Without all sorts of people trying to best them, things on Qi Qingyao’s side grew much calmer. Various rare antiques and exotic plants were being auctioned off on the stage.
Qi Qingyao was dazzled, but she did not dare bid.
Her purpose for coming here today was that pill… However, it was not like nothing else could be important.
When she challenged Jiang Siliu the last time, she had been the banker for that gambling game and had gotten 2.55 million taels. While she had spent quite a bit recently, she was still very rich with more than two million taels to her name. She was considered pretty wealthy in Qingzhou City.
That was why Qi Qingyao got somewhat restless. She pointed at some weird medicine on the stage and asked Lu Yan, “Do you really want none of these things?”
Lu Yan asked with suspicion, “Why would I want these?”
Qi Qingyao pondered for a bit. This guy was loaded, he was definitely not lacking anything. She could only pretend to not be interested and ask, “How much longer till the pill?”
Lu Yan answered, “About half an hour till its appearance.”
“…” She would have arrived later if she had known this earlier.
What was the point of them coming so early? They would have to wait even longer.
…
The Yueya Auction House was a renowned auction house in Qingzhou City.
Free refreshments were provided at intervals in between auctions.
Some very well-dressed little ladies walked over with their waists and hips swaying. A variety of cakes, fruits, and refreshments were offered, and Qi Qingyao grabbed a few plates of the very beautiful confectioneries from the tea tray at the side. Si Jin grabbed a few plates of treats made from rice.
After putting them down, Qi Qingyao was just about to indulge herself when she suddenly thought about her current identity. Thus, she first asked Lu Yan somewhat respectfully, “Do you want to eat this treat?”
“Yes.” He would usually not be interested in this treat, but since she had asked, of course he had to say he wanted to eat it.
Hearing his answer, Qi Qingyao then mimicked the maids of other families, picking up a piece of confectionery and bringing it to Lu Yan’s mouth. She even said sweetly, “Master, have a snack!~~~~”
“…”
Lu Yan’s heart fluttered at this, and he opened his mouth hesitantly. The small confectionery was delivered into his mouth.
His lips even carelessly brushed against her fingers.
Lu Yan, “…”
If this had been any other time, Lu Yan’s obsession with cleanliness would have been triggered by someone’s hand bumping into his lips. He likely would have immediately gone to wash his mouth. Now, however, he actually turned his head away, a little embarrassed.
He was simply chewing on that small confectionery.
It was very sweet.
Her finger had been very soft.
…
After Qi Qingyao fed her ‘master’, she had more or less completed her tasks as a maid, so she then grabbed a plate for herself and began digging in, without a single care for her image.
The scene of her feeding Lu Yan the confectionery ‘coincidentally’ drew Li Ruoxuan’s gaze. Li Ruoxuan’s eyes widened instantly. He pulled Jiang Yeqian’s sleeve and said, “Did you see that?!”
“…” Could he say he had not?! Damnit, that woman was insane. He could forget her sitting on Lu Yan’s thigh the last time, but now she was even feeding him confectioneries!
He was so mad.
“She actually fed Lu Yan confectioneries.” Li Ruoxuan cradled his forehead and murmured, “Perhaps my plan to court her has been ruined.”
Jiang Yeqian, “…” He still had plans to court her? You absolutely have no chance at all!
Li Ruoxuan touched his chin and said nonchalantly, “Maybe Lu Yan has already snatched her up.”
Going against what he was really feeling, Jiang Yeqian said insincerely, “Qi Qingyao would not like someone like Lu Yan. You have more of a chance than him.”
Li Ruoxuan shook his head seriously and said, “Lu Yan used to have some kind of illness, but now he’s been able to get so close to her. He can even eat something she fed him, which means that the two of them are close enough to one another. Not to mention the Lu family is the top chamber of commerce in Northern Liang, so he is very rich! Old Man Lu is also very fond of Lu Yan, and he knows about his grandson’s illness. If Lu Yan has set his heart on a woman like this, I believe the Lu family will not care about her birth or her origins and will accept her.”
His analysis was well-argued and listening to it, Jiang Yeqian felt like it was almost becoming true. His expression instantly turned ugly and he said hoarsely, “Didn’t you just say that you wanted to pursue her? What are you saying all this for now? Aren’t you just boosting other people’s ambitions and reducing your own?”
Li Ruoxuan’s dark, carved features were full of helplessness. “You know that I killed Qi Qingzhu, so I think if it’s between Lu Yan and me, Lu Yan definitely has a better chance of winning than I do.”
“…” Jiang Yeqian almost blurted out that if it were him, his chances of winning were probably higher than Li Ruoxuan’s!
However, the words got stuck in his throat.
Jiang Yeqian pretended to inadvertently watch the scene over there.
He frowned tightly.
If she really liked Lu Yan… The moment Jiang Yeqian thought about that possibility, he got angry for no reason.
Qi Qingyao finished her snacks and then drank a cup of tea.
