Xi He listened and was also full of deep thought, "This is what I want to confirm. The news I received tells me that Shen Xiaoming is indeed a halfling, but I don't know why he is like this. Moreover, Shen Xiaoming was auctioned off by the Sheng Yu Auction House as a halfling back then. The person who bid that time seemed to be the same one this time, named Xiang Fei."
Hearing this, Xi Jin almost understood Xi He's meaning.
"Mother, you want to find Xiang Fei and make her speak out that Shen Xiaoming is a halfling?"
Xi He looked at Xi Jin with admiration upon hearing her, and nodded slowly.
"As expected of Mother's daughter, so smart."
Xi Jin's attention was not on these praises, "But Mother, he clearly looks like a human now. Even if you speak out, no one will believe you? Moreover, even if they believe, so what? Having a son who is a halfling will only embarrass the Hall Master, and it won't achieve anything."
Hearing Xi Jin, Xi He's expression did not change at all, "Leave these matters to Mother. You just need to watch carefully."
Did this mean she didn't want to say more?
Xi Jin and Xi Yin exchanged a look, and immediately stopped talking. They simply sat down and closed their eyes to rest.
Xi He was their mother after all. Seeing this, how could she not know that they were angry?
However, thinking of that person's arrangement, her opened mouth finally closed tightly again.
Alas, later, they would understand her painstaking efforts.
The spirit ship flew swiftly and soon arrived at their destination, the headquarters of the Sheng Yu Auction House.
The headquarters of the Sheng Yu Auction House was located in Sheng Yu City.
This city was also the headquarters of the Sheng Yu Auction House.
Those who could come here to participate in the auction were all prominent figures in the Eastern Immortal Land.
Zhen Lingrong parked the spirit ship at the gate of Sheng Yu City.
Although her identity was there, a strong dragon cannot suppress a local snake. Moreover, they were not here to cause trouble, so they naturally had to give the Sheng Yu Auction House some face.
Getting off the spirit ship, Zhen Lingrong put away the spirit ship and led Shen Xiaoyan and others towards the city gate.
The people at the city gate naturally recognized Zhen Lingrong. Seeing them approaching, they quickly bowed and greeted them with smiles.
After a few pleasantries, the person summoned another guard and asked him to lead Zhen Lingrong and others into the city.
Entering Sheng Yu City, the prosperity and hustle and bustle they saw gave Shen Xiaoyan and the other two a feeling of returning to the Imperial Capital of Great Chu.
The reason was that all they could see were merchants.
Whether it was opening shops or setting up stalls by the roadside, there were simply too many people selling things.
Not only were there many sellers, but there were even more buyers.
Looking at the bustling scene, Shen Xiaoyan almost thought it was some tourist holy land.
This was also very understandable. The Sheng Yu Auction House focused on auctions, but not everything they collected was eligible for auction.
Therefore, they would let people open shops in Sheng Yu City to sell.
With the reputation of the Sheng Yu Auction House, in this Eastern Immortal Land, there was nothing you couldn't find that the Sheng Yu Auction House didn't have.
Therefore, whenever people needed something, they would head straight to Sheng Yu City.
Over time, this became the bustling scene.
As Shen Xiaoyan and the others walked, they glanced at the shops on both sides, but they didn't see anything that interested them. Therefore, they quickly stopped looking and focused on moving forward.
Behind them, Xi He and her daughters were overwhelmed.
Even though Xi He had followed Zhen Lingrong for so long, Zhen Lingrong had never taken her to any important occasions.
Attending the auction at the headquarters of the Sheng Yu Auction House in Sheng Yu City was even more unimaginable.
How could Xi He not be excited to have followed them by chance?
As for Xi Jin and Xi Yin, they had hardly left after entering Chang Qiu Hall, so how could they have seen such a lively scene?
Especially all sorts of treasures were displayed there for sale. Weren't they afraid that someone would suddenly have evil intentions and snatch them away?
They wanted to stop and look, but the people in front were walking quickly. They were sure that if they dared to stop, even for a moment, they would probably be left behind.
Thinking that Zhen Lingrong was unwilling to bring them in the first place, Xi Jin and Xi Yin immediately withdrew their gazes and followed closely behind the people in front.
No matter what, they absolutely could not get lost now.
Otherwise, they might not be able to return to Chang Qiu Hall at all.
Shen Xiaoyan had been paying attention to them since she entered the city.
She saw that they were initially enthusiastic and looked around, even considering whether to take this opportunity to shake them off.
