Baixiaosheng is not a person, but an industry.
In this world, life takes on countless forms—there are imperial palaces and common folk in the martial world. Among the myriad professions, there exists a type of person who belongs to the so-called "three teachings and nine schools," a term that doesn’t sound particularly respectable or noble. Yet, within these circles, they hold considerable influence and serve crucial roles. At times, the fragile connections between the imperial court and the martial world are maintained precisely by these very people.
And Baixiaosheng is one such industry.
As the name suggests, Baixiaosheng is somewhat akin to a "know-it-all." Over centuries of tradition, this profession has rarely surfaced, and ordinary folk might never have heard of it. As for where they are or who they might be, no one knows for certain. But obscurity does not equate to nonexistence. In the Fixed Capital, the Fengxian Pawnshop is the current Baixiaosheng of Ming Qi.
The woman in red studied Shen Miao with growing solemnity, leaving Mo Qing and the others behind her somewhat bewildered. Though they had served in the military and dabbled in the martial world, they truly had no idea what Baixiaosheng was.
Naturally, this was to be expected. Whether it was Fengxian Pawnshop or Baixiaosheng, ordinary people wouldn’t know of them. Those who came here were always prepared.
"Young lady…" the woman in red ventured cautiously.
"I’m here to make a deal."
At these words, the woman’s expression shifted slightly again. Then, under the stunned gaze of the young shop assistant, she smiled at Shen Miao and said, "The items you carry must be of great value. In that case, please follow me to the back to discuss."
Mo Qing and the others moved to follow, but the woman in red stopped them. "These gentlemen need not come."
"Young lady…" Jing Zhe voiced her concern. If Shen Miao went in alone, something unexpected might happen.
"Stay here," Shen Miao said. "I’ll return once the deal is done."
After Shen Miao and the woman in red left, Mo Qing and the others remained in the outer hall. One of Shen Qiu’s guards asked Mo Qing, "Brother Mo, what exactly is the young lady here for?" Having experienced bloodshed and battle, they had a natural instinct for danger. The expressions of the woman in red and the conversation with Shen Miao had already alerted them that this matter was far from simple.
"I don’t know either," Mo Qing replied with a bitter smile, glancing toward the corridor leading inside. "The young lady knows what she’s doing."
The woman in red led Shen Miao through the long corridor. At its end stood a square wooden pavilion, six stories high, draped in light gauze that obscured its interior. Even so, its exquisite craftsmanship was evident. At the very least, the pillars were made of Cestrum nocturnum wood, worth a fortune.
Rumors abounded that the owner of Fengxian Pawnshop was immensely wealthy. Otherwise, how could they sustain such a business for so many years when their pawnshop trade was barely passable? After all, purchasing such a large plot of land in the most prosperous district of the Fixed Capital while operating at a loss was not something just anyone could afford.
But Shen Miao knew the truth: Fengxian Pawnshop’s wealth stemmed not from pawning goods but from a business that required no capital—naturally, the profits were immense.
The woman in red ushered her into the ground floor of the pavilion, leading her to a tea room where she invited her to sit. The redwood table and chairs were carved with intricate landscapes, so lifelike that the craftsmanship was unmistakably masterful—and undoubtedly priceless.
"My name is Hongling," the woman said with a smile so alluring it seemed to drip with charm, as if sensuality were etched into her very bones. "And how may I address you?"
"My surname is Shen," Shen Miao replied.
As Shen Miao observed her, Hongling was also studying Shen Miao. Internally, she was startled. Initially, she had assumed this was some wealthy young lady here to cause trouble at Fengxian Pawnshop. But then the words "Baixiaosheng" had left her lips, signaling that she might be an insider, prompting Hongling to bring her inside. Yet, in all her years at the pawnshop, Hongling had never encountered a client so young. She couldn’t gauge how much the girl knew—perhaps this was her first transaction. Hongling wondered if she should brush her off.
"So it’s Miss Shen," Hongling said with a smile. "May I ask if you’ve come to Fengxian Pawnshop to buy or to sell?"
"Both," Shen Miao replied.
Hongling was taken aback. The few green-robed maids attending to them seemed equally surprised, stealing glances at Shen Miao—this was the first time they’d seen Hongling so flustered.
Suppressing her shock, Hongling continued smiling. "Then, may I ask the value of this transaction?"
Shen Miao shook her head.