Her series of actions were also seen by Ling Luoyan. Ling Luoyan touched her chin and silently pondered, ‘She’s just a maid, but she was actually eating and even drinking tea despite her master not eating. She was behaving more like a master than her own master.’
Could she really be Lu Yan’s personal maid?
Even more so the very spoiled kind?
That would be why she had the right to sit next to Lu Yan.
Ling Luoyan was lost in thought.
…
After a short while.
“I trust that many guests came today for the very last item in our auction.” The host on the stage announced loudly, “The most precious Nine Star Pill of Omnipotence.”
A ceremonial lady then brought out a silver plate covered in a black cloth.
The ceremonial lady placed the silver plate on the black walnut table in the center.
The host pulled away the black cloth. There was a small, red sandalwood box on the silver plate.
The host opened the red sandalwood box.
An intense, medicinal scent wafted through the entire venue.
After three seconds, the host closed the box.
He started shouting, “Let’s cut the nonsense. The starting price is a hundred thousand taels.”
The moment the words left his mouth, Lu Yan immediately raised his hand and said, “One million.”
Everyone, “???”
Hey!
Brother, you’re breaking the rules of this place.
Who would immediately bid a million after opening their mouth?
Was the offered amount not supposed to increase by a hundred thousand taels with each bid?
The host seemed very happy and said, “A distinguished guest has raised the price to a million taels right off the bat, which is unprecedented.”
The host then announced loudly, “Guests who want this, please continue with your bidding. The one with the highest quote will get it.”
“Two million,” Ling Luoyan immediately raised her hand and said.
The host was surprised for a bit before he said, “A very heroic lady has immediately raised the price of this Nine Star Pill of Omnipotence to two million taels! My guests, if you don’t make your move, this Nine Star Pill of Omnipotence will be the noble lady’s.”
Qi Qingyao, “…” Crap. That was two million taels. Tycoons were something else! She used to think she was rich with her two million taels, but thinking about it now, it was merely a drop in the ocean compared to their wealth!
She quietly looked at the rich man next to her.
Everyone else in the venue also hesitantly wondered what the appropriate amount for the next bid was.
This was because the money man, Lu Yan, was present.
His wealth was incomparable.
Li Ruoxuan pondered if he should make a move. As he was still contemplating, Lu Yan raised his hand once again and immediately said, “Five million taels.”
The public, “…”
After a moment of silence, whispers filled the entire venue.
Everyone was dumbfounded.
“He isn’t bidding accordingly!!”
“It’s just a pill. What is Lu Yan up to?”
“What else can he be doing besides showing off the Lu family’s wealth?”
“He has always been a master generous with his spending, but I don’t understand what he needs the Nine Star Pill of Omnipotence for? It’s not as if he’s an ordinary person. It’s useless to him.”
“Do you still not get it?”
“What’s there to get?”
“He definitely wants this pill so that he can sell it to those in need for a high price in the future.”
“That evil moneybags!”
“Wouldn’t one have to pay a price even more than the amount today to be able to buy it in the future?”
“…”
“…”
The host waited for a bit, but seeing that no one else was bidding, he then said, “Since no one else is bidding, this Nine Star Pill of Omnipotence will go to this distinguished guest. Please come to the back of the stage to discuss the specifics of your transaction with our people.”
Since the pill was the last item to be auctioned, the auction came to an end with that.
Lu Yan did not get up. He sent Dong Jing to deal with the matter. Dong Jing got up and walked in the direction of backstage.
Qi Qingyao did not move. She sat there smiling until her eyes were crescent moons.
Everyone else was looking in Lu Yan’s direction with envy as they cursed the moneybags in their hearts.
Dong Jing went in very quickly and came out in just five minutes, holding the small red sandalwood box. He immediately walked over and passed the wooden box to Lu Yan
Lu Yan opened the box and took a look. Then, he threw the wooden box into Qi Qingyao’s arms.
Qi Qingyao caught it in a panic.
Then, she opened the wooden box and smiled stupidly.
Ling Luoyan saw this scene.
She was stupefied and rooted to the spot.
This little maid was really the personal maid of the young master of the Lu family and one who was extremely adored!!!
He could not have bought the Nine Star Pill of Omnipotence for her just now, could he…
Oh my God.
Even if one was that wealthy, who would have their heart so set on a maid for no reason? This level of pampering was going overboard, no?
The other prominent families in Qingzhou City present also thought that Lu Yan had really gone crazy.
Even if he was smitten with this little maid, the way he was spoiling her was really too much, too much…
Everyone left wordlessly. There were only a few people who glanced at the little maid with some evil intentions in their gazes and their hearts.
‘Master Lu, you only brought a rank eight powerhouse with you.
‘Don’t blame us for being cruel and ruthless when you leave.’
…
Li Ruoxuan and Jiang Yeqian did not leave immediately, so they naturally also saw what had happened.
