Yaocheng, under the celestial emperor's gaze. Stores line the streets, bustling and splendid. A finely crafted sedan chair is carried by four attendants through the lively thoroughfares. The curtains are drawn aside, revealing a young girl's face—about three or four years old—her black-stone eyes gazing with lively interest at the street's vibrant scene. This girl is none other than Ling Wanwan. "Stop the sedan," a soft, childlike voice declares. The sedan settles silently and smoothly. The curtains are lifted, and a maid of about fourteen peers out. She wears a white floral dress and a pair of simple braids, her face refined, with large, clear eyes of distinct black and white. "Madam, what would you like me to do?" "I wish to go shopping," Ling Wanwan says, pleased by the maid's composed demeanor. The maid's name is Yin Qin—she is literate and skilled in reading and writing. Yet, after offending Qi Tang, she was demoted to a kitchen hand. By chance, she had been assigned to Ling Wanwan just as the latter was making her way to the city. Seeing her humble yet dignified, Ling Wanwan decided to Yin Qin extended her hands, coldly supporting the lady as she stepped down from the sedan chair. "Go back first," Cold Wanyuan said to the carriage men. "Come to the largest inn one hour from now to pick me up." "This—," the four carriage men exchanged glances, puzzled. "Madam, you have no attendants with you. It would be best if we accompanied you. Otherwise, when we return, we won't be able to report back to the general." The leading carriage man looked at Cold Wanyuan's slender frame and Yin Qin's delicate figure, hesitating. "Let you go back, then go back," Cold Wanyuan said coldly, fixing her gaze on them. "I don't need attendants. A hundred of them wouldn't stand a chance against just one." The so-called attendants were mostly idle men, full of empty talk and formalities. "Yes, yes," the carriage men quickly nodded, now uneasy at Cold Wanyuan's firm tone. This Wanyuan lady was colder than even the general—so commanding that one couldn't help but feel intimidated. They would better return to the estate to report to the general and then decide what to do They were simply due for a scolding and dared to challenge her decision. "Miss, let's go. Everyone is watching you." Yin Qin glanced around and saw all the pedestrians staring in open amazement at Ling Wanwan, feeling uneasy. Though it was said the lady had magical abilities, Ling Wanwan seemed no different from an ordinary child—only with a colder demeanor. Moreover, Miss Ling was beautifully poised, clearly born into a wealthy family. If anything went wrong, that would indeed be troublesome. "Look on then, if you wish." Ling Wanwan scanned the room with her cool gaze, satisfied when everyone gasped in unison. Perfect—exactly as intended. The pedestrians near the market had been startled when they first saw a young child in such an elegant sedan. Now, upon seeing this young girl with such a stern, commanding presence, they were even more bewildered. Who was this child? So young, yet possessing such authority—what a marvel. Ling Wanwan walked ahead with her small, delicate limbs, while Yin Qin followed closely behind, cautious and attentive. Her dark, large eyes never wavered, afraid of losing the slender, delicate figure. "Yin Qin, go buy a string of candied hawthorn holly sticks," said Lingwan, spotting an elderly man in a green robe on the opposite street carrying and selling them. "Yes, madam," Yin Qin nodded, yet still hesitated. "I'll return right away. Please wait here for me, shall I?" "Understood," Lingwan waved her off, and Yin Qin then walked toward the street. Lingwan looked around, but saw no merchandise displayed on the shop fronts. With her short stature, she barely reached the level of pedestrians' calves. "Hurry and look! The slave market ahead has just arrived with a fresh shipment." "Really? Hah, I'll go too. They say this time they have female slaves from the Tiger Kingdom—each one graceful and elegant. If we bring them home as concubines, they'll surely be delighted to the point of happiness." Two men passed by, speaking in crude, indecent terms. Slave market? Lingwan raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Miss, the glutinous red candy sticks." Yin Qin bought the candy sticks and noticed Ling Wan still standing in place. Relieved, she handed them over. "Hmm, a bit sour and sweet." Ling Wan held the candy stick with her small hands, gently licking it. Her rosy cheeks and endearing movements made no one believe that this doll-like child, often described as a mischievous fairy girl, could be so refined. "Yin Qin, carry me to the slave market." It's time to enjoy life. "The slave market? Isn't that place reserved for wealthy merchants and noble officials?" Yin Qin was taken aback. She'd heard it was both bloody and unattractive. "Miss, the slave market is said to be quite unrefined and unsuitable for someone of your grace." "I'm going there regardless." She gave Yin Qin a sharp look, suddenly realizing how verbose she was. Dark, unattractive? Such things were commonplace in her modern life. Her own hands had once been stained with blood—what was there to fear? "Yes, Miss," Yin Qin sighed, reluctantly lifting her and heading toward the slave market. I only hope nothing goes wrong; otherwise, she won't have enough heads for the general to chop off. The slave market is essentially the same as today's black market—only the slave market transactions are legal, while today's black market operates illegally. Cold, slender, was carried by Yin Qin and appeared at this so-called slave market. A dense crowd had already gathered, all focused on the slaves. They hadn't noticed how out of place it was that such a small child should be here. Above the crowd, a raised platform about two zhang wide and three zhang long stood, with several iron cages placed in the center. Inside the cages were women with barely any clothing, slender men, and some strong men and women. The people below were both men and women, young and old, all gazing openly at the naked bodies of the slaves, their expressions grotesque and repulsive. "Miss, shall we leave?" Yin Qin looked upon this unpleasant scene, her delicate complexion now pale. "Go, you go," Cold Wanyuan said coldly, nestling into her arms, her black gem-like eyes sweeping over the slaves on the stage. Her gaze suddenly settled on the third cage, where a young boy stood. Around fourteen, his arms bound by iron chains. His clothes were stained and torn, revealing