Hongling was puzzled. "Miss Shen…"
Shen Miao’s voice was utterly calm. "As I said earlier, the scale of this deal is beyond your authority. If you wish to discuss it, bring your master here."
Hongling’s throat tightened. Over the years, she had navigated social circles with ease, and those who came here to do business knew what Baixiaosheng was, treating her with courtesy and respect. This was the first time someone had spoken to her so bluntly. Instinctively, she wanted to flare up, but when she met Shen Miao’s gaze, she froze.
The girl before her was young, her eyes clear as water, yet when she looked at someone, a chilling sharpness seemed to flicker within them. Her demeanor was serene, yet inexplicably commanding. Hongling realized that Shen Miao’s gaze held no trace of fear—only a quiet, superior detachment.
A shiver ran down Hongling’s spine, and her anger dissipated instantly. She had seen countless clients in her time and prided herself on reading people well. This girl’s presence… was startling. She couldn’t fathom her background, but it left her unsettled.
"Miss Shen, I am the one in charge here. Any business to be done is done with me," Hongling said. Though she sensed Shen Miao was no ordinary person, she wasn’t one to be easily intimidated. Her smile grew even more dazzling. "No matter the sum, I’ve handled larger deals before."
"This isn’t about money," Shen Miao said with a faint smile. "As I said, this deal is beyond your authority." She glanced around. "I came with sincerity, yet you lack the same. Baixiaosheng is not as impressive as I’d heard."
Hongling had never encountered someone so blunt. Her smile cooled by three degrees as she replied, "I’m beginning to think Miss Shen isn’t here in good faith. If you don’t trust me, there’s nothing I can do."
Shen Miao stared at her for a long moment before saying, "Very well. Then I’ll sell you a piece of information first."
Hongling paused.
The girl across from her spoke calmly: "The disappearance of the Chen family sisters from Yuzhou in Jiangnan—how about that? If you find this information valuable, then bring your master here, and we’ll discuss the purchase afterward."
Hongling stiffened, staring at her in shock. After a moment, she composed herself and said, "Please wait a moment, Miss Shen. I’ll take my leave for now."
Hongling hurried out, leaving the tea room in silence. The green-robed maids watched Shen Miao curiously, clearly baffled by Hongling’s sudden departure.
Shen Miao sipped from her teacup. The tea was Junshan Silver Needle, its rich aroma filling her senses. Paired with the faint scent of incense in the room, it was a soothing experience—clearly, the owner knew how to indulge.
The Baixiaosheng trade dealt in information from the martial world, divided into buying and selling. When a buyer and seller matched, a deal was struck. Baixiaosheng acted as the intermediary, connecting the two parties—much like a relay point for battlefield signals.
The information Shen Miao intended to sell concerned a notorious unsolved case from three years ago that had shaken Ming Qi. The Chen family of Yuzhou in Jiangnan had two daughters, both breathtakingly beautiful. With such looks, they could have easily become imperial consorts if they entered the palace. While some dismissed beauty as mere skin-deep, true beauty was like the finest jade—even a glance could feel like sacrilege.
The Chen family was wealthy and influential, but having two such daughters was not necessarily a blessing. Beauty without the power to protect it could bring disaster to a family. Fortunately, the Chens were not just the richest in Jiangnan—they also held sway in the martial world, with extensive connections and allies. The patriarch had even earned the favor of a prominent sect leader, ensuring the family had powerful backing.
Yet despite this, on the day of the Lantern Festival when the sisters turned sixteen, they vanished without a trace. The Chen family searched tirelessly but found nothing. Three years had passed since their disappearance. Though the family knew the odds were grim, they never gave up, even resorting to hiring Baixiaosheng at great expense to uncover leads.
But nothing had come of it.
Now, after three years, someone was offering to sell this very information. How could Hongling not be shocked? The reward the Chen family had offered must be substantial—even a share of it would be a windfall for Baixiaosheng.
In business, money talked. Shen Miao was confident this would lure out the mastermind behind the scenes.
The pavilion within Fengxian Pawnshop was called "Immortal by the River." The first floor was for business, while the second to sixth floors were reserved for the owner’s personal use.
At that moment, three people sat in the sixth-floor tea room.
"Yushu, you arrived so quickly?" Gao Yang frowned at the young man across from him. "Without even a word of warning."
