One day, at the Fa Port, there was a large merchant ship with a large pure white flag. The flag had an eagle emblem. I listened around and found out it that the massive ship belongs to the infamous Bai family. In the past life, even while I was isolated from society, I still heard of the Bai's name. I know they were one of the top merchant family - many of the things used in the capital city were traded with the Bai Family. Even the Fa family is second to the Bai.

Standing to the side and helping carrying the small packages, I didn't think any further but to do my usual job. It wasn't until I heard a loud commotion and the sound of an angry horse that I turned my attention to the large ship. That was when I saw a beautiful pure white horse bind by several ropes held by 6 men. The horse was small - still very young so I was shocked to see how rough the men were handling it. Watching the horrible scene, I noticed the horse sad empty eyes - clouded white. The beautiful pure white horse was blind. A horse value was its sight - without it, how could anyone ride it?

The Bai wanted to dock their ship for 7 days to do business before heading back out to sea. I saw dozens and dozens of men going in and out the ship carrying so many valuable things to be sold or trade. But the only interesting item to be was the pure white horse, angrily caged in the solitary wooden stall all by itself. I was frightened that it was hurting itself as the wood doors rumble each time the wild horse slams it body into the door. It wanted to be free - it desperately wanted to be free.

"Little Lan, do not get close to that horse"

An old horse groomer told me as he noticed my interest toward the horse.

"It's wild and dangerous even for me" He warned me sternly.

For the next two days, I spent most of my time, in the horse stable. Despite the warning, I slowly got closer to the solitary stable with the horse that always bangs itself to the door. I stood outside the door and carefully put the tray of food and water under the door - each time, the horse would kick it away. Each time, I'm covered in water and food. While the other groomer laughed at me, I didn't mind. In a way, I noticed the wild horse temperament was that of a small spoil child - similar to my old self. If things don't go the way I wanted it, I would toss and throw things too. Picking myself up, I tried again to give the horse food and water.

By the third day, when I arrived to the port, I was eager to head to the horse stable when I saw several men dragging the white horse out to the center of the port. From the crowd, I knew the horse was being display for purchase. But the most heartbreaking thing was how rough the men were as they tried to still the horse for the crowd to look at it. The horse was being whipped into submission and yet it refused to bow its head.

"Please, stop! You're hurting it"

I rushed through the crowd and grabbed onto the man's arm with the whip in his hand. The man easily shoved me away from him.

"Boy, what are you doing?" The man glared angrily at me. "This is no place for a child. Leave immediately"

"D_ Don't hit the horse, you're only making it angrier" I got up, refusing to back down. "It will never submit even if you beat it to death"

"Then let it die" The man smirked. "This animal should know its place. its value is already inferior and yet it dares to act so arrogantly, it deserves to be beaten"

"If you beat it to death, how will you sell it?"

I had to reason with him, find a way to make him stop hitting the horse that is already hurt and bruised. Before I had another chance to argue, I was shoved harder to the ground. Clearly, the man will not tolerate a child talking back to him.

"Qiang, why are you rough with that child?"

"Master Bai" The man with the whip quickly cupped his hand and bowed his head low.

I was helped up by the the man called Master Bai. Like my grandfather, this man had a refine aura. But while grandfather held a humble elegance, this Master Bai was grander with his white and gold trim robe and neatly made hair held up in a perfect bun. One look and anyone could see he was wealthy.

"Master Bai, this child is causing trouble" The man said coldly, his eyes clearly were blaming me for being scolded by his master.

"Is that so..." The old man looked at me, studying me from head to toe before asking. "State your name child"

I hesitated. Then I cupped my head and bow my head respectfully to answer him.

"Fa Wei Lan"

I never told anyone at the port my full name. Grandfather had told everyone when he first brought me that my name was Lan and that was it. No one questioned further. Now that I said my name, I only hope that my grandfather won't be angry by it.

"Fa Wei Lan" The older man repeated surprisingly gently.

Everyone at the port froze and I knew they were questioning my relation to Fa He Long.

"Master Bai" I had to fix the problem before my grandfather gets involved, that way the only thing that crosses my mind as I spoke. "Please forgive Wei Lan for speaking out... Wei Lan meant no disrespect toward Master Bai"

"But you already cause trouble for me child, seeing that you disturbed my men as they were trying to sell this horse"

I bit my lips because I couldn't deny that fact. I kept my head low, trying to resolve this.

"If that is the case, please allow Wei Lan to purchase the horse"

"Oh, well" Master Bai smiled. "Then that would be perfect"

"Master Bai! How could you sell this horse to a child?"

"As long one can pay for the horse, I do not care who it's sold to" The old man firmly spoke with stern eyes that caused everyone to lower their head in fear. "Is it your place to question me?"

"O_ Of course not. Forgive me master_ I am only concern that this child is incapable of paying for the horse"

That matter was true. I had offered to buy the horse without any money. This matter is not simple at all.

"The horse starting price is 50 gold teal" The old man went straight to the point as his eyes returned to me. "Since no one bid for the horse, I am willing to sell it to you for that base price"

50 gold teal was not cheap. A normal horse was only 5 gold teal but this horse bred was pure white and even with blind eyes, it could be sold for a high price. I was silent as I realized the situation I put myself in. When the man name Qiang burst out laughing, people knew that I was only a child without money. They even thought that I had lied about my name.

"Master Bai" I ignored the laughter and lifted my head to speak calmly. "Wei Lan is only a child so Master Bai must already is aware that Wei Lan does not have the 50 gold teal"

"Master Bai, I told you, you must punish the boy for_"

The old man cut off his words sharply with a lift of a hand - dismissing him completely. His eyes were studying me. If I flinched, the older man would punish me and no one would stop him.

"Child, now I'm greatly disappointed seeing that you were causing trouble to my business"

"Master Bai" I cupped my hand. "Please allow Wei Lan to pay for the horse"

"You admitted in having no gold. How will you pay for it?"

"Master Bai, you brought 500 carts of goods to be traded and sold. From Wei Lan's understanding, the values of the goods are worth over 500 gold teal, is that correct?"

The old man smiled, clearly impressed.

"Master Bai, if you allow Wei Lan to sell the goods for you, Wei Lan will sell everything here for 600 gold teal... will that be sufficient as payment?"

When the crowd laughed at me again, I kept my expression calm as possible. I was terrified, but I had to pretend to be calm. It was like standing in front of a tiger, if I move or show fear, it would bite my head off.

"Very well, if you're able to sell everything for 600 gold teal, I will give you the horse. However..." The old man voice went cold. "If you cannot meet this requirement, I will sell you instead"

My heart froze at the cold, serious words.

"Do you understand, Fa Wei Lan?"

"Wei Lan understands..."

"Do not give the child anymore trouble" Master Bai turned to his men. "Take the horse back to the stable"

Although they were troubled, they did as ordered.

"You have 4 days child"

The old man gave me one last look before walking away.