Bai Xiao Sheng is not a person, but an industry.

  Life is full of twists and turns, with royal palaces and ordinary people. Among the 36 professions and 72 industries, there are those who belong to the three teachings and nine streams, which doesn't sound very prestigious or respectable. However, they have many paths and functions within them. Sometimes, the tiny connection between the imperial court and the jianghu is maintained by these people of the three teachings and nine streams.

  Bai Xiao Sheng is one of them.

  As the name suggests, Bai Xiaosheng and Bao Datou have some similarities. In the hundreds of years of inheritance, this industry has not appeared many times, and ordinary people may not have heard of it. As for where there is what person, it is even more unknown. But ignorance does not mean non-existence, and this Dingjing City's Mengxian Pawnshop is today's Mingqi Bai Xiaosheng.

  The red-clothed woman's gaze at Shen Miao gradually became solemn, which made the few people behind Mo Jing feel inexplicable. Although they were in the military and had also mixed with the rivers and lakes, they really didn't know what a hundred-year-old was.

  It's also natural that ordinary people wouldn't know whether it's Lai Mian Xian Pawnshop or Bai Xiao Sheng, the people who come here are all prepared.

  "The girl is..." The red-clothed woman asked tentatively.

  "I'm here to make a deal."

  Upon hearing this, the red-clothed woman's expression moved slightly again, and she smiled at Shen Miao under the young man's stunned gaze: "The things on this girl must be very valuable, since that's the case, please follow me to discuss in private."

  Mo Qiang and a few others were about to follow, but were stopped by the woman in red: "These few don't need to go."

  "Miss..." Jing Zhen was somewhat worried, if Shen Miao went in alone, she might encounter some unexpected situation.

  "Stay here," Shen Miao said: "After I finish this deal, I'll be back."

  After Shen Miao and the woman in red left, Mo Qing and a few others stayed behind in the outer hall. One of Shen Miao's guards asked Mo Qing, "Brother Mo, what did Miss come here for?" As someone who had killed people and seen blood before, he naturally had some intuition about danger. The expression of the woman in red and her conversation with Shen Miao made several people realize that this matter was not simple.

  "I don't know either." Mo En sighed and shook his head, looking towards the corridor leading inside, saying: "Miss has her own measure."

  The woman in red led Shen Miao through the corridor, which was very long. At the end of the corridor was a four-sided wooden pavilion with six floors, covered with thin gauze, making it impossible to see what was inside. However, judging from the exquisite workmanship, it was extremely beautiful. The wood used for the pillars alone was worth thousands of gold coins, being made of precious agarwood.

  Everyone says that the owner of the pawnshop is a millionaire, otherwise the business of the pawnshop would only be barely satisfactory and yet it has been able to maintain itself for so many years. After all, buying such a large piece of land in the most prosperous area of Beijing is not something that everyone can afford.

  However, Shen Miao knew that the reason why Shan Xian Pawnshop was so wealthy and arrogant was because their way of making money had nothing to do with pawning things, but rather doing business without any capital, naturally leading to huge profits.

  The woman in red led her to the lowest level of the building, where she found a room for her to sit down. It was a tea house, and on the red wooden table and chairs were carved with mountain and water paintings, which were vivid and lifelike. At first glance, it was clear that the craftsmanship was exquisite, and the value was naturally not cheap either.

  "My name is Hongliang," the woman smiled, her smile almost dripping with charm, as if it were etched into her bones. She asked, "How should I address you, miss?"

  "My surname is Shen," said Shen Miao.

  When Shen Miao was sizing up the other party, Hong Liang was also sizing her up. She was secretly surprised in her heart, initially thinking that it was some rich family's young lady who had come to make trouble at the Xianshen Pawnshop. Who would have thought that she actually heard "Bai Xiao Sheng" from the other person's mouth? Knowing that this was probably a connoisseur, she welcomed Shen Miao inside. However, Hong Liang had been doing business at the Xianshen Pawnshop for so many years and it was still her first time encountering such a young customer. She wasn't sure how much Shen Miao knew, fearing that it might be her first time making a deal, thinking about whether or not to deceive her.

