Zhuge Zheya seated herself gracefully to the side, a faint curve playing at her lips.
"Miss Huangfu, you are mistaken. I came to Jiangdu on family business—it has nothing to do with you."
Huangfu Shiyue let out a cold snort, no longer deigning to reply.
Yun Bingwan inclined her head gently toward Ye Chu.
"Young friend Ye, we meet again."
Ye Chu responded with a polite nod.
"You know this fellow too, Bingwan?" Zhuge Zheya asked in surprise.
"Not exactly. We've merely crossed paths a few times," Yun Bingwan explained.
Zhuge Zheya murmured an "oh," her gaze sweeping over Ye Chu with undisguised curiosity.
That last encounter lingered vividly in her memory.
And one more thing—anyone capable of earning such importance from Huangfu Shiyue was unlikely to be ordinary.
Surely he possessed talents beyond the art of healing.
"Beauty, are you here for treatment? If so, I can prescribe something right now." Ye Chu blinked mischievously. "On Madam Huangfu's account, I'll even give you a twenty percent discount."
The thought of their previous incident brought a flush of scarlet to Zhuge Zheya's cheeks. Embarrassed and indignant, she shot him a glare before quickly averting her eyes.
Yun Bingwan, astonished, found it the first time she had ever seen the calm, composed Zhuge Zheya wear such an expression.
"Brother," Huangfu Shiyue asked curiously, "you know Zhuge Zheya?"
Ye Chu nodded, briefly recounting their past encounter.
Understanding dawned on Huangfu Shiyue's face, and she immediately cautioned,
"That woman is no good. Keep your distance."
Zhuge Zheya's eyes grew cold.
"Huangfu Shiyue, clarify yourself. How am I not a good person?"
Huangfu Shiyue sneered sideways.
"You know perfectly well what you are—I needn't spell it out."
Zhuge Zheya's expression chilled to a terrifying degree. Just as Ye Chu thought she would lash out, she suddenly laughed.
"So, you're afraid I'll get close to him? Truth be told, I was only mildly curious. But now, I've changed my mind."
Her gaze turned upon Ye Chu, blossoming into a smile brimming with charm. Rising to her feet, she extended a hand.
"Divine Physician Ye, I, Zhuge Zheya, wish to make your acquaintance."
Those nearby who overheard were stunned.
A woman of such exceptional grace and beauty, taking the initiative to befriend Ye Chu?
He was but a son-in-law—could he truly hold such allure?
Across the garden terrace, Wang Zihao's eyes burned with envy as he watched yet another peerless beauty approach Ye Chu.
"Damn it! Why should that worthless wretch deserve this?"
His heart howled in silent protest, unwilling to accept the truth.
Ye Chu paused in surprise, then quickly recovered. With warm enthusiasm, he grasped her hand.
"Of course."
Her palm was warm and smooth, a most pleasing touch.
Almost reflexively, he released a wisp of true qi to probe her constitution.
A moment later, joy flared in his eyes.
She too possessed a rare constitution—the Radiant Physique.
A body no less extraordinary than the Moonlight Constitution.
Fortune had truly favored him: three unique physiques in such short order.
Jiang Junyao's prideful heart was not yet within reach, but Huangfu Shiyue and this woman before him could surely be won over first.
If successful, the baleful dragon qi within him might finally subside.
He would no longer endure torment during cultivation. The thought alone set his gaze ablaze.
A chill ran through Zhuge Zheya, unnerved by the intensity in Ye Chu's eyes.
Instinctively, she tried to withdraw her hand—but found she could not.
Panic stirred within, though she masked it with poise.
"Divine Physician Ye, might you… release my hand first?"
Ye Chu blinked, regaining awareness, and hastily let go.
"My apologies. I was lost in some pleasant thoughts." He quickly offered his excuse—best not leave a poor impression.
Zhuge Zheya's eyelids twitched. Somehow, she doubted that whatever "pleasant thoughts" he had were anything good.
Taking a deep breath, she produced her phone and exchanged contact details with him.
"Divine Physician Ye, I still carry some influence in Jiangdu. Should you ever need assistance, feel free to seek me out."
Her voice was sweet, her smile radiant, though she shot a provocative glance toward Huangfu Shiyue.
"Much appreciated," Ye Chu chuckled. Just as he sat down again, he felt a resentful gaze upon him.
Turning, he found Huangfu Shiyue staring unblinkingly at him, her eyes full of reproach.
Dongmei glared at him with outright fury.
Ye Chu coughed lightly, about to explain, when the tolling of a bell resounded from the stage—the auction was officially beginning.
A graceful hostess stepped onto the platform, microphone in hand.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to tonight's auction. I am your host, Dandan, and I declare the auction officially open."
Ye Chu seized the chance to divert attention.
"Sister Shiyue, the auction's starting. We must pay close attention—wouldn't want to miss any treasures."
Fixing his gaze firmly on the stage, he pretended rapt interest.
Huangfu Shiyue cast him a resentful look, then too turned her eyes forward.
A staff member carried up a tray veiled in crimson cloth. Dandan began her introduction.
"Our first item tonight is a luminous pearl."
The cloth was lifted, revealing a pale green orb the size of a grown man's fist.
The lights dimmed, and in the darkness the pearl glowed with a soft emerald light. Its inner veins and patterns shimmered mysteriously, a sight of rare beauty.
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
When the lights brightened again, Dandan explained,
"This luminous pearl hails from the western mountains, discovered deep within a cavern. Experts have confirmed it to be a rare mineral unseen before. It calms the mind and nourishes the body when worn long-term."
At her words, the audience stirred with excitement, eyes blazing.
To jade enthusiasts, it was no less than a priceless treasure.
Once the hall quieted, Dandan declared,
"The starting bid is ten million, with increments no less than one million."
"Eleven million!"
"Twelve million!"
"Fifteen million!"
"Twenty million!"
"Thirty million!"
The bids soared rapidly, soon surpassing thirty million.
Those in the front rows, however, remained composed, showing no inclination to bid.
At last, the pearl was claimed for a staggering one hundred million by a jade magnate.
The next item, a Han dynasty relic, sold for one hundred and fifty million.
Lot after lot was presented, eight or nine in total—all priceless, with the priciest being a strand of imperial-green prayer beads said to date back to the Tang dynasty, auctioned off for an astonishing four hundred million.
"And now," Dandan announced, "a relic from the pre-Qin era."
The red cloth was whisked away, revealing a small bronze cauldron with three legs and twin handles.
Roughly the size of a washbasin, it was mottled with rust and engraved with ancient markings, exuding an aura of mystery.
Yet its condition was deplorable—fractured with several cracks, missing an ear and a leg, so fragile it looked ready to crumble. Its value was marred by its ruinous state.
At the mention of a pre-Qin artifact, the crowd's anticipation had risen—only to be dashed at the sight of such a dilapidated piece.
Even if genuine, what worth was a bronze cauldron that might shatter at any moment?
Disappointment clouded Dandan's features, but she dutifully introduced it nonetheless.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this bronze cauldron has been verified as authentic to the pre-Qin era. Its precise date is unknown, but it is assuredly genuine—though regrettably incomplete."
"The starting bid is ten million, with increments no less than one million."
Silence. Not a single paddle was raised.
Though disheartened, Dandan understood. This was already the tenth lot, and greater treasures lay ahead. Who would squander funds on a broken cauldron, risking the chance to miss the true prizes?
Just as she prepared to declare it unsold, a voice rang out—
"Eleven million."