After finishing conversing with Lady Li and getting the answers he wanted, Ming began to walk back to the front to his previous spot where he first stood off to confront the man... well hideous troll to be exact.
Once he got there he suddenly began to reach out for something in his robes, fetching out what seems to be an elegantly designed embroidered pouch that was tied carefully and tightly onto his belt.
The spectators couldn't help but raise their brow once again as they observe his action carefully.
'What now?' they all thought similarly, having their interest piqued once more by Mings random actions.
Curiously everyone at the front started shuffling a bit more closely, huddling together with their neighbours while people in the back tried tiptoeing on their toes hoping to see more clearly.
Ruffling through his pouch for quite a bit, Ming then grabs some small shiny objects out of it, and one by one he immediately tosses it towards the Lord's feet without a care as the items scattered in random spots across the ground.
When the small objects hit the dirt floor it somehow made some sort of clinking sound when it hit one another like metal hitting against metal, everyone at the scene automatically squinted their eyes into slits hoping it will make them see more clearly, only when they did their eyes instantly bulge right open nearly out of their sockets once they saw what the object was.
'WTH!!' they all exclaimed in their thoughts and made eye contact with one another, wearing the same facial appearance as every other spectator on the scene have on.
"Here. This should be more than enough to pay for their debt. Oh, I should also note that its best not to underestimate people these days, you'll never know what they are capable of." Ming had a smug look on his face with his nose pointing high right up to the sky.
Everyone who looked towards at him can't help but think that at the moment Ming just looks like an arrogant young master of an aristocracy family but then again they wouldn't be surprised if he actually was since he just whipped out some money without care whatsoever.
Seeing some shiny object gleaming from the sunlight as it sprawled messily across the floor Lord Feng couldn't help but stare at the ground for quite some time due to his fat eyelids covering half of his sight, his eyelids kept twitching and narrowing with every second.
Raising his brows a bit perplex only when hearing Ming's words the Lord Feng finally gestured for his servants to pick up whatever that is Ming chucked.
Rushing off to pick up the items on the floor as their lord demanded, the lackeys couldn't help but look over at Ming bewildered, they stared at him in a new light with slight flush cheeks before rushing back to their lord, huffing and puffing as they tightly clung on what seems to be some gold coins.
"Hmph, such big words coming from such a delicate ger like you. Paid for what? I don't see the money anywhere ha!! You think chucking some silvers your some big shot." Lord Feng snickered loudly.
The crowd looked on at Lord Feng like he was a big fool, shaking their head along the way as they felt that Ming shouldn't be underestimated after all who chucks gold coins like they were nothing?
Totally not them, damn their fingers are itchy! Bah!
If only those lackeys of his weren't fast enough they would have grabbed the coins by now and spend big like some big boss!
Aiyo does anyone have a time talisman? This uncle wants to go back!
"My, my, my~ This young master feel slightly sorry for your sight. Aiya who knew gold nowaday is taken as silver. It shows what you surround yourself mostly in. Pity." Ming sighed out loud, shaking his head before gazing back at Lord Feng with eyes full of pity.
"Ahh~ It okay, it's okay. I'll just ask your servants for you on what was on the floor, blind uncle." Ming sighed deeply once more like he truly felt bad for the man before him before shifting and setting his gaze at the two lackeys that were back at Lord Feng side.
"You guys, yeah you both. Why don't clarify to your master on what you just picked up before he embarrasses himself even more. Even I feel slightly embarrassed for him." Ming dramatically fanned himself, hands covering his mouth to hide his sneer.
Looking at his lackey who was shuffling on there feet's looking quite hesitant to approach him, Lord Feng took it upon himself to march towards their way, yanking both servants wrist that clutch onto the items they picked up from the floor not too long ago.
"Open up and show me what he chuck!" Lord Feng commanded, a bit of anger lace within his stern tone.
With great reluctance both servants open their trembling palms quite hesitantly, it wasn't because they wanted the money for themselves, no, instead they knew for sure that once their lord sees it he will regret what he said a moment ago.
If anything they were embarrass for the lord themselves.
And to the servant's expectations, they were right indeed.
Once Lord Feng saw the gold coins in both servants palms, exactly the amount the mother and daughter pair owe, he froze on the spot turning from white to green before flushing bright red.
