Spring's Lilac Snow

02

Stopping at the aisle just before the very back, Lihua made a soundless turn to the right. With a purpose in every movement, she gracefully reached for a multitude of rare herbs in such a fashion that would make one think that they were simply common vegetables. While she was running through a mental checklist, Lihua closely examined at the herbs comparing them to see which one was of higher quality as she mumbled under her breath, reminding herself of what herbs she had been needing to buy.

"-Blood Root Chamomile, Jade Shoot Leaf, Freezing Orchid, Thousand Needle Bamboo-" 

When her voice became too soft to hear, she had already stopped her motions. Only after running through her list once more did her heart settle down. Unhooking a dimensional pouch that was on her waist, she carefully placed each herb in. Once that entire attentive set of actions was finished, only then did Lihua's countenance return to a familiar calm. In a relaxed manner, Lihua did not show any plan of heading back out, but instead continued to browse through the valuable herbs.

She no longer mumbled, and spoke peacefully as if she were giving advise to herself, " Mingxia has been feeling nauseous and getting stomach pains along with headaches. That means I should get a Five Leafed Pixie Rose, some Ten Year Peach Roots..."

A few hours unknowingly passed, and Lihua ultimately decided to wrap up her shopping her and leave the herb hall in order to finish some other errands. As the eldest daughter of the Liu Family, Lihua had always took it upon herself to look after the well being of her family. Learning medicine was just a byproduct of that mindset. A byproduct. That's how she always thought and that was how she explained it to others. 

However, at the end of the day it was her terrifying determination was the key to getting a step closer to her goal. When contemplating about how young she was when she started this mindset, it really did appear take a very long time before a seven year old was able to gain the trust of adults. To attempt to assure them with no credibility on her person that she would give it her all and persevere till they were willing to place even the pitiful size of trust in her. This was also perhaps what gave her the standing she has right now, and why the all powerful Dragon Claw Hall would be willing to place so much trust in her.

Exiting the hallway with a spirited mood, a gentle smile heightened the beauty of her delicate features. When searching for Manager Lin, she noticed that he seemed to be in a deep conversation with a elderly who gave off an air of importance. Not wanting to disturb them, Lihua thoughtfully began to look around the store. 

Originally, Lihua would have never taken the initiative to shop in their actual store. That was not because she was being conceited with her privileges given in the hall, but due to the fact that there was never a need when she could concoct her own medicine and create her own pills.

While examining the grade and quality of a healing elixir, Lihua found that she was very strongly nudged with strong hostility from the other party. Setting down the elixir in fear of getting it damaged by accident, Lihua turned around to face a young lady who she was positive she had never met before. Just as Lihua was about to open her mouth to ask this young lady if she accidentally hit her or not, she was called over by Manager Lin.

In a professional and polite tone, he called out, "Miss Liu, I apologize for the wait. Have you finished gathering you herbs?"

Responding to his question Lihua stepped towards him while speaking in a soothingly voicing, "Yes, I have finished. " After a momentary pause she spoke up once again, "Have you gathered the other materials for my mother?"

Letting out a smile that said of course, Manager Lin led Lihua over to the Dragon Claw Hall's counter near the back of the store.  While cautiously handing the other herbs and materials over to Lihua, he repeated the phrase he always said when Lihua appeared, "You know Miss Liu, I say this every time, but you really don't need to pay for these purchases."

She didn't reply and only gave a courteous smile before handing over the list of items she had chosen and asked, "This should amount to 13,000 silvers." She then stared directly into his eyes, then with a sweet smile and crescent eyes then checked with him, "Did I calculate correctly?" 

Manager Lin could only sigh and massage his glabella and reminded himself, she's a stubborn girl when it comes down to it. Accepting the silvers he strode into the inner parts of the Dragon Claw Hall to store them away.

Lihua was quite ready to start heading over to the embroidery shop now. However, this ideal schedule was delayed by the young lady who had elbowed her before. In a vicious shrill voice the unidentified young lady began scorning her.

"You little spoiled princess! You think that you can just strut all around like you own everything in this area? You thought that you were the most wealthy, most beautiful, and most talented girl here? We'll now that you've encounter me you can't speak of any of these can you!"

In a disdainful and taunting voice the inelegant action of this young girl caught the surrounding crowd's attention. 

"What? Can't say anything?"

In the presence of this vulgar phrasing and actions, Lihua really didn't know what to say. In the end, she tried to make some sense out of the situation by cordially asking the young lady, "Excuse me Miss, but I can't seem to remember meeting you before. Is this a misunderstanding?"

Lihua's attempt was coldly cut off by the young lady, "No, it is not a misunderstanding. I notice you, every time you go shopping in this area you act like everywhere you shop at they should know who you are and cater to you." Taking in another deep breath she continued, "Also, you and I both attend the same academy. The famed Celestial Nine Skies Academy, but do I ever get any recognition from the academy. No! I never do!" 

By now she was heaving breaths of air heavily. Her ranting had attracted so much attention that even if Lihua wished to continue with her day and leave this building area, she would no be able to without creating a huge fuss. 

"As a matter of fact, I've heard that you haven't even taken the placing test for the academy in over 2 years, but you still get to keep you ranking! How unfair is that!"

The guards had only been able to reach her through the crowd after a time frame of a long rant.

"I, Xu Yueyun, challenge you to a battle!" 

Showing her identification badge which proved her identity as a student of the academy made it unavoidable for Lihua to decline the battle as she was within the top ten ranking of the academy. Letting out a light sigh, Lihua changed the weight of her feet slightly as a precaution and declared, "When and where?"

As a rather hot-headed fellow, Xu Yueyun, had thought that she would be at the advantage of being prepared if they fought right away, so that was what she replied.

Lihua always had it in her nature to observe her surroundings and the mood of the people around her. As she could tell that Manager Lin was worried about having the entrance of the Dragon Claw Hall would be ruined, so she faced Xu Yueyun and gingerly offered to head over to a battle arena or a area of space that didn't have stores all around.

Xu Yueyun, haughtily nodded and led the way, Lihua lagged behind her, and the rest of the crowd trailing behind them probably just wanted to watch a show.

A sudden halt came from Xu Yueyun and she swiftly turned around a whipped out 2 daggers out of nowhere and dashed towards Lihua. The crowd was alarmed by the speed of Xu Yueyun and began hoping for the best for the delicate looking young lady facing her. Contrary to their frightened faces, the young lady merely held a long silk cloth in her hand and seemingly waited for the girl. Completely different from what they thought would transpire happened. They didn't even blink, but still couldn't identify what had happened. 

The two daggers were in the young lady's left hand while the girl named Xu Yueyun was pinned to the ground an lying in a small crater. Two words left the mouth of the trembling girl, "I surrender." Once those words were uttered, the silken cloth seemingly lost its strength and wrapped itself around the young lady's waist. Then two cracked and chipped daggers were thrown onto the ground right beside Xu Yueyun. 

The ostensibly delicate young girl gave a serene smile and collectedly strolled back to where the just come from.