  "It's Miss Shen after all." Hong Liang smiled and said: "I don't know if Miss Shen has come to our Mianxian Pawnshop to buy or sell?"

  Shen Miao said: "I can be both the buyer and the seller."

  Buying and selling at the same time, Hong Liang couldn't help but pause for a moment. The several young maidservants in green clothes around her seemed to be seeing Hong Liang's flustered appearance for the first time, and they all stole a glance at Shen Miao.

  Putting away the shock in her heart, Honglian continued smiling: "I wonder how much this deal made by Miss Shen is worth?"

  Shen Miao shook her head.

  Hong Liang was somewhat puzzled by her meaning: "Miss Shen..."

  Shen Miao's voice was calm and collected: "I've already said it earlier, the business I'm going to do is too big, he can't afford it, and neither can you. If you want to talk, go find your master."

  Hong Liang's throat was a bit dry, all these years, she had been good at dancing with long sleeves, but because everyone who came to do business here knew what Bai Xiao Sheng did for a living, they were also polite and courteous to her. Now it was the first time someone had greeted her in such an impolite manner. For a moment, she instinctively wanted to get angry, but when she looked up and met Shen Miao's gaze, she was slightly taken aback.

  The girl opposite looked young, with a pair of clear eyes like water. However, when she looked at people, it seemed to have a hint of coolness bursting out. Her calm and quiet appearance had an inexplicable sense of majesty. Red Lotus felt that the other's gaze on her was truly without any reserve, but rather a simple downward glance from top to bottom.

  A sudden spark in Honglian's heart, and that bit of annoyance instantly disappeared. With so many people coming and going to do business, she was quite discerning about people, but this girl's aura... was a little stunning, and she didn't know what kind of background she had, it actually made her feel a bit flustered.

  "Shen Niang, I'm the one in charge here. If you want to do business, it's only natural that you'll be doing it with me." She said. Although she felt that Shen Miao was not an ordinary person, Hong Ling wasn't someone who got easily intimidated either. The smile on her face became even more radiant: "I've seen plenty of silver before, no matter how much more there is."

  "It has nothing to do with Yinzi," Shen Miao smiled slightly: "I've said it before, this deal, you can't make the decision." She glanced around: "I came with sincerity, but you have no sincerity. Bai Xiaosheng is just like that too."

  Hong Liang had never met such an impolite person, and the smile on his face immediately cooled down by 30%. He said, "I think Shen Niang doesn't seem to be sincere in doing business. Since Shen Niang doesn't trust me, I have no way."

  Shen Miao stared at her for a moment before saying, "In that case, I'll sell you some information first."

  Hong Liang was taken aback, and all he could do was listen to the calm expression of the girl opposite him, who uttered a sentence: "When Chen sisters from Jiangnan Province's Yu State went missing without a trace, how about selling this news to you? If you think this news is valuable, please let the shopkeeper meet with me to discuss the purchase."

  Hong Liang's body shook, and she stared at her in shock. A moment later, she composed herself and said, "Please wait for a moment, Miss Shen. Hong Liang will withdraw first."

  Hong Liang hastily left, the remaining tea house several green-clad girls curiously looked at her, apparently did not know why after listening to her words Hong Liang would suddenly leave.

  Shen Miao gazed at the teacup in her hand, the tea was top-grade Junshan Yinzhen, with a rich and intense aroma. Paired with the faint scent of incense in the tea room, it made one feel carefree and relaxed, clearly the owner of this place knew how to indulge.

  Bai Xiaosheng is in the business of gathering and disseminating information on the Jianghu, which involves buying and selling messages. Some people want to buy information, while others want to sell it; when a buyer and seller meet, a deal is made. Bai Xiaosheng's line of work is like a relay point for transmitting signals on the battlefield, connecting buyers and sellers on the street.

  The news that Shen Miao was about to sell, however, was a sensational case from the year of Ming Qi. The first family in Jiangnan's Yu Prefecture, the Chen family, had two daughters who were stunning beauties, their looks enough to overthrow cities. With such beauty, if they entered the palace, they would definitely become noble consorts. Not to mention that beautiful women are just skin-deep, but real beauties are like exquisite jade, and gazing at them too much is a desecration.

