Auctioning Wine

While I was joking and laughing with Kong Juelin, I didn’t miss the look in Li Yexuan’s eyes on the other side. It was a kind of scrutiny; my reaction earlier must have given him endless imaginations. I didn’t deliberately avoid his gaze. After all, paper cannot wrap fire forever—one day he would learn that I am a princess of a fallen kingdom, someone who shouldn’t exist. When that time comes, would he still grasp my hand tightly and tell me not to be afraid? I truly cannot predict, nor do I dare to find out.

Kong Juelin’s gaze really did linger on the beauty in the corner.

“Your brother is beyond saving,” I said to Li Yexuan with a smile.

“He’s always been like this.”

I couldn’t help but laugh softly.

The auction hall was enormous, and it looked as if it would be filled to the brim. It took almost half an hour for everyone to settle in. I was already nodding off in my seat, and Li Yexuan teased me about not bringing any sunflower seeds to crack. I replied that I didn’t want to make a scene, startling everyone here and drawing attention to us, which might lead to our identities being suspected—a minor incident could turn into a disaster or even a bloodbath, all because of a few tiny seeds. For the sake of the bigger picture, I no longer carried seeds with me.

Li Yexuan seemed genuinely impressed by my words, turning his head without saying anything. Was he moved? He didn’t appreciate a single sunflower seed, yet never imagined that even one could stir up such a storm. If he truly grasped this, he would be close to becoming a prince with far-sighted wisdom. Once again, I had inspired him.

If it hadn’t been for the seeds that day, I wouldn’t have fallen off the cliff with Li Yexuan. That was the price of underestimating the act of cracking seeds. Li Yexuan still dared to mention them—if I were him, I’d never crack seeds again. No, I’d avoid them entirely. Luckily, I am not him, so I needn’t be so cautious. When we return, I’ll buy some seeds. It hadn’t occurred to me until now that it’s been ages since I last cracked seeds. Li Yexuan remembered, but I had forgotten. Perhaps the good food with Li Yexuan and Kong Juelin made me so content I forgot my roots. I need to fix this.

“There are sunflower seeds at the auction? Where are they?” Kong Juelin’s gaze finally left the corner beauty, his ears catching our conversation about seeds.

“There are no seeds here. Go watch your beauty.”

Kong Juelin’s expression was as funny as a pile of seeds.

“They’re here.”

I looked toward the stage, and sure enough, someone appeared. The auction hall fell silent.

“Welcome, everyone, to Maple Forest Auction House. I am Lin, the director of Maple Forest Auction House. Today marks the triennial Maple Leaf Auction. Thank you to all heroes and distinguished guests for attending. This year, we follow the old rules: if anyone wishes to auction items, please register backstage, but ensure your items are not ill-gotten and must pass our verification. Those seeking treasures, please wait patiently. If anyone breaches trust, Maple Forest Auction House is not to be trifled with. Without further ado, let’s begin with our first auction item.”

Director Lin returned to his seat at the edge of the stage, conversing with someone beside him. That must be the lord of Maple Leaf City. He was somewhat aged, yet still carried an imposing presence. His appearance alone could intimidate many—clearly, the city lord’s looks are crucial.

Behind the city lord sat a young woman who, as I glanced her way, met my gaze and smiled. Was she Bai Li Yue, whom I met in Maple Leaf Forest when buying clothes? How did she end up here? That day, she saw me in men’s attire, so perhaps nothing seemed strange.

I smiled back, but inwardly wondered what identity Bai Li Yue held to appear at such an occasion, and what her relationship was with the city lord.

“The city lord of Maple Leaf City belongs to the Bai Li family,” Li Yexuan whispered in my ear, the warmth making my ear flush. I quickly shifted away.

“So that’s how it is.”

Clearly, their trip these past days wasn’t just for fun—they did their homework.

A man stepped onto the stage, not very old, sporting two thin mustaches. If I wasn’t mistaken, he had disguised himself to conceal his real appearance. Yet he seemed familiar, though I couldn’t recall where I’d seen him.

“I happened upon a pill, authenticated by Maple Leaf Auction House as a treasure. Please look.” He opened the box in his hand, revealing a pea-sized pill.

The pill was tiny, almost invisible from a distance, but a faint fragrance wafted through the hall.

“After verification, it is a Meridian Activation Pill.”

Boom…

The entire hall erupted. The Meridian Activation Pill was truly valuable. My father once had a bottle in his treasure vault. For ordinary people like myself, it was dangerous—such a potent pill could cause nosebleeds, dizziness, even collapse. But for martial artists, it was a rare treasure.

If you were just beginning your training, taking one would be like gaining several years of martial arts foundation overnight. If you were already skilled, it would further enhance your abilities. Most importantly, the pill could open the meridians and invigorate the bones.

