"Congratulations to our four finalists for winning the right to bid," the host announced, his voice echoing through the tense hall. "Please write your offer on the paper provided. We will rank them, and the highest overall score will win the honor of claiming Miss Yurou’s red flower."
Servants moved quickly, placing slips of paper and brushes before the four men.
Crown Prince Dai Yun snorted coldly. He snatched up his brush, shooting an arrogant, sneering look at Xiao Yifeng. The corner of his mouth curled in disdain.
You little punk, he thought. You want to compete with me in wealth? Even if you are an Immortal Cultivator, do you think your pockets are deeper than the Imperial Treasury?
"Crown Prince Dai Yun," Xiao Yifeng suddenly spoke, looking up with eyes as cold as glacial ice. "Are you planning to snatch this person from me?"
Before Dai Yun could respond, Xiao Yifeng smiled—a sharp, dangerous expression. "Is it because I only slapped your left cheek earlier today? Do you need me to even out your face by slapping the right one? I don't mind putting in the effort."
"You... you dare threaten me!" Dai Yun slammed his hand on the table, his fury momentarily eclipsing his fear.
From childhood to adulthood, who had ever dared to speak to him like this? He was the one who trampled on others. He had just finished threatening Yurou, yet in the blink of an eye, the tables had turned.
"If you insist on interpreting it that way," Xiao Yifeng laughed, a sound dominating the room, "then you are not wrong."
He turned his gaze to Liao Hong, the procuress, who was trembling in the corner.
"Today is not just Miss Yurou’s debut, but her birthday," Xiao Yifeng declared, his voice smooth but authoritative. "The highest bidder redeems her freedom. Does Sister Hong have any objections?"
Liao Hong felt cold sweat trickling down her back. She wouldn't dare provoke this 'Fierce Dragon Crossing the River.' This was a madman who slapped Crown Princes for sport, and the Prince didn't even dare to shout back.
"No objections! Absolutely no objections!" Liao Hong stammered, bowing repeatedly. At this moment, Yurou was no longer a money tree; she was a hot potato that Liao Hong was desperate to drop.
"Excellent," Xiao Yifeng nodded. "I will guarantee that Crown Prince Dai Yun won't cause any trouble for the Qingyuan brothel. Isn't that right, Your Highness?"
Xiao Yifeng felt a perverse sense of amusement. He was acting more like a villain forcing a good woman into ruin than a hero.
He picked up his brush. Swish, swish, swish.
He wrote a single line of text, then held the paper up, facing Dai Yun directly.
"Read it clearly," Xiao Yifeng said softly, his voice carrying a chilling edge. "If you can't see the situation clearly now, then you won't be needing your eyes to see anything in the future."
He folded the paper and handed it to the servant.
Dai Yun stared at the folded paper, his face turning the color of a monkey’s bottom. Humiliation burned through his veins like acid. He crushed the paper in his own hand into a ball and hurled it onto the floor.
"This Prince... withdraws!"
The words were squeezed out through gritted teeth, dripping with suppressed violence. Dai Yun spun around, kicked his table over with a deafening crash, and stormed out with his entourage without looking back.
The hall was dead silent.
"A gentleman does not take what others cherish," Zhang Tianzhi spoke up from his booth, breaking the silence. His tone was polite, masking his calculation. "Since Brother Xiao favors Miss Yurou, how could I contend with you? I withdraw as well."
"I... I also withdraw!" The final bidder in Booth Eight stammered. He wasn't blind; even the Crown Prince had fled in a rage. He had no desire to test this terrifying young master's temper.
Xiao Yifeng spread his hands and sighed. Truly, I have become the villain.
He looked at Liao Hong. "Since everyone else has quit, I assume I have won the rights to Miss Yurou by default. Does anyone object?"
"No, no! Of course not!" Liao Hong rushed forward, her face plastered with an obsequious smile. "Congratulations to the Young Master for redeeming Miss Yurou! From this moment on, she is a free woman and has no further ties to Qingyuan."
Just like that, the chaotic Flower-Picking Ceremony came to a bizarre, abrupt end.
The crowd below dared not whisper a word. The middle-aged fat man who had mocked Xiao Yifeng earlier was currently trying to shrink into his seat, wishing he could dig a hole and vanish from the earth.
Xiao Yifeng ignored them and called out to the opposite balcony. "Brother Zhang, why not come over for a drink?"
Moments later, Liao Hong led Yurou into Xiao Yifeng’s private booth. She presented a document with trembling hands.
"Young Master Xiao, this is Yurou’s deed of sale. From now on, she belongs to you."
Xiao Yifeng took the deed and pulled out a stack of banknotes—the five hundred taels he had originally intended to bid. He held it out.