Just a second ago he was criticising the Ger before him for not being able to pay the debt but what did he have here, 100 gold coins laid in both servants palms, that was tossed aside without care.
Thoughts of the Ger identity went ran through Lord Feng mind like a horse pulling a carriage, he was just a merchant family with a bit of wealth and if he were to offend a young master of a high standing family he will definitely be screwed!
Gulping down the pile of bale he wanted to let out, Lord Feng thicken his face as he put on an apologetic look, "Since you paid for the mother and daughter debt this Lord shall accept. I must also apologise the Young Master for my rude behaviour." Lord Feng smiled forcefully as best he can, swallowing his embarrassment like a toad.
His teeth grind and gritted with each other once he heard the snickers coming from the crowd that surrounded them.
"Aiya because this young master is generous I accept your apology, after all, it wasn't your fault you weren't taught any respect, my what a pity..." Ming had a face full of sympathy while the people in the crowd hold in their laughs as they look at the lord with eyes full of mocking.
Lord Feng who couldn't take the looks of the people swallowed a belly full of bitterness and began to usher his servant that they were leaving, as they walk a couple of steps away he was suddenly halted to a stop as Ming's voice rung out.
"Hey before you leave aren't you forgetting something?" Ming taps his foot, stretching out his right-hand gesturing.
Hearing this Lord Feng who was confused at first then eventually caught on what Ming wanted, about to puke out blood any second now he quickly ushered over once again.
The sense of embarrassment was overwhelming to him, it was the first for him to taste the bitter flavour of defeat and the fact he was loosing even more face in front of the whole crowd just makes him want to crawl in a ditch and never come out.
"Tch. Of course not." Clinking his tongue out loud through gritted teeth, Lord Feng then took out what seemed to be some paper lease that was rolled and tuck carefully in his robes.
Snatching it out, he immediately shoves the lease into Mings' palm roughly without a care before hurriedly storming off with his lackeys who was tailing behind him in total defeat.
Walking back over to the mother and daughter pair, the crowded area was instantly engulfed with a round of applause coming everywhere around him, people began shouting, whistling and applauding his wonderful face smacking actions.
Hearing all the applause and compliments that was thrown at him in every direction, Ming who was like a proud peacock at the moment straighten up his posture.
He puffed out his chest and took large strides towards the mother and daughter pair with a blooming smile that further increase his charms.
The feeling felt god damn good for Ming, he felt heroic, he felt powerful, he felt like he was a god... well now he is taking it a bit too far but nevertheless what he felt mainly was this choice of his was right.
Taking back Jun back into his embrace that he missed him being in so much, Ming receives the constant thank you's and gratitude from the mother and daughter pair.
Assuring them it was all fine until eventually giving in and agreeing on their pleads of coming back to their restaurant so they could offer him tea as gratitude.
As the crowd disperse carrying on with their previous activities, Min carefully followed the mother and daughter pair as he follow them back to their place.
Somehow he couldn't help but think right at the moment as he stared at his adorable son who looks back at him.
"I wonder what your father is doing now... Meh- he probably hasn't realised we're gone yet! Isn't that right my precious little bun?"
Ming kisses the buns chubby soft cheeks though can't help but dwell around for a bit before disappearing as he started to converse with the mother and daughter pair.
~~~~~~~
Long Estate
Leaning against the window frame eyes entirely concentrated on some records in his grasp stood a tall muscular figure. The man stood about 6'3 with broad shoulders that can easily be seen through the outline of his clothes.
You could easily tell that he trains rather heavily with how well maintain his figure is and the rough callous of his hands.
His face was well defined in the right area with a sharp jawline, prominent cheekbone with the right amount of baby fat, straight Pheonix brows that was neither leaning to the thin or thick side but more in between, thin pursed lips with a tint of colour and his long jet black hair that was currently cascaded behind his back with some loose strands on the front creating a somewhat casual look.
What further heighten this man feature was those deep dark eyes that seem to be able to penetrate anything that lays in its path.
His eyes were dark like an abyss that swirled with unreadable emotions, those who dare look upon them can't help but feel like their whole being shaken up, getting somehow pulled and absorbed into them.
It was mesmerizing yet frightening at the same time that makes one feel a slight sense of confusion with their inner turmoil.
Currently, the magnetic man was adorning some thick but casual robes that drape around his body quite perfectly.
