Volume 1, Chapter 25: It is the first time I have ever heard of something so fashionable!

"Ha!" Shen Junxi was amused by Jiang Xian. He stood up and said, "You have brought top-tier medicinal herbs that are rarely seen; if I were to turn these away, there would be no point in me keeping Pine Crane Hall open!"

"Hehe, then Young Master Shen, shouldn't you hurry up and name your price?" Jiang Xian smiled brightly, feeling that the little one in her arms was warm and soft—a wonderful feeling to hold!

Shen Junxi pulled the corner of his mouth into a helpless smile and gave her an honest quote.

"Two stalks of fifty-year-old premium lingzhi, at fifty taels of silver each, makes one hundred taels for both since they are about the same size."

"Three stalks of twenty-year-old ginseng at eighty taels each, totaling two hundred and forty taels."

"As for this hundred-year-old ginseng, its quality and age are both superb. However, since I run a modest business, I will not deceive you. In the capital, this is a treasure beyond price, but in our small town, I can only offer you three hundred taels for it."

Having sold herbs for several years, Jiang Xian had a good idea of the market and nodded in agreement. "That’s fair, Young Master Shen. I would have sold it even if you had offered two hundred!"

Shen Junxi weighed and categorized the rest of the herbs, totaling seven hundred and ninety-eight taels. He directly handed her four bank notes totaling eight hundred taels.

Jiang Xian beamed. This was a fortune! Eight hundred taels—more than she had earned in three years of hunting. She looked at little Tangtang in her arms, who was oblivious to the situation, and kissed her cheek happily.

"My good daughter, we’ve struck it rich!"

Tangtang didn't know why Jiang Xian was so happy, but she giggled along with her.

Watching the mother and daughter’s heartwarming interaction, a flicker of melancholy crossed Shen Junxi's eyes. After settling the payment, he couldn't help but ask, "How is it that in just two months, you’ve gotten married? Is this child from the father's side?"

Shen Junxi had known Jiang Xian for two or three years and was generally aware of her situation. Ever since his father handed Pine Crane Hall over to him and began arranging his marriage, Shen Junxi had constantly deflected his parents' efforts. Even when suitable candidates appeared, he turned them down, waiting for the day he could go to Jiang Xian’s home with his parents and a matchmaker when she turned eighteen.

Ever since Jiang Xian saved him from road bandits with a single punch, he had been enamored with her. But she was only thirteen or fourteen then, so he couldn't speak his mind and instead used the excuse of purchasing herbs to spend time with her. He knew his family’s social standing well, so he was determined to make a name for himself, hoping his parents would respect his achievements and happily accept Jiang Xian as their daughter-in-law. Although this marriage would be harder than climbing to heaven, he wanted to fight for it himself.

He had inquired many times and learned that Jiang Xian had no intention of marriage, which allowed him to focus on expanding his business. He never expected that while away in Qingzhou City, Jiang Xian would have married upon his return. Looking at the child's age, he feared the man was much older than her.

Regretful? Certainly. But he blamed himself more for not declaring his feelings sooner. Now, he feared there would be even less of a chance.

Jiang Xian chuckled and raised an eyebrow at him. "Tangtang is my adopted daughter. What are you thinking?"

"Ah? An adopted child? Why on earth would you adopt a child?" Shen Junxi’s mood shifted instantly, as if he had found a path through the dark, and a silly smile spread across his face.

"That's a long story, let's not get into it! In short, Tangtang is my own daughter from now on. When the holidays come around, you’d better not skimp on the red envelopes, or I’ll start watering down the herbs I sell you!"

Jiang Xian was always full of nonsense, which made Shen Junxi laugh heartily.

"Deal, the red envelopes will definitely be generous. By the way, do you have any other business today?" Shen Junxi looked at her with gentle eyes.

Jiang Xian nodded. "Of course, I have a cart of game outside waiting to be sold!"

Shen Junxi gasped in disbelief. "You gathered these herbs and this game from the mountains recently?"

"That’s right!"

"Hiss, your luck is truly unprecedented. In these three years of drought, you’re probably the only female hunter for miles around who can keep herself fed!"

The more he looked at her, the more he liked her. "Since you want to sell game, why not come with me to Heavenly Flavor Pavilion? I am taking this hundred-year-old ginseng there for an exhibition. I can introduce you to the proprietor. They are hosting a grand event and need game; he might just buy your entire cart, saving you from having to shout in the market in this cold weather."

"Sounds good!" Jiang Xian agreed immediately. She understood the value of networking. Heavenly Flavor Pavilion used to buy her game, but business had been slow lately, so she hadn't bothered going there. She asked curiously, "You mentioned an exhibition? What kind of event is it?"

