Chapter 003: Extreme Surprise

Although the events of the coup day were not widely publicized, the change in power in the capital could not be hidden from those who paid attention. Even ordinary people could sense the change.

As the head manager of a count’s household, Ida knew quite a lot about the coup day. At this moment, seeing Du Fan standing there with such an imposing presence, with another person presenting him with this badge, it was all evidence of Du Fan’s status. He must be from the Green family… And judging by his demeanor, he was likely the legendary young master who, on coup day, repelled Francis and drove back the remnants of the Bauhinia Dynasty, and was personally granted a title by Prince Fisher…

And yet, he was speaking to him in such a manner…

At this thought, Ida broke into cold sweat. He secretly rejoiced that he had remained calm earlier and hadn’t acted tyrannically. Otherwise, given that young master’s skills and future power, he might not even know how he would die. Even if the young master chose to spare him, his own count lord would surely take his life!

Wiping the sweat from his brow, Ida hurriedly ran up to Du Fan. He was about to bow when suddenly, as if remembering something, he quickly said, “Du… oh no, this young master, it’s Ida who failed to recognize your greatness. If I’ve offended you in any way, please forgive me.”

He almost said “Du Fan” but, seeing that Du Fan was clearly hiding his identity, he quickly changed his words.

Du Fan merely frowned slightly but said nothing more.

However, Ida respectfully handed the badge to Old Mark, then jumped up and shouted, “Two hundred gold coins! Two hundred gold coins!”

After that, he turned to Du Fan with a flattering smile and said, “This young master… I’m sorry for any offense earlier. I’ll buy these slaves as a gift for you… Please accept them!”

After looking at Ida’s expression for a moment, Du Fan nodded and said to Old Mark, “Since he’s offering them sincerely, let’s accept them.”

Old Mark nodded slightly.

Ida’s face immediately lit up with a smile. After all, by the rules, even if he had offended Du Fan before, if Du Fan accepted his “gift” now, it meant he had forgiven him.

Almost everyone present saw Ida’s behavior after bidding. Seeing this once arrogant man act like a mouse faced with a cat, those astute enough immediately guessed that Manager Ida had run into a wall this time. Secretly, many must have laughed their heads off, but since Ida clearly intended to buy the slave on stage as a gift, no one dared cause trouble. After all, doing so would not only offend Ida but also that young master whom even Ida feared. The slave merchant on stage finally breathed a sigh of relief. Earlier, as he watched the bidding, his heart had been in his throat; only now, seeing Ida give up voluntarily, did he feel at ease. Judging by Ida’s reaction, that young master must be of high status. It seemed he should finish dealing here quickly and report to his master to see if he should make an effort to get on good terms with this distinguished young master. The slave merchant was about to loudly set a price for those dozen slaves to end the transaction. Although there were still some good items left, he had no intention of bringing them out! Otherwise, if all of them were chosen by that young master, he would lose everything today. He raised his walking stick high, ready to strike, but at that moment, a cold voice came from afar: “Two hundred and one gold coins! We want these slaves!” The whole crowd was in shock! After all, even that arrogant Ida didn’t dare offend that young master, yet someone still dared to bid higher? Moreover, it was just one more gold coin, clearly to save face for that young master… Du Fan, who had initially maintained a calm expression, couldn’t help frowning upon hearing this bid. He was confident that at most only Ida knew his identity here… But the tone of the voice clearly targeted him… It seemed someone had uncovered his whereabouts and came specifically to embarrass him! With this thought, Du Fan nodded at Old Mark! Old Mark didn’t even blink and simply declared, “Three hundred gold coins!” By now, the crowd had dispersed on their own. Even the stupidest person understood that two powerful figures were clashing, and if they accidentally got involved, they wouldn’t know how they’d die. As the crowd dispersed, the man who had bid appeared in Du Fan’s line of sight.

His gaze was cold, his face expressionless as he stared blankly ahead, seemingly devoid of any emotion, almost like a wooden man. Yet it was precisely such a person who exuded an astonishing presence, making it obvious at a glance that he was undoubtedly a master. But none of this was the key point—when people’s eyes fell on his clothes, they couldn’t help but gasp in shock. His clothes were ordinary, extremely ordinary… yet on this plain garment, right over his chest, a lilac flower was sewn in gold thread! A lilac flower!? The royal family!!! Looking at the carriage behind him, though also extremely simple, the sheer curtains surrounding it were adorned with golden-threaded lilac flowers in full bloom. Two snow-white steeds pulled the carriage, and around it stood dozens of guards dressed in plain attire. Although the crowd around them was dense, no one dared step further within a certain radius. Initially, Ida turned around in anger upon hearing some disturbance… but when he saw the carriage and the lilac flowers on it, he couldn’t help but tremble violently. Having been in the capital for so long, Ida naturally recognized what these symbols meant, and even this carriage was familiar to him… If Du Fan was someone he couldn’t afford to offend, then the person inside the carriage was even more so! He wiped the sweat from his forehead, glanced at Du Fan, then at the carriage—neither side dared he offend, leaving him in an extremely difficult situation. But at this moment, hostility was clearly evident on both sides, and caught between them, he truly didn’t know how he would die! With this thought, Ida suddenly fainted, his eyes rolling back. His guards watched from afar, too afraid to come forward to help. However, Ida’s fainting didn’t surprise Du Fan at all. He simply observed the carriage carefully… He naturally realized that the carriage represented royal status, and the person inside, if his guess was correct… was likely some princess. The only princess he had any connection with was Nina—could it be her? Standing there, Du Fan could feel a pair of eyes fixed on him, unblinking and incredibly heavy, as if trying to see through his soul.

Du Fan shook his head slightly and laughed. “Do people from the royal family really need to buy slaves too?”
Old Mark beside him frowned and said, “Young master, if it’s someone from the royal family, maybe just leave it alone…”
But Du Fan remained silent, merely staring at the other side.
Clearly, no matter which princess it was, her behavior was meant to embarrass him.
After all, as a subject, if a princess wanted to take some slaves, he could simply pay for them and hand them over. But this princess clearly wasn’t after the slaves.
Her purpose was mostly to humiliate him.
Though it was unclear which princess dared to come to such a place during a national funeral… if he gave in, he wouldn’t be able to stay in the noble circles anymore.
After all, nobles are creatures who care deeply about face. Even a king wouldn’t casually insult a subject.
The guard bidding heard Old Mark’s offer and stepped back a few steps, moving to the side of the carriage. After a moment, his expression changed slightly, clearly because someone inside the carriage had given an order.
Still, he stepped forward a few steps and said calmly, “Three hundred and one gold coins!”
Du Fan laughed, but this time it was a cold laugh. He glanced at Old Mark beside him and nodded slightly.
Although Old Mark didn’t want to oppose someone from the royal family, seeing Du Fan’s intention, he didn’t dare resist either. He then loudly said, “Four hundred gold coins!”
The other party didn’t even blink and replied loudly, “Four hundred and one gold coins!”
Old Mark’s expression also changed, but he continued, “Five hundred gold coins!”
“Five hundred and one gold coins!”