. She could enjoy A Qiu's five-star service, which was quite good.
After Bai Sheng had finished washing, A Qiu came over to help her comb and style her hair.
"Mistress, where are you going today? I will prepare accordingly later," A Qiu asked respectfully while combing her hair.
Bai Sheng closed her eyes comfortably. "I'm going to Qingliu Street to look at the shops, and also call Xiao Hua, Ga Mei, Lu Yin, A Dong, Lu Tong, Lu Tie, and anyone else I can think of to thoroughly clean and scrub the shops. Ten days later, the shops will open."
Leaving ten days for publicity should be enough.
"Alright, I will arrange it later."
The "Red Powder Beauty" shop had already completed its renovations. All three floors were based on pink, with wooden floors, making them very gentle and skin-friendly.
The first floor had a more open view, with shelves made of natural wood, giving a simple and fresh feel. If displayed with perfumes and cosmetics, and decorated with large oil paintings of colorful flowers, it would appear low-key, elegant, and textured.
The second floor, intended for selling sanitary napkins and women's underwear, was more private, with many pink curtains and screens, creating numerous partitions and screens.
The third floor, selling private medications, was designed with small cubicles and also paid great attention to privacy.
Overall, Bai Sheng was quite satisfied with the renovation.
Everyone, carrying burlap, brooms, basins, and small ladders, stood in the hall on the first floor.
"Everyone, let's get to work! Madam said that today we will clean all three floors until they are spotless!" A Qiu loudly conveyed Bai Sheng's instructions.
Everyone immediately set to work.
Bai Sheng rolled up her sleeves and worked alongside everyone else.
Today, Lu Ye also went to the Hongyun Street amusement center of the Yesheng Sect, accompanied by Qing Yu and Wei Han.
The amusement center had only opened last month and was doing very well, with customers almost always filling the place every day.
Lu Ye wore a mask, so the shopkeeper, waiters, jugglers, and geishas at the amusement center did not recognize him. However, they recognized the owners of the amusement center, Qing Yu and Wei Han. Seeing that both owners were extremely respectful to the black-robed gentleman wearing a mask, they dared not neglect him and immediately stepped forward to greet him warmly.
The geishas, seeing that the masked man before them was tall and elegant, couldn't help but glance over.
Qing Yu and Wei Han led Lu Ye to a very discreet private room on the second floor and dismissed all unnecessary personnel.
After they were seated, Lu Ye said to Qing Yu, "Let them come in."
Qing Yu responded with "Yes," turned, and left. Shortly after, she returned with two delicate girls wearing veils and carrying pipa.
The two girls bowed slightly and respectfully said to Lu Ye, "Embroidered Guard Fifth Envoy (Embroidered Guard Sixth Envoy) greets the Sect Master."
Lu Ye nodded faintly and asked, "How is the investigation going?"
The Embroidered Guard Fifth Envoy replied, "Reporting to the Sect Master, your subordinate has only found that purple jade of extremely good quality is very rare, and only high-ranking noble families are likely to possess it. Additionally, purple jade carved with lotus patterns should also be quite uncommon. We will have to consult the famous old artisans in the capital."
"Mm, continue the investigation, but do not expose information about the purple jade pendant," Lu Ye sternly ordered.
"Yes, Sect Master," the Embroidered Guard Fifth Envoy bowed.
The Embroidered Guard Sixth Envoy immediately continued, "Reporting to the Sect Master, your subordinate has not made any progress. There are indeed many families in the capital who have lost boys, but their ages do not match."