The auction hosted by the Yangzhou Chamber of Commerce took place as scheduled in the city’s largest Tile Theater.
What had been a commonplace treasure bid suddenly drew the attention of numerous merchants due to rumors circulating in the streets.
The Crown Prince would bid on the soul revival pill, jointly refined by several renowned physicians, for his maternal grandmother.
The sudden rumor spread like wildfire through every alley and avenue.
On the day of the auction, seats were impossible to find.
Bidding against the Crown Prince was a novel and boast-worthy experience for the merchants.
In the viewing balcony on the second floor, ornate eight-treasure boxes overflowed with fruits and candied snacks, while fragrant tea wafted gently. Maidservants fanned the air, and pageboys kneaded legs—a display of extravagance in the packed Tile Theater.
In addition to the merchants, high officials and nobles also arrived in droves.
Outside the Tile Theater, luxurious carriages and fine horses clogged the streets amid a cacophony of noise.
A youth who arrived grandly by stepping across the rooftops of the jammed carriages drew everyone’s attention.
Personally escorted by the chamber’s vice president, the youth strode in with square steps into the second-floor viewing balcony, determined to claim Painter Qin Baohai’s masterpiece.
The cocky youth snapped open his jade-ribbed folding fan and irritably told Zou Kai beside him, “Whoever dares bid against This Prince today, you chop them down.”
Zou Kai stood with arms crossed and eyes shut, a jeweled dagger tucked in his elbow.
A commotion came from the neighboring balcony. The youth leaned over to look—it was an old man and a young one traveling together. The elder’s face was full of wrinkles, while the other wore a cloak with the hood covering most of his face.
Even from the exposed jawline, it was clear he was a handsome young gentleman with excellent bone structure.
“Who’s that?”
The youth asked impatiently.
A Tile Theater pageboy waiting nearby bowed and replied, “An out-of-town salt merchant, possibly here to take over several major trades from Yangzhou’s top traders.”
“Tch!” The youth unwittingly revealed his disdain. “Fail to steal a chicken and lose the rice used to lure it—end up making wedding clothes for others. People really can’t be too greedy. Zou Kai, agree.”
Zou Kai, without opening his eyes, grunted “Mm.”
On the auction platform, the chamber president personally served as auctioneer and first had several exotic treasures brought out to warm up the crowd.
The bidding kicked off, the main show began, and it grew fiercely intense. In contrast, the second-floor balconies remained eerily quiet.
The Crown Prince had not appeared—could the street rumors be wrong?
Several major merchants who came for him felt disappointed until the chamber president had Painter Qin Baohai’s Wandering Scales Painting brought up.
Connoisseurs closely examined the roaming scales on the painting—at first glance fish, upon closer look, dragons!
Lifelike, almost leaping off the canvas.
“Magnificent, as expected from Master Qin.”
The chamber president smiled. “Every one of Master Qin’s works is a classic. This latest piece is called ‘Hidden Dragon,’ starting bid one hundred taels.”
“One thousand taels!”
The youth on the second floor lazily raised his hand, a smug smile on his lips—a sure thing.
“This Prince is determined to have Master Qin’s painting. Gentlemen, please bid.”
One thousand taels… The merchants whispered among themselves, mockingly calling themselves uncultured philistines who wouldn’t pretend to appreciate art.
“One thousand three hundred taels.”
Wei Yangwan’s timely smile froze at the corner of his eye as he looked in surprise at the White-Haired Old Man in the neighboring balcony.
The White-Haired Old Man met his gaze steadily, neither humble nor arrogant.
The youth sneered. “One thousand five hundred taels.”
“Two thousand taels.”
Not only the youth—even the unflappable Zou Kai craned his neck to peek next door.
The youth’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Three thousand taels.”
“Three thousand five hundred taels.”
“Four thousand taels!”
“Four thousand three hundred taels.”
“Ten thousand taels!”
“Ten thousand one hundred taels.”
Blood rushed to Wei Yangwan’s head. He rolled his eyes and pressed his philtrum. “Twenty thousand taels!”
Zou Kai tugged at the youth’s sleeve. “Your Highness, be cautious—be cautious.”