But she didn't expect that after not much time, they would already be looking straight ahead.
Shen Xiaoyan chuckled, "I didn't expect them to be such interesting people."
Since that was the case, let them continue to follow and see what they wanted to do.
As they moved forward, the hustle and bustle soon faded away, and the surrounding scenery changed.
If the scene just after entering the city was like a prosperous town in a small world, then now, they had unknowingly entered a paradise.
Whether it was the mountains and rivers, the flowers and trees, or the spiritual birds and beasts that could be seen everywhere, they all looked so extraordinary and unstained by worldly atmosphere.
Shen Xiaoyan couldn't help but smile at this.
Logically speaking, the Sheng Yu Auction House was the most profitable business. How could such a business not have a trace of mercenary air?
But now, looking at it, where was there any hint of mercenary air?
Even compared to the scenery in Chang Qiu Hall, it was not inferior at all.
Soon, the envoy in front stopped in front of a pavilion.
"Hall Master, this is your residence. The auction will start in the evening. Please rest here first. In the evening, someone will come to take you to the auction."
Zhen Lingrong nodded slightly without speaking.
The envoy seemed unsurprised. He bowed again and retreated.
Entering the pavilion, seeing that the decoration inside looked quite good, at least pleasing to the eye, she knew that the Sheng Yu Auction House must have put in a lot of effort.
Did they want every participant in the auction to feel at home?
Shen Xiaoyan chuckled at this thought.
Zhen Lingrong and the others heard Shen Xiaoyan's laughter and all looked at her curiously.
Mì Lè Fo even stroked his bald head and laughed along, "Yan girl, what are you giggling about standing here? Quickly take out your good stuff and let us have a taste. We'll be good for work in the evening after we're full!"
Hearing this, Lin Xin slapped Mì Lè Fo on the head. The "bang" sound was enough to tell that the force was definitely not a joke.
Mì Lè Fo instantly became furious, "Why are you hitting me? If you can't give me a reason today, I'll make you leave here horizontally."
Facing Mì Lè Fo's threat, Li Xin Hao was unfazed. "Are you out of your mind? What do you mean 'good for work in the evening'? We're here to participate in the auction, not to kill and set fires! Can you use your brain before you speak? Don't bring out your bandit ways and disgrace our Chang Qiu Hall. I'm telling you, if you don't speak tonight, then don't speak. If you attract ridicule from others, let's see how I deal with you."
Mì Lè Fo was instantly unhappy, "Why can't I speak? What I said is all the truth. This Sheng Yu Auction House is not a good bird. Where did the items they auction off come from? In recent years, what haven't they dared to sell? I heard that not long ago, one of their branches auctioned off a halfling, and that halfling was a young boy. Isn't this insane?"
Li Xin and Mì Lè Fo were still arguing, but they didn't see that because of Mì Lè Fo, Shen Xiaoyan and the other two's faces had changed drastically.
Shen Xiaoyan originally thought that this matter would gradually fade with time.
Moreover, that was an auction in a small city like Ying Cheng.
But she didn't expect that Mì Lè Fo, a venerable elder of Chang Qiu Hall, had heard of this matter and knew it in such detail. Then, would someone remember Shen Xiaoming's appearance and spread it out?
Although Shen Xiaoming had a cat's ears and tail at the time, and his facial features were slightly different from now.
However, as long as one had participated in that auction, they could probably recognize him at a glance, just like Long Xuan.
Thinking of Long Xuan, Shen Xiaoyan even suspected that Long Xuan had spread this matter out of resentment.
Although she harbored murderous intent towards Long Xuan, Shen Xiaoyan also knew that it might not be her.
There were quite a few people who participated in the auction that time, and moreover, there were even more people who coveted Shen Xiaoming.
What cannot be obtained is often the best. Therefore, it was not unusual for someone to think of it constantly and keep it on their lips.
None of this mattered now. What mattered was what to do tonight?
Could it be that Shen Xiaoming shouldn't go?
Zhen Lingrong's face was initially smiling as she watched Lin Xin and Mì Lè Fo bicker.
But soon she noticed that Shen Xiaoyan and the other two seemed to be in a bad mood.
Although she didn't know what was going on with the three of them, Zhen Lingrong immediately asked Lin Xin and Mì Lè Fo to stop talking and then directly took Shen Xiaoyan and the other two upstairs.
Lin Xin and Mì Lè Fo watched Zhen Lingrong and the four of them go upstairs, still looking bewildered.
