The veiled lady hooked her svelte form around the cloth before gliding down to the marble floor of the round stage. The curtains concealing the stage were simultaneously drawn open, revealing the lady and her fluttering green gauze dress. The movement of her clothing gave the impression that she had brought the wind with her; a fairy descending to the mortal world. Underneath the face veil, that barely visible face held the aura of Xi Shi. 1No wonder so many men were crazy about her. Even as a woman, Ji Yunshu could not help but admire her.

When Jing Rong realised that Ji Yunshu was staring at Yuin, he said, Its merely skin-deep. To this Prince, shes nothing compared to someone I know.

She gave him a side-eye, It may only be skin-deep, but arent all the men obsessed with the appearance?

I think you missed the main point.

What point?

This Prince said, shes nothing compared to someone I know. Jing Rong spoke with a firmer tone, emphasizing his statement. Ji Yunshu was not a stupid person. Of course she understood. This was the same line Fu Erkang had said to Yongqi in My Fair Princess. 2

However, she was not in the mood to engage in sweet talk, instead turning her gaze back to the stage. Mother Bao was presenting Yuin to the crowd with an assortment of compliments.

Everyone here knows how good Yuins dancing is. I, Mother Bao, am most reluctant to let go of my favorite Yuin. Thus, gentlemen, please seize this rare opportunity; the highest bidder will win.

Just as she finished, someone shouted, I will pay a hundred taels!

What? A hundred taels? You want to buy Yuin with a hundred taels? Are you here to host a stand-up comedy? Madam Bao rolled her eyes at that man in disdain, directly reprimanding him, I say, Young Master Zhao, our Yuin is definitely worth more than a hundred taels. If you cannot afford it, please leave as soon as possible. Commotion started among the people present. All of them regarded the man with disdain and ridicule.

Hurry up and give that one hundred taels to beggars. Dont embarrass yourself here.

Get lost!

Dont come here if you cant pay.

Poor kid, youre not compatible with our Yuin. Shes mine.

The criticising voices swelled like a huge wave. Ji Yunshu was at a loss of words hearing all of the negativity. Mystified, she asked Jing Rong, Do all men act like this?

Its not all men, its just them. The Prince is different from those evildoers.

Ji Yunshu pretended that she never asked anything.

At this moment, people down there started bidding again.

I offer one thousand taels.

One thousand and five hundred taels.

Two thousand taels.

Two thousand and five hundred taels.

Three thousand taels.

Seven thousand taels. The bidding price suddenly jumped.

Hearing the offer for seven thousand taels, everyone downstairs lifted their heads to look at the second floor. Young Master Zhang, who put in the bid was sitting at the table beside Ji Yunshu with his legs crossed. He conceitedly scanned through the people below before turning his lascivious gaze towards Yuin. Rubbing his hands and licking his lips, he looked as if he wished to pounce her instantly.

When Mother Bao heard the number, she covered her mouth with her fan and her eyes shone. Seven thousand taels, Young Master Zhang bid with seven thousand taels. Can anyone go any higher?

At this, everyone nervously began to count in their minds, calculating whether they had enough in their hoard to be able to pay more than seven thousand taels. Eventually, all of the people exhaled in disappointment. All of them had made a wasted trip!

All of sudden

Seven thousand and one taels.

What? Attracted by the voice, everyone looked up and their gaze landed on Ji Yunshu who was seated at the second floor. One tael more?

This Jing Rong kicked Ji Yunshu under the table, What are you up to?

She stroked her fake moustache. Helping Miss Yuin to redeem herself!

You?

Look at me, do I look like someone who has seven thousand and one taels? If I am to pay one tael, then I am still capable.

Im bidding for you! Miss Yuin is as beautiful as a fairy. If you marry her, even if you treat her as a vase, you could derive pleasure just from looking at her.

Jing Rongs face turned sour. Irritated, he hissed, Ji Yunshu, this Prince will remember this. When its time, youll pay for this in bed.

