Rong mama was busy having the place arranged. The space was simply divided into inner and outer circles. The inner circle had private seats that cost ten taels of silver to enter.
The outer circle was farther away and free to access, but whether you could see clearly depended on your eyesight.
The auction was set for the evening hour. The local authorities had already stationed guards there to prevent any trouble due to the crowd.
As night fell, lanterns were lit one by one. Torches were also ignited around the outer area, their bright flames lighting the place like daylight.
Half the private seats were already filled, and the outer circle was packed shoulder to shoulder. With more people came more restlessness. Some had already tried to rush inside. The guards had to make a few examples to barely keep order.
Rong mama wiped the sweat from her forehead. She feared she might not be able to control today's situation.
"Mister Huang has arrived, tea seat fee is 50 taels of silver," the announcer called out loudly. "Mister Huang, this way please."
In such an establishment, the seating arrangement mattered. The closer you wanted to sit and the clearer you wanted to see, the more money it cost.
"Mister Zhang has arrived, tea seat fee is 80 taels of silver."
"Mister Wang has arrived, tea seat fee is 50 taels of silver."
"Mister Hao has arrived, tea seat fee is 10 taels…" the announcer faltered. Today's seat fees kept rising. "Mister Hao, tea seat fee is 10 taels of gold." His voice rose, and a wave of chatter followed.
That the young master from the Hao family paid 10 taels of gold, and that was just for a seat. Clearly today's event would be worth it.
Haozhou walked in fanning himself, looking smug and bringing his people along.
"Mister Hao, welcome," Rong mama greeted with a smile.
"Stop with the fake politeness, I'm not here for you," Haozhou glanced behind Rong mama. "Where's the main act?" He saw only familiar faces.
"How could I let you see her just yet?" Rong mama called two young attendants to serve him.
"Don't bring out ones older than my dad again," Haozhou scoffed, arms around both attendants. He couldn't forget the last time, and he still had lingering fear.
"Don't worry, Mister Hao," Rong mama assured him. "I promise you won't be disappointed, just bring enough silver."
Then the announcer called again, "Mister Indigo has arrived, tea seat fee is 50 taels of gold."
Haozhou turned to glance at him. A cold-looking youth arrived with a sword at his waist. His expression was hostile, clearly someone had upset him.
But Haozhou was here for women tonight. He had no energy to deal with icy stares and turned away.
"Mister Hao, drink," Cuicui leaned against him and offered him wine. Seeing even Indigo here, who rarely entered such places, she felt a surge of jealousy.
She had to see whether the woman today was more beautiful than her.
"Mister Indigo, please," Rong mama carefully guided Indigo to the front row, worth 50 gold.
Indigo wore a dark robe, his eyes deep like ink, his aura cold. Rong mama's eyes swept over the sword at his waist.
"Mister Indigo, could you remove your sword?"
Rong mama joked, "Don't scare the girls."
Indigo looked at him, then removed his sword and handed it over. His voice was calm. "Be careful, don't cut yourself."
Rong mama almost failed to catch it. The sharp blade nearly sliced his hand.
Indigo gave a slight smirk. "Such courage," he said, emphasizing the word.
Rong mama looked at him with confusion. A chill crept through his body. Indigo's features were stunning, yet his coldness was unsettling.
He began to wonder if he had offended him in the past somehow.
Most of the guests had arrived.
On Aenwyn's side, she peeked through the curtain's gap and looked down. The crowd buzzed with noise, a sea of heads.
She had never imagined she'd be sold like merchandise one day. It was utter humiliation. Tonight, she would face the madness of this world directly.
She was guarded by more than ten men. Some of them stole glances at her.
"Am I beautiful?" Aenwyn asked. Her voice was soft and husky, a casual question that sounded like a tease.
She had put on makeup herself. You might ask, why would someone being auctioned bother to do makeup?
Aenwyn stomped her foot. She still planned to survive in this world as a man. How could she not disguise herself?
She had painted herself so well even her own mother wouldn't recognize her!
Aenwyn was a skilled painter. As a genius artist, her makeup skills were on a professional level. She could handle even complex film makeup with ease.
When Rong mama offered to do her makeup, she refused. "I'll do it." What followed was a transformation like magic.
Rong mama commented that it wasn't just makeup, it was a full disguise.
He was amazed. She looked nothing like before, yet was dazzlingly beautiful, like a legendary seductress.
Originally, Aenwyn planned to make herself look ugly. But that strange man had seen through her intent, so she ended up with this look instead.
She looked like an enchantress, too glamorous even for nightlife.
Her fair skin was glowing, with a natural blush. Her eyeliner sharp, lashes thick. When she looked properly, her bright eyes shimmered and pulled at the soul. Her lips were full and pinkish-red, charming and seductive. She looked anything but innocent.
Yet she wore a pale blue scholar's robe, with long hair draped over her shoulders, soft ribbons half-tying her curls. The lazy charm mixed with innocence made her look like a fox spirit tempting a young monk.
The man who had been sneaking glances turned red instantly, and sounds of people gulping echoed around.
His lower half visibly reacted. His voice hoarse, he said, "Beautiful. Truly beautiful." Dying today would be worth it.
