Go to the black market
"Oh, the Prime Minister's residence is quite lively! But I like to join in the fun."
Xie Sili looked up in the direction of the sound and saw the young man's footsteps approaching.
The newcomer had a face as beautiful as jade, a tall and slender figure, and wore a long robe of crimson and gold embroidered with auspicious cloud patterns. He held a paper fan in his hand and opened it as he spoke. Peach blossoms adorned the fan surface, and one could vaguely see the inscription on it. Even the fan pendant was shaped like a peach blossom.
He wore a smile, a blade of grass he'd picked from who-knows-where dangled from his lips, and his every move exuded the air of a spoiled brat.
No one noticed that the smile on his face didn't reach his eyes.
While Xie Sili was pondering, Xie Zhun suddenly pulled her to bow to the newcomer.
Xie Sili glanced at Xie Zhun, lowered his head, seemingly not taking his actions to heart, but quietly smoothed out the wrinkles he had made.
She heard Xie Zhun and others say, "Greetings, Your Highness Prince Yan."
The visitor was none other than Jun Qiyu, the only prince and the most notorious playboy in Chang'an.
It is said that Prince Yan, Jun Qiyu, grew up in a foreign land and developed a dissolute and unrestrained personality, often frequenting brothels.
① He claims to be a tough, unyielding pea that can't be steamed, boiled, crushed, or fried.
Memorials about him flooded the court, and even when the emperor reprimanded him, he didn't realize he had done anything wrong, as if he had long been used to this kind of life.
Therefore, the other three princes did not take Jun Qiyu seriously, believing that a man who was obsessed with beautiful women could not cause any trouble even if he held great power.
"You're too kind, Prime Minister. There are no formalities here."
Despite this, Jun Qiyu showed no intention of offering any assistance as he watched Xie Zhun bow.
Xie Sili noticed out of the corner of her eye that Xie Zhun's face showed displeasure.
She lowered her head and heard Madam Huang's voice, "I wonder what brings Your Highness here?"
She glanced up at Madam Huang and could roughly guess what she was thinking. Not only Madam Huang, but probably even Xie Zhun had the same idea.
No parent would want their child to marry someone like Jun Qiyu, even if he is a prince and the only prince in the world.
Although the emperor has not yet granted the marriage decree, it is already a done deal, and the two are only missing an imperial edict.
"I have heard that a batch of fine items has arrived at the black market and will be auctioned tomorrow. I would like to invite the Sixth Miss to come and admire them. I wonder if the Sixth Miss would do me the honor?"
Sensing that Jun Qiyu was avoiding Xie Siyao's gaze, she lowered her head and drank the soup in front of her.
"Yes, of course I'll go," Xie Zhun said without hesitation.
“Your Highness, this is my daughter, Xie Sili. She has been raised in Yuzhou City since she was a child and has only just arrived in Chang’an today. If you don’t mind, please take her with you so that she can broaden her horizons.”
As soon as Xie Chun said this, everyone knew Sima Zhao's intentions.
"I thought she was a guest of the Prime Minister's residence, but I never expected her to be the daughter of Prime Minister Xie. She is very beautiful and has a stunning appearance. She truly lives up to her reputation as a lady."
Jun Qiyu's words were full of praise for Xie Sili, and even Huang Shi, who had no connection with him, was praised in the process.
"I am but a plain and unattractive woman, unworthy of Your Highness's praise." Xie Sili coughed a few times as she spoke. "Furthermore, my stepmother is not my birth mother, and I have no relation to her whatsoever."
"I apologize, I apologize, it was my rudeness," Jun Qiyu quickly said.
"The beauty is ill like Xi Shi, I wonder what kind of medicine she usually takes. I hope I can find it and give it to her, just to make her smile."
His words were flippant, and his eyes were fixed intently on Xie Sili.
Even Xie Siyao, the most renowned beauty in Chang'an, paled in comparison to her.
"I have been sickly since childhood, and the medicine I take often doesn't help. They are all common medicines, so Your Highness Yan doesn't need to worry about them." Xie Sili said, taking out a handkerchief from his sleeve and covering his mouth and nose with it while coughing softly.
