The legend begins with becoming a white deer.

Yuan Shuying, accompanied by a group of palace maids and guards, walked slowly along the palace road, looking as if they had met by chance.

Qi Ji glanced at the little girl behind him who had suddenly fallen silent, her tail being gripped slightly tighter by Yuan Yao.

Qi Ji could clearly sense that the little girl felt a bit timid and couldn't hide her repulsion, as if she was born afraid of the woman in front of her.

Qi Ji looked up and glanced over, his brows twitching almost imperceptibly.

"This woman... looks vaguely familiar."

Qi Ji remembered it after a moment's thought.

When he broke out of the Wanhua Merchant Guild's cloud-carriage that day, it seemed that this woman was standing in the crowd of onlookers.

Because of her unusual attire and the black veil covering her left eye, her single eye made her stand out. Although he only glanced at her at the time, it left an impression on him.

I never expected to see him here in the palace again.

Upon closer inspection, Qi Ji discovered that the woman possessed a cold and aloof appearance, with delicate features and a straight nose. She was extremely beautiful, but the eye patch and the chill emanating from her added an air of aloofness that made her seem unapproachable.

Qi Ji wondered to himself: Who is this woman?

Yuan Shuying walked closer, her gaze sweeping lightly over Qi Ji before finally settling on Yuan Yao. Her tone was flat and emotionless: "If I remember correctly, this should be your time for studying and practicing calligraphy. Why are you wandering around here?"

"I have already asked my father for leave."

Yuan Yao turned her head away, her small lips pouting slightly: "I need to spend these next few days with Xiao Bai."

"You're asking for leave? I think you're just using it as an excuse to slack off."

Yuan Shuying's tone was slightly cold: "Your father has always doted on you and let you run wild."

Upon hearing this, Qi Ji understood: "This woman is also the daughter of the King of Bilin, and she seems to be Yuan Yao's older sister."

Qi Ji glanced at the exquisite eye patch again, secretly feeling regretful.

It's no wonder that a princess of the royal family has such a disability, exuding a chilling aura. With such a noble status, it's hard to believe that she has such a flaw in her appearance. She must be harboring some resentment, which may have even led to mental illness.

"As Princess Bilin, no matter how young you are, you should know your royal responsibilities."

Yuan Shuying still spoke in a lecturing tone: "You spend all your time playing and have no ambition. What kind of behavior is this?"

This lecturing attitude only intensified Yuan Yao's resistance.

She pursed her lips, stubbornly refused to speak, clearly indicating that she wouldn't listen.

The surrounding palace maids and guards all hung their heads, not daring to breathe. They had seen this scene many times before. Ever since Yuan Yao could remember, the two princesses had never gotten along, and whenever they met, the atmosphere was never pleasant.

Qi Ji hated this kind of oppressive and boring preaching scene the most, and too lazy to watch anymore, he lifted his hoof and walked forward.

Upon seeing this, Yuan Yao immediately let go of her tail and ran quickly to catch up.

"stop."

Yuan Shuying's voice came from behind, tinged with indifference: "Yuan Yao, even if you are playful, willful, and lack a sense of propriety, you should still know how to avoid danger. No matter how wondrous this white deer is, it is still a beast, and its nature is untamable. If you don't want to be accidentally hurt by it, it's best not to get too close."

Qi Ji paused, his gaze indifferent.

Yuan Yao suddenly bristled, turned around, and retorted angrily, "Xiao Bai wouldn't hurt me! It's the most obedient and well-behaved animal, not some ordinary wild beast! You're talking nonsense!"

"No matter how intelligent a beast may be, it is still a beast after all." Yuan Shuying sneered, said no more, turned around and left with her attendants, her skirt sweeping across the remaining snow without the slightest lingering affection.

Yuan Yao puffed out her cheeks in anger and glared at Yuan Shuying's back for a long time.

Qi Ji also watched the woman's back, a strange feeling rising in his heart.

During his time in the palace these past few days, Qi Ji could clearly sense that others looked at him with either awe, curiosity, or joy—all positive emotions. Only this princess had a hint of hostility hidden in her gaze just now.

Not only was she targeting him, but she also harbored an unyielding malice towards her own sister, Yuan Yao.

"What a strange woman," Qi Ji thought to himself.