The robes were dark purple with black outlines, it had some intricate eye-catching prints on the side sleeves that are sewn with attention to details.
All those colours and details just made his appearance appear more solemn, cold and unapproachable yet also a bit relax.
This man was Long Kuo Jian and currently, he was in his study reading some records of his army rations and status of the northern borders.
Jian wasn't dressed too elaborate since he was in the comfort of his own study but that didn't mean he look entirely messy as his posture was in a relax pose which only heightens his elegance even more, his entire being as of the moment just basically gave off a homey handsome feel.
As Jian's eyes concentrated deeply onto the reports in his hand, eyes moving left and right until suddenly they stilled for a bit and close.
He opens his eyes again with his previous thoughts cut to a stop when he felt a familiar presence heading towards his way, a presence he knew all too well since childhood.
Setting aside the records as he felt the familiar presence coming closer and closer before coming to a halt, Long Kuo Jian lifted his head up and let out a helpless sigh before opening his purse lips to speak.
*Sighs "WenCheng... is it really hard to use the front door?"
The figure who tried to creep behind him froze midway before finally puckering his bottom lip into a pout, Aiya once again he was discovered.
"Ugh! Seriously again! Well excuse me but if I were to use the front door how would my moment of entrance be mysterious and unexpected?!," the figure in the dark retorted, annoyance evident in his tone.
"So what news did you bring for me this time?"
Jian crossed his arms, gaze boredly looking over at the figure shrouded in dark purple wisp that flow and circles around him.
With a click of his finger, the purple smoke that floated around the figure completely disappeared.
It was like it disappeared out from the blue but that didn't faze Jian at all, most likely it was a normal thing for him with the way he kept on his bored blank look.
Stepping out from the dark corner what than appeared in view was another tall man that stood about Jian own height just a centimetre short.
The man shockingly appears entirely different from the dark power he just emitted a couple of seconds ago, in fact, it was like he was another person or a split persona.
The man adorned white robes with black patterns on the side somewhat resembling flames.
His hair was dark purple about waist length tied in a half up and a half down hair styled it wasn't messy but styled neatly with no frizz whatsoever sticking about, he also had one fringe to the side giving him a unique look sort of like his own trademark for others to remember him by.
The man had clear skin and a masculine body, a face sharp and defined with such precision even his side profile could woo any gers or ladies that he comes across. From his upper face sported two perfectly sharp brows that's pointed straight, in the middle was his straight nose that even when not curve in a distinctive arc still manages to synchronize with his other facial features. Just a couple of centimetres down below were his thin lips that are dye in a pink hue.
Yet different from Jian who had dark penetrating cold eyes he was instead a violet colour that had dark outer rims.
One gave of an eternal abyss like feeling while the other shines with mischievous and elegance, both seeming completely opposite to each other.
The man seemed like an easy going scholar who sometimes likes to sneak out on his free time but yet what came out his mouth next was another thing that seems entirely different from his somewhat honest-like appearance.
"Well I already informed that old hag of yours and by the look of her reaction, she doesn't seem too pleased! But hey that ain't my problem so why should I care?!
"En, as expected," Jian hummed in reply seeming like he already expected that outcome.
"Urgh, you an your simple reply! Gosh!" WenCheng rolled his eyes as he shook his head in helplessness.
"It's simple because I already expected it." was all Jian said as he rubbed his forehead from the useless blabbers of his childhood friend, a beast.
Yes, WenCheng, the man seemingly tried to scare him was, in fact, a beast's his mythical beasts to be exact. They met each other when they were only little having quite a long history plus childhood embarrassment of each other.
Jian could always recall the very first day of meeting this man towards the day of contracting with one another it was quite ironic yet somehow memorable moment to him.
Even when growing up there interactions with each other haven't changed a bit even with the change of his personality and their other close tied friend status, things are still the same and with that, he was very much grateful.
WenCheng seeing his childhood friend not giving much reactions went to rack through his whole head to find something to speak of until a previous event came into mind.
As a smirk grace his lips he walked off over to the side towards the wooden lounge that's furnished with some comfortable-looking cushion, plopping himself right down getting quite comfortable he than parted his lips open looking ready to speak, "Hey, any news of your consort yet?"
Jian who was now seated on his desk back to reading reports stop midway once again and sighed deeply.
