“Everyone, please be quiet, quiet. I am Bai Nianlong, the master of the Linglong Pavilion. Today marks our once-every-three-years grand auction. I believe everyone has read the rules before entering, so everything will be determined by your bids. Now, let me invite our Honglian to perform a dance for you all. Please welcome Miss Honglian.”
The woman raised her arm to signal the crowd, waiting for the room to settle before turning to invite someone from behind the red silk curtain. With a light laugh, she gracefully stepped aside.
As she left, the surrounding curtains dropped, and multicolored lights illuminated the hall. Wanqing looked up in surprise—embedded in the ceiling were crystal beads of varying hues, casting a dazzling glow.
The sight left Wanqing speechless. Clearly, the Linglong Pavilion was no ordinary place. To create such an elaborate lighting effect with so many precious pearls was no small feat, and the cost alone must have been staggering. The thought of the upcoming auction filled her with even greater anticipation.
An auction house willing to spend so lavishly must surely offer items of extraordinary value.
Fireworks burst in the air as a woman in red descended onto the stage, holding onto a long rope. Her sleeves and skirt were tailored into the shape of lotus petals, making her appear as if she were floating down like a blossom.
Her figure was enchanting, her face exquisitely beautiful yet untouchably noble. As she twirled, the long silk ribbons in her hands moved with her wrists, making her resemble a red lotus blooming on a summer night.
Alluring, breathtaking, yet radiating an air of unapproachable elegance.
“What a stunning woman.”
“Miss Honglian is like a red lotus—captivating yet impossible to defile.”
Her graceful dance and peerless beauty left the audience spellbound, murmuring in admiration.
Even Wanqing, as a woman, found herself entranced. If Mu Wanxia and Wu Qingyang were considered beauties in Daqi, then this Honglian was nothing short of a celestial being among lotuses.
Amidst the awe, Wanqing couldn’t help but glance at Sun Fengyu beside her.
“Brother Sun, isn’t Miss Honglian beautiful?” she asked softly, noticing the lack of infatuation in his eyes—only a fleeting disdain.
“She is beautiful, but she’s just a songstress,” Sun Fengyu replied, his tone laced with undisguised scorn.
“Then what kind of woman would you consider a true beauty? Someone like my elder sister or Princess Qingyang?”
Unconvinced by his dismissiveness, Wanqing pressed further.
“Qing’er, I was merely commenting on Miss Honglian. Why bring others into this? Even Prince Ning and Cold Heir are captivated. It seems no matter how noble a man’s status, his tastes remain shallow,” Sun Fengyu sighed, feigning helplessness as he chastised her lightly. His gaze swept over the mesmerized men around them, his disdain evident.
“Brother Sun, you misunderstand. Miss Honglian is genuinely beautiful, and her dance is extraordinary. Not everyone watching her has ulterior motives—some might simply appreciate her artistry.”
Wanqing countered, glancing at Prince Ning and Cold Mingye nearby, both of whom wore expressions of calm admiration. Sun Fengyu’s face stiffened slightly at her retort, but before he could respond, petals began to rain from above.
Amid the fluttering petals, Honglian paused like a blooming lotus, bowing gracefully to the audience. “Thank you all, thank you.”
Thunderous applause and cheers erupted, with Wanqing joining enthusiastically.
“It seems Honglian’s performance has delighted everyone. With that, let the auction officially begin. The first item up for bid today is none other than Miss Honglian herself. The highest bidder will become her master, with the right to command her in any way.”
As the cheers subsided, Bai Nianlong reappeared, announcing the start of the auction and revealing the first item: Honglian, standing beside her in red.
“Miss Honglian? This is…” Wanqing’s eyes widened in shock.
“It’s tradition for the Linglong Pavilion to auction off someone they’ve trained for three years as the opening bid. Let’s see who wins the beauty,” Sun Fengyu remarked indifferently, unfazed by Wanqing’s surprise.
“Miss Honglian, such a stunning woman. I’ll start the bidding—3,000 taels!” A burly man called out gruffly.
“If I can have such a beauty, no price is too high! I bid 10,000 taels!” A foppish young man countered, snapping his fan shut.
“12,000 taels!” An elderly voice, dripping with lechery, joined in. The speaker was a greasy, middle-aged man with a reputation for treating women as playthings.
“15,000 taels!” Another voice chimed.
“15,000 taels! Any higher bids?” The auctioneer’s voice rang out, met with murmurs. The latest bidder was a notorious wealthy merchant, known for his cruel treatment of women.
Confident in his victory, the merchant smirked—until a young nobleman shouted, “20,000 taels!”
Unfazed, the merchant raised again: “25,000.”
“Then… 26,000!” The young man hesitated but upped his offer.
“50,000. If no one outbids me, Honglian is mine.” The merchant’s gaze turned predatory as he stared at Honglian, whose eyes betrayed silent despair.
Unable to stay silent, Wanqing suddenly called out, “55,000 taels!”
“57,000!” The merchant snarled, furious at the interference.
“60,000. If no one bids higher, she’s mine.” Wanqing met the old man’s leer and Honglian’s hopeless gaze with determination.
“60,000 taels! Going once, twice—sold to the young lady!” Bai Nianlong declared, surprised but decisive.
“I’ve bought Miss Honglian. Brother Sun, pay up!” Wanqing grinned triumphantly, tugging at Sun Fengyu’s sleeve.
“If Young Master Sun is reluctant, I’d be happy to purchase her for Wanwan,” Prince Ning interjected, turning to them.
“I can afford it. Here.” Sun Fengyu forced a stiff smile, handing Wanqing a stack of banknotes with visible reluctance.
And so, Wanqing became Honglian’s new owner.
“Let the second auction begin!” Bai Nianlong announced as the proceedings resumed.
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