Chapter 45 Her Highlight Moment

Those who came today were all prominent figures, including officials and nobles of the fourth rank and above, as well as royal relatives.

The Minister of Works asked curiously, "I heard that they're auctioning off the eldest daughter of the Yun family's dowry?"

The Minister of Rites chuckled, "Yes, they are said to be rare and exquisite. My Shu'er is not young anymore, it's time for her to prepare a dowry, I have to choose carefully."

The Minister of Works was the most conservative person, and he thought Yun Zheng was too unruly. "She caused such a scene with the Pingxi Marquis's mansion. Don't you think it's bad luck?"

The Minister of Personnel said calmly, "No matter how much trouble she makes, she hasn't suffered any loss. It's worth handing over half of her dowry in exchange for a title."

Yun Zheng's reputation is not very good. Men like women who are gentle and well-behaved and regard them as gods, but Yun Zheng touches on their sore spots in everything she does.

She doesn't respect her husband's family and has no respect for her husband at all. Who would dare to want a daughter-in-law like this?

Even if you have to marry into two branches, you can just bear with it. As a daughter of a merchant, you can cross the class barrier and marry into a marquis's mansion, isn't it because you are rich?

If you marry into a wealthy family, just be happy about it. How dare you make such a fuss?

The Minister of Rites lowered his voice and asked curiously, "Why did the Emperor make an exception this time?"

The emperor has always been strict about bestowing titles. Only relatives and those who have made military achievements can be awarded.

Yun Zheng was the first woman of a different surname, not a clan member, and not the first to obtain the title through military merit.

"I know, it's like this..."

The speaker was beaming with joy, and the listener was fascinated. So that's how it is.

As they were talking, the guards from the Mingjing Division began distributing rosters.

"Everyone, this is the auction list. If you like anything, please lock it in advance."

This is a picture album, with every auction item illustrated vividly, and there is one for each table.

Everyone was very interested, "This is good, it's clear at a glance."

The time has come and the sound of gongs and drums rang out.

Everyone's eyes were fixed on the platform in the middle.

A woman in red walked onto the high platform in the middle. Her brocade and gold cloak fluttered in the wind, and she wore a five-tailed golden phoenix hairpin on her head, which made her look even more gorgeous and elegant.

"Dear guests, I am the person in charge of this auction, the head of Jinyun Township, Yun Zheng."

She was graceful and composed, as if she was born to stand on the podium, without any timidity or restraint.

The audience was in an uproar. "Hey, why is it her? How can a woman like her host an auction? Who gave her permission? This is against the rules."

"Nine thousand years old."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone fell silent.

Yun Zheng knew that this would cause disputes, but she still chose to do it.

When a person is worthless, he will be abandoned at any time, but when he is valuable, he will be surrounded by friends.

After dying once, fame and worldly gazes could no longer restrain her.

If you don’t agree, just fight!

"This auction will be held in two formats. Lots 1-100 will be auctioned openly, which I will be responsible for. Lots 101-200 will be auctioned privately..."

She got straight to the point, speaking eloquently and calmly.

An old man in the audience suddenly stood up and said, "Wait a minute, I have an objection. Is there no one left in the Ministry of Revenue? Why are you letting a woman show up in public?"

This is Yu Yushi, who has always been known for his integrity and has a very good reputation. However, he looks down on women extremely. He gave birth to four daughters, and each time he took in many concubines on the grounds that he had no offspring.

Yun Zheng said calmly, "It was the Ninth Thousand Year Old who chose me. Otherwise, I can ask for you."

"Nine thousand years old."

The window of the top box opened, and a solitary figure appeared in front of everyone.

"Do I need a reason to do what I do?" The cold voice was filled with chill.

Yu Shi shuddered, "Your Highness, the morning of a hen is a sign of trouble for the family. Please think twice."

Li Wuyang was very impatient and said, "Go away!"

Yu Yushi was so angry that he couldn't reason with him.

Li Wuyang glanced at Yun Zheng calmly, and Yun Zheng clapped her hands in understanding, "Begin."

The guards brought a set of beaters in an exquisite jewelry box.

"The first lot is a complete set of twelve pearl hairpins, including a Hetian white jade hollow gold hairpin, a green jade phoenix hairpin, and a South China Sea pearl hairpin..."

Made of various materials, each one is so dazzling that you can’t take your eyes off it.

"The starting price is three thousand taels, and each bid will be increased by one hundred taels."

When everyone heard this, they immediately became excited. It was cheap, much cheaper than the market price.

A faceless woman sitting in a private room offered a price, "Three thousand two hundred taels."

Someone immediately followed up, "Four thousand taels."

Yun Zheng is very good at creating an atmosphere. "Each one is a masterpiece of master craftsmanship. If you miss this one, there will be no next time. This opportunity is rare. It is a very respectable gift to add to the betrothal gifts of your daughter or give to your son as a betrothal gift."

The atmosphere became more and more intense. By the end, everyone was so excited that they seemed to be injected with chicken blood.

The price kept getting higher and higher, and finally settled at 20,000 taels, which was bid by the son of the Cui family in Qinghe.

The Qinghe Cui family is a family with a history of thousands of years, and no one knows how much wealth they have.

"Mr. Cui is generous, worthy of being from the Qinghe Cui family. He is extraordinary. Ah, what about the Wang family and the Xie family? Are you sure you don't want to follow?"

After being named, how could these two families not follow?

We are all from aristocratic families with a history of thousands of years, so who is worse than who? It’s not like we don’t have money!

"I'll follow!"

The three families fought till they were bloodied and refused to admit defeat. What they were fighting for was not the jewelry, but the reputation of the family.

In the end, the first lot was sold at a sky-high price of 60,000.

"Thank you, Mr. Cui, for your generosity. The Wang and Xie families don't need to be discouraged. The next auction items will be even more exciting."

With Yun Zheng's superb eloquence, taking advantage of the public's competitive mentality, and strong ability to control the situation, she managed to sell the items at sky-high prices, making the people who got the items feel very proud, as if they had won a battle.

Inside the box, the Minister of Revenue was stunned. Fighting like this, isn't money just money? And how can you play like this? Exciting.

"This Jinyun Township Master is a top business expert and extremely resourceful."

In his opinion, although the first set of pearl hairpins was good, even with a premium, it was only worth 20,000 taels at most, but she got several times more.

"You have a keen eye for talent. She is indeed the most suitable candidate."

Li Wuyang's eyes were deep and the corners of his mouth were slightly raised.

She shone on the stage with ease, as if she was born for such an occasion.

During the intermission, Yun Zheng returned to the box, looking very energetic and not a bit tired. "How much money did you earn in this half?"

The Minister of Revenue had a complicated look in his eyes. In the past, it was considered good if he could sell it at 70% off, but this time, the price was several times higher.

"It hasn't been settled yet. The results won't be out until tonight."

The amount to be paid into the national treasury is set at five million taels. According to this trend, there will be no problem.

There will be another auction in five days, which is open to wealthy businessmen from all over the country, and the richest salt merchants have also rushed to the capital.

Yun Zheng rolled her eyes, cunning as a fox, "No need, I've already figured it out in my head."

"How much?" The Minister of Revenue pretended to be reserved, but after hearing the number Yun Zheng reported, his pupils trembled violently...

What? He must have heard it wrong! This is impossible!