The youth shook off Zou Kai’s hand and glared furiously at the old man and youth next door.
The hooded young man had a faint trace of a smile on his lips, murmuring something indistinct.
The youth narrowed his eyes and vaguely made out “idiot,” but he had no proof.
The chamber president, barely containing his laughter, called out loudly, “Twenty thousand taels, any more bids? Once, twice—sold!”
The crowd clapped in congratulations to the idiot—er, to the youth who was so determined to win.
Wei Yangwan’s innards aflame, he floated lightly back to his rosewood chair and viciously bit into an untested fuzzy peach.
“Pah, pah.”
He spat out the peach, sat cross-legged on the rosewood chair in a huff, lost all interest in the subsequent treasures, and idly waited until the final item—the soul revival pill.
“Crown Prince Brother didn’t show up.” Wei Yangwan muttered through gritted teeth.
Down on the first-floor seats, merchants were already bidding.
Only a sparse few.
The last bidder called out fifty taels.
Silence fell around.
The chamber president asked, “Any more bids? Once, twice, sol—”
“One hundred taels.”
The newcomer said it offhandedly, instantly whetting everyone’s appetite.
The Crown Prince, clad in snow-white robes, arrived fashionably late, led by the vice president to the prime viewing balcony. Two ranks of guards followed imposingly.
Wei Yangwan stared at his imperial brother and hooked his scarlet lips. “Two hundred taels.”
Wei Xichen, who had just sat, glanced faintly across. “Three hundred taels.”
“Five hundred taels.”
“One thousand taels.”
Fueled by rivalry, the youth gave a wicked grin. “Ten thousand taels.”
The crowd erupted.
The young salt merchant in the neighboring balcony sipped his fragrant tea, not joining in.
Wei Xichen remained utterly composed. “Twenty thousand taels.”
The youth’s fighting spirit undimmed. “Thirty thousand taels.”
Gasps rose one after another, the noise unrelenting.
Wei Xichen tapped the fingertips resting on his leg. “Forty thousand taels.”
“Fifty thousand taels!”
Watching the youth bristle like a fighting cock, those who guessed the Crown Prince was there to perform filial piety saw him quirk his lips and raise a hand in a humble yielding gesture, leaving the bristling youth dumbfounded.
Not competing? Yielding to him? Why not yield the Heir Apparent position too?
The chamber president took over. “What a thrilling auction! Fifty thousand taels once, twice, sol—”
“Plus one tael.”
Wei Xichen’s words let the nearly suffocating youth breathe again. He slumped back into his chair, hands dangling limply.
Good, good.
The chamber president didn’t forget to ask the youth, “Third Prince, will you raise?”
“Scram!”
The White-Haired Old Man next door chuckled. “The Crown Prince still cares greatly about his reputation.”
The young salt merchant rose and left first.
Purpose achieved, no need to linger.
Wei Yangwan jumped up and rushed to Qin Baohai. What he expected to settle for one thousand taels had ballooned twentyfold.
The youth chatted cheerfully with Master Qin, inwardly bleeding.
Meanwhile, the Crown Prince who obtained the soul revival pill handed the small medicine box to Fu Zhongcai and left directly, with no intention of sending it to his grandmother.
A miraculous elixir? All hype.
Upon returning to the post station, the Deputy Guard Commander hurriedly came forward.
“The Governor sent a subordinate to deliver the person Your Highness was looking for.”
Wei Xichen’s mild countenance sharpened.
Hearing that the Crown Prince had been forced by reputation to appear at the auction, the little County Princess dragged Jiang Yinyue into gales of laughter.
“I’m telling you…” Cui Shihan laughed until she doubled over. “Forcing the Crown Prince to buy a reputation for filial piety at fifty thousand taels—the chamber president is brilliant.”
Jiang Yinyue, perched on the rooftop, asked, “Does the chamber president have the guts? Or was someone fanning the flames?”
“Possible.”
No matter who fanned the flames, the utterly refreshed Cui Shihan downed a gulp of wine. “Learning the Crown Prince got fleeced—pure bliss! You know how cautious he is; outsiders rarely get a chance to scheme against him. He met his match this time.”
