25. Emotional Choices

The Beauty Retaining Pills sold at an astonishing pace, vanishing from the shelves in no time! Mo Fei watched from the side, grinning from ear to ear. Who would have thought that a pill so common in the cultivation world would be so coveted in this foreign land?

Once the auction concluded, Count Caesar instructed his servants to bring out exquisite dishes. As everyone toasted and feasted, the elixir became the main topic of conversation.

After several rounds of wine, curiosity finally got the better of someone, and they inquired about the origin of the pills from Count Caesar.

“My dear Caesar,” Duke Lane, who shared the table with him, said jovially, emboldened by drink, “these pills have made you a fortune! Even His Majesty now favors you greatly. Prosperity is surely yours from now on!”

Caesar had anticipated such questions and had already prepared his response. “Duke Lane, you jest. I lack the ability to create such miraculous pills myself. I was merely entrusted with their sale by a friend. The ingredients required are incredibly rare, so it's impossible to produce them in large quantities. After tonight’s auction, I fear they’ll be hard to come by again.”

Thus, as Count Caesar deftly fielded questions about the pills, he was in his element. Meanwhile, Mo Fei sat quietly in a corner, shrinking into his seat as he focused on his food, surrounded by several beautiful women exchanging glances.

The moment the auction ended, Vivienne, Mona, and Firth all gravitated toward Mo Fei. Each of them possessed a remarkable status and beauty that made them the unquestioned center of attention. Now, with all three gathered around an unfamiliar man, the entire hall’s curiosity was piqued.

Whispers spread as guests speculated about the man’s identity. None recognized him, yet his invitation to such an exclusive gathering suggested he was no ordinary figure.

Princess Vivienne, observing that Mona and Firth were both seeking out Mo Fei and noting the unusual looks they gave him, felt a strange discomfort in her heart. On an impulse, she stepped forward and took Mo Fei’s arm, casting a defiant glance at the other two women, as if staking her claim.

Mona’s spirits sank. Ever since she had kissed Mo Fei that day, she had been too shy to seek him out, though his image often haunted her thoughts. Seeing him at the count’s residence lifted her heart, but when she finally mustered the courage to approach, Firth and Vivienne were already there—and Vivienne was clinging to his arm, their manner intimate. Firth, too, watched Mo Fei with obvious affection.

Forcing a smile, Mona greeted Mo Fei, though her heart was heavy. “Mona, Firth, have you come to see Mo Fei as well?” Vivienne asked, feigning ignorance. In matters of the heart, even the closest friends could not help but be selfish.

“Yes, I came to congratulate Mo Fei on the successful auction of his pills. Since Your Highness also has matters to discuss with him, I won’t intrude.” Mona said this with a look of disappointment, then turned and left.

Firth, lost in her own thoughts, glanced from the princess to Mo Fei, greeted them, and followed after Mona.

The guests, who had been keeping a close eye on the three beauties and Mo Fei, caught every word of their exchange. From Mona’s words, they realized that Mo Fei was the one who had supplied the miraculous pills. Clearly, he was an extraordinary figure, worthy of the princess’s favor.

Immediately, those who had failed to win the Rejuvenation and Longevity Pills hurried over to befriend him. Even if he had no more pills to offer, his association with the princess alone made him worth knowing—after all, he might one day become the royal son-in-law, rising swiftly through the ranks.

As Mo Fei handled the eager nobles, a guard approached Vivienne, whispered something in her ear, then returned to Emperor Tyron’s side.

“Mo Fei, my father and mother wish to see you,” Vivienne said bashfully, her cheeks aflame.

Emperor Tyron had already noticed the closeness between his daughter and the unknown young man. At first, he was furious to see the imperial princess acting so familiarly with a stranger at such an event. But upon learning that Mo Fei was the creator of the pills, his curiosity grew—he wanted to see what was so exceptional about the man who had won his daughter’s heart. Thus, he sent for them both.

“Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Queen,” Mo Fei and Vivienne bowed respectfully before the imperial couple.

Vivienne, after leading Mo Fei in greeting her father, went to her mother’s side, blushing furiously as she took her mother’s hand.

