Memories surfaced before his eyes, and Shen Ruoyan's smile grew deeper.
Coincidentally, the next person who put up an item for auction was an acquaintance.
It was the wife of Prince Shun who had just been released from prison.
The affair between her and Prince Shun's wife was known to everyone present. They had probably discussed it behind their backs countless times and laughed at it countless times.
So when the wife of Prince Shun took out the red coral tree bonsai that was almost as tall as a person, everyone gasped, and then, they couldn't help but sweat for Shen Ruoyan in their hearts - such a precious thing, can the wife of the Marquis of Changning be able to compete with it?
"This coral tree is quite rare."
Princess Yihe rarely spoke, but judging from her tone, she seemed to like the coral tree.
Princess Shun was very proud. She had spent a lot of money to get this from the south. How could it not be rare?
Originally, he wanted to wait until the emperor or the empress dowager's birthday banquet to present it, but the prince had already found a more precious treasure, so he took this opportunity to use this coral tree to open the eyes of outsiders.
By the way, also clear her previous reputation.
Princess Shun looked towards Shen Ruoyan, her heart filled with pride.
So what if she was confined? After all, she was the consort of Prince Shun, and her relationship with the Emperor was inseparable! Even if she was punished, it was for others to see.
Look, in this kind of occasion, any move she makes is enough to amaze everyone. This is her standard as a princess.
Shen Ruoyan?
Can she come up with anything good?
"Begin bidding. South China Sea Golden Basin Red Coral Tree. Starting bid: 1,000 taels!"
“As expected of the wife of Prince Shun, she is indeed extraordinary. The starting price for any item is one thousand taels.” Madam Zhan muttered softly beside her. Although her voice was small, it was just loud enough for Shen Ruoyan to hear.
However, Shen Ruoyan was calm and composed, not at all panicked. It was unclear whether he was confident or really didn't care.
"The more silver is auctioned, the more funds will be sent to Nanwu. The princess is willing to give it up with reluctance." Even though everyone knows that there is a rift between Princess Shun and herself, Shen Ruoyan will not say a bad word about her in public.
Mrs. Zhan obviously didn't expect her to react like this. After a moment of hesitation, she smiled and said, "Indeed, the princess is righteous."
But it is obvious that there are still people present who like to make trouble and enjoy watching the fun.
After the princess's coral tree was sold at the auction for the highest price of five thousand taels, someone suggested, "Why don't we first see what Madam Lu has brought? Marquis Changning is leading his troops to Nanwu. I'm sure Madam Lu will do her utmost to support her husband."
These noble ladies didn't need to calculate the family background of Marquis Changning in detail. Just looking at the situation of the Marquis' Mansion in recent years, they could find out something.
The Marquis' Mansion is not an old family, and it does not have that much heritage. Even Shen Ruoyan's family is a family of scholars, and it would be very difficult for them to bring out any expensive rare treasures.
The person who proposed it was on good terms with Princess Shun, and she had been reprimanded by the emperor before. Princess Shun had become smarter and would not take the initiative to come forward and cause trouble for Shen Ruoyan.
But she hadn't yet settled the score with Shen Ruoyan for being confined to her house, and now that they were together, how could she possibly let it go?
This bonsai of red coral tree is one in a hundred. She wants to see what good things Shen Ruoyan can come up with to compete with it?
“This…is not my turn yet, let others go first.” Shen Ruoyan evaded the question.
When he said this, he lowered his head slightly, not daring to raise it, for fear of meeting someone's eyes.
This guilty look made Princess Shun even more certain that she must have nothing worth showing off!
Even if there were any, they would be nothing more than vulgar items that merchants could get, not worthy of being displayed on the table.
So, she winked at the lady who had spoken, only to hear her say, "Ah, Madam Lu, you are indeed from a family of scholars; you are so modest. Don't keep us in suspense; show it to everyone and let them have a look!"
He said it was eye-opening, but the sarcasm in his tone could not be suppressed.
Only a fool wouldn’t hear that!
Shen Ruoyan hesitated and kept refusing. Anyway, after all, she just didn't want to take out the things now.
Her appearance made everyone think that the thing in her hand was probably not that precious. At least, it was much worse than the red coral tree of Prince Shun's wife, so she didn't dare to take it out and embarrass herself.
Madam Zhan looked at Shen Ruoyan with a little sympathy. She understood that these noble ladies were born at the end of other people's lives, and they might even be at a height that they would never be able to reach in their entire lives.
They are arrogant and have never cared about other people's feelings. Now, they probably just find it funny.
Little do they know that their momentary impulse may be a shadow that will shadow someone else's life.
Mrs. Zhan suddenly tightened her hands around her sleeves, trying to control her trembling body. She had never expected that after all these years, she would still be so easily affected by a similar scene.
It seems that when I go back today, I have to ask my husband to prescribe some more medicine for her.
"Mrs. Lu, you'll have to see it sooner or later anyway, so you might as well take it out first." Mrs. Zhan said this very tactfully. It would be embarrassing sooner or later anyway, so it would be better to take it out now.
Otherwise, if someone forces you to take it out later, it will only hurt your face even more.
In fact, she had a good impression of the wife of the Marquis of Changning, but her husband was the head of the Imperial Hospital and was loyal only to the Emperor. So on weekdays, she kept a distance from these noble ladies.
Otherwise the news of my friendship with someone would get out and put my husband in a difficult position.
So even if she had a good impression of Shen Ruoyan, she would only give this reminder.
Others are powerless.
"Since everyone is so curious, I have no choice but to show off my skills." Shen Ruoyan slowly took out a small box from his sleeve and opened it in front of everyone. Inside was an inkstone.
This inkstone was made of fine stone with beautiful textures, and it looked very elegant. But upon closer inspection, there was nothing special about it, which left everyone a little puzzled.
Is the wife of Marquis Changning so stingy?
Such an ordinary inkstone is put up for auction. If the news gets out, there is no need to worry about being ridiculed by others!
"Who doesn't have this inkstone? Madam Lu, your preparation is really a bit sloppy, isn't it?" As soon as these words came out, everyone's eyes instantly fell on Shen Ruoyan. Although they were self-respecting and would not say anything shameful in public.
But I do feel dissatisfied with this move.
After all, this money is to be donated to the border. Even if a family is really stingy, they will take out the good things in their home for auction at this time.
Could it be that the wife of the Marquis of Changning really doesn’t understand?
Does she think that if she just takes out something, people will buy it at a high price and buy her account?
This idea is really great!
Unfortunately, none of you here are fools. You want to use their money to gain a good reputation for yourself, but you are not willing to spend the original capital. There is no such easy and good thing in the world!
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