Jiang Yinyue propped her cheek, lacking Cui Shihan’s glee. Her feelings for Wei Xichen had faded to indifference; whatever he went through stirred no ripples in her heart.
“County Princess! Bad news for the County Princess!”
Cui Shihan, annoyed by the butler’s clamor, snapped impatiently, “What is it? Speak slowly.”
“Mr. Gong fell into the Crown Prince’s hands! Sent to the yamen prison!”
“!!!”
At midday under the blazing sun, sweltering heat pressed down. Cui Shihan charged straight to the yamen prison under the fierce sun and, unsurprisingly, was blocked outside the iron bars by the jailers.
Faint cries of agony from Mr. Gong echoed from within the bars. Cui Shihan raged, “Make way!”
Recognizing the girl, the jailer dropped the polite tone and said firmly, “No relation, no visiting prisoners!”
“Who says no relation?” Cui Shihan shoved the jailer—her petite frame packing surprising strength. “Old acquaintance, here to visit!”
“Visiting Gong Fei requires the Crown Prince’s approval.”
The seemingly furious girl shook out her silver whip and pointed it angrily at the yamen runner. “Move or not?!”
The silver whip cracked in the air.
But under the Crown Prince’s orders, all the bluster was empty posturing. The jailer calmly said, “Sorry, just following rules.”
“Crack!”
“Ah! Huai Jin County Princess hit someone!”
The yamen runner who took the blow on his arm collapsed to the ground.
Jailers rushing over tried to seize the whip but were blocked by the County Princess Mansion’s escorts.
The two groups brawled.
Jiang Yinyue, arriving with Hong Mei and other female guards, hurriedly said, “Pull them apart!”
The scene devolved into chaos until a cold command froze all three groups in place.
“Cease, or face execution by staff.”
A large contingent of guards surrounded the three groups, drawing long sabers with metallic rasps.
“Shing.”
“Shing shing.”
Wei Xichen stood behind a row of guards.
Ignoring Jiang Yinyue’s obstruction, Cui Shihan pushed through the ranks of people and glared at the impassive Heir Apparent. “Your Highness demanded Mr. Gong retire from the world—he did so. Why make him a prisoner?”
“He escaped.”
“Could he escape alone?”
Wei Xichen smiled faintly. “This Prince also wants to know how he escaped.”
“So you torture an elder with harsh interrogation?”
“To spare Mr. Gong suffering, will the County Princess enlighten This Prince?”
Another agonized scream rose from the prison. Cui Shihan yanked her arm free from Jiang Yinyue’s tight grip. “It’s the deeds of a righteous outlaw who can’t stand Your Highness bullying an old man! Satisfied with that answer, Your Highness?”
“Think again.” Wei Xichen flicked his sleeve, and jailers rushed into the cell. Gong Fei’s screams grew louder, snapping the string in Cui Shihan’s mind.
The girl fumed, “Tell them to stop!”
Wei Xichen’s smile didn’t fade.
“Stop!” The girl suddenly charged at the Heir Apparent.
“Your Highness!”
The guards turned their blade tips toward Cui Shihan.
Wei Xichen, brushing aside the girl, shed his mildness to reveal cold authority without anger. “Huai Jin County Princess, you’ve truly astonished This Prince.”
Daring to assault the Heir Apparent.
“Seize her.”
“No.” Jiang Yinyue hugged the girl and met Wei Xichen’s cold gaze. “Your Highness deliberately provoked the County Princess—what difference from luring her into a trap?”
“Why would This Prince provoke her? What’s your basis?”
“Your Highness deliberately leaked the news to draw the County Princess here, didn’t you?”
Watching Jiang Yinyue desperately defend an outsider, Wei Xichen wondered when they had forged such loyalty.
Whoever he targeted, she defended.
“No distinguishing right from wrong anymore?”
When news that Gong Fei had been sniped reached the post station, Wei Xichen had secretly sent men to notify officials in cities near Yangzhou.
An old man with poor mobility and frail health couldn’t withstand long journeys; the most likely spot was somewhere with similar climate to Yangzhou.
After months of baiting, the hot-tempered elder couldn’t suppress his rage and clashed publicly with those who had slandered the Yide Empress.
Little did he know, they were the bait.