BXBX NOVEL Chapter 242 - 243: How About Just Giving In?
Yun Zhonghe clutched his own chest, stricken with pain, but a mass of coagulated blood was still churning in his throat. If he didn’t spit it out, it would have cost him his life.
At this moment, Yun Zhonghe truly wanted to slap himself for asking such an idiotic question.
“Brother Yun didn’t become a top suitor, don’t you have any idea why?” Ding Dragon Lady continued to speak.
“I don’t like this method. Even in our own country, women are not treated as objects of trade,” Yun Zhonghe said with a stern face.
“Yet every year, the queue of men vying for suitors in our country is endless. It’s nothing more than a game for the palace women. Whether it’s acting for fun or sincere emotions, everyone has their own choices. Why take it so seriously…” Ding Dragon Lady said.
Finally, it was Zhu Minglang’s turn… He appeared on the National Son-in-law Stage.
Looking at the countless enchanting women before him, his feelings were quite complicated.
On the one hand, being bought and sold like an exhibit at auction was somewhat shameful and revolting.
On the other hand, as a man with vanity, he was also curious about how charming he was, how many women would be infatuated with him, and how much they would be willing to pay for him?
It seemed that those men from other countries, who clearly couldn’t accept this system but still desperately wanted to stand here, mostly shared this thought!
“Honey City produces a thousand jars of honey every year, yielding at least a hundred thousand gold in annual revenue. Mr. Zhu Minglang is the object of my affection. Dear sisters, please show some mercy.” Indeed, Ding Dragon Lady was the first to announce a price, and she made it clear she would bid even higher.
As soon as Ding Dragon Lady announced her bid, she did so with extravagant generosity, causing the whole audience to sigh in amazement.
Many young ladies who had not heard much about Zhu Minglang also began to take notice and discuss amongst themselves.
“Sister Ding is being too miserly. Mr. Zhu is the only son of the Zhu Gate. Their external estate is wealthy enough to rival a nation, not to mention the mysterious and solemn inner estate. I doubt Honey City can even afford a single night with the gentleman,” said a Female Marquis, laughing coyly, directly revealing Zhu Minglang’s identity.
“It’s just a starting bid. Who would be so hasty with their heart’s desire?” Ding Dragon Lady said with a smiling demeanor.
“This Marquis doesn’t like to drag things out. A Red Diamond Mine worth, well, about five hundred thousand gold,” said the Female Marquis. After speaking, she threw a flirtatious glance at Zhu Minglang, as though she had him all figured out.
This Female Marquis was probably one of those who had watched from the sidelines at the Miao Mountain Sword Sect that day.
Having witnessed Zhu Minglang’s Firefly Sword, the Female Marquis was deeply smitten!
“Hmph, Mr. Zhu’s first visit was to our Dragon Girl Palace. Today, I want to see who can compete with our Hua Family. No matter who bids, this young lady will add twenty thousand gold,” said the Floral Dragon Maiden, seemingly innocent and lovely, yet extremely domineering.
The State Preceptor of Miao Kingdom belongs to the Hua Family, known as the Flower God.
And this Floral Dragon Maiden, naturally, also had close ties with the State Preceptor, with a status and identity in no way inferior to those Commandery Princesses, Female Marquises, and even Princesses.
“Sister Flower, why put on such an earnest facade? Everyone knows that the Hua Family loves to curry favor with power. If the Hua Family has their sights on the status of the Zhu Gate, you might as well just say it… Maybe Sister Flower would be willing to enter the Zhu Gate,” said a Female Prefect with a veiled face.
In Miao Kingdom, there was no distinction between a woman entering a family and a man marrying into another family. To say it out loud carried an ironic tone.
“Prefect sister is looking quite splendid today, but this is not the first time I’ve seen you dressed like this. Could it be that you have no better gold or silver jewelry? I have plenty, and I could give some to Prefect sister so that people won’t misunderstand and think your family’s territory is barren and lacks the wealth to treasure valuable possessions,” retaliated the Floral Dragon Maiden.
The face of the Female Prefect turned extremely unsightly; if not for the veil, her grimace would likely be visible.
“One million gold,” said the Female Prefect coldly.
“One million two hundred thousand,” said the Floral Dragon Maiden indifferently.
“One million five hundred thousand gold.”
“One million seven hundred thousand.”
“Two million gold,” the Female Prefect was no longer just bidding for a suitor; she was using the money to smash through her frustration.
Zhu Minglang listened, sighing to himself.
Two million gold!
That would be one million gold to my name!
Although the total value of the items I currently have on hand far exceeds this one million gold, many things can’t just be easily turned into gold. How incredibly wealthy must the noblewomen of Miao Kingdom be!
“This is a Moon Sky Stone, half a year ago a bishop from the church was willing to spend three million gold for it, which I did not part with. I wonder if Mr. Zhu finds this Moon Sky Stone of interest?” At this moment, Princess Luoshui spoke up, interrupting the competition between the Floral Dragon Maiden and the Commandery Princess.
Moon Sky Stone!
Such a treasure is definitely rare, and its uses are extremely broad. To put it simply, for Little White Bai Qi, Little White Bai Qi’s Azure Dragon Mystics and the Azure Dragon bloodline could even be elevated to another realm.
Zhu Minglang’s heart thudded.
What a great item!
And it perfectly matches the Ice Morning White Dragon with its Azure Dragon attributes.
Maybe I should just go for it!
“The princess has made an offer.”
“Who would have thought that Princess Luoshui would take a fancy to this overbearing Mr. Zhu.”
“Wasn’t there a rumor before that the princess had a mutual affection with Shi Jun from the Tang Observation Academy?”
“Could it be that the princess also has her eye on the Zhu Gate’s power in the Imperial City, intending to get a foothold in the Imperial City?”
Princess Luoshui’s first bid went to Zhu Minglang.
Although making a bid doesn’t guarantee a win, nor does it necessarily mean it’s the most coveted choice, having a princess make a bid is already an honor worth boasting about for a lifetime!
“Sister, it worked!” Nan Yusuo’s beautiful eyes lit up.
The princess took the bait!
That meant the second piece of Ancient Lantern Jade was within reach.
However, just as she began to feel happy, Nan Yusuo’s mouth puckered up, and she said in an unhappy tone, “Humph, Zhu Minglang will probably show off about this for a while again!”
“Sister?” Seeing Li Xinghua remain silent, Nan Yusuo asked with some confusion.
Li Xinghua still said nothing, simply watching the scene unfold.
Nan Yusuo stared at her sister for a while until her expression slowly turned solemn.
“Princess Luoshui, do not bear a grudge against your sister… Three million two hundred thousand gold.” The Floral Dragon Maiden certainly didn’t give up so easily.
Before she had left for the day, the State Preceptor had instructed her that she could bid for Zhu Minglang without any reservations.
For the Hua Family of Miao Kingdom, the Zhu Gate of the Imperial City represented a very excellent strategic marriage ally, and the Floral Dragon Maiden herself found Zhu Minglang particularly agreeable. So even if it meant competing with the princess for a son-in-law, she didn’t mind at all.
The State Preceptor and the Monarch represent two opposing factions, after all. The only son of Zhu Gate joining forces with the Princess of Miao Kingdom would not be a good thing.
Moreover, news came from Miao Mountain Sword Sect that Zhu Minglang was the son of Head Meng, making this potential son-in-law extraordinary.
Princess Luoshui just smiled and did not bid for Zhu Minglang again.
It seemed that her maximum price in her heart was just three million gold; any more would purely be a matter of competing powers flexing their influence.