"A Treasure Seizing Assembly. Heavenly Flavor Pavilion acquired a batch of fine goods and is hosting an assembly at the restaurant. Anyone with treasures to trade can register. Wealthy officials and nobles will bid on them, and the highest bidder wins. The pavilion does this to boost business and sell the foreign goods they acquired through trade."

Jiang Xian’s eyes lit up. *An auction?* she thought. In the eighteen years since she arrived in this godforsaken place, this was the first time she’d heard of something so modern!

"How come I’ve never heard of such a lively event before?"

Seeing her interest, Shen Junxi explained the details. "Our Baiyun Prefecture is near the western border. Recently, after the Emperor issued a decree of self-reproach, he opened trade with neighboring small nations. The proprietors of Heavenly Flavor Pavilion and the Prosperous Escort Agency traveled to the western nation of Pakistan and bought many exquisite gems, gold, and jade. On the way back, they found a raw stone mine and brought back a cart of stones that are said to contain jade. The two businesses have invested everything they have into this, hoping to earn it back at the assembly while revitalizing their business."

"If this first assembly is a success, there will likely be more. I rushed back as soon as I heard the news, hoping to showcase Pine Crane Hall’s treasures. I didn't expect to receive your rare herbs today, so I’ll include that hundred-year-old ginseng as well, hoping to recoup my costs quickly! Merchants from our Junxi County and surrounding areas, including Qingzhou, are coming just to see the treasures. The proprietors have a real head for business; they’ve certainly put Junxi County on the map!"

"Oh? Is this assembly open to everyone?" Jiang Xian agreed that the marketing strategy was genius. She realized these people were exploiting the gambling nature of the public; if you base a business on that, you rarely lose.

Shen Junxi shook his head. "No, only those invited or those acting as treasure contributors can attend. But you can come with me, don't worry about getting in!"

Shen Junxi’s eyes were filled with warmth, thinking that he would use this assembly to see what Jiang Xian liked and would spend a fortune to win it for her to express his feelings. After the matter of the adopted child, he felt a sense of urgency. He feared that if he waited any longer, he would regret it for the rest of his life. As for whether his parents would accept her, he could no longer worry about that—he would settle it first and explain later!

"Alright, then I won't stand on ceremony!" Jiang Xian was eager to attend. She looked at Tangtang in her arms; with her own personal "lucky charm" by her side, she couldn't miss out on the chance to find a hidden gem!

After settling things at his shop, Shen Junxi ordered his carriage prepared and sent someone to call Chen Daniu to follow them with the donkey cart.

Heavenly Flavor Pavilion was the largest restaurant in the county, occupying half a street with a grand three-story wooden structure. A black plaque hung above the main entrance with the words "Heavenly Flavor Pavilion" written in gilded gold, inscribed by the previous magistrate, showing just how prestigious the owner was.

The third floor held private rooms, the second floor was for large gatherings, and the first floor was for casual dining, featuring a stage in the corner for theatrical performances. Workers were currently setting up the stage for the upcoming assembly.

Shen Junxi, his servant, and Jiang Xian entered. He spotted the owner and called out, "Brother Liangyou!"

Zhu Liangyou, a thirty-eight-year-old man with a rotund belly, looked like a shrewd and easygoing businessman. Jiang Xian noted that he indeed had the look of a prosperous man.

"Oh, Brother Shen! Are your treasures ready?" Zhu Liangyou bowed, his sharp eyes quickly scanning Jiang Xian and the child.

"Ready. I’ve come to bring you a treasure, and I hope you can arrange a prominent spot for it so I can recoup my investment soon."

Zhu Liangyou laughed. "Of course, of course. But who are these two?"

Shen Junxi introduced Jiang Xian. "Brother Liangyou, this is Miss Jiang, the famous hunter I’ve mentioned. There isn't a piece of game she can't catch. I used to recommend her to you; she likely provides half the game your shop uses. Since she happened to catch a lot yesterday, I thought you might need ingredients for the event, so I brought her along."

"Ah, Miss Jiang Xian, right?" Zhu Liangyou asked with a smile.

Jiang Xian nodded, maintaining a natural, confident demeanor. "Yes, it is my honor that you remember me, Proprietor Zhu."

"Haha, of course! Miss Jiang, you possess the spirit of a heroine. I truly admire you for carving a path in the Great Nanshan mountains!"

Zhu Liangyou sighed, his tone shifting. "Times are tough, and business hasn't been great, so we don't need as much game as before. How much have you brought today? If it’s not too much, I’ll take it all, but if it’s a lot, I’m afraid..."