"I'm sorry for making a fool of myself, Your Highness."
"A beauty is a beauty, even if she is as sick as Xi Shi. Rest assured, my beauty, I will definitely cure your chronic illness."
Xie Sili looked at Jun Qiyu's outstretched hand and noticed out of the corner of her eye that Xie Zhun and Huang Shi did not stop him, and even Xie Sinan's eyes showed interest.
They all believed that the best course of action would be for Jun Qiyu to shift his attention to her, and that he was not a good match for Xie Siyao.
Xie Sili only slightly raised her eyes and saw him awkwardly withdraw his hand.
"Since Your Highness the Prince of Yan cares so much about my daughter, why not let her go with you tomorrow?" Xie Chun kindly suggested. "My daughter is new to Chang'an and has never seen such a grand event before. I'm sure she will be interested."
Before Xie Sili could utter a rebuttal, Jun Qiyu's voice rang out, "Beauty, do you want to go? The black market is the largest auction house in our dynasty, and the items inside come from various countries."
His eyes sparkled, and his words were filled with anticipation, as if he had forgotten that he had originally intended to invite Xie Siyao to the black market.
Just as Xie Sili was about to refuse, she heard Xie Zhun's voice, "Sister Li, you'll go, won't you?"
Xie Zhun's words carried a hint of threat. Xie Sili lowered her head, suppressing the smile on her lips, and looked up at the group with a troubled expression. "If Your Highness doesn't mind that I am unwell, it would be very kind of you to come and see me."
Upon hearing her answer, both Xie Zhun and Huang Shi had a hint of a smile on their faces.
The smile on her face was so obvious that she wanted to marry this sickly girl off to the number one playboy in Chang'an immediately.
"Not at all, not at all." Jun Qiyu smiled. "It is a wonderful thing that such a beautiful lady would grace us with her presence."
Xie Sili nodded to Jun Qiyu, "I'll trouble Your Highness to arrange tomorrow's itinerary. I'm quite tired from the journey today and feel unwell. Please forgive me for taking my leave now."
"My beauty, please rest well. Tomorrow morning, I will personally come to fetch you to the black market." Jun Qiyu said with a silly grin, his eyes seemingly filled with Xie Sili's image.
Xie Sili stood up, bid farewell to Xie Zhun, Huang Shi, and the others, and then turned and left.
Back at Liju, Xie Sili wrote a letter and had Size deliver it to his old friend in Chang'an.
The next day.
Xie Sili had just led Luoju into the front hall when she saw Jun Qiyu.
Today, Jun Qiyu wore an even more flamboyant robe, exuding an unparalleled arrogance, solidifying his position as the number one playboy in Chang'an through his actions.
"Good morning, my beauty." Jun Qiyu said with a smile.
Seeing that Luo Ju was about to speak, Xie Sili stepped forward, took her hand, and bowed to Jun Qiyu, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness, Prince Yan. Thank you for coming in person."
"What makes me happiest is that the beauty is willing to go."
Under Jun Qiyu's arrangement, she and Xie Siyao boarded Jun Qiyu's carriage together.
It must be said that he truly deserves the title of the number one playboy. Even the decorations in his carriage are extremely luxurious, each piece looking exquisite and magnificent, perfectly matching his current image.
The black market is located on Yongle Street, the most bustling street in Chang'an, and occupies the largest area on the street. No one knows who is behind it. The only thing that is known is that the black market exists within the Nine Kingdoms.
Xie Sili listened to Jun Qiyu tell him about the origins of the black market the whole way, and that every item inside was worth collecting.
After negotiations between Jun Qiyu and the guards, they were invited into the most prestigious private room in the black market—Room No. 1.
Incense burned in the private room, and four screens depicting plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums were placed there. Under the sunlight, one could vaguely see girls sitting behind the screens, each with a musical instrument in front of her.
Upon seeing them enter, they all stood up and bowed to them.
Moreover, the table in the private room was decorated with a variety of fruits of different colors.
As soon as Xie Sili sat down, a girl standing next to her handed her a hand warmer.
