Spoiled By the Young Master After Reborn In the 80s
Chapter 1006: The Auction And The Shadow’s Gambit

Chapter 1006: The Auction And The Shadow’s Gambit

Chunlan looked at Luo Shu and Lu Hanmo with a hint of guilt. She had casually arranged the seats, never imagining it would leave them in such a predicament. Now, it was impossible to help them switch seats; doing so would guarantee her a miserable fate.

Luo Shu and Lu Hanmo seemed entirely unaffected by the gazes cast their way, chatting and sipping tea at their leisure. For them, this position was optimal—it allowed for a close observation of the two individuals.

The young city lord glanced at Luo Shu and Lu Hanmo, a playful smile flickering in his mesmerizing, peach-blossom-shaped eyes. Their behavior either indicated obliviousness or a deliberate disregard for his presence.

While the young city lord was observing Luo Shu and Lu Hanmo, on the other side, Young Lord Li was also quietly watching the pair. He found them rather intriguing.

The sound of the zither flowed softly, like spring water cascading forth—pure, melodious, irresistibly captivating.

Amid the music, a woman adorned in a violet dress and a matching veil gracefully stepped forward. Without revealing her full appearance, a single glance at her sparkling, flirtatious eyes—teeming with endless allure—was enough to confirm that she was an exceptional beauty of rare caliber.

"Miss Cui Xiang! You’ve finally come out."

"I’ve already prepared my Gold Coins! Tonight, I’ll be the one to win Miss Cui Xiang’s favor!"

"Miss Cui Xiang, I’ve long admired you. For you, I’m willing to give up everything I have."

Cui Xiang walked to the stage, her enchanting eyes sweeping slowly over the crowd, before offering them a radiant smile. "Everyone has shown me such kindness and affection. I am deeply grateful. I seek nothing but sincerity and true love; if I can have that, I’ll have no regrets." As she spoke, her gaze lingered on Young Lord Li.

Young Lord Li curled his lips into a smile, turning his head to bite into a grape offered by the woman beside him and pinching her cheek lightly. She was just a courtesan—why would she ever catch his eye?

A flash of disappointment darted through Cui Xiang’s gaze as she smiled at the crowd again. She loved him, yet he had always disregarded her entirely. Still, his presence tonight made her happy. She wondered if he would honor her wish and bid for her. She wanted nothing else—just to belong to him, even as a slave or servant. That was the gamble she had placed tonight.

"Miss Cui Xiang, I’m willing to pay to redeem you! Rest assured, I truly care about you."

"I’ll redeem you as well! If you’ll choose me, I’d be willing to sacrifice everything for you!"

"I have nothing, but I do have a heart that loves you."

Cui Xiang curtsied to the crowd, then approached the woman playing the zither and took her place. Her elongated, delicate fingers rested atop the ancient zither’s strings, plucking softly.

The enchanting music poured forth, flowing into every ear, stirring hearts with its beauty, intoxicating the souls listening.

As the melody came to an end, the middle-aged woman who had earlier greeted guests at the entrance sashayed her way onto the stage.

"Welcome, esteemed guests, to our Flower Moving Building. To thank everyone for the love and support you’ve shown our Cui Xiang, she has decided that tonight—for the first time ever—she will flip her card and officially entertain guests from now on."

"Wonderful! I’ve been waiting for this moment!"

"Even if I don’t win Miss Cui Xiang’s favor tonight, I will keep coming in the future!"

"Being welcomed as Miss Cui Xiang’s intimate guest has been a lifelong dream of mine!"

Cui Xiang’s gaze found Young Lord Li again, but he didn’t so much as glance her way. A bitter smile tugged at the corner of her lips. If it wasn’t him, then anyone else would suffice.

"Alright, let’s begin the bidding!" the procuress said cheerfully, addressing the crowd. She had initially planned to keep Cui Xiang on for a while longer, but since Cui Xiang had requested this, how could she refuse? Sooner or later, this day would inevitably come.

"I bid 10,000 Gold Coins."

"15,000 Gold Coins!"

"30,000 Gold Coins."

"50,000 Gold Coins!" The crowd shouted their bids one after another, the amounts climbing higher and higher.

Luo Shu looked at the scene, which resembled an auction, and frowned slightly. She had seen similar scenarios in television dramas before, but witnessing it firsthand left her feeling somewhat uneasy. After all, what was being bought was a woman’s dignity, her chastity.

"100,000 Gold Coins," the young city lord spoke lazily.

The crowd fell silent upon hearing his bid, hesitating over whether to continue. His identity was something they dared not provoke.

"150,000 Gold Coins," Young Lord Li interjected. He had come tonight with the sole purpose of challenging the young city lord. He didn’t lack women, nor did he lack money, but he disliked constantly being compared to Shuimu Yan.

Cui Xiang immediately turned her glowing eyes to Young Lord Li, a flicker of ecstatic joy in her gaze. He must care about her, right? Otherwise, why would he bid?

Shuimu Yan cast Young Lord Li a provocative glance and retaliated with his bid, "200,000 Gold Coins." He had come here solely to compete against Li Feiyi. He—a dignified young city lord—couldn’t allow himself to be outdone by a mere family heir!

"250,000 Gold Coins," Li Feiyi countered without a moment’s hesitation.

"300,000."

"350,000."

"..."

The audience was stunned by their sheer extravagance. Was it truly worth spending so much money to vie for a woman?

Of all those present, no one was more delighted than the procuress. She had never anticipated such an astronomical sum. Forget purchasing Cui Xiang’s first night—this amount was enough to buy ten Cui Xiangs!

"500,000," Li Feiyi declared.

Shuimu Yan hesitated briefly before preparing to bid once again, "Five..."

Suddenly, a dark figure dropped onto the stage, grabbed Cui Xiang, and in the same instant hurled a hidden dart at Shuimu Yan.

Although Shuimu Yan reacted swiftly, he still ended up with a dart embedded in his abdomen.

The unexpected turn of events left everyone frozen in place. By the time they snapped out of it, both Cui Xiang and the shadowy figure were nowhere to be seen.

"Quick, call the pharmacist!" Seeing Shuimu Yan injured, the procuress abandoned worries about Cui Xiang’s disappearance and anxiously shouted at the stunned girls of Flower Moving Building. If anything happened to the young city lord while at their establishment, their Flower Moving Building would surely face annihilation, and her fate would be sealed alongside it.

"I’m the pharmacist," Luo Shu said as she walked toward Shuimu Yan. She crouched down beside him and began treating him.

Her fingers expertly pressed a few points on Shuimu Yan’s body to stop the bleeding. She glanced at him and said, "This might hurt a bit. Try to bear it."

"Mm!" Shuimu Yan nodded with his face contorted in pain.

Luo Shu tore open Shuimu Yan’s garment, grabbed the shaft of the dart, and swiftly yanked it out.

"Ugh!" Shuimu Yan grunted in agony through clenched teeth.