Liao Hong recoiled as if the money were on fire. "No, no! There is no need! Young Master and Yurou are fated. For her to find a kindred spirit like you is a blessing from her past life. I wouldn't dare charge you!"
She was terrified. Taking money from this baleful star might cost her life later.
Seeing her genuine fear, Xiao Yifeng didn't stand on ceremony. He tucked the banknotes back into his robe. He knew Yurou had been miserable here, so he felt zero guilt about liberating her for free.
Liao Hong bowed and backed out of the room, closing the door softly. Only Yurou and her maid, Xiaoqing, remained.
"Miss Yurou, there is no need to be formal. Please, sit," Xiao Yifeng said gently.
Yurou studied him. He was a puzzle she couldn't solve. He looked like a refined scholar, yet he radiated an overwhelming, domineering confidence. His actions were overbearing, yet strangely, she felt no disgust—only curiosity.
She sat down beside him. A moment later, a knock came at the door, and Xiaoqing opened it to reveal Zhang Tianzhi.
"Young Master Xiao," Zhang Tianzhi shook his head with a bitter smile as he walked in. "You are truly full of surprises."
"Life is full of unexpected encounters," Xiao Yifeng poured him a cup of wine. "When I saw Brother Zhang, I was also startled. I didn't take you for a man of such... leisurely tastes. But I assume you had other motives for being here."
"My business is concluded," Zhang Tianzhi laughed, glancing at Yurou. She nodded at him in greeting. "I must congratulate Brother Xiao on successfully winning the beauty's heart."
Zhang Tianzhi felt a strange mixture of relief and confusion. Yurou had a fragile aura that provoked a desire to protect her, which was why he had intervened in the bidding earlier. But seeing Xiao Yifeng take control, he stepped back.
"Brother Zhang, don't tease me," Xiao Yifeng said. "Now that my business is done, I must leave. My Senior Sister will be worried. Are you leaving as well, or...?"
"I will leave with you," Zhang Tianzhi said, then paused. A look of sheer bewilderment crossed his face. "Wait... Brother Xiao, do you intend to take Miss Yurou to meet Fairy Su?"
Zhang Tianzhi was stunned by the sheer audacity. Bringing a freshly redeemed courtesan to meet Su Miaoqing?
"Why?" Xiao Yifeng looked genuinely puzzled. "Is there something inappropriate about that?"
"No..." Zhang Tianzhi shook his head, looking at Xiao Yifeng like he was seeing a ghost. "Young Master Xiao is truly a fierce man. Tianzhi admires your courage."
Xiao Yifeng wasn't actually that stupid. He had a plan: he would introduce Yurou as a distant cousin's daughter. With Su Miaoqing’s innocent nature, and a little cooperation from Yurou, she wouldn't think twice about it.
The group made their way downstairs. Xiaoqing escorted them to the main entrance of the Qingyuan brothel.
Xiao Yifeng stopped and turned to the maid. "Miss Xiaoqing, do you remember our bet?"
Xiaoqing blushed, lowering her head. "Young Master, please don't joke. It was Xiaoqing who had eyes but failed to recognize Mount Tai. As agreed, I am at your disposal... though now that you have Sister Yurou, I suppose you have no interest in a maid like me."
She cast a flirtatious, slightly melancholy glance at him.
Xiao Yifeng smiled. He reached into his sleeve and pulled out a banknote worth one hundred taels—money he had saved by not paying Liao Hong. He slipped it into her hand discreetly.
"Miss Xiaoqing, wealth should not be shown to outsiders. Use this to redeem yourself when you find a suitable man."
Xiaoqing stared at the note, her eyes reddening. This wasn't an act.
"Young Master Xiao..." Her voice trembled. "You treating me this way... it truly makes Xiaoqing long for you. How am I supposed to look at other men after meeting you?"
Suddenly, she stepped forward, rose on her tiptoes, and planted a soft kiss on Xiao Yifeng’s cheek.
"Let Xiaoqing take advantage of the Young Master just this once," she whispered, covering her mouth with a giggle. "You were too well-behaved tonight. It actually made me feel a bit disappointed."
With a final wave, she turned and walked back into the brothel, her figure swaying with a carefree grace.
"Hahaha!" Zhang Tianzhi laughed loudly. "Young Master Xiao, your charm is boundless! You topple hearts wherever you go."
Xiao Yifeng touched his cheek and shook his head with a wry smile. "Brother Zhang, please..."
He turned around to leave, intending to make a joke to Zhang Tianzhi.
His smile froze.
Zhang Tianzhi and Yurou noticed his sudden stiffness and followed his gaze.
Standing there in the moonlight, dressed in a pristine white dress, was a peerlessly beautiful woman. She was staring blankly at Xiao Yifeng, her eyes wide with utter disbelief.
It was Su Miaoqing.