“Honored Masters, Madams, young ladies, and young masters, below I shall introduce the first auction item…” The moment the auctioneer on stage spoke, the entire hall instantly fell silent.
So, the auction gala has begun…
“The first treasure is a spiritual object descended into the seawater, the largest pearl known in Rong Kingdom to date. Its shape is perfectly round, its color silver-white, its luster radiant without a single flaw. Thus, it is hailed as the ‘Pearl Queen’…”
Following the auctioneer’s words, the lights in the restaurant dimmed, and the item was slowly presented. Everyone was transfixed by the pear-shaped pearl.
Though so small, the light it emitted was even more dazzling than ten Luminous Pearls combined.
“Western pearls cannot match Eastern pearls, and Eastern pearls cannot match Southern pearls. A Southern Pearl Queen of this quality can be called a treasure that safeguards a nation,” Shi Chengji exclaimed.
Seeing the pearl on stage, Pei Lianyi felt dazed.
The shopkeeper told me, pearls are entirely white, symbolizing purity, nobility, and fidelity…
So, I bought it and gave it to Pei Ziying.
“What’s wrong, Family Head Pei? Interested?” Noticing his stiffness, the slightly tipsy Lord Yan asked.
Pei Lianyi didn’t speak, merely smiling faintly.
Lord Yan immediately called out a bid: “I bid fifty thousand taels of gold.”
As soon as those words were spoken, the entire venue exploded with murmurs.
“A precious pearl gifted to a noble person. Family Head Pei, if I could claim this pearl, I wonder if I might have the chance to converse with Master Pei by candlelight into the night?” Lord Yan asked again.
Master Pei… converse by candlelight… Stringing those words together, there was simply no way anyone could remain calm. Hence, someone else shouted:
“One hundred thousand taels of gold!”
Good heavens, they were raising the bid by staggering amounts! Shi Chengji took out a handkerchief to wipe his sweat, but looking at that impassive face, he also gritted his teeth and said, “One hundred fifty thousand taels of gold.”
“One hundred eighty thousand taels…”
“Two hundred thousand taels!”
As the bidding went on, those present grew increasingly heated, the atmosphere thick with gunpowder.
Treasures that could catch Master Pei’s discerning eye were few and far between. No one would miss such an opportunity.
Even if they couldn’t share a night together, just receiving a few pointers from him in the business world would be a deal guaranteeing no loss.
No one could know, the reason Pei Lianyi deigned to glance at that pearl was solely because of a single sentence from a certain someone.
Three hundred thousand taels, four hundred thousand taels. When the bid reached five hundred thousand taels, nobody dared make a peep anymore.
“Lord Yan bids five hundred thousand taels, going once… twice! Three…”
Just as the auctioneer was about to seal the deal with a hammer, as the crowd collectively held its breath, a deep, steady voice suddenly rang out from behind the throng:
“Seven hundred thousand taels.”
“Wha-what—?!” Lord Yan was stunned for several seconds before standing up in disbelief.
From then on, every time he called a bid, that person would immediately match it.
“Seven hundred fifty thousand taels,” Lord Yan called tentatively.
“Eight hundred fifty thousand taels,” the person remained as steady as a boulder.
“N-nine… nine hundred thousand taels.” Lord Yan began gritting his teeth.
“…” The person suddenly went silent.
Hah, he’s backed down! Lord Yan sat back down, relieved.
The crowd also let out a collective hush.
Just as the pearl was about to change hands, a burning box of scented ointment suddenly flew out from the crowd and loudly ignited the thirteen Heavenly Lamps in the Golden Goblet Pavilion.
“The Heavenly Lamps are lit… Someone lit the Heavenly Lamps!” people cried out in alarm.
“Wha-what—?!” Lord Yan paled in fright, nearly falling out of his chair.
Lighting the Heavenly Lamps was an unwritten rule in auction houses: no matter how high the bid for an item, the person who lit the Heavenly Lamps would compete with an even higher price.
Lighting thirteen Heavenly Lamps in a row—this was no longer a game of money, but a game of life!
The burnt box of orange peel ointment clattered to the floor. Seated upright, Pei Lianyi gripped the armrest of his chair tightly, his pupils shuddering violently.
Lord Yan knew full well that if he fought further, he might lose his life tonight. So he shut his mouth.
Seeing this, the auctioneer signaled for the attendant to retrieve the pearl.
“I announce, the winner of the ‘Pearl Queen’ is…”
“No need to trouble yourself.”
Before anyone could blink, the tall, broad-shouldered young man in the cobalt-blue sword-riding outfit had already crossed the crowd and stood steadily upon the stage.
Under the astonished gazes of everyone present, he lazily lifted the pearl chain and casually examined it from top to bottom. Beside his incomparably handsome face, the pearl glowed softly, smooth as congealed milk, as if a beauty draped in silk and brocade was suppressing a breath.
“Huo Jingzhao—?!”
“That’s…! The, the Son-in-law?”
Seeing that sharply defined face, exuding a refreshing, spring-like warmth, the entire hall was shocked.