  The Chen family is wealthy and influential, but having two daughters with exceptional beauty may not necessarily be a good thing. The girls' stunning looks are unmatched by their ability to protect themselves, which might bring trouble to the family. Fortunately, the Chen family is not only the richest in Jiangnan, but also has a reputation in the jianghu world, with many connections and friends from the green woods. Moreover, the old master of the Chen family has a good relationship with the leader of a certain sect, so the Chen family can be said to have a strong backing.

  Who would have thought that despite this, the Chen sisters disappeared on the 16th birthday, on the day of the Flower Lantern Festival, still under people's noses. The Chen family searched for a long time but to no avail, and it has been three years since the Chen sisters went missing. The Chen family has been spending money and manpower to find their two daughters, although they know that the chances are slim, they have never given up. They even found Bai Xiaosheng and spent a lot of money to buy information.

  But none of this was reported.

  Now that this three-year-old business suddenly has a buyer, how can Hongliang not be surprised? Chen Jiafu's commission must be substantial, and Bai Xiaosheng only needs to make this deal happen, even if he splits the profit, he will still get a lot of silver.

  Businessmen speak with silver tongues, Shen Miao doesn't believe it, can't find the master behind.

  The building in the Xian's pawnshop is called Linjiang Xian. The first floor is for business, and from the second to the sixth floors are for the owner's personal use.

  At this moment, in the tea room on the sixth floor, three people were sitting at a table.

  "Feather Book, how did you get here so quickly?" Gao Yang frowned at the person opposite him: "Without even a greeting."

  Across from him sat a seventeen or eighteen-year-old young man. This youth was born to be lovely, and his handsome appearance was different from Xie Jingxuan's scorching hot sun-like beauty, also unlike Gao Yang's gentle and elegant demeanor. He looked like an ordinary neighbor's kid, with an inexplicable sense of familiarity. He wore a lake-green long gown, and when he smiled, it was quite endearing. "I heard that the plan to conquer Dingjing has changed," he said, "and I knew you two would definitely need someone as omnipotent and capable as me to assist you, so I came back on purpose."

  "Haha." was Gao Yang's response, a cold laugh.

  "Ah, but thank you, Third Brother!" The young man named Yu Shu suddenly turned to him and said: "The peony girl from the Yīng Cuì Lóu has been ignoring me again lately, I'm really worried. You've always been popular with girls, why don't you teach me how?"

  This seemingly innocent and harmless young man is actually an old hand at playing the field.

  Xie Jinghang didn't even glance at him and said, "Look at his appearance."

  "Ah, does Third Brother think that someone like me is not handsome? The young man's face turned red with anger: "In the past, I was... a flower in demand, pursued by thousands of people. Is Third Brother saying such things because he's jealous of me?"

  Gao Yang couldn't take it anymore and pushed Ji Yushu's head to the other side: "Ji Yushu, if you keep talking like that, you can go back."

  "Cough," Yu Shu immediately sat up straight and said seriously: "Third Brother, let's talk about the plan for this trip."

  Before he could finish speaking, a woman in red appeared from downstairs, her beauty was captivating, but she didn't come in, instead she stood behind the curtain and called out from afar: "Master."

  "Ah, Hong Liang." Yu Shu said patiently, "I've told you many times before, although you're born beautiful, when my brothers and I are talking, it's best if you don't come over. Although I spoil you, you can't be so unaware of propriety, right?" He looked young and innocent as if he didn't know the ways of the world, but his words were as slick as an old rascal's. Fortunately, Hong Liang was under him, or else some ordinary girl would have been so embarrassed by his words that her face would have turned red.

  "The master of the house has a big business deal, and the guest insists on seeing you." said Hong Liang.

  "Hey," Yu Shu waved his hand: "Whose kid is so arrogant? My Tianxian pawnshop isn't short of silver, who can't do without that business? If not, then don't, let him leave, if he wants to see me, there's no door!"

  "But, sir, this deal is not an ordinary one..."

  "It's all talk and no action, the Mengxian pawnshop won't serve those people." Yu Shu stretched out his hand to pick up the dim sum in front of him.

