Finally, the music ceased, and Xiaoxiao’s performance had ended. Applause filled the venue as Xiaoxiao, surrounded by bodyguards, was escorted upstairs amid the clapping.
With the hall emptied, the men who had been standing on the second floor were asked to descend and stand in the center of the hall. The girls also retreated to their rooms to change back into women’s attire. Everyone was excited because they had participated in tonight’s performance, and it had been a great success.
Truth be told, if possible, Xiaoxiao did not enjoy putting on such performances, but she was helpless in this matter—who could blame her when she was in a brothel, a place designed to entice men to spend their money! Moreover, everything had to go according to the original plan.
Xiaoxiao stood at the top of the stairs on the second floor, and with her beautiful voice, she said, "Thank you all for your patronage over the past five days. As I’ve said before, only the person who spends a night of spring with me will get to see my face. So please, start bidding now, starting at fifty taels."
Upon hearing the starting price of fifty taels, the venue boiled with excitement. Fifty taels was the price of a pillar in the establishment—no one had expected the fiery oil to start at such a price. Without substantial family backing, bidding was out of the question.
Many could only watch the excitement, but those from well-off families found the starting bid of fifty taels for this mysterious and talented woman to be very much worth it, so the bidding continued without end.
"I bid seventy taels."
Listening to these calls, Xiaoxiao nearly died of regret. She should have avoided pressuring herself from the start. If she had begun by cultivating other girls, she could have made a fortune by now. No matter how the bids went up, it would always be Chu Lian who won the auction. It was all an act, and she wouldn’t get a single penny out of it.
Wang Xiangxiang was frantic upon seeing the state of the event. What were they to do, and when would it be appropriate for them to bid? Chu Lian, seeing Wang Xiangxiang’s flustered appearance, gave her a reassuring look and comforted her, "Don’t worry, I may lack many things, but I certainly don’t lack silver."
"..." Wang Xiangxiang was at a loss for words. His statement was correct, but why did it feel so awkward to hear?
Sure enough, the calls to raise the bid never stopped, and the price soared to three hundred taels—a sum that could pay for several hundred women. At this point, some gave up and ceased to compete.
Looking around, Xiaoxiao noticed Chu Lian had yet to make a bid, but as the scene had quieted down after reaching three hundred taels, she braced herself and hinted to Chu Lian, "I’ll call for the third time to signify a deal. Three hundred taels for the first time—is there anyone else who wants to raise the bid? Three hundred taels for the second time!"
It was then that Chu Lian began to bid, "I bid five hundred taels."
At this utterance, many turned in unison to look at Chu Lian, realizing that they were not very familiar with the newcomer. Wondering which family’s son could be so generous, they had thought five hundred taels would seal the deal, but suddenly an unexpected turn occurred.
"I bid six hundred taels."
"Seven hundred taels."
"Eight hundred taels."
"Nine hundred taels."
"One thousand taels."
Chu Lian did not expect the other to bid up to one thousand taels. At this rate, the two bidders would never be able to determine a victor. By this time, Wang Xiangxiang was beyond anxious. She looked at the person who was bidding against them, her eyes wide open in shock.
Suddenly, she pounded the table and rose, breaking the tense atmosphere of the venue. She shouted fiercely at the other party, "Do you dare compete with me for a person?"
The other party was also very surprised upon seeing Wang Xiangxiang, "How did you get here?"