“So, you are Mo Fei. You met Vivienne and her companions in the Magic Beast Forest just a month ago, then enrolled at the Imperial Academy, left to travel the continent, and returned only days ago. I hear the pills at tonight’s auction were your handiwork?” Emperor Tyron fixed Mo Fei with a stern gaze, reciting all he had uncovered.

This was a show of authority—a reminder that, in a short time, the emperor had learned nearly everything about him.

“Your Majesty, that is correct! However, I believe I have broken no imperial laws. May I ask the purpose of Your Majesty’s summons?” Mo Fei replied calmly, undaunted by the emperor’s presence. After all, the king of a mere Dragonrock Empire was hardly someone to fear.

“Oh? You’re quite bold. But you’re about to steal away my daughter—the princess. Shouldn’t I, as her father, know more about you?” The emperor’s impression of Mo Fei improved, and his expression softened.

“Vivienne and I are in love, Your Majesty. I hope you will give us your blessing!” Realizing the emperor was more concerned about his relationship with Vivienne than the pills, Mo Fei stated his position without hesitation.

“You are but a student at the Imperial Academy. Though you can craft such miraculous pills, you hold neither office nor title. On what grounds do you hope to marry the princess?” Emperor Tyron asked, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

Vivienne cast a pleading look at her mother, hoping for support, but the queen pretended not to notice.

“Your Majesty, to be candid, I put the pills up for auction precisely because I wish to purchase land from the empire and establish my own domain. I intend to build a city there, and when the time comes, I will seek your permission to marry the princess as the lord of my own city. Surely that would not disgrace her?”

The emperor’s interest was truly piqued.

“Oh? You wish to purchase land? If that is so, you might indeed be worthy of the princess. Where do you intend to buy?” he inquired.

“Near Storm City, by the Misty Mountains,” Mo Fei replied.

“That region boasts mountains, rivers, and scenic beauty, with a natural barrier—an excellent place to build a city. Very well, I approve. Soon, you and Vivienne should come to the palace. I will have the official in charge of land sales meet with you,” the emperor said readily.

Mo Fei was surprised by how easily the emperor agreed and didn’t recover until Vivienne nudged him, prompting him to thank the emperor profusely.

In all, the auction and banquet were a resounding success. Once Count Caesar had seen the guests out, he gathered with his family and Mo Fei to tally the evening’s proceeds.

“The auction brought in a total of one million four hundred fifty thousand purple gold coins. Mo Fei, your earnings tonight rival several years of my own household’s income!” Count Caesar laughed.

“Brother, that should be enough to buy the land, but for building a city, I’m afraid it’s still a bit short,” Mo Fei replied. He planned to construct a city large enough to house a tribe of several thousand Bullfolk, not merely an estate like those of lesser nobles. The expenses would far exceed a mere million or so coins.

“Don’t worry, my friend. I hear you’re on good terms with the dwarves in their enclave. If you entrust the construction to them, you’ll save a fortune. As for building materials, the Misty Mountains are full of them; you needn’t worry. With labor and materials taken care of, the cost of building the city isn’t as steep as you imagine.”

The most pressing matter was to secure the land as soon as possible.

They discussed the city plans at length. When all was settled, Mo Fei took his leave of the count’s family, and Caesar signaled for Firth to see him out.

As they walked, Firth finally asked the question she’d held back all evening: “So you’re the one Mona’s been talking about at the Academy—the one she likes! But how did you end up with the princess? Did you set your sights on her status and abandon Mona?”

Mo Fei couldn’t help but laugh at Firth’s indignant expression. “There’s nothing between Mona and me—we’re just friends. That’s all rumor. As for Vivienne, I’m not with her for her status. We genuinely care for each other. So stop meddling in other people’s affairs, little one.”

“Don’t call me ‘little one’! I’m seventeen now, not that much younger than you!” Firth protested, clearly displeased.

After bidding her farewell, Mo Fei headed toward the Academy. The memory of Mona’s crestfallen expression lingered in his mind, filling him with a trace of guilt. He couldn’t pretend he felt nothing for her, but he didn’t want to hurt her either. Now that he and Vivienne had confessed their feelings, he couldn’t imagine being with both and enjoying the fortune of two loves at once.

Hesitation between the three would only bring more pain in the end.