Opposite him sat a youth of seventeen or eighteen with an endearing, boyish charm. Unlike Xie Jingxing’s striking handsomeness or Gao Yang’s gentle refinement, this young man had an approachable, neighborly air. Dressed in a lake-green robe, his smile was disarmingly pleasant. "I heard the plans in the Fixed Capital had changed, so I knew you two would need the help of someone as resourceful and capable as me. I rushed back to lend a hand."
Gao Yang responded with a dry chuckle.
"Ah, but Brother Xie!" The youth—Yushu—suddenly turned to Xie Jingxing. "The courtesan Shaoyao at Yicui Pavilion has been ignoring me again. I’m at my wits’ end! You’ve always been popular with the ladies—could you teach me your ways?"
This seemingly harmless young man was, in fact, a seasoned flirt.
Xie Jingxing didn’t even glance at him. "It’s about looks."
"What? Are you saying I’m not handsome?" Yushu’s face flushed with indignation. "Back in the day, I was… a sought-after flower! Are you jealous, Brother Xie?"
Gao Yang had had enough. He grabbed Yushu’s head and turned it away. "Ji Yushu, if you keep this up, you can go back."
"Ahem." Yushu immediately straightened up, adopting a serious tone. "Brother Xie, let’s discuss the plan for this trip."
Before he could continue, a woman in red appeared at the foot of the stairs. Though alluring, she didn’t enter, calling out from behind the gauze curtain instead: "Master."
"Ah, Hongling." Yushu’s tone turned indulgent. "How many times must I remind you? Though you’re lovely, you shouldn’t interrupt when my brothers and I are talking. Even if I dote on you, you must learn your place." His youthful face made his words sound like those of a seasoned rogue. If any other young woman heard him, she’d likely blush furiously.
"Master, there’s… a major transaction. The guest insists on seeing you," Hongling said.
"Tch." Yushu waved a hand dismissively. "Who’s this brat, acting so bold? Fengxian Pawnshop isn’t short on silver. We don’t need his business. Send him away—if he wants to see me, he’s out of luck!"
"But Master, this deal isn’t ordinary—"
"I said no. Fengxian Pawnshop doesn’t cater to such people." Yushu reached for a pastry.
Hongling hesitated but had no choice. Just as she was about to leave, the youth in purple—who had been silent until now—spoke up. "What’s the deal?"
Hongling paused, glancing at Yushu. She knew these two were close to the master, but this was confidential information. If she spoke carelessly… Yushu noticed her hesitation and slapped his thigh. "Just say it! These two are family—they’re practically the shop’s managers too. Their word is as good as mine. If I’m not around, they’re in charge."
Gao Yang let out another dry chuckle.
Reassured, Hongling smiled. "It’s about selling information—the case of the Chen sisters from Yuzhou in Jiangnan three years ago."
The moment the words left her mouth, Gao Yang exclaimed in surprise, "The Chen case? After three years, there’s finally news? That’s a big deal."
"Indeed," Xie Jingxing added. "The Chen family’s influence in Jiangnan is vast. Taking this deal would bring not just silver but other benefits."
"So you’re saying we should do it." Yushu scratched his head. "Fine, I’ll go take a look. Let’s see who this brat is, daring to waste my time. My presence doesn’t come cheap."
Hongling couldn’t help but smile. "It’s not a brat—it’s a young lady."
"A lady?" Yushu’s expression brightened instantly. "Is she pretty?"
"Very. She seems cultured and refined."
Yushu shot to his feet, dusting off his robes. He clasped his hands toward Xie Jingxing and Gao Yang. "Brothers, I’ll take my leave first." Turning to Hongling, he urged, "Where is she? Let’s go—why didn’t you say so sooner…"
After they left, Gao Yang sighed, shaking his head at Xie Jingxing. "I thought his coming to the Fixed Capital would be useless. You should send him back."
"He makes a good decoy," Xie Jingxing said lightly.
Shen Miao sat in the tea room, watching the tea leaves swirl in her cup.
Footsteps approached, and the gauze curtain was lifted as Hongling entered, bowing slightly to usher in her companion.
Shen Miao looked up.
The newcomer was a youth of seventeen or eighteen with an air of rare innocence. His lake-green robe was embroidered with deer motifs—clothing often reflected personality, and this young man’s seemed cheerful, befitting his age. Yet Shen Miao’s scrutiny deepened. To manage Fengxian Pawnshop and control the lifeline of Baixiaosheng, he was far from the harmless figure he appeared.