  Hong Liang was somewhat embarrassed, but also had no choice. Just as he was about to retreat, he heard the purple-robed youth, who had been silent and lost in thought, suddenly ask: "What business is this?"

  Hong Liang was taken aback, looking at Yu Shu. She knew that the two people in front of her had a deep relationship with the master, but it could be said that this was also a secret matter, and if she just said it out loud, she might... Yu Shu saw her hesitant gaze and patted his thigh: "I'm telling you to speak up, these two are our own people, they're the bosses of my Rong Xian pawnshop, their words are my words, in the future when I'm not around, they'll be the bosses."

  Before his words had fallen, Gao Yang "heh heh" again.

  Hong Liang saw the situation and put down his heart, smiling: "It's coming to sell news, selling news is three years ago Jiangnan Yu Zhou Chen family sisters' case."

  As soon as the words fell, Gao Yang was the first to cry out in surprise: "The Chen family case, after three years, there's actually news, this deal is a bit big!"

  "Not bad." Xie Jinghang also spoke up: "The Chen family has a vast influence in Jiangnan, taking on this deal will bring more benefits than just silver."

  "In the end, it's just a matter of doing it." Yu Shu scratched his head and said, "You all say that, so I'll go take a look too. I want to see which little brat dares to treat me like this. It's not cheap to meet me, you know."

  Hong Liang couldn't help but laugh: "Not a young man, but a maiden."

  "Miss?" Yu Shu's expression changed and he suddenly smiled: "Is she pretty?"

  "He's quite handsome, and he looks like a knowledgeable and reasonable person."

  Yu Shu suddenly stood up, brushed off his robe, and bowed to Xie Jingxuan and the others. He smiled and said: "Two brothers, I'll take my leave first." After that, he turned around and hastily asked Hong Ling: "Where is it? Come on, come on! Hong Ling, why didn't you say so earlier..."

  After the two of them left, Gao Yang let out a sigh and said to Xie Jing with a look of disdain: "I thought he was useless even when he came to Dingjing, you'd better let him go back."

  "It's fine even if I'm the target." Xie Jinghang said lightly.

  Shen Miao sat in the teahouse, her head bowed as she gazed at the tea leaves floating in the cup.

  The sound of footsteps came from the entrance, and then the silk curtain was lifted. Hong Ling walked in, bowing slightly to welcome the person behind her.

  Shen Miao raised her head.

  The young man, who looked like he was only seventeen or eighteen years old, had an air of rare innocence about him. He wore a long robe with a deer-like pattern embroidered on it in lake green thread. People say that clothes reveal one's character, and this young man's character seemed to be cheerful, which suited his age. However, Shen Miao couldn't help but think more deeply about the person in front of her. Being able to manage the Xian Tian pawnshop so well and having control over the lifeblood of the Bai Xiao Sheng industry was not something to be underestimated. This young man was absolutely not as simple and innocent as he appeared on the surface.

  "In the next season of 'Feather Book'." He sat down in front of Shen Miao, smiling and nodding his head at her.

  "Seasonal shopkeeper."

  "How old is Miss Shen?" He threw out a completely unrelated question first.

  Shen Miao slightly stunned and replied: "Fourteen."

  "Oh, that's just the prime of life," he rubbed his hands together, with a hint of enthusiasm in his eyes: "I wonder if there's a marriage? Are there any sisters at home?" He looked exactly like a rogue teasing a young lady.

  Hong Liang twitched at the corner of his mouth and turned his head away, as if he didn't want to see his own master behaving so shamelessly.

  Shen Miao smiled lightly: "It seems that Manager Ji is not here to do business." After finishing speaking, she made a gesture as if to leave.

  "Ah!" Ji Yu Shu was startled: "Let's talk properly, Miss Shen, don't be impatient, let's discuss business now."

  Shen Miao finally stopped.

  "Looking at her gentle personality, how can she be so fierce...” Ji Yu muttered to herself. She turned around and saw Shen Miao's piercing gaze, immediately straightening up and saying: "Miss Shen wants to sell the news about the Chen family of Jiangnan, let me say one more thing, three years ago you were only eleven, how did you know about this kind of thing?"

