Chapter 2: Seeking Adoption

  Jade Treasure Pavilion

  Located in the most prosperous golden area within the capital city of Xiling State, it is also the largest and most luxurious treasure trading market in Xiling State.

  Every March, the Jade Pavilion auctions off the rare treasures it has collected from all over the world in the past year. Of course, besides treasures, there are also extremely beautiful female slaves for sale. As long as you are a noble and wealthy person, the doors of the Jade Pavilion will always be open to you.

  Inside the magnificent Jade Pavilion, those who have money but no power sit in the first-floor hall, while the nobles with high social status enjoy private rooms.

  However, there is a house here that is worth millions but not for sale. Every March, the windows of that house will be opened, and people only hear the mysterious person's servant calling out prices, but no one has ever seen even half of the mysterious person's face.

  Once, Zeng was fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of the mysterious man's back, and he exclaimed on the spot: "Light as a startled swan, gentle as a swimming dragon."

  According to Nuo Fu's description, people speculated that the mysterious person was a stunningly beautiful woman.

  As for the actual truth, only the beautiful woman lying on the noble bed in the side room with an enchanting smile knew.

  His pair of enchanting phoenix eyes sparkled with a thousand hues, mesmerizing and alluring. His dark hair cascaded down the back of his purple brocade robe, seductive and charming, captivating hearts. The contours of his face were perfectly defined, like flowing water, exuding breathtaking beauty from every angle. His thin lips seemed to bloom like cherry blossoms, leaving one's imagination running wild.

  This man is beautiful and bewitching.

  "Master, everything is ready for the auction in the mansion. Master, can we start the auction now?" asked the man in green clothes respectfully.

  The young man on the imperial couch, who looked like a mischievous god, played with the emerald-green jade flute in his hand. His thin lips opened slightly: "Don't you think it's time to liven up the atmosphere? No need for me to say more, right?"

  A beauty is like jade, but he, with just his slender fingers, has already surpassed the beauty of jade, exceeding its spirituality. An ancient jade flute, in his hands that are even more beautiful than jade, becomes dull and loses its luster.

  "I understand, I'll make sure to satisfy the master." The man in green immediately said. Every March, he would mix with the master to call out prices, actually just to sell things at a better price. He was extremely skilled at this, and of course, he sincerely admired the master's business acumen. Every year, the Jade Pavilion would make a huge profit.

  "Snap!" The demon-like boy Danfeng's eyes rolled, and a charming smile was drawn on his lips. The movement of the jade flute in his hand became even more beautiful.

  Rare treasures were being bid on and snatched up one after another by the nouveau riche on the first floor.

  The aristocrats on the second floor are much more calm and collected. They know that the good things in the Jade Treasure Pavilion are usually kept at the back.

  "Ladies and gentlemen, the item up for auction is a delicate and exquisite little beauty. Her facial features are so tender that they seem to be carved out of water, and her skin is as white and smooth as porcelain jade. Interested bidders can take her home as a warm bed companion..." The rest of the words got stuck in his throat.

  Who will tell him that the ugly and dirty little girl in this cage came from where? Who will tell him where the little beauty brought back from the Western Regions went?

  The crowd saw that inside the iron cage covered with black cloth, a ugly little girl with a bird's nest-like hair was locked up, and suddenly it boiled over.

  "Haha, is this the delicate and lovely little beauty? Cloud Shopkeeper, are you taking us for fools?"

  "Beggars picked up on the street are cleaner than her, Cloud Shopkeeper, you're speaking nonsense with your eyes wide open?"

  "Cloud shopkeeper, that little kid looks like a consumptive ghost, is he almost dead? Are you still taking him out to auction?"

  Yun Zhanggui's face was awkward, and he was also stunned, unsure of how to explain this sudden change. He racked his brains but couldn't understand why a perfectly good little beauty had suddenly turned into a clown doll? It was known that Mei Bao Ge had never made such an absurd mistake since its opening.

  He really wanted to slap this little brat who popped out of nowhere with a palm.

  Just as everyone was shouting for the clown girl to be taken away, Cloud Shopkeeper was about to slap her into the wall so hard that she would be stuck and couldn't be pulled out...

  A cute and invincible little monster emerged from behind a little girl, baring its teeth at Cloud Shopkeeper in intimidation, then stood in front of Clown Doll with an absolutely protective posture.

  At the same time, Xiao Wu took out a white cloth he had written on earlier and spread it flat on the ground. Then, he calmly lay down beside it, just like a child suffering from a serious illness.

  When everyone saw the rare little beast, their eyes shone brightly. The little beast's action of baring its teeth at Cloud Shopkeeper was really cute and lovely. Seeing Little Clown take out a white cloth with words written on it, they all curiously gathered around to take a look.

  Yun Zhanggui was the first to see the black characters on the white cloth, and his mouth twitched uncontrollably. Ah, you little scamp, sneaking into the Jade Treasure Pavilion to "seek adoption" and "ask for nurturing". You've come?

  When was Tongbao Pavilion an orphanage?

  Countless heads gathered in front to take a look, all of whom couldn't help but chuckle and returned to their seats. Several men who wanted to buy the cute beast also gave up on the idea. Although the beast was adorable, this little sickly ghost would cost a fortune to cure after bringing her back home, and it just wasn't worth it after careful consideration.

  Some evil-minded speculators had a brainwave, first buying up this small cute beast, and then dumping the small clowns later, in this way, wouldn't it be possible to have the best of both worlds?

  "Cloud shopkeeper, name your price! I want both the little girl and the small beast." said the middle-aged man with ill intentions.

  Yun Zhanggui's expression changed to joy, unexpectedly this little clown could bring him some wealth, and just made up for the loss of losing Xiaomei, just as he was about to make an offer...

  "Ugh!" A small clown spat out a mouthful of "blood", disgusting a group of people to death.

  That man with ill intentions also felt a wave of disgust, and his heart began to retreat. If this little leper were to be brought back and died, how unlucky would that be?

  A few nouveau riche who still had some good intentions in their hearts threw some silver into the cage and said, "Cloud shopkeeper, this child is so ill, you'd better take her to see a doctor! It's also doing a good deed."

  Does Yun Zhanggui seem like someone who would do good deeds? Obviously not! As a merchant who helps his master with things, he only discusses benefits, not kindness.

  "Cough, cough, since there are noble guests who want to buy this girl and small beast, let's follow the rules of the Jewelry Pavilion! The opening price is 100 taels of gold, and each increase in price must not be less than 10 taels of gold." Yun Zhuanggui said.

  "One hundred taels of gold." The price had just been called out when someone started bidding.

  But why didn't anyone bid again afterwards? Why didn't Jia Fugui, who just said he wanted to buy the clown doll and the small beast, bid again?

  Yun Zhanggui was stunned, shouting three times if there was a price increase, but the group of people didn't even fart, could it be that this little clown couldn't be sold? It's not that it can't be sold, could it be that this little clown is destined to be bought back by its master?

  Good heavens! A thunderbolt would be too good for him. This time, the Treasure Pavilion has made such a huge mistake, and if this little clown is sent to the master's face, won't the master take out his knife and kill him and his brother who called the price?

  Yun Zhanggui carried his somewhat nervous heart all the way until all the treasures were sold out, but he still couldn't calm down.

  The younger brother who was helping the boss call out prices also became softer and softer in voice until finally there was no sound at all.

  Yun Zhanggui brothers looked at each other and then at the little clown in the cage, feeling an inexplicable sense of distress. Was this little guy really going to be sent to Master's place?

  Digression

  Yu Ye has something to say: What does this master think when he sees Xiao Kuiwa?