"I am Ji Yushu," he said, taking a seat opposite her with a smile and a cupped-hand salute.
"Shopkeeper Ji."
"Might I ask Miss Shen’s age?" he began with an unrelated question.
Shen Miao blinked. "Fourteen."
"Ah, the prime of youth." He rubbed his hands together, eyes gleaming. "Are you betrothed? Do you have sisters?" His tone was that of a shameless flirt.
Hongling’s lips twitched as she averted her gaze, as if unable to bear her master’s antics.
Shen Miao smiled faintly. "It seems Shopkeeper Ji isn’t here for business." She made to leave.
"Wait!" Yushu yelped. "Let’s talk properly, Miss Shen. No need to rush—we’ll discuss the deal now."
Only then did Shen Miao pause.
Yushu muttered under his breath, "She looks gentle, but she’s so fierce…" Catching Shen Miao’s cool gaze, he straightened. "Miss Shen wishes to sell information about the Chen case in Jiangnan. May I ask—how does an eleven-year-old from three years ago know such things?"
"Truth or falsehood will be decided when buyer and seller meet. What is Shopkeeper Ji worried about?"
Hongling and Yushu both stiffened, their gazes turning probing. Shen Miao’s tone suggested intimate familiarity with the process, yet they were certain she had never been here before—she was a stranger.
"Ahem. Be that as it may… how did Miss Shen learn of Fengxian Pawnshop’s… side business?" Yushu pressed.
"Heard it in passing, came to try my luck," Shen Miao replied succinctly, leaving Yushu’s practiced smile frozen.
Yushu’s eyes darted before he changed tack. "Then, how much does Miss Shen want for this information?"
Buyers paid silver—part to the seller, part to Baixiaosheng. The split had to be negotiated beforehand.
"After this, I also wish to buy information. If Shopkeeper Ji can provide what I seek, I’ll take none of the Chen family’s silver—I’ll even pay you extra."
Yushu inhaled sharply.
Truthfully, in all his years overseeing Fengxian Pawnshop, Yushu had mostly delegated tasks to Hongling, playing the absentee owner. The business was lucrative but straightforward, relying on connections within the "three teachings and nine schools." Rarely did it require much thought. Yet today, Shen Miao’s words left him scrambling to keep up. This latest proposition was beyond his comprehension.
Still, he remembered his role as a businessman. "What information does Miss Shen wish to buy? Given the stakes, it must be significant. If it’s unfindable, the silver could be tied up for years. I’m not sure that’s wise."
"If Shopkeeper Ji is willing, it won’t take years—it can be settled now," Shen Miao said.
"What does my willingness have to do with it?" Yushu frowned. "I’m not the seller."
"The information I wish to buy concerns Prince Yu’s Manor plotting rebellion. But this isn’t for me—it’s for the imperial family of Ming Qi. Does Shopkeeper Ji understand now?"
Yushu nearly toppled backward, staring at her as if she were mad. Hongling’s eyes widened, her head spinning at Shen Miao’s treasonous words.
Silence filled the tea room until the incense had burned down a third. Finally, Yushu said, "Hongling, take them outside."
Hongling hurriedly ushered the maids out, casting a final glance at Shen Miao, who sipped her tea with undisturbed calm.
"Miss Shen," Yushu said slowly, "you’re not buying information—you’re creating it."
No one would outright deliver such news to a middleman. Shen Miao’s deal wasn’t for outsiders—it was aimed squarely at Baixiaosheng. She intended to use their network to spread rumors, ensuring they "coincidentally" reached the imperial family.
Baixiaosheng’s connections ran deep in the underworld, slippery as eels. Once the rumors were out, they could vanish without a trace, leaving no trail to follow.
Spreading rumors was one thing—even noble families wouldn’t deter her. But involving the imperial family meant she couldn’t risk implicating the Shen family. This was her strategy.
"Whether buying, selling, or crafting information, fortune favors the bold," Shen Miao said with a faint smile. "Does Shopkeeper Ji dare not take this deal?"