  "Whether true or false, the informer and the buyer will eventually meet. Whether it's true information or false information depends on that side. What is Manager Ji worried about?"

  As soon as this was said, Hong Liang and Ji Yu Shu's expressions simultaneously paused, and their gazes at Shen Miao were also filled with deep meaning. Listening to Shen Miao's tone, it seemed like she was familiar with each link of the story, but Hong Liang and Ji Yu Shu could confirm that Shen Miao had never been here before, she was a strange guest.

  "Cough, although that's what I said... but how did Miss Shen know about the business of Rongxian Pawnshop?" Ji Yushu asked again.

  "I've heard rumors, so I'll give it a try." Shen Miao responded with eight words, which were as smooth as water, and even caused Ji Yu's pretended smile to stiffen for a moment.

  Ji Yu's eyes rolled around and suddenly changed the subject: "So, Miss Shen wants to sell this information, how much silver does she want?"

  The person buying the news will pay silver, part of which goes to the seller and part to Bai Xiaosheng, with the amount of silver also agreed upon beforehand.

  "After that, I'll buy another message. If Boss Ji can sell the message I want to buy, the silver of Chen's family in Jiangnan Yuzhou, I won't take a single share, and instead give it back to you."

  Ji Yu sucked in a mouthful of cool air.

  To be honest, the Mengxian pawnshop has been open for many years, and many things have been left to Hongling to take care of. He is just a figurehead. This is a lucrative business, but it's also a very simple one, relying on relationships and connections with all sorts of people. If you say it requires thinking, that's rare. Who knew that today's conversation with Shen Miao would make him feel like the other party was being evasive, leaving him struggling to keep up? It's really something that Ji Yushu can't understand at this moment.

  However, he still remembered that he was a businessman and asked: "Miss Shen wants to buy what information? Looking at this momentum, the origin is not small. If it can't be found, I'm afraid the silver will also be delayed for many years, I don't think it's a good method."

  "If Manager Qi is willing, it won't take many years, it can be done immediately." Shen Miao said.

  "What does this have to do with me?" Ji Yu Shu widened his eyes: "I am not the seller."

  "What I want to buy is the news that Prince Yu's mansion is plotting a rebellion, but this news is not bought for myself, it's bought for the Ming Qi Emperor's family, does Manager Ji understand?"

  Ji Yu was startled by the words in her speech and almost fell backwards, staring at Shen Miao like a madman. Hong Liang also stared with wide eyes, watching Shen Miao calmly say these treasonous words, feeling a bit dizzy.

  The teahouse was quiet for a while, until the incense had burned halfway through. Then Ji Yu Shu said, "Hong Ling, take them out."

  Hong Liang hastily took several girls out, and as they were leaving, she glanced at Shen Miao, who picked up her tea cup with a calm gaze like a still pond.

  "Shen Niang," Ji Yu Shu said: "You're not buying information, you're creating it."

  No one would directly tell a message to an intermediary, Shen Miao's deal was not for outsiders, but rather for Bai Xiao Sheng. She wanted to use Bai Xiao Sheng's profession as a mouthpiece to spread some rumors, and let these rumors "accidentally" reach the imperial court.

  Bai Xiaosheng has many connections in the three teachings and nine streams, deep in the city, like a slippery loach, when the time comes to drill into the crowd, clean and tidy, can't find the source.

  Spreading rumors is nothing, ordinary families, even official families, Shen Miao has no fear. But if it involves the royal family, she can't take risks with the Shen family, that's her plan.

  "Whether it's buying or selling, wealth is sought in danger," Shen Miao smiled slightly: "Seasonal shopkeeper doesn't dare to do this business?"

  Ji Yu rubbed his head, looking like a troubled young man: "Miss Shen's conditions are naturally tempting, but the Xuanxian Pawnshop is not just for show, nor is it a tool for gambling. If I were to let the Xuanxian Pawnshop get into trouble because of my own greed, I would be ashamed in front of our ancestors." He clasped his hands together: "Nowadays, people with skills like mine are as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns. For the sake of our ancestors, I cannot take risks. Sorry, Miss Shen." He stood up and bowed to Shen Miao: "The Xuanxian Pawnshop will not accept any more messages from you. If your decision to sell has not changed, I will instruct someone to record it. When news comes from the Chen family in Jiangnan, I will send someone to inform you. As for where we will meet, come to the pawnshop in ten days."

