The woman wore a veil, her slender and graceful body hanging on that strip of cloth, sliding down from above onto the marble floor of the circular stage.

At the same time, the gauze curtains outside the circular stage slowly lifted.

The woman wore a complete outfit of azure gauze dress, dancing gracefully and elegantly, as if bringing a clear breeze, immortal and extraordinary. Under the thin veil, that face vaguely revealed also had the beauty of Xi Shi.

No wonder so many men were so crazy about her. Even Ji Yunshu, a woman herself, couldn’t help but feel envious seeing her.

Jingrong saw her staring intently at Yu Yin and said, “Just a pretty face. In this prince’s view, she doesn’t compare to a certain someone.”

She glanced at him sideways, “Even if it’s just a pretty face, don’t you men all fall deeply into it, unable to extricate yourselves?”

“You’re missing the key point.”

“What key point?”

“This prince said she doesn’t compare to a certain someone.”

Jingrong emphasized his tone, stressing it again.

Ji Yunshu wasn’t stupid. Of course she knew.

In “Princess Returning Pearl,” both Erkang and Yongqi had said this line!

But she had no mind now to pay attention to these sweet words. Her gaze fell once again on the circular stage below.

She only saw that Bao Niang had already led Yu Yin to show her off once before everyone.

All kinds of praise words spilled from her mouth!

“You all know how Yu Yin’s dancing is. What I, Bao Niang, am most reluctant to part with is Yu Yin. However, now I’ve still decided to part with her, so you young masters must seize this opportunity. In short, highest bidder wins. This opportunity mustn’t be missed.”

Just as these words finished!

“I offer one hundred taels.”

Someone shouted loudly!

What?

One hundred taels?

Trying to buy Yu Yin for one hundred taels? Are you here to joke around?

Bao Niang disdainfully rolled her eyes at that person and said directly, “I say, Young Master Zhao, my Yu Yin is worth more than just one hundred taels. If you can’t afford the price, just leave quickly.”

The crowd also began to jeer, all casting scornful looks at that person with undisguised mocking laughter.

“Hurry up and take your one hundred taels outside to give to beggars. Don’t make a fool of yourself here.”

“Get out!”

“If you can’t afford it, don’t come here.”

“Poor boy, our Yu Yin is beyond you. She belongs to this master.”

…

All kinds of belittling voices!

Like waves!

Hearing this, Ji Yunshu was speechless. Seizing on this point, she asked Jingrong quite puzzled, “Is this what you men all like?”

“Not ‘you men,’ it’s them. This prince is different from those degenerates.”

Ji Yunshu: “…”

As if she hadn’t asked.

Now, they began bidding again below.

“I offer one thousand taels.”

“One thousand five hundred taels.”

“Two thousand taels.”

“Two thousand five hundred taels.”

“Three thousand taels.”

…

“Seven thousand taels.”

Various escalations.

Hearing someone offer seven thousand taels, people below all looked up toward the third floor. The Young Master Zhang who made the offer was sitting with his legs crossed on a viewing platform next to Ji Yunshu, smugly sweeping a glance at everyone below, then rubbing his hands and licking his lips, lustfully eyeing the aloof Yu Yin, wishing he could pounce down right now.

Hearing this number, Bao Niang was so happy she covered her mouth with her fan, her eyes glowing.

“Seven thousand taels, Young Master Zhang has offered seven thousand taels. Does anyone offer a higher price?”

Everyone began to worry, calculating in their minds whether their small coffers could offer more than seven thousand taels.

As a result, everyone sighed.

Came here today for nothing!

Suddenly—

“Seven thousand and one taels.”

Wow!

Hearing this, everyone looked up to the third floor, directing their gazes at Ji Yunshu.

One tael more?

This…

Jingrong immediately kicked Ji Yunshu under the table, “What are you doing?”

She stroked those two small mustaches, “Redeeming Miss Yu Yin’s freedom!”

“You?”

“Look at me—do I look like someone who has seven thousand and one taels? If it were one tael, I could manage that.”