The world is unfair; some train for years, struggling between life and death, only for others to swallow a handful of pills and surpass them effortlessly. In the Three Kingdoms of the Central Plains, pills are not rare, nor are skilled alchemists. Yet pills with such miraculous effects for martial artists are exceedingly scarce. Many at the Maple Leaf Auction were martial artists, so excitement was inevitable. No one expected the first item to be so coveted.

“Starting price: one thousand taels.”

“Two thousand taels…”

“Five thousand taels…”

The bidders all had fat purses, and prices kept climbing.

“So, do those two lack silver, or are they simply uninterested in the Meridian Activation Pill?” Li Yexuan and Kong Juelin seemed completely unmoved, as if they’d come to the Maple Leaf Auction just for the spectacle. If they weren’t interested in treasures, why bother? Spending so much silver merely to broaden their horizons seemed wasteful.

“For this, you should ask Yexuan.” Kong Juelin’s gaze brimmed with confidence. Where did he get such confidence? I turned to Li Yexuan.

He smiled, lowered his voice, and said, “If this were useful to you, I’d make sure you had it. Unfortunately, you don’t need it.”

So Li Yexuan has many of these? Is he really a prince? Even a year’s salary isn’t enough for such extravagance. But he even owns a bank, so perhaps he can afford it.

Ultimately, the pill was sold for ten thousand taels.

Money and goods exchanged hands, and the man quietly withdrew, but as he left, he glanced at everyone, and his gaze settled on me.

Deep black eyes lingered on me for a long moment, then he smiled, withdrew his gaze without hesitation, and departed.

“Is that another acquaintance of yours?”

Li Yexuan’s brows furrowed. Anyone who could present such a valuable pill was certainly no ordinary person, so his concern was justified.

I shook my head.

“I don’t know. He just seems familiar, but I can’t remember where I’ve met him. Maybe he just looks familiar.” I spoke the truth—I honestly couldn’t recall. My mind simply doesn’t remember.

“You really do know a lot of people.”

“Don’t you?”

“Enough, you two—can’t you save it for later? Look, look!” Kong Juelin was already focused on the second person taking the stage.

I didn’t look immediately. What was there to see? Just some rare oddities.

A wave of wine fragrance swept through the hall, and my gaze snapped to the stage. The man on stage was Wang Huan.

“I am Wang Huan from Lingyun Kingdom. I’ve come to the famed Maple Leaf Auction, though I have little to offer, except for these two jars of fine grape wine. One jar has already been opened, which is what everyone smells. The staff of the Maple Leaf Auction have tasted it as well. I wonder if anyone will honor me by purchasing the remaining jar.”

The staff all attested it was excellent wine. Most guests here loved wine, and as true connoisseurs, could instantly distinguish quality. Everyone stretched their necks, sniffing deeply, eager to catch a glimpse.

“Starting price: five hundred taels.”

“One thousand taels…”

“One thousand five hundred taels…”

The bidding echoed in my ears, sounding harsh and grating. Wang Huan actually used my grape wine for auction. Now that he’s in a high position, why bring my wine? Could he know I’m still alive and be trying to draw me out?

I clenched my fists so tightly my nails dug into my palms, biting my lip to keep tears at bay.

Blood seeped from my hand.

Li Yexuan quickly grasped my hand, prying my fingers open.

“Mufan, what’s wrong? You’ve hurt yourself.”

I turned to him, released my fist, loosened my lips, but tears spilled despite myself.

“Li Yexuan, could I ask you for a favor?” Besides him, there was no one else I could turn to. That was my brother’s favorite thing. I’d already lost him—how could I let his beloved wine fall into someone else’s hands and be ruined?

“It’s just a jar of wine. Wipe away your tears, I’ll buy it for you.”

He took out a silk handkerchief and wiped the blood from my hand.

“All right.”

I took a deep breath and smiled at him.

“Five thousand taels.” Li Yexuan spoke casually, as if it were five copper coins.

“Five thousand five hundred taels.” Another person bid, and I glared fiercely at him.

“Seven thousand taels.”

Silence.

“Seven thousand taels from this gentleman—any higher bids? Seven thousand taels, sold.” The staff came to Li Yexuan to guide him.

He paid, and returned with the jar of wine.

But before I could touch it, Kong Juelin took it away.

I looked at Li Yexuan in confusion.

“I asked Juelin to take it back to the inn. When we return, you can explain everything to me, then I’ll give it to you.”

“Thank you, Li Yexuan.”

“No choice. I brought you here, so I’ll see it through.”

Once again, he promised to see it through. Li Yexuan truly was a good man—a very good man.