fair skin, his dark hair falling like ink over his face, obscuring his features. Yet strangely, Cold Wanyuan felt this boy carried a stubborn, unyielding spirit. "The auction of today's slaves begins," a burly man in a tight-fitting tunic with a beard stepped forward. "First, the female slave from Yeliao—please observe her delicate, porcelain skin, the way her eyes catch the light, and how her figure takes one's breath away." He moved to the first cage, where the woman clutched her lips, allowing the man's soiled hands to glide over her body. The men in the audience watched intently, their eyes gleaming, nearly drooling, as if they were about to rush forward. They eagerly raised their hands, shouting bids, eager to claim these beautiful captives for themselves. " I'll take it at 100 taels." " I'll offer 120 taels." " I'll go for 190 taels." "..." In the end, a well-fed middle-aged man secured the first female slave. With great hunger and eagerness, he lifted her and began walking back with her. The slave in the second enclosure was a slender boy so delicate that one couldn't help but want to embrace him—he was purchased by a merchant who favored men. The bearded man approached the third enclosure, his spirits suddenly soaring. "Pay close attention," he declared, "this one is a true gem. He hails from the northern state, with a handsome, flawless face and eyes like deep amethysts. What makes him even more remarkable is his spirited, lion-like temperament. Any gentleman interested in working with animals—do take a good look at him." As he spoke, he suddenly lifted the long hair covering the young man's face. He revealed a face of exquisite beauty, his brows sharp as swords, his deep purple eyes filled with fierce resentment fixed upon the man. Blood streaked his lips, adding to his alluring grace, as if a demon himself, mesmerizing with his presence. His hands struggled desperately, the iron chains clinking with each movement. "Wow, truly a top-tier specimen." "Quite spirited." "Master, how much would you like?" The audience below brightened, captivated by the man's mysterious and resolute gaze. "Five hundred taels as my base price," the big man waved his hand, pleased with the response. "I'll offer seven hundred." "Nine hundred." "One thousand." "One thousand five hundred." The master, hearing the prices rise one after another, could hardly contain his smile. The man with the beard shook his shoulders, looking rather comical. Cold Bending observed the man. While the purple eyes might seem mysterious to ancient people, to her—firstborn daughter of a renowned martial arts dynasty, who had traveled the world—this was nothing out of the ordinary. The black-gem eyes fixed on the young man, his stubbornness and resentment sparking a quiet interest in her. "Two thousand strings of silver," a fresh yet resolute voice suddenly broke through, making everyone pause. Turning to see, they found Lin Qin cradling the young boy, who was now holding up two soft, slender fingers with a gentle, bent posture. Everyone was stunned—then burst into laughter. "What on earth is this little milk-sipper doing? This isn't your domain!" "Exactly," said a young man holding a jade fan and dressed in a white robe, elegant in appearance but clearly lacking in grace. "A little girl like you—she'll have to grow up before she can even begin to play." The room erupted into fresh rounds of laughter. "Miss, you—" Lin Qin, blushing like a perfectly cooked shrimp, lowered her head and softly called out to the boy. "I still have room to play, but I'm afraid you might grow too old before I do." Cold Wanyuan, with her cold gaze fixed on the young man, then looked up at the bearded merchant and asked firmly, "Then, shall you sell?" The cold, quiet reaction left everyone stunned. It took the white-robed man a good while to realize she was mocking him. Helpless, he grew red in the face, indignant, yet unable to find the words to counter her. "Miss, do you have any silver?" the bearded merchant, seeing the child dressed in elegant attire with a refined bearing, dared not offend. "Of course," said Cold-Bend, nodding, and then looking at the young man bound to the chair. "Shall I take you with me?" The young man gazed at the girl—her hair coiled in two braids, adorned with pearl flowers, dressed in a soft pink silk robe and skirt. Clearly, she was neither poor nor of humble birth. More importantly, her eyes, like black gems, were neither childlike in innocence nor filled with disdain, greed, or pity—only calm and composed. A voice within him urged him to agree. "Very well," he replied, entrusting his future to this young woman. "Excellent," Cold-Bend smiled, then drew out a jade badge from her waist. With a flick of her finger, it glided smoothly through the crowd and landed gently in the bearded "Take it to the northern general's mansion to collect the payment." "General's mansion?" "Who is this girl?" "Could she be the general's daughter?" "No, actually. The general's eldest daughter is much older than her." "...” Hearing Cold Wanyan's words, the audience below began to murmur excitedly. Cold Wanyan gave a slight smile, asked for the iron chains to be loosened from the young man, and then had him follow her as she left the slave quarters. "Miss, may I ask which member of the general's household would I be looking for?" The bearded man, having recovered from his initial shock, quickly called out as he saw their retreating figures. The payment card in his hand felt as heavy as gold—was the general's mansion really a genuine destination? "Inn, tell him." "Our lady is Wanyan, the young lady of the general's mansion." Inn turned around, speaking with pride. "Good heavens, is it the Wanyan who's currently in charge of the mansion?" "In charge?" someone asked in surprise. "Yes, didn't you know?" "Someone said with pride, 'My relative is at the General's estate. According to him, this lady, Lady Wanyuan, was born to the General's concubine—yet she has suddenly gained the General's deep favor. Not only does she oversee all affairs at the estate, but it's said she is a reincarnated fairy, possessing magical powers.'" "Is that so?" "...” The murmurs behind continued. Cold Wanyuan smiled gently, realizing her story had already reached the outside. The young man listened intently to the conversations, his expression complex, as though pondering something deeply. ——— *The Nine-Year-Old Fairy Princess* —————— First chapter, 3,900 words: Send your flowers, cast your votes, place your books, and leave your paw prints here.