Do you know: I am Qi Heng

The trip to Daxiangguo Temple was something he and He Hongwen had arranged beforehand.

But during the break yesterday, Sheng Changfeng asked him where he was going to play during his day off, and Qi Heng didn't think much of it and said he was going to Da Xiangguo.

Sheng Changfeng immediately said he wanted to go and see as well, and even suggested that they go together.

Mo Lan wanted to go too. Ru Lan naturally wanted to go as well, and even dragged Ming Lan along.

At lunchtime, they told their parents that Madam Wang didn't want Rulan to go, but they couldn't persuade her otherwise, so they had to agree.

So all the Sheng siblings came.

"How lively!"

Rulan looked at the crowds at the entrance of Daxiangguo Temple, stood on tiptoe to look out, and exclaimed in amazement.

Although the Sheng family had been in the capital for several months, this was Rulan's first visit to the Daxiangguo Temple.

The Sheng family had many connections in Bianjing that needed to be maintained, and when Madam Wang first arrived in Bianjing, she simply didn't have the time.

Later, the school's opening hours and the days off from school didn't match the opening days of the Great Xiangguo Temple.

"After all, it's the largest market in Bianjing, where you can find almost any kind of goods, so it's naturally bustling," Qi Heng said with a smile.

Rulan said, "Brother Yuanruo, I heard that the Third Gate sells birds, cats, dogs, and rare animals. Why don't we go check it out there first?"

"What's so interesting about livestock and wild animals? Why don't we go to the Buddhist temple first? I heard that they sell the Four Treasures of the Study there. You can find many famous paintings and calligraphy, ancient books and rubbings, and many scholars set up platforms there to meet and exchange ideas."

Mo Lan smiled and said, "It not only attracts countless celebrities and scholars, but also many people who come to join in the fun."

Rulan glared at Molan with some displeasure upon hearing this, and was about to speak when Sheng Changbai said, "Since it's a sightseeing trip, we can just stroll along."

After Sheng Changbai finished speaking, he glanced at the two of them without leaving a trace.

Seeing his admonishing look, Rulan and Molan immediately became obedient.

It is said that the eldest brother is like a father. As the eldest son, Sheng Changbai is mature beyond his years and has a special position in the family.

Even Madam Wang was not allowed to enter Sheng Hong's study without permission.

Of the entire Sheng family, only Sheng Changbai could enter at any time without Sheng Hong's permission.

"Brother Zecheng is right."

Qi Heng smiled and said, "Many of you are here for the first time, so it would be best to stroll around at your leisure."

After discussing it, the group followed the flow of people into the Daxiangguo Temple.

The so-called "Three Great Gates" refers to the entrance to the Daxiangguo Temple.

In the vast square, many tents were neatly erected, forming commercial streets that resembled regular streets.

The area selling rare birds and animals was frequented by wealthy young men and socialites.

The animals sold here aren't for food, they're pets.

No matter the time, those who have the leisure and inclination to keep pets are never poor.

Therefore, those who stroll around this area are naturally either rich or noble.

The stalls on both sides mainly sell cats and dogs, but there are also many uncommon wild animals, and even some wild animals.

Rulan gasped in surprise, while Molan and Minglan also glanced at her repeatedly.

Only Qi Heng and Sheng Changbai remained calm, while even He Hongwen and Sheng Changfeng looked around, their gazes lingering on some of the ferocious beasts.

"How come this cat is so big?"

Rulan saw a cat in a cage, much larger than the ones she had seen before, and with a majestic air about it. She walked up and asked, "Shopkeeper, how much is this cat?"

"Young lady, this is not a cat, but a mountain spirit!" the shopkeeper said.

"Mountain lord?"

Rulan looked somewhat bewildered upon hearing this.

"Mountain Lord is a big worm, a tiger," Mo Lan said disdainfully.

"ah!"

Rulan was so frightened that her face changed color and she quickly retreated.

Qi Heng was chatting with Sheng Changbai when he heard the exclamation and turned around, only to be knocked off balance by the noise.

"Young master, are you alright?" Buwei asked anxiously.

Sheng Changbai glared at Rulan and snapped, "What are you doing in such a panic?"

"Old... tiger..."

Rulan pointed at the cage, her face pale.

"I'm fine!"

