Chapter 12: Buying a Sword as a Gift for Rin Yue

“I, the Sixth Prince, cannot agree with that! So what if I do not know martial arts? Mo Xie Workshop has never stipulated that those who cannot practice martial arts are forbidden from buying.”

“Moreover, I have sword experts among my guards. Is it not acceptable to buy this sword as a gift for her?” Li Ye said with displeasure.

Upon hearing this, Shi Wushuang glanced incredulously at Lin Yue standing behind Li Ye.

Spending hundreds of thousands of taels of silver on a sword for a maidservant—who would believe such a thing?

In this era, maids held very low status. Even bodyguards were only slightly above servants. Owning a decent weapon was already a privilege.

Lin Yue was equally surprised. Since she had followed Li Ye, he had never truly regarded her as a mere servant. Her position in the prince’s residence was quite high. She even dared to retort when displeased by Li Ye’s actions—something unthinkable for others.

Lin Yue never imagined Li Ye would really spend so much money on a weapon for her. Though she adored the sword, her identity as a maidservant and part-time bodyguard made her hesitant to entertain such thoughts.

Her large, beautiful eyes revealed profound astonishment as she looked at Li Ye. Others might think he was speaking casually, but Lin Yue knew his temperament well—once he said something, it was set in stone.

Regardless of her usually aloof nature, her heart fluttered uncontrollably at this moment, overwhelmed with excitement.

“Sixth Prince, are you deliberately doing this to embarrass Master Wushuang publicly?”

“Are you jealous that Master Wushuang was so generous in clearing the Qin family’s debts, only for you to buy that sword for a mere maidservant?”

“Is that really wise? It just makes you appear petty,” Qin Qingxue said furiously, feeling Li Ye was constantly opposing her.

“What’s wrong with a maidservant? She is also a person and my personal protector. I think this sword suits Lin Yue and want to give it to her. What business is that of yours?” Li Ye retorted bluntly.

Lin Yue was deeply moved; she never expected the Sixth Prince to be so kind.

Unable to bear Qin Qingxue’s interrogation of Li Ye, she spoke up: “I am a maidservant, yes, but I am loyal to Your Highness. I am far better than those ungrateful traitors.”

“You! Who are you calling traitors?” Qin Qingxue was enraged, barely controlling herself and wanting to confront Lin Yue physically.

Lin Yue looked at her with disdain and said contemptuously, “What? Want to fight me?”

“Think twice. If you lose, it would be humiliating. Imagine a general of the Great Yuan Dynasty defeated by a mere maidservant—how would you face the world?”

Qin Qingxue suddenly awoke to reality, recalling how Lin Yue once killed a highly skilled assassin with a single move.

Previously, she had no idea how formidable Lin Yue was, but as her martial skill improved, it became increasingly clear that Lin Yue was no ordinary woman.

If they truly fought, victory was far from guaranteed. Moreover, as a general, even drawing evenly with a maidservant would be disgraceful.

“Sixth Prince, do you really indulge your servants this much?” Qin Qingxue, unable to argue with Lin Yue, turned her ire toward Li Ye.

“Lin Yue is right! If you look down on her, you can challenge her to a fight,” Shi Wushuang said darkly. “So, Sixth Prince, do you intend to snatch this sword away?”

“Exactly. If I like something, I’ll buy it!” Li Ye declared.

“Well, well, Sixth Prince, you truly are a shrewd businessman. Your generosity is impressive. I’ve witnessed it today. Since the Sixth Prince desires this sword, I withdraw from the competition,” Shi Wushuang said, unable to offer more money.

He believed that as the most renowned disciple of Yunlu Pavilion, he could always have Mo Xie Workshop craft another sword for him without auctioning, possibly at a cheaper price.

There was no need to overpay to win this contest.

“No, no, no! Don’t let others think I’m using my status to suppress you. No need to yield! If you like it, just offer a higher price!” Li Ye gave no room for retreat.

Shi Wushuang gritted his teeth in anger, feeling utterly humiliated.

“I really can’t offer more. I concede!” he said.

“If you have no money, just say so! Don’t make it sound like I’m taking advantage of you!” Li Ye sneered.

Shi Wushuang nearly lost his temper and wished to slash Li Ye with his sword but forced himself to hold back.

A small loss now could avoid a greater disaster later—he still had important missions in Great Yuan. Alienating a prince would bring no benefit.

He could only endure.

“Anyone else willing to offer a higher price? If not, I will accept it!” Li Ye announced.

Such a price was beyond the means of anyone else, no matter how much they desired the sword.

Besides, no matter how precious the sword was, selling it for six hundred thousand taels was hardly profitable.

No one else bid.

Mo Nianqiu loudly declared, “Since there are no further bids, I announce the sword belongs to the Sixth Prince.”

She then personally handed the sword to Li Ye.

Li Ye took the sword and passed it to Lin Yue.

“Lin Yue, do you like this sword?”

Lin Yue accepted it with great excitement, carefully drawing it out and examining it with immense fondness.

Her face lit with joy as she nodded repeatedly. “Thank you, Your Highness Sixth Prince.”

Xiao Cui, however, expressed concern: “Spending six hundred thousand taels for a sword—this is too expensive!”

“What do you know? With such a sword that can cut through iron like mud, I guarantee no assassin will harm His Highness,” Lin Yue said decisively.

Though she felt it was costly, since His Highness bought it for her, she naturally accepted it.

From now on, she would strive to protect His Highness’s safety.

“Lin Yue is right. Even if it saves my life once, it’s worth it,” Xiao Cui suddenly understood.

“If that’s the case, then sixty thousand taels is indeed worth it. Lin Yue, His Highness has given you such a precious gift. You must train harder and guard His Highness well.”

Lin Yue was in high spirits, unaffected even by Xiao Cui’s public admonishment.

“Rest assured! With this sword, I won’t find daily training tiring,” she said.

Others offered their congratulations to Li Ye, though their attitudes were insincere; after congratulating him, they turned and left.

They all thought Li Ye’s actions unwise—spending six hundred thousand taels on a sword for a maidservant would surely become the talk of the capital and might even tarnish the royal reputation.

Perhaps the emperor would reprimand Li Ye again.

After everyone left, Mo Nianqiu approached and saluted with a wry smile.

“Successfully crafting this sword was thanks to Your Highness’s guidance. If Your Highness wishes, you need only speak directly next time—there’s no need to auction it off.”