Chapter 203: Did You Really Think It Was Just 20,000 Taels of Silver?
She had actually blurted out a bid of 20,000 taels—just because that little boy had looked at her with pitiful eyes and silently mouthed the word “sister”?
Oh, God. She was even more of a saint than her mother!
20,000 taels!
Forget it, forget it. It’s just 20,000 taels. She wasn’t an ordinary person—she was a transmigrator with a system. Just 20,000 taels… she could definitely earn it back quickly!
Besides, Ming Ye had violet eyes. If the system was functional again, maybe it could help her find a lost cultivation technique for the Art of Enchantment.
If Ming Ye mastered it, he could become a powerful asset for her in the future!
After her initial shock, Yu Luo quickly calmed herself down.
Still, spending such an enormous sum all at once—something she had never done before—left her heart pounding wildly in her chest.
As she struggled to settle her nerves, the weight of countless stares bore down on her.
Frowning, Yu Luo, feeling uncomfortable, hastily tossed the auction paddle she had just raised into Zhang Hu’s hands.
“If it doesn’t go over 30,000 taels, keep bidding and make sure we win.”
Zhang Hu’s ever-stoic face had barely recovered from the shock of her initial bid, only to be struck by another wave of astonishment.
But he was Zhang Hu. After a brief moment of surprise, he quickly composed himself. Taking the paddle, he gave a small nod and responded with a simple “Hmm.”
Reminding herself that she was bidding for talent, Yu Luo suddenly felt less distressed about the money.
After all, just from raiding the private mines in Jiuzhong Mountain, she had already amassed wealth worth tens of times that amount. There was no reason to feel guilty about spending it.
And then there was the fortune from the Marquis’ residence and the Prime Minister’s estate—most of which she hadn’t even touched yet.
Wait, wasn’t the black market in Feng City known for accepting valuable items with no questions asked?
The antiques and artifacts from those estates—couldn’t she sell them there?
The more she thought about it, the less she cared about her impulsive 20,000-tael bid.
“Heh, I didn’t take you for someone so sentimental and soft-hearted. But what surprised me even more—you’re actually rich.”
Ye Lu’s voice carried a low chuckle as he leaned slightly forward, his words easily reaching Yu Luo’s ears across Tao Ming.
Yu Luo snapped her head toward the annoying man and shot him a glare as sharp as a blade!
Just as she was about to retort, the voice of the auctioneer, the man in the warrior’s outfit, echoed across the venue.
“20,000 taels—first call!”
As the warrior’s voice rang out, his drumstick pounded heavily against the massive drum beside him.
The deafening sound reverberated throughout the venue, drawing everyone’s attention back to the auction.
Yet, after the bid was announced, a strange silence fell over the room. The once-fierce competition suddenly stalled.
No one raised their paddle.
The unexpected stillness allowed Yu Luo to breathe a huge sigh of relief. At least now she wouldn’t have to spend even more.
After a moment of quiet, murmurs started spreading through the crowd as people snapped out of their daze.
“20,000 taels for that boy… Doesn’t seem worth it anymore. The Art of Enchantment has been lost for so long—if no one can find a technique for him to train in, he’d be nothing more than an expensive decoration. Not worth it, not worth it! For 20,000 taels, I’d rather buy a detoxification pill—who knows, there might even be one up for auction tonight!”
Similar discussions broke out among the bidders as they weighed the risks and benefits.
To Yu Luo, who had never spent money so extravagantly, 20,000 taels felt like an astronomical sum.
But what she didn’t expect was that even these wealthy attendees—who had come all the way to Feng City just to spend money—would hesitate over the same amount.
Of course, she understood their concerns. To them, Ming Ye was just a pretty boy with violet eyes. The likelihood of finding the lost Art of Enchantment was slim, and without it, they were simply purchasing an ornament.
But she was different…
While Yu Luo reassured herself, she had no idea that when it came time to pay, she would finally understand why even the elite hesitated to bid any higher.
“20,000 taels—second call!”
The warrior’s drumstick struck again, and Yu Luo exhaled another breath of relief.
At least she could save some money. No competition meant she wouldn’t have to spend any extra.
She might seem wealthy now, but all her silver was meant for building her city.
Once construction began, she would quickly learn that tens of thousands—no, even hundreds of thousands of taels—would vanish like water slipping through her fingers.
Especially if she had to raise a private army.
Even if she only recruited 10,000 soldiers, the daily costs for food, shelter, and basic provisions would be enormous.
Not to mention their monthly wages, weapons, armor—every single expense would add up.
10,000 soldiers might not even be enough in the long run…
“20,000 taels—third call!”
As Yu Luo anxiously waited, the auctioneer’s voice finally rang out one last time.
The drumstick landed heavily against the drum—this time, the loudest strike yet, a thunderous boom that shook the entire venue!
It was official. Ming Ye was hers.
The first item of the auction had been successfully sold.
At the sound of the final drumbeat, Yu Luo let out a long, relieved sigh, pressing her lips together.
It was the subtle gesture of someone trying to calm their nerves—one that Ye Lu noticed immediately.
“Congratulations.”
Ye Lu spoke again, his voice smooth and unhurried.
Yu Luo turned to look at him.
This time, her gaze had lost some of its earlier sharpness. It no longer carried the same defensive edge.
That was when she realized—no matter how much she tried to ignore this man, he would still shamelessly find a way to talk to her.
“Thank you.”
Her lips curved into a smile, but it was the kind of smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
For once, Ye Lu was caught off guard.
He hadn’t expected her to respond at all.
Surprised, he let out a soft chuckle as his grin widened.
But Yu Luo had already turned away, her focus now on Chi Qiu, who had begun explaining the transaction process.
Reaching into her robe, she pretended to pull out a thick stack of silver notes and was about to hand them to Zhang Hu.
But just as she did, Ye Lu’s amused voice sounded beside her again.
“Did you really think it was just 20,000 taels of silver?”
Yu Luo paused, glancing down at the silver notes in her hands before looking back at Ye Lu in confusion.
“What… Does that mean there’s a processing fee?”
Ye Lu, seeing her utterly clueless expression, could no longer hold back his laughter.