Yuan Yao lowered her head, kicking the snowflakes on the ground listlessly with her toes, muttering softly, "Really, why is my sister always like this? So annoying..."

Qi Ji flicked his long tail, gently brushing it over her head, and let out a soft whimper as a form of comfort.

They're just fake friends; he'd seen plenty of those in his past life, let alone those from imperial families.

Your sister clearly has ulterior motives; it's not worth worrying about her.

Yuan Yao kicked at the snow, her voice muffled: "Xiao Bai, do you know, ever since I can remember, I've never seen my sister smile at me. I remember once when I was little, I ran over to hug her, but she pushed me away. Her eyes were so scary back then... I felt like she just didn't like me. Over time, I stopped wanting to see her either. Every time I saw her, she would scold me. It's so annoying."

She looked up at Qi Ji, blinking her eyes, and asked, "Xiao Bai, what would you do if you had a sister like this?"

Upon hearing this, Qi Ji raised his front hoof and stomped heavily on the snow, then shook the antlers on his head, making his attitude clear: If I had a relative like this, I would rather not provoke me than face me.

Yuan Yao didn't fully understand what Qi Ji meant and thought he was telling her to bow down and submit.

The little girl immediately pouted and said unhappily, "It's not that I don't want to be with her, it's that she doesn't like me."

She sighed, squatted down, and grabbed the snow on the ground with her small hands, her face full of longing.

"Xiaobai, I heard from the palace nannies that sisters in ordinary families are all very loving. The older sister dotes on the younger sister, and the younger sister is attached to the older sister. They love each other very much... It's so wonderful. Why is my relationship with my older sister not like that anymore?"

Qi Ji looked speechlessly at Yuan Yao, who had a longing expression on her face.

"I didn't ask you to bow down and submit. You've misunderstood, girl. Never mind."

Qi Ji was too lazy to explain, and the little girl wouldn't understand anyway, so he immediately turned around and continued walking forward.

Yuan Yao immediately put her little mood behind her and skipped after him.

As she ran, her eyes suddenly lit up, and she tugged at Qi Ji's tail: "Little White, Little White, can I ride on your back? Just for a little while!"

Qi Ji shook his head decisively without turning his head.

That little girl is quite bold; don't even think about it (・｀ω´・).

"Hey, Xiaobai, just for a little while! Don't be stingy!" Yuanyao kept chasing after her.

Qi Ji quickened his pace, thinking to himself, "You're quick to understand now."

The man and the deer walked one after the other, stepping on the gradually melting snow, towards Jingchen Palace.

... ... ...

As the days passed, the temperature slowly rose, and the snow covering the palace walls and roofs gradually melted, dripping strings of water droplets down the roof tiles, adding a touch of humid warmth to the air.

Jinhua City was exceptionally lively that day.

Carriages and horses from all directions flocked to the north of the city, where a vast and magnificent pavilion was bustling with people.

This place has been entirely booked by the Wanhua Chamber of Commerce, and a large-scale auction that has been in preparation for many days is starting today.

The news had spread throughout the country a week ago, and powerful and wealthy people from all over the country, as well as martial arts heroes, flocked to see what rare treasures the Wanhua Chamber of Commerce could bring out this time.

At noon, a royal procession slowly drove up and stopped at the main entrance of the pavilion.

Su Yanji had already led the members of the Chamber of Commerce to wait below the steps. When the carriage came to a stop, he quickly stepped forward and bowed to greet them.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and King Bilin and Queen Ningshu stepped down side by side, followed by Princess Yuan Shuying, and finally Princess Yuan Yao.

The little girl clung to the cart shaft, her face showing little excitement, but rather a bit listless.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness, Princess, and Little Princess." Su Yanji bowed gracefully, leading the crowd into the hall.

"Mother, what is this place for?" Yuan Yao asked softly, holding the Queen's hand.

"It's an auction, where many rare and precious treasures that are rarely seen will be sold," Queen Ning Shu explained gently.

"Well, selling things here doesn't seem very interesting. I want to go back to the palace to be with Xiaobai," Yuan Yao said, pouting.

As soon as he finished speaking, Yuan Shuying's calm voice came from beside him: "An auction allows you to see different things and broaden your horizons, which is better than being lazy and playing around in the palace."

She spoke with an air of grandeur, but a cold smile flickered in her heart.

Yuan Yao, this is probably the first and last time you'll ever visit an auction.