Chapter 31: Even if I Were Selling, There Must Be Someone Alive to Buy (2)

When Changge Yue returned to Yuexuan, the auction for her "Hundred Phoenixes Imperial Nest" was just underway, and the atmosphere in the main hall was electric.

Mr. Ding stood on the stage with a calm expression. "Ladies and gentlemen, this is the Hundred Phoenixes Imperial Nest left behind by Master Nanguo a thousand years ago. This piece has been authenticated by our Treasure Appraisal Pavilion as a genuine work of Master Nanguo."

A faint smile played on Changge Yue's lips. She knew that although the crowd below was impressed by the "authentic" work of Master Nanguo, they would not be overly stirred. After all, not everyone had a penchant for antiques.

However... in this capital of Jin, having just one person who loved such things like their own life was enough.

Changge Yue poured herself a cup of tea, the liquid swirling slowly, its fragrance soothing to the soul. She toyed with the cup in her hand, her smile lingering, when a gentle and graceful voice drifted over: "I bid thirty thousand taels."

Changge Yue slowly drained her cup. She curled her lips; Wen Qingyan’s voice was indeed soft yet not cloying, as if it could flow straight into one's heart. Having lost to such a woman in her previous life, was she supposed to say it was an honorable defeat?

Long after Wen Qingyan’s voice faded, no one in the hall made a counteroffer. Changge Yue sighed helplessly, "The charm of a goddess is truly infinite!"

Just then, someone from the Changge family's private box across the way called out, "I bid fifty thousand taels."

Changge Yue smiled faintly. Changge Yuqing!

The people in the hall couldn't help but exchange bewildered glances. Everyone knew the Changge residence and the Wen family were connected by marriage. When Wen Qingyan made her first bid, no man dared to compete with her, and no woman dared to contest her, so why was the young lady of the Changge residence trying to undermine her own cousin?

Inside her box, Wen Qingyan remained calm and gentle. "Fifty-five thousand taels."

"Sixty thousand taels!" The voice from the Changge box rang out again.

Wen Qingyan hesitated for a long moment. Although she was the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister’s residence, she did not have much disposable wealth at her own disposal. Yet, Wen Qingyan bit her crimson lip; this porcelain was the most prized possession of her grandfather, Zhuge Pei. Winning her grandfather’s favor was something money could not buy.

If she guessed correctly, the Changge residence had the same idea. Her eyelashes fluttered slightly. "Seventy thousand taels."

The Changge box did not hesitate. "Eighty thousand taels!"

Wen Qingyan curled her lips, appearing somewhat aggrieved and helpless, though a trace of cold ruthlessness flickered in her eyes. Huan'er, who was in the box with her, stamped her foot. "Sister Qingyan, it’s that lowly-born wench crossing you!" She had recognized that the person persistently bidding against them was that illegitimate daughter of the Changge family. "Hmph! Where is the Changge family’s upbringing? How can an illegitimate daughter be so arrogant!"

Wen Qingyan understood clearly that it wasn't Changge Yuqing who truly wanted the "Hundred Phoenixes Imperial Nest"—she didn't have the standing for it. The one truly contending with her was her own aunt!

They were simply using an illegitimate daughter as a front to save face. A flash of calculation crossed Wen Qingyan's eyes, though she sighed with feigned helplessness. "Although she is an illegitimate daughter, my aunt has always treated the young ladies of the house very well; it is not strange for her to have some silver at her disposal. It is just a pity... most of the things my parents bestowed upon me last year were donated to the disaster victims, otherwise..."

As Wen Qingyan spoke, she let out a long sigh, her eyes misting over.

Huan'er’s lips trembled as she watched, and she immediately declared, "Sister Qingyan, don't be sad. I’ll handle everything—one hundred thousand taels!"

A look of mockery filled Wen Qingyan’s eyes, though they were instantly replaced by a smile. This woman was truly a fool, no better than the Wen Wan of the past!