"What's making you two little girls so happy?"
Before the speaker came into sight, a voice drifted over. Although it wasn't loud, it was pleasing to the ear.
Zhao Shuning and Gong Xiaotang both looked towards the door.
The next moment, an extremely charming woman appeared at the doorway.
When Zhao Shuning and Gong Xiaotang saw her, they were momentarily stunned.
Seeing their expressions, Rong Yan gave a charming smile and said, "You two little girls, I'm the proprietress of this Chunhui Pavilion. How do you do?"
The moment Zhao Shuning saw Rong Yan, she thought this woman was incredibly alluring.
She had seen that beauty named Xiao from the Lin family before. That woman had a voluptuous figure and a charming air about her. But compared to this proprietress, the beauty named Xiao was far from being in the same league.
The proprietress's charm went straight to the bone.
With just a flutter of her eyes, the look in them was enough to drive many men crazy.
Zhao Shuning had seen many beautiful women, but she was truly amazed when she first saw this proprietress.
"Hello, proprietress."
Gong Xiaotang was a bit timid and hid behind Zhao Shuning. But since Zhao Shuning was only nine years old and shorter than Gong Xiaotang, her body couldn't really hide Gong Xiaotang.
Rong Yan held a round fan in her hand and gently fanned herself.
Looking at Gong Xiaotang, she said softly, "You said you're the young miss of the Gong family?"
Gong Xiaotang nodded timidly and was then pulled out by Zhao Shuning to face the proprietress directly.
"Little girl, don't wander around next time. My black market isn't a place where you can come and go as you please."
Gong Xiaotang nodded repeatedly.
Her look made Rong Yan let out another burst of soft laughter.
After saying this, Rong Yan looked at Zhao Shuning and asked, "Little girl, what's your name? I don't think you're from the capital, Chang'an."
Zhao Shuning replied, "Proprietress, my name is Zhao Shuning."
"Zhao Shuning?"
"Yes."
"You also have the surname Zhao?"
Before Zhao Shuning could ask why the proprietress used the word "also", Rong Yan changed the subject on her own.
"If there's nothing else, you can leave. My Chunhui Pavilion never keeps idle people."
Zhao Shuning nodded.
She grabbed Gong Xiaotang and walked outside.
"Anyway, thank you, proprietress, for saving us."
"You're welcome. It was just on the way."
Besides, Rong Yan saved Zhao Shuning and the others just to give Yan Xun a favor. Yan Xun was a subordinate of Zhao Huai. Helping Yan Xun was equivalent to helping Zhao Huai.
Gong Xiaotang never expected that she could leave the black market safely.
It wasn't until her feet stepped on the streets of the capital, Chang'an, that she couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.
"Shuning, we're finally out."
"Yes. Why? You seem quite relieved."
Gong Xiaotang looked around and then lowered her voice and whispered, "You may not know that it's very difficult to get into the black market in our capital, Chang'an. Once you're inside, no matter how prestigious you are, if you die in the black market, no one dares to investigate."
"Yes, I know."
Gong Xiaotang asked in surprise, "How do you know?"
As they walked, Zhao Shuning said, "The black market has always been a gathering place for the dark forces in the capital, Chang'an. People think that those who come here to trade are just low - class forces, but that's not the case. There are countless high - ranking officials and nobles involved in this black market. There are many complex forces in the black market, and those who can gain a foothold in it are not simple.
"If someone dies in the black market, no one dares to investigate because there are too many shady deals in the black market. It's like pulling one hair and moving the whole body. If a noble dies and in - depth investigation is carried out, it will surely involve a huge interest group. Therefore, no one dares to investigate the identity of those who die in the black market."
Gong Xiaotang looked at Zhao Shuning with admiration.
"Shuning, how do you know so many things at such a young age?"
"I just heard it from others."
"That's still very impressive."
Zhao Shuning smiled. Looking at Gong Xiaotang like this, she couldn't help but feel envious.
Gong Xiaotang lived in a wealthy family. Her father doted on her, and she had never been made to do any heavy work since childhood. She didn't know much about the ways of the world.
The reason she was so spoilt and was targeted by bad people was that she had experienced too few things and was too easy to deceive.
This was also what Zhao Shuning envied.
She and Gong Xiaotang were two extreme examples.
Only when someone protected you could you develop a personality like Gong Xiaotang's.
But Zhao Shuning couldn't. There were too many missions on Zhao Shuning's shoulders, the mission of the family and her own deep - seated hatred.
Every step she took had to be cautious, and she could only rely on herself.
So, she knew a lot, but she also suffered a lot of injuries.
"Here we are—"
Gong Xiaotang ran forward happily. In front of Zhao Shuning was a magnificent vermilion gate.
Unlike Gong Xiaotang's joy, Zhao Shuning felt something was strange.
According to Gong Xiaotang, her family was a well - known grain merchant in the capital, Chang'an. But for such a large mansion, why was there not even a single servant at the door?
Before her doubts could surface, she saw Gong Xiaotang push the door open with a loud noise.
Inside the door, there was a courtyard full of people.
Gong Xiaotang stood still on the spot.
Most of the people inside had scars on their faces and arms. At first glance, they were people who walked the martial arts world.
But why were they gathered at Gong Xiaotang's home?
Gong Xiaotang was obviously a bit flustered.
She turned around and looked at Zhao Shuning.
Zhao Shuning sighed. She still hadn't found her gold. Judging from the situation, there was another matter for her to take care of.
"Shuning, they—"
"Do you know them?"
Gong Xiaotang quickly shook her head.
At this time, a man in his forties walked out of the crowd. He had a stubbly beard and called out to Gong Xiaotang affectionately, "Niece, you're back."
As he said this, he reached out to pull Gong Xiaotang.
Gong Xiaotang took a few steps back in fear.
Zhao Shuning stepped forward to block in front of her.
"Who are you?"
"Who are you?"
The two almost spoke at the same time.
"I'm Xiaotang's uncle. Who are you?"
Zhao Shuning didn't answer. Instead, she turned to look at Gong Xiaotang and asked, "Is he your uncle?"
Seeing this, Gong Xiaotang quickly shook her head and said, "I don't know him. I've never seen him before."
The stubbly - bearded man wasn't happy. Seeing that they were just two little girls, he took a few more steps forward.
"Xiaotang, look at what you're saying. I even held you when you were just born."
"No. My father never said I had an uncle. You're a fake!"
Suddenly, a sharp sword appeared in Zhao Shuning's hand and was placed in front of the man. The man stopped abruptly. A look of venom began to appear in his eyes.
"Speak nicely and don't touch Xiaotang."