Qi Heng waved his hand at Buwei and laughed when he heard this, "That's just a tiger cub, and it's locked in a cage, so there's no danger."

Rulan finally breathed a sigh of relief, still shaken. Although there were many stories about tigers being killed in folklore, there were even more stories about tigers eating people.

Upon hearing the word "tiger," she was so frightened that her mind went blank, and she forgot to think.

Remembering that she had bumped into Qi Heng earlier, Ru Lan blushed slightly, bowed slightly, and said, "I'm so sorry, I disturbed Brother Yuan Ruo just now!"

"It's alright!"

Qi Heng said, "Things that are allowed to be brought into the market are definitely safe. Even if they are wild beasts, there is no need to be afraid."

"Thank you for reminding me, Brother Yuanruo."

After thanking her, Rulan glared at Molan, feeling that Molan had definitely done it on purpose.

If she had stayed a little further away from the cage, even if she knew it was a tiger, she wouldn't have been so terrified.

Seeing that Rulan was frightened, the shopkeeper apologized repeatedly and even offered to give her a cat as compensation.

Rulan wanted to accept it, but Sheng Changbai glanced at her and immediately refused.

After that, she saw things she had never seen before, but she didn't dare to go closer to look.

"Huh~"

Qi Heng's gaze inadvertently swept over a stall, and he walked over.

Arriving at a cage at the stall, he squatted down to examine it, a slight smile appearing on his lips.

"Brother Yuanruo, what is this?"

Rulan looked around curiously and saw a black and white dumpling curled up in the cage, sleeping with its back facing outwards.

Even though there were many animals she had never seen before, she could still roughly identify them by some of their characteristics.

But she couldn't recognize this black and white dumpling.

"This is an iron-eating beast," Qi Heng said with a smile.

I didn't expect to see giant pandas here, but considering that there must have been quite a few of them in ancient times, it's not surprising that I saw one.

"An iron-eating beast?"

Rulan looked somewhat bewildered and asked, "Does it eat iron?"

"Legend has it that the Iron-Eating Beast was Chi You's mount."

Mo Lan said calmly, "Legend has it that some people in Shu saw the Iron-Eating Beast run into their homes and lick iron utensils, hence the name Iron-Eating Beast."

"The Fourth Sister is truly learned!"

Qi Heng said, "I didn't expect you to know even these things."

Mo Lan smiled brightly upon hearing Qi Heng's praise: "I just read it in my spare time."

Qi Heng looked at the giant panda in the cage, somewhat hesitant.

In later generations, people would have to buy tickets in advance to see this thing, and even then, whether they could see it depended on whether the people involved cooperated.

Now he has the opportunity to raise one all by himself, which is indeed very tempting.

Moreover, since there is a bamboo grove in their own yard, they can also spend money to buy some bamboo shoots.

Qi Heng hesitated because he was worried that if he actually bought it and brought it home, Princess Pingning would see that he was "wasting his time on frivolous things" and might die mysteriously while he was not at home.

"Sir, this iron-eating beast is very easy to raise."

Seeing that Qi Heng had the desire to buy, the shopkeeper immediately introduced it enthusiastically: "It usually eats bamboo and bamboo shoots, and it's very friendly."

"Eating bamboo?"

When Rulan heard about eating bamboo, she unconsciously took two steps back.

It's obviously untrue to say that it eats iron, since it's kept in an iron cage.

But bamboo is so hard, it's no less tough than iron, and the thought of that makes one feel fear.

"How much?" Qi Heng asked.

After some hesitation, he decided to buy it anyway. Firstly, he genuinely liked it. Secondly, this thing was hard to sell; even if someone bought it, it would be out of novelty and they wouldn't care whether it lived or died.

If Princess Pingning is adamant, we can simply send her to be released into the Qinling Mountains.

"One hundred taels of silver."

After the shopkeeper finished speaking, worried that Qi Heng might think it was too expensive, he explained, "This is a half-grown cub. It usually stays with the larger beasts and is very difficult to catch. I bought it from a hunter and didn't make much profit."

"Fifty taels. You can take it if you agree, or you can keep it for yourself," Qi Heng said.

The shopkeeper hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "Fine, it depends on whether you really like it. I definitely wouldn't buy it from anyone else at this price."

Qi Heng smiled, not exposing him, and said, "It's not about giving money, but about sending it to the carriage!"