Eww! She was dumbstruck.

At this moment, Young Master Zhang from the next table got anxious. He got up from his stool and shouted, Seven thousand and one hundred taels.

Seven thousand one hundred and one taels. Ji Yunshu yelled.

Seven thousand and two hundred taels.

Seven thousand two hundred and one taels.

Always a tael more.

Young Master Zhang was on the verge of falling apart. He charged towards Ji Yunshu and smacked the table. Rascal, you are challenging me!

Young Master, didnt Mother Bao just say? The highest bidder wins. First, I didnt use your silver. Second, I didnt force you to fight with me. Its a fair competition between us, with neither side owing the other. She shrugged.

Youre obviously doing it on purpose. You bid a tael higher than me. If youre capable, offer ten thousand taels.

Young Master Zhang, its better for you to return to your seat. You and I will bid fairly. However, I have nothing but money. No matter what price you bid, Ill always bid a tael more than you. Ji Yunshu sneered as she raised a single finger.

You Young Master Zhang could not hold his anger anymore. He clenched his fist and was about to start swinging. But when he had barely lifted his fist, it was immediately grasped by Jing Rong, and twisted backwards around his own neck. It was so painful that Young Master Zhangs face crumpled in agony, and he involuntarily landed with one knee on the floor.

Ow, ow, ow His tears streamed down his cheeks.

The iciness was shown between Jing Rongs brows was about to erupt. He said, You dare to touch my person? Youre trying to court death.

You Who are you? Do you know who am I? ImIm Zhang Zhongyi. My father is Zhang Qidong, the general from the Ministry of War.

So its Zhang Qidong, the general from Ministry of War. I was wondering who was capable of raising such a dog like you. His tongue was unmercilessly poisonous.

Zhang Zhongyi was exasperated and hurt. His other hand pointed at Jing Rong, How dare you insult my father? You dont want to live anymore?

Jing Rong looked at him in disdain and increased the strength of his grip. His expression grew even colder. He hissed, That old geezer Zhang Qidong stole from the government and violated the law, abusing his power to accept bribes. You better inform your dad to return all the money he has taken. He should enjoy his last days of freedom. A month later, the Ministry of Personnel will submit the list of corrupt officials. The first one to be punished will be your dad, Zhang Qidong. As he finished his sentence, he threw Zhang Zhongyi heavily on the ground!

Young Master Zhang was absolutely dumbfounded, Who Who are you?

You dont deserve to know. Anyway, the things your dad has done will definitely be investigated by the Ministry of Personnel.

Young Master Zhang sat on the floor with glassy eyes, his forehead covered in cold sweat.

How? Are you still bidding?

Bid my ass! His dad is losing his power, how can he pay seven thousand taels or more now?

Everyone else was bickering, but no one else made another bid.

Seeing that the atmosphere was turning sour, Mother Bao hurriedly ordered someone to carry Young Master Zhang down from second floor and back to his residence. Its done, its done. The deal is sealed with Young Master Liang from upstairs who bid seven thousand, two hundred and one taels. From now on, Yuin belongs to the Liang Family. Mother Bao said. Everyone thought it was a pity. They were envious and jealous.

Yuin, who had not spoken a word, lifted her head and looked at Ji Yunshu, then bowed slightly in acknowledgement. Ji Yunshu smiled at her, then walked to Jing Rongs side, Congratulations, shes yours.

What?

Miss Yuin is now yours.

Jing Rong clenched his teeth.

1. Xi Shi was one of the renowned Four Beauties of ancient China. She was said to have lived during the end of the Spring and Autumn period in Zhuji, the capital of the ancient State of Yue. Her full name was Shi Yiguang.

2. My Fair Princess, also known as Return of the Pearl Princess or Princess Returning Pearl (Chinese: ), is a 19981999 television costume drama jointly produced in Taiwan and Hunan Broadcasting System in Mainland China.