"Not yet. I already sent soldiers to investigate any clues and eyewitnesses from the time he left so I'm hopefully expecting the results sooner or later." Jian answered truthfully somewhat seeming frustrated about the consort and his son disappearance.
"When's... *Chomp* the... *Chomp* deadline?" WenCheng ask offhandedly, chewing on a peach he took from the basket full of fresh fruits besides him, posture and aura completely relax with a care in the world.
"Tomorrow," Jian said as he cast a simple side way glance of WenCheng in perfect timing with the poor lass suddenly choking from his simple answer.
A slight smirk appeared and disappeared from his lips in an instant as he was happy to know it finally got this annoying friend of his to shut up and halts his blabbering.
WenCheng who was happily munching on his peach a second ago immediately spat out the chewed piece, wheezing and coughing intensely beating his chest hoping it will miraculously stabilize himself.
*Cough... Ack* "Urgh... ahem... that's quite harsh you know." *Cough* was all he could manage to say as he wipes the tears that appear in the corner of his eyes.
"It was their carelessness that lost the consort and my son in the first place. Their quite lucky to even keep their life by now." Jian spoke with a stern tone, eyes narrowed over WenCheng way.
"Ohhh cold~"
Jian rolled his eyes over his beast annoying attitude, gesturing his hands to cease the topic.
"Enough of that don't you have anything better to do by now?"
WenCheng thought for a bit before shaking his head, "Nope! Besides annoying you I got nothing else planned for the day."
"Look, either stay quiet and munch on those fruits or else you could get out and bother others. Pick one cause I'm too busy to deal with your childish nonsense when I got important things to handle!" Jian threaten, tone that was stern turn icy in a second.
"What about... none?" WenCheng cheekily answered, obviously courting a death wish and before you know it he was instantly lifted up by the collar with ease by Jian who immediately stalk his way over to the doors slamming them right open.
His very next action shock WenCheng as he was immediately thrown outside like a sack of potatoes, it was like he weighed nothing to the scary man who eyed him with narrowed slits before presuming to slam the door shut in his face with a big Bang.
"Urghh... such an angry old man, " WenCheng muttered under his breath while patting his sore bottom not expecting for the person on the other side to actually hear.
Jian instantly turn and storm back towards the door opening harshly once more, "What was that?"
His tone deathly cold bringing chills down WenCheng spine as his hair stood straight up, oh how scared he felt knowing that this time he somehow manage to anger this scary demon, now he was seriously regretting it.
"N-nothing!! I said what a nice floor we have here!" He quickly tried to cover up as he began patting the floor with adoration filled eyes."
"Good." Jian slammed back the doors before walking back towards his study table.
He sat back down on his chair and began massaging his throbbing temples.
Jian was already frustrated with things currently on mind and adding to WenCheng pestering just further increase it, causing him to finally snap.
"I won't rest until I find you, Consort Heng, especially when you got my son, my very flesh and blood right with you. Just you watch and see!" Jian muttered out coldly, fist clench.
With the heavy chilling pressure Jian was emitting from his body the room temperature kept plummeting colder and colder within every passing second already to freezing point.
The Long estate servants who pass by the room immediately felt the deadly aura that seemingly seeping out through the cracks into the hall. Without needing to think, they all flee with their tail tuck between their legs, bolting like their life was on the line.
"Uwahhh who made this devil angry! Grrr now the whole estate is tasting his wrath!!! Curse you!!" they all cried and curse inwardly.
Somewhere in the capital sitting in a shabby old restaurant, a figure sneezed out of the blue surprising himself, an old lady and a young girl, "Must be getting chilly."
He said as he cuddled with his baby, the mother and daughter look at each other before returning their gaze back at him nodding along, yet they all simultaneously thought...
"But it's not even windy outside?! Aiya!"
_______________________
Hey guys I finally had an idea come to mind so I quickly wrote and finish this chapter up after weeks of deliberating. I just came back from my first anime convention ever so I'm pretty much drained but wanted to badly post a chapter up.
I don't know if I'm quite happy with it since originally I had the chapter on mind weeks back but when I went to write it it just completely disappear nevertheless, it's still quite okay.
I would also like to say my updates are irregular and slow just letting people know once more if they don't know or forgotten.
Anyways hope you all enjoy this chapter!