  After finishing the sentence, Ji Yu Shu really smiled apologetically at her and turned to leave. Just as his footsteps were about to step out of the teahouse, Shen Miao's voice came from behind: "Manager Ji, is the stake for business not enough? Add a powerful general Shen family to it?"

  Ji Yu's book was stunned, and he turned around.

  The girl in purple clothes hung her head and looked at the teacup in front of her, as if she could see a flower in it. Her voice was calm and waveless, but carried a kind of heavy tension, making the whole tea house feel unusually oppressive.

  "If you can agree to this deal, from now on, the General's Mansion of Beijing will become your place of frequent visits."

  Upstairs, Gao Yang and Xie Jinghang were still drinking tea when they suddenly heard a tense voice: "Brothers, something's wrong!" They looked up to see Ji Yushu rushing in hastily.

  He lifted the bead curtain, walked to the table, picked up the quilt he had just left behind, poured himself a full cup of tea and gulped it down before taking a deep breath and saying: "Scared me to death!"

  "What's wrong?" Gao Yang joked: "Just now wasn't it a rush to go see the beauty? What? The beauty isn't beautiful?"

  "It's beautiful, it's very beautiful."

  "That's strange," Gao Yang stroked his chin thoughtfully: "Could it be that the beauty is very fierce, and you provoked her into anger?"

  People like Ji Yu Shu are so despicable that wherever they go, people shout to beat them up. Even shy girls are better than him; older ones often mock him with great pleasure.

  "It's not just fierce!" Ji Yu Shu's heart still had lingering fear as he said: "It's simply a monster! Cough, I've been doing business for so many years, but this is the first time I've encountered someone who does business like this."

  "Isn't it that matter of the Chen family in Jiangnan? Did she open her mouth wide like a lion, asking for a lot of silver?" Gao Yang asked.

  "It's not just a lion's mouth wide open! It's simply an abyss!"

  "What's going on?" Xie Jinghang glared at him: "If you don't speak properly, I'll throw you out from here."

  "Cough, this guest, selling Jiangnan Chen's news doesn't require silver, saying it's to be used to offset the cost of buying news. Do you know what kind of news she wants to buy? She wants to buy news for the royal family, and the news is that the Yuqin Wangfu is plotting a rebellion! Damn it!" Ji Yushu couldn't help but curse: "This is going to use our Xianshen pawnshop as a scapegoat, wanting us to fabricate some news for her!"

  Gao Yang and Xie Jingxing heard this, their expressions gradually becoming serious. Ji Yu Shu loved to joke around, probably not knowing the danger in it, but these two knew the sinister intent behind Ji Yu Shu's words just now.

  This guest's methods were indeed quite ruthless.

  "Ji Yu Shu was still grumbling in discontent: 'Why should I?! Why should my good business, the Shan Xian Pawnshop, be used as a scapegoat for someone else? If something goes wrong later, she'll run away with her tail between her legs, and it's me who'll suffer! Am I stupid or what?!'"

  "In that case, you should be satisfied," said Gao Yang.

  "Heh heh," Ji Yu Shu suddenly changed from being angry to smiling, and said: "If I hadn't haggled and forced her to open up, she would have sold it for a high price. Guess what it is?"

  "What?" Xie Jinghang lazily asked.

  "Is it decided that the great general Shen's family will be in charge? If this deal is made, the Shen family will be one of the most influential families. Look at me, I just came back and helped you with such a big favor, quickly thank me!" Ji Yu Shu laughed wildly.

  What's going on at home?

  Xie Jinghang stared at him and slowly opened his mouth: "Who is this person?"

  "A little girl, quite good-looking, with the surname Shen, probably a member of the Shen family." Ji Yushu scratched his head: "But she's fierce, completely ignoring my elegance."