What was going on?
The two looked at each other in silence, both not knowing what they had said wrong.
Meanwhile, Xi He and the other two were full of excitement. Xi Jin and Xi Yin lowered their heads, afraid that Lin Xin and Mì Lè Fo would notice their unusual emotions.
Fortunately, Xi He was already a master at pretending to be weak and pitiful, so she quickly adjusted and smiled at Lin Xin and Mì Lè Fo, "Since the Hall Master got these three children, she has become a bit childish. She probably wants to whisper something to them again and even left the two elders behind. Please be magnanimous and don't blame the Hall Master."
This speech was said with great earnestness, but to Lin Xin and Mì Lè Fo, it sounded different.
Lin Xin frowned and said, "What's wrong with you, girl? The older you get, the more ill-mannered you become. Is your brain shrinking? Who gave you the courage to gossip about the Hall Master behind her back?"
Lin Xin's tone was very stern, and Xi He trembled all over.
She quickly lowered her head and begged for mercy, "Elder, please calm your anger. It was Xi He who was infatuated and forgot the rules, gossiping about the Hall Master behind her back. Xi He was wrong."
Seeing this, Lin Xin simply grunted and no longer looked at Xi He.
Xi Jin and Xi Yin looked at Xi He with resentment.
It's like this again!
If you're incapable, can't you keep your mouth shut?
You always say what you want to say for a moment of pleasure, but in the end? Don't you still have to humble yourself and apologize?
Why don't you feel embarrassed every time?
However, they didn't know that Xi He didn't think that way at all.
She thought she had already subtly criticized Zhen Lingrong in front of Lin Xin and Mì Lè Fo. Otherwise, why would Elder Lin Xin be so angry?
Xi He felt that this time might not be very useful, but who knew in the long run?
This kind of dissatisfaction would accumulate, and when it erupted later, it would be Zhen Lingrong's misfortune.
Zhen Lingrong and the others were unaware of what was happening downstairs, nor did they want to know. Zhen Lingrong was staring motionlessly at Shen Xiaoyan and the other two.
Shen Xiaoyan also felt extremely helpless. She had been too nervous just now, so much so that she hadn't noticed that her emotions had already leaked out, and Zhen Lingrong had noticed it.
She also didn't expect that Zhen Lingrong, who looked delicate and weak, could be so unbearable when she became assertive.
This made her have to lower her head now, not daring to look directly into Zhen Lingrong's eyes.
Otherwise, she really didn't know if she could withstand Zhen Lingrong's sharp gaze.
Zhen Lingrong looked at Shen Xiaoyan and the other two for a long time. Seeing that they were still lowering their heads and not intending to speak, she inexplicably laughed in anger.
"Fine, fine, fine, you won't say it?"
Hearing Zhen Lingrong's exasperated voice, Shen Xiaoyan also felt a little uncomfortable.
She was about to say something when she heard Zhen Lingrong say, "Although you didn't grow up by my side, I believe you have experienced my heart for you during this time. In the past, no matter what you went through, you had to bear it yourself. That was unavoidable, but now that I am here, why are you still unwilling to trust me? Tell me, and let me help you think of a solution. Isn't that good? Or do you not trust me at all?"
Towards the end, Zhen Lingrong's voice became somewhat hoarse.
Even without looking up, Shen Xiaoyan could guess that Zhen Lingrong's expression must be sad at this moment.
But could she really say it? Could she really trust Zhen Lingrong?
Most importantly, was there any solution to this matter?
As long as Shen Xiaoming remained a halfling for one day, someone would covet him, want to obtain him, and want to know why he was different from other haflings.
Such a coveted "prize" would only bring endless trouble.
If they stayed in Chang Qiu Hall, they would only drag Chang Qiu Hall into it.
More importantly, she couldn't be sure if there was no one in Chang Qiu Hall who coveted Shen Xiaoming.
As the old saying goes, it is difficult to guard against internal thieves.
If there were really people with ill intentions in Chang Qiu Hall, and something happened to Shen Xiaoming, she would never forgive herself even if she died.
Shen Xiaoyan felt her mind in chaos, filled with all sorts of voices.
One voice told her to trust Zhen Lingrong. After all, Zhen Lingrong was her mother. With her current status, she could definitely protect Shen Xiaoming.
But another voice told her not to trust anyone easily. She and Zhen Lingrong had only known each other for more than half a month, so how could she be sure that Zhen Lingrong could be trusted?