Jingrong: “…”

Ji Yunshu: “I’m bidding on your behalf! Miss Yu Yin is beautiful as a celestial fairy. If you marry her and keep her as a decoration, she can still be pleasing to the eye.”

Jingrong’s face darkened completely, looking helpless. He lowered his voice and said, “Ji Yunshu, this amount of money, this prince will remember it well for you. When the time comes, I’ll repay you in bed.”

Ugh!

She was speechless!

At this moment, Young Master Zhang at the adjacent table became anxious. His bottom rose from the bench as he shouted loudly, “Seven thousand one hundred taels.”

“Seven thousand one hundred and one taels.” Ji Yunshu called out again.

“Seven thousand two hundred taels.”

“Seven thousand two hundred and one taels.”

Always one tael more.

Young Master Zhang was about to collapse. He rushed over and slapped his palm on the table.

“Boy, are you opposing me!”

“Young master, didn’t Bao Niang just say? Highest bidder wins. First, I didn’t use your silver. Second, I didn’t force you to compete with me. We’re all competing fairly. No one owes anyone anything.”

She spread her hands!

“You’re clearly doing it on purpose, one tael more than me. If you’re capable, throw down ten thousand taels.”

Ji Yunshu coldly glanced at him, “Young Master Zhang, you’d better hurry back to your seat. You and I can bid properly. However, this young master has nothing in abundance except money. No matter what price you call, I’ll always be one tael more than you.”

She held up one finger!

“You…”

Young Master Zhang’s temper flared. He clenched his fist about to swing it over. As soon as his hand lifted, it was seized by Jingrong, who forcefully twisted it downward.

His hand was folded back behind his neck. Young Master Zhang hurt so much his entire face contorted. Because his right hand was twisted behind his neck, his knee was also forced to bend, kneeling directly on one knee on the ground.

“It hurts, it hurts, it hurts…”

Tears flowed out.

Jingrong’s brows were coldly severe, as if about to rush to his hair bun.

He said, “You dare touch my person? Seeking death.”

“You… who are you? Do you know who I am? I’m… Zhang Zhongyi. My father is Assistant Minister of War Zhang Qidong.”

“So it’s Assistant Minister of War Zhang Qidong. I wondered what kind of person could raise such a dog thing.”

His vicious tongue didn’t diminish one bit.

Zhang Zhongyi was both in pain and angry. His other hand tremblingly pointed at Jingrong, “You actually dare insult my father? Don’t want to live?”

Jingrong was disdainful. The force of his hand increased, and the contours of his face seemed to harden a few degrees.

He snorted, “That old fellow Zhang Qidong embezzles, uses his authority to line his own pockets, and accepts bribes. You’d better notify your father to hand over all the money he’s embezzled and enjoy some carefree days for now. In one month, the Ministry of Personnel will report the list of corrupt officials. The first one to be dealt with will be your father Zhang Qidong.”

As his words fell, Jingrong threw him heavily to the ground!

Young Master Zhang was completely stunned, “You… who are you?”

“You’re not qualified to know. In any case, your father’s matter, the Ministry of Personnel will definitely handle.”

Young Master Zhang sat on the ground, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead, his eyes staring blankly.

“How about it? Still bidding or not?”

Bidding my ass!

His father was about to fall from power. Where could he still come up with over seven thousand taels?

The crowd discussed among themselves, but no one bid anymore.

Seeing the atmosphere wasn’t right, Bao Niang quickly had people carry Young Master Zhang down from the third floor and send him back to his manor.

“Alright, alright. That Young Master Liang above has won at seven thousand two hundred and one taels. From now on, Yu Yin belongs to the Liang family.” Bao Niang said.

Everyone felt regretful, yet envious and jealous.

Yu Yin, who had been coldly silent all along, raised her head to look at Ji Yunshu and bowed slightly.

Ji Yunshu smiled at her, then walked to Jingrong’s side, “Congratulations, she’s yours now.”

What?

“Miss Yu Yin is yours now.”

Jingrong gritted his teeth!