Rong mama arrived, frowning. He had someone drag the man away. Today alone he had punished five servants at Spring Breeze Garden, and two more right here. The blood on a bench up ahead hadn't even dried.
With screams echoing from nearby, the men around tensed and turned their backs on Aenwyn, not daring another look.
"You behave yourself," Rong mama scolded her.
Aenwyn chuckled. "What? Did I do something?"
In a place like this, the more chaos, the better. They all wanted to buy her? She would see who really had the guts. Her eyes flashed with cold light.
Rong Mama looked at her helplessly. "Today's silver will be split seventy-thirty. You get thirty, I get seventy. Work with me."
"Fifty-fifty."
"Forty-sixty." The middle-aged man stepped back to avoid her seductive gaze.
"Forty-sixty is fine." Aenwyn raised an eyebrow. "But…"
"Give me the name tag first." Aenwyn held out her hand. When things get chaotic, the silver might not make it to her, but the identity tag must come first.
Rong Mama hesitated.
"What, afraid I'll run?" She sneered.
Being mocked by a woman, especially one of such rare beauty, was hard for any man to handle. Even though he had been a petty official for many years and might already be lacking in ability, making him less than a complete man, he still agreed after being provoked.
"I'll give it to you before you go on stage." Rong Mama gritted his teeth. Such a vixen. He already regretted organizing this flashy auction. Wouldn't it have been easier to just sell her quietly to a wealthy household and take the silver?
But there is no medicine for regret. Outside, people were shouting so loudly it shook the air, demanding to see her. It was time for Aenwyn to appear.
"Can you dance?" Rong Mama asked.
"Do I need to?" Aenwyn tilted her face toward him, as if saying, isn't the face enough?
She would never admit she had no other talents. Painting didn't count, since it was her way of making a living, something she had to be good at. She really was a rich girl, but obsessed with art from a young age, all her time spent in the studio.
With no other choice, Rong Mama gave her a lantern and told her to walk around with it once.
"Wait, the veil." As she stepped out, he handed her a pearl-colored veil.
Aenwyn said, "I know how to play the part."
After many calls, she finally appeared.
As everyone looked eagerly, Indigo's deep eyes lit with a reddish glow. A graceful beauty walked out, holding a white rabbit lantern. The warm yellow light first revealed her embroidered shoes, and her skirt swayed like lotus petals as she walked. With every step, it was like flowers blooming beneath her feet.
She lowered her head with a gentle grace, like a lotus flower unable to withstand the cool breeze.
The sound of hearts beating like drums filled the air.
As she came closer, her pale slender fingers gently pinched the lantern's handle. In the light breeze, her long black hair at waist-length floated softly. Her silky hair brushed past her fingers like it was brushing against people's hearts.
Indigo stood up suddenly. It was her! His eyes were filled with raw amazement and joy.
"She's out, finally out." The sounds of hurried footsteps came from behind, everyone trying to push forward.
Haozhou was stunned. She was truly a woman. Of all the boys he had played with, none could compare. A fire of obsession and determination flashed in his eyes.
As she fully stepped out, those in the back could see clearly.
A petite, delicate frame, fair skin exposed, ink-black hair flowing down, even though her face was covered,
There was no doubt. She was a rare beauty.
Thunderous noise filled the air, and everyone had one thought. Look again. Look more clearly.
After walking one circle with the lantern, Aenwyn finally looked up. Why was Indigo here?
Her charming eyes lifted slightly, and the crowd around the private booths gasped loudly.
Beautiful. Truly beautiful.
"I'll give one thousand taels of gold, no one fight me for her!" a chubby middle-aged man shouted loudly.
"Huang, sit down. One thousand is embarrassing."
"This young master offers two thousand taels of gold."
"Screw you, two thousand five."
...
The numbers kept rising, those standing outside gasped in disbelief.
Aenwyn looked down calmly at the frenzied crowd below.
Indigo's handsome face showed no emotion, but the force around him grew stronger. He whispered something to Uncle Zhong, who quietly stepped back.
Then Haozhou shoved aside Cuicui and stood up. "Rong Mama, can't we see her face?" His eyes were burning with obsession.
As soon as he spoke, the men roared, "See her face! See her face!"
Indigo's hand slowly reached for his waist. His eyes were glowing red, staring hard at Aenwyn.
When she gently shook her head, he let go. His face looked wronged but stubborn.
Aenwyn shook her head secretly. What was this guy thinking? Planning to steal her openly?
Rong Mama spoke up, "If Master Haozhou wants to see her face, fill that container over there. Once it's full, our girl will remove the veil."
Aenwyn looked toward the large basin-sized container.
Oh my gosh, she felt nervous. She didn't think one glance at her was worth that much silver.
But it wasn't up to her to decide the value.
Clink, clink, clink. The silver poured into the container, a sea of white reflecting the madness of the men.
The atmosphere was boiling. Soon, the container was full. Rong Mama smiled with satisfaction and had it carried away.
"Is it okay now?" Haozhou asked, his voice hoarse.
As the veil was pulled away, the room fell into complete silence. Even breathing could be heard. This was the first time this stunning, almost unreal woman stepped onto the stage of history in the land of Qianchu.