Since both of them had already long ascertained that the little maid was Qi Qingyao, when they saw Lu Yan throw the Nine Star Pill of Omnipotence that he had bid on for five million taels into Qi Qingyao’s arms, they had been stunned.
The two were completely stupefied.
Li Ruoxuan knew that Lu Yan might possibly like Qi Qingyao but… this behavior of his!! To spend five million taels bidding on the Nine Star Pill of Omnipotence for her? Why?! How deep was his love?
Qi Qingyao too. She still had the f*cking audacity to accept it?
It was worth five million taels.
“Just what stage of a relationship have these two entered?” Li Ruoxuan mumbled to himself, puzzled.
There was a hint of resentment in Jiang Yeqian’s eyes. He gritted his teeth forcefully and said, “When I went looking for Lu Yan before this, I saw Qi Qingyao sitting in his arms. The moment I pushed open the door, she was sitting on his thighs! They looked pretty close.”
Li Ruoxuan’s head buzzed. “You mean, Qi Qingyao… and him have already…” He did not continue the sentence.
The two, however, understood what he meant.
Could the both of them have already… reached that stage?
Jiang Yeqian said heavily, “Impossible! Definitely not!” He did not believe it! Surely nothing had happened, surely their relationship was just her having sat on his thighs once.
No.
He must have made a mistake when he saw her sitting on his thighs that time.
She had probably fallen down by accident, and he had helped her up, but then she had accidentally fallen into his lap again!
Yes, that had to be the case.
There was no special relationship.
Li Ruoxuan rolled his eyes at him. “That man spent five million taels just for the beauty to smile, yet you still say it’s nothing! I don’t know if you’re just refusing to believe it or if your judgment is seriously flawed.”
Jiang Yeqian felt like his throat was so dry he could not say anything.
He took a long time to find his own voice.
He said to Li Ruoxuan, “Isn’t Lu Yan your rival in love? Why aren’t you hurrying up to find out what’s his relationship to her?”
Li Ruoxuan, “???” Why was it his responsibility now?
Jiang Yeqian stared at him angrily. “Do you still want to pursue Qi Qingyao or not?!”
“…” He still really wanted to pursue her since she might be the Harbinger.
Jiang Yeqian continued cursing, “How unambitious! The dignified State Preceptor is really useless!”
Li Ruoxuan was also provoked to anger. “Who’s the useless one? Who are you referring to? Say that again if you dare to.”
Jiang Yeqian’s eyes were so wet water was close to dripping out of them. He said coldly, “I’ll say it, then. The State Preceptor is absolutely useless. He can’t even court a woman, getting beaten by another to her. What a loser!”
Li Ruoxuan felt that this could not be tolerated. He grew exasperated. “You just f*cking wait, I’ll head over there now and personally ask.”
…
…
Qi Qingyao carried the red sandalwood box as happily as a fool. She was already thinking to herself whom she should give it to if Dabao and Xiaobao both wanted it when she got home. Should she let the two decide by lottery?
“It’s time to return,” Lu Yan said to her.
Qi Qingyao hummed and got up.
Si Jin also got up.
The group had just left the seating area.
When they saw Li Ruoxuan walking toward them, Qi Qingyao had a bad feeling and hurriedly passed the red sandalwood box in her hand to Si Jin for safekeeping.
Si Jin faintly nodded.
Li Ruoxuan immediately walked over and without preamble, said, “What’s the relationship you two have? Why did you bid on the Pill of Omnipotence for her?”
Many of the distinguished guests who had been just about to leave heard this. They were stunned and rooted to the spot. They pretended to look over casually.
Lu Yan stood in front of Qi Qingyao, blocking her, and looked at Li Ruoxuan coldly. “Our relationship has nothing to do with the State Preceptor. We have no obligation to tell you anything.”
Li Ruoxuan answered impatiently, “Don’t pay me lip service. Nothing I want to know can remain concealed from me.”
Lu Yang shrugged his shoulders steadily. “I adore my little maid. Don’t tell me I also have to report that to the State Preceptor?”
Li Ruoxuan unexpectedly sneered. “You adore your little maid so much you bought her a Nine Star Pill of Omnipotence worth five million taels for her?”
Lu Yan asked back calmly, “Can’t I?”
“Of course you can.” Li Ruoxuan’s expression was restrained. His dark eyes seemed on fire as he said, “But I have taken a fancy to this little maid, and I want to ask Young Master Lu to give her to me. I wonder if you can give up your treasure?”
Lu Yan, “No!”
“I don’t care if you can’t!” Li Ruoxuan’s features were dark, a heaven-piercing light suddenly flashing across his eyes. Li Ruoxuan immediately pulled on the little maid that Lu Yan was protecting behind himself.
There was only a flash of lightning and flint before his lip landed on the maid’s own.
Boom!
A single strike.
The scene was so shocking everyone in the hall was astounded!
Including Jiang Yeqian.