Who could have imagined that this honest, dutiful man, gentle and slow of speech, would dare to spar and outbid others at such a major banquet!
“Where did he get the money?! No, wait, who is he snatching the pearl for?” Shi Chengji felt as if the sky was collapsing.
After all that fighting, they, these wealthy masters, had lost to a pauper, a live-in son-in-law! Who couldn’t even sit at the dinner table?!
Where is our dignity?! Where is our face?!
No sooner had he shouted than Huo Jingzhao’s searing gaze fell upon the chief seat, and he walked over.
The people on both sides dared not be negligent any longer, parting to make way.
Pei Lianyi didn’t move a muscle. Only when Huo Jingzhao drew near did he pick up his wine cup and tilt his head back, beginning to drink.
Draining the cup, his face flushed slightly, he licked his lips, a rare gesture.
“Master Pei, please allow me to put it on you,” Huo Jingzhao said in a deep voice.
Pei Lianyi hesitated for a moment, then closed his eyes, granting his consent.
Huo Jingzhao walked around behind him, stood meticulously upright, and clasped the Pearl Necklace around his neck.
There was a light “Click” by his ear. Something locked his heart, befuddled his soul, turned reason on its head, and took complete control of his body.
The teardrop-shaped pearl hung against his chest, full and flowing, merging seamlessly with his noble elegance.
Thinking it was over, Pei Lianyi was just letting out a breath of relief when Huo Jingzhao behind him suddenly leaned down and whispered, “Whatever Ziying has, you must have too.”
Beneath the table, his two legs were trembling.
“Oh my, I wondered who it was! So it was you, lad, shouting like that just to curry favor with your Father-in-law. Gave me such a fright…” Seeing this, Lord Yan patted his chest, still shaken.
Huo Jingzhao clasped his hands in a respectful gesture towards him and the crowd. “I have been discourteous, truly discourteous.”
Lord Yan was just about to call for him to drink as a penalty when a chilling voice asked from the other side, “Currying favor with the Father-in-law? Fine. Just wondering, if Pei Ziying saw this, what would he think?”
Pei Lianyi’s face drained instantly, his heart laced with sharp agony.
As Master Pei, he could match anyone blow for blow and would never bow his head.
But as a father, he was powerless to refute these words.
“Mister Wuya!” Seeing the face-scarred man standing with folded arms, Shi Chengji, detecting an unusual air, hurriedly rose. “Young Master Huo is just expressing his gratitude for Master Pei’s recognition.”
“Isn’t that right, Lianyi?” He sought confirmation from Pei Lianyi, his expression laced with unease.
Pei Lianyi didn’t answer. He stood and said to the crowd, “Tonight, I sincerely appreciate everyone’s goodwill.”
“I still have matters to discuss with Jingzhao, so I shall not linger further.”
With that, he instructed the attendants to distribute generous gifts to everyone and swiftly left the restaurant.
Everyone knew Pei Lianyi disliked indulging in alcohol and pleasure. It was unprecedented if he ever stayed at a banquet for even half an hour. So no one thought it strange; they hastily clasped their hands and respectfully sent him off.
“Master Pei, take care on your way…!”
“Farewell, Master Pei—”
Leaving the Golden Goblet Pavilion, Pei Lianyi didn’t allow Cao Xian or the others to follow. He and Huo Jingzhao simply walked one after another along the main street.
“Why aren’t you asking?” Huo Jingzhao spoke first. “Why aren’t you asking what the relationship between Shi Wuya and me is?”
“You’re really strange today.” Pei Lianyi’s heart tightened, and he continued walking forward.
“…” Huo Jingzhao strode up, seized his wrist, and forced him to face him.
Pei Lianyi bore a hint of intoxication, his eyelids carrying faint weariness. After pausing, he said hoarsely, “Everyone has a past they don’t want to bring up. There are some answers I don’t want to hear.”
He frowned in distress. “For instance, how you and Shi Wuya met, what happened between you. Or, for instance, what day you’ll return to Ziying’s side. And also, just how much affection you truly hold for me…”
Under the dim moonlight, his lips curved into a smile, but his eyes, unable to fully relax, carried deep shame and bitterness.
Staring at his slightly pale lips, the violence and tender affection within Huo Jingzhao both transformed into turbulent blood. He wrapped an arm around Pei Lianyi’s waist and asked:
“Do you know, know what you’re saying?”
He was utterly stunned by Pei Lianyi’s sudden confession of feelings. Even more shocked that this man, always speaking of rules, boundaries, and status, was driven to such a point merely because of Shi Wuya’s appearance.
“Ugh… I…” They stood on an empty street, liable to be discovered at any moment. Pei Lianyi didn’t panic, nor did he struggle.
“I said, I don’t want to know how much affection you have for me.” Facing the man’s out-of-control eyes, he clutched the black hair at the back of Huo Jingzhao’s head and whispered, “I also… don’t dare to know.”
“I’ll let you know today.” Pei Lianyi gripped tightly, but Huo Jingzhao didn’t feel pain. He enunciated each word: “Pei Ziying is the passage through which I gaze at you, reach you.”
