C13 Frozen Him to Death

The shopkeeper nervously stepped aside as the gentleman, willing to spend a fortune, asked him to find the rare Tianshan snow lotus. Unfortunately, the snow lotus had disappeared three years ago, and despite searching all over the capital, he couldn't find it. However, he had heard that a wealthy merchant named Shaang Qingya from a prominent family had gifted it to his sister two years ago. Whether it still existed was unknown.

After a long pause, the gentleman remained deep in thought. The shopkeeper cautiously spoke up, “Sir, nowadays, aside from the royal treasury, there's only one place that might have the Tianshan snow lotus.”

“Where?” he asked, his gaze icy.

“Cui Zuoyu,” the shopkeeper replied, meeting his eyes.

A barely noticeable smile appeared, and the man's eyes gleamed with interest.

Snow fell over the city, covering everything in a white frost. Dressed in white, Cui Zuoyu walked through the snow to the end of the street, just in time to see Yaen Ting with snow covering his shoulders.

Let him freeze. If not freeze, then starve.

Cui Zuoyu's eyes revealed a cold determination; she was set on making him pay dearly.

“Ugh—”

Just as she was about to leave, a sudden pain shot through her neck. When she awoke, she found herself back in the familiar dark room, lit only by dim candlelight.

She was calmer this time compared to before. Glancing around, she noticed the figure in black standing wearily behind the beaded curtain.

Slowly rising, she dusted off her white dress and smiled, "Quite the skill you have, Pavilion Master."

To have whisked her away from the street so swiftly and silently, the Profound Secret Pavilion was even more mysterious and formidable than she had imagined. Yet, it was precisely this mystery and power she intended to leverage.

"Miss Cui, you went to great lengths to find us, so we won't disappoint you," came the voice, cold as January ice. The black attire added an extra layer of enigma.

"I'll get straight to the point. Can you assist me once more? Upon success, I promise a handsome reward."

A handsome reward? Miss Cui, sheltered as she was, seemed unaware of the value of money, casually offering a fortune for tasks that might not even be worth the effort.

"Please, go on, Miss Cui."

"I need you to find a renowned doctor, Sheng Shi Chen," she said calmly.

"Sheng Shi Chen?" He narrowed his eyes slightly.

In the world they inhabited, Sheng Shi Chen's name was well-known. Hailing from a family of distinguished physicians, he was celebrated as a prodigy, having cured numerous stubborn ailments since childhood. Unfortunately, at the age of sixteen, he fell gravely ill and vanished without a trace.

If you find such a person, it's worth more than gold. Even the Profound Secret Pavilion, known for uncovering secrets worldwide, wouldn't dare make an offer lightly.

"If you can find him, I promise a generous reward."

Seeing the man in black remain silent for so long, she reluctantly sweetened the deal. If spending money could cure her brother's leg ailment, it would be enough. The fear was having money but nowhere to spend it.

The more silent the man in black was, the heavier her heart felt. Could it be that her brother's condition was truly incurable? A flicker of panic crossed her mind. If it couldn't be treated, she couldn't bear to think about her brother's future.

She waited for what felt like an eternity, the cold wind outside rustling the fallen leaves. Just as she was about to give up, he spoke.

"We'll take the deal."

Though his voice was hoarse and stern, to Cui Zuoyu, it was filled with endless hope. Her face lit up with joy. "Then it's settled."

"But—"

Unexpectedly, the man in black shifted his tone, and Cui Zuoyu's smile vanished, replaced by a wary expression. "The Profound Secret Pavilion never makes a losing trade."

Though he faced away from her, his eyes seemed to curve with a smile. "We'd like Miss Cui to do us a small favor."

"What kind of favor?"

"I heard that two years ago, Miss Cui received a rare snow lotus. Would you be willing to trade it?"

Cui Zuoyu frowned. The Profound Secret Pavilion was searching for the Tianshan snow lotus, and somehow, it led them to her.

Two years ago, her brother had indeed gifted her a Tianshan snow lotus. At the time, it had no use, so it was left forgotten in storage. If the Profound Secret Pavilion hadn't brought it up, she might have completely forgotten about it.

"Let's set a ten-day deadline. In ten days, bring Divine Doctor Sheng to meet me, and I promise to hand over the Tianshan snow lotus," she said calmly.

Ten days should be enough. Her brother's leg condition couldn't be delayed any longer.

"Miss Cui, you truly live up to your family's reputation," he remarked softly.

Originally, she intended to spend a fortune to find Divine Doctor Sheng, but now she was using the Tianshan snow lotus as a substitute for that fortune. It was certainly a shrewd deal.

"Compared to the Pavilion Master, I am unworthy," she replied with a cold smile.

Ha—

"However, there is something I'm curious about."

"Please, go ahead."

"I'm curious how Miss Cui managed to find out about the Profound Secret Pavilion's whereabouts."

The Profound Secret Pavilion had always been shrouded in mystery, and yet, suddenly, they were exposed. They couldn't fathom how Cui Zuoyu had discovered their existence.

She let out a self-deprecating laugh, her voice cool and distant. "That's not important. What matters is that not only now but in the future, I will be one of your major clients. That's all you need to know."

For now, her relationship with the Profound Secret Pavilion was purely transactional, each using the other to achieve their own goals, and nothing more.

When she returned to the mansion, the sky was filled with stars, mingling with falling snow. She couldn't help but clutch the warm brass hand warmer, worn and slightly tarnished in places. It was a gift from a young boy, and she had accepted it reluctantly, not expecting to use it so soon.

Passing by the red walls, the streets were nearly empty, with only the faint glow of lanterns casting light on his face. He hadn't left. She had guessed right; he would use every passionate means to force himself to forget that unbearable past.

Suddenly, a young servant appeared, braving the wind and snow with something tucked in his arms. She frowned and stopped him, eyeing the bundle, "What is that?"

The servant hesitated, stepping back, too afraid to speak. She said sternly, "You dare disobey my orders?"

Never having seen the usually gentle lady lose her temper, he stammered, "M-Miss, it's the hand warmer the Noble Heir requested."

A hand warmer? Ha, he couldn't handle a little snow, while she had endured pain a thousand times worse. "Give it to me," she demanded, reaching out.

"Huh?" The servant was momentarily confused by her request.

Cui Zuoyu snatched it directly from his arms, saying coldly, "If the Prince asks, just tell him a cat ran off with it."

A cat ran off with it? Who would believe that a cat could carry off such a large heater?

The butler looked like he was on the verge of tears, pleading, "Miss, please have mercy on me."

This was practically asking the Prince to dismiss him.

"The butler has always been smart and careful. I'm sure you'll figure something out," Cui Zuoyu said with a reassuring pat on his shoulder.

With a clatter, she tossed the steaming heater into the nearby bushes, where it lay silent.