Ji Yushu scratched his head, looking like a troubled young man, and said, "Miss Shen, your offer is indeed very tempting, but Fengxian Pawnshop is not just for show, nor is it a tool for gambling. If my greed were to bring disaster upon Fengxian Pawnshop, I would truly be ashamed before our ancestors." He clasped his hands together. "The profession of Baixiaosheng is already rare as phoenix feathers. For the sake of our ancestors, I cannot take such risks. I apologize, Miss Shen." He stood up and bowed to Shen Miao. "Fengxian Pawnshop will not take the message you wish to purchase. If you haven’t changed your mind about the information you wanted to sell, I’ll have it recorded. Once we receive news from the Chen family in Jiangnan, I’ll notify you. As for where to notify you, please return to the pawnshop in ten days."
After saying this, Ji Yushu gave her an apologetic smile and turned to leave. Just as his foot was about to step out of the tearoom, Shen Miao's voice came from behind: "Shopkeeper Ji, if the stakes aren’t high enough, how about adding the Shen family, the Grand General of Might, to the deal?"
Ji Yushu froze and turned around.
The girl in the purple robe lowered her head, staring at the teacup before her as if she could see a flower blooming inside. Her voice was calm but carried a heavy tension that made the entire tearoom feel oppressively stifling.
"If you agree to this deal, the residence of the Grand General of Might in Fixed Capital will become part of your Baixiaosheng network from now on."
...
Upstairs, Gao Yang and Xie Jingxing were still drinking tea when they suddenly heard a panicked voice: "Brothers, trouble!" Looking up, they saw Ji Yushu rushing in recklessly.
He flung aside the beaded curtain, plopped down at the table, grabbed the cup left behind, poured himself a full cup of tea, and gulped it down before gasping, "That scared me to death!"
"What happened to you?" Gao Yang teased. "Weren’t you in a hurry to go downstairs and admire the beauty earlier? What? Was she not beautiful?"
"Beautiful, very beautiful."
"That’s strange," Gao Yang stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Could it be that the beauty was fierce and you provoked her anger?"
Someone as frivolous as Ji Yushu was often met with hostility wherever he went. Shy young girls might tolerate him, but older women usually mocked him mercilessly.
"Fierce is an understatement!" Ji Yushu said with lingering fear. "She’s practically a monster! Ahem, in all my years as Baixiaosheng, this is the first time I’ve encountered such a way of doing business."
"Isn’t it just about the Chen family in Jiangnan? Did she demand an exorbitant amount of silver?" Gao Yang asked.
"Exorbitant is an understatement! It’s a bottomless pit!"
"What exactly is it?" Xie Jingxing glanced at him. "If you don’t speak properly, I’ll throw you out of here."
"Ahem, this client doesn’t want silver for selling the Chen family’s information—she wants to use it to offset the cost of purchasing another message. Do you know what message she wants to buy? She wants to buy a message for the royal family—proof that Prince Yu's Manor is plotting a rebellion! Damn it!" Ji Yushu couldn’t help but curse. "She’s trying to use our Fengxian Pawnshop as a pawn, forcing us to fabricate a message for her!"
Upon hearing this, Gao Yang and Xie Jingxing’s expressions gradually turned serious. Ji Yushu loved to play around and likely didn’t grasp the gravity of the situation, but the two of them understood the danger in his words.
This client’s methods were truly ruthless.Ji Yushu was still grumbling indignantly: "Why should my perfectly good Fengxian Pawnshop be used as someone else's stepping stone? If something goes wrong later, she'll just disappear, and my pawnshop will suffer the consequences. Do they think I'm stupid?"
"If that's the case, just refuse," Gao Yang said.
"Heh heh," Ji Yushu suddenly changed his tone from anger to laughter and said, "Luckily, I'm good at bargaining and forced her to make a big concession. Guess what it was?"
"What?" Xie Jingxing asked lazily.
"It's the Shen family—the Grand General of Might in Fixed Capital! If this deal goes through, the Shen family will become one of Baixiaosheng's connections. Look at how I've helped you guys so much right after coming back. You should thank me!" Ji Yushu laughed boisterously.
The Shen family?
Xie Jingxing stared at him and slowly asked, "Who came to see you?"
"A young girl, quite pretty, with the surname Shen—probably from the Shen family," Ji Yushu scratched his head. "But she was fierce and completely ignored my charm."
－－－－－－Author's Note－－－－－－
Young Marquis's inner thoughts: How dare this idiot flirt with my girl? I'll break his damn legs!
...
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