TWO MONTHS LATER~

Black Jade Inn...

"Elder Fu, you are becoming more and more heartless. How can you charge us with such a high amount? After all, we are MingMing's family. Even though you don't treat us in free but at least, you should not be acting so shamelessly."

It was none other than Wei Min who was complaining about the unfairness that he was facing.

"Young Master Wei, you are well aware that Miss Li..."

Before Elder Fu could complete his sentence, he noticed Li Ming standing at the bottom of the staircase.

Since Wei Min's back was facing her, he did not saw her and continued to complain.

"Of course, it's none other than Mingming herself. She has started bullying poor people like us."

Wei Min once again looked at the bill that he was holding. Looking at the total of eighteen hundred silver taels that he was supposed to pay according to the bill, only made him more miserable.

"Brother Min, is there any problem?"

Suddenly Li Ming's soft and calm voice rang through the room.

The customers who had been leisurely enjoying the service of the Black Jade Inn, all focused their attention towards the silhouette of the beauty who was slowly walking towards the group of Young Masters and Misses of the noble families of the Capital City of the Han Empire.

"Sister Ming, you are finally here."

The Second Young Miss Liang shouted happily as her eyes landed on the lady who was looking as elegant and beautiful as ever.

"En! Did you guys enjoy your time here?" Li Ming asked as she softly patted the girl on her head.

"Sister Ming, we always love to spend our time here. It's just a pity that we only get to see you once in a while." Ji Jin said with a sad look in his eyes.

They all cared about Li Ming as if she was a part of their families. If not for her, almost half of the Young Masters and Misses of the noble families of their Empire could never have become such close friends.

"I wish that I could turn back the wheels of time and return to those carefree days. Unfortunately, we all have grown up now and we all have responsibilities towards our families and jobs." Wei Rong said as he gave Li Ming a soft smile.

"Brother Rong, how's Xiao Kai doing these days?" Li Ming asked as she signaled Elder Fu to take his leave.

The old man was more than happy to obey her as he quickly disappeared from the hall.

"He's as good as possible. You have been spoiling him ever since you returned from the Academy. It's just everyone at home misses you a lot. Why don't you find some time to visit mother and father? Li Qi and Xiao Kai will also love to see you again." Wei Rong suggested.

In those five years when Li Ming was busy learning array formation skills with her master in the isolated mountains, many things changed in the Imperial City.

One of those important changes was that nearly all her friends had gotten married. Not only that but they even had little kids along with beautiful wives.

Xiao Kai was Wei Rong's three years old son while Wei Min's wife was five months into her pregnancy.

In the past years, she also got introduced to the sisters of her friends. Not all of them were carrying pure hearts but Li Ming still succeeded in finding a few who were actually good human beings.

That's how the circle around her improved. She no longer was surrounded by rich men or handsome boys, rather there were also rich ladies and beautiful girls surrounding her now.

"Alright. I promise to soon visit the General's Manor." Li Ming promised as she took a seat beside her friends.

"Mingming, look at this."

Wei Min said as he put the bill on the table in front of the girl.

"What is this?" Li Ming asked as she looked at the man with raised eyebrows.

"Exactly! What is this? How can you charge us so high? Since we are your close friends and family, should not we receive extra benefits? But all that I can see are extra charges." Wei Min was almost on the verge of crying as he complained about the unfairness that was poured on him.

"How shameless you are, brother Min? When you were young and carried pouches of silvers and golds that the old General earned with his hard work, you never once cried after seeing such high prices. Moreover, you even dared to boast about your wealth."

"But now since you have to earn your livelihood on your own and you still are a wealthy person, how come you are acting like a miser?"

Even though her words made everyone laugh at Young Master Min and his distressed state, but they all understood the deep meaning that her words held.

"In the future, you should teach all my children how to become successful in the business sector at such young age. In that way, I won't need to be worried about them emptying my family's little treasury." Ji Jin commented as he looked at the girl with hopeful eyes.

But the scoffs and sneers that he received from his friends made him roll his eyes, something that he learned from Li Ming, before he turned his focus on the fruit salad which was sitting in front of him.

Li Ming just shook her head at their childish acts before she turned her attention to Wei Min.

The poor man could do nothing other than taking out two big notes from his sleeves and giving them to her with a heavy heart.

She did not waste even a single second grabbing those notes. When it came to business, she won't spare anyone.

She was about to excuse herself so that she could leave for her evening visits to the Demon Realm when one of her guards entered the hall in a hurry.

"Master, one of Heaven's gatekeepers is here with a Golden Royal Decree!"