After thanking the young lady, she turned her gaze to Jun Qiyu, "Thank you for your arrangements, Your Highness. I'm sure you'll have a very enjoyable time at today's auction."
As Jun Qiyu said, today's auction is grand and magnificent. In addition to the noble status of His Highness the Prince of Yan, many sons of high-ranking officials and nobles from the court have also come to compete.
The auction items were all kinds of rare treasures, including various precious medicinal herbs and other rare items. In addition to the paintings of the Sage of Painting, there were also paintings by Xie Siyao.
Xie Siyao's paintings were auctioned on the black market for a high price of 10,000 gold leaves.
"Your sister is really amazing." Xie Sili said, then turned her gaze to Xie Siyao. "Your painting is actually worth so much."
"Sister, what are you saying? I have no idea why my paintings are on the black market." She sighed softly as she spoke.
"Sixth Miss, you are undoubtedly the most beautiful woman in Chang'an City, so the price of your auction items will naturally be higher." Jun Qiyu said, picking up his cup and taking a small sip.
Noticing Jun Qiyu's gaze, Xie Sili coughed and asked, "Your Highness, what has happened?"
"It's nothing. Does my beauty have anything she likes? I'd like to offer it to her." Jun Qiyu looked like a playboy. "I thought that ruby was a perfect match for you. I'll carve it into a jade hairpin for you myself."
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness." Xie Sili glanced at him and said in a low voice, "I am unworthy of such a favor."
"This is a gift from me, why should you feel ashamed to accept it!"
Seeing Jun Qiyu's outstretched hand, Xie Sili subtly dodged it, saying, "Your Highness, you are engaged to your sister, so please do not do anything that violates ethics."
"Sixth Miss, do you like me?"
Jun Qiyu looked at Xie Siyao and spoke without thinking, his eyes revealing that he didn't care about Xie Siyao's answer.
Xie Sili glanced at Xie Siyao but received no reply.
This was something she had expected.
Although Xie Siyao was not as ambitious and incompetent as Huang Shi, she was still the daughter she raised, and one could sense Xie Siyao's slight disdain for Jun Qiyu from her actions.
“My beauty, the Sixth Miss doesn’t like me.” Jun Qiyu said with a helpless shrug and sat down next to her. “Since she doesn’t like me, why should I devote myself to her?”
The matter-of-fact tone made Xie Siyao frown almost imperceptibly.
"Then why does Your Highness devote yourself to me? I am of humble appearance and am not worthy of Your Highness."
Her cough worsened, and Luoju, who was standing behind her, stepped forward and took out a pill for her to take.
"Your Highness, please forgive my rudeness." After taking the pill, Xie Sili gave Jun Qiyu an apologetic smile.
"It's alright. I think you are exceptionally beautiful and worthy of being my principal wife. What do you think?"
Jun Qiyu's words broke Xie Siyao's defenses.
"Your Highness is joking. Although I am a daughter of the Prime Minister's family, I grew up in Yuzhou City and am not worthy of such a position." Xie Sili lowered her posture to the extreme. "If it weren't for His Highness Prince Yan, I wouldn't be able to eat such exquisite pastries today."
She didn't give Jun Qiyu a chance to speak, and continued, "Chang'an is truly dazzling and prosperous."
Noticing Jun Qiyu's gaze on her, Xie Sili picked up her cup and took a small sip.
This grand auction featured fifteen items, with the highest bid being for a bottle of life-saving medicine sent by the renowned physician "Ling Su".
Jun Qiyu won a ruby at auction with 50,000 silver leaves.
"Sixth Miss, I have some things to say to my beloved. Would you mind taking your leave first?" Jun Qiyu smiled at Xie Siyao.
Sensing Xie Siyao's gaze, Xie Sili was about to speak when he heard her voice, "Alright, then I'll take my leave first. I'll trouble Your Highness to escort my sister back to her residence later."
Her face remained expressionless, but her tone revealed a hint of pleasure.
Xie Siyao didn't give her any chance to refuse and turned to leave with her maid.
After confirming that Xie Siyao had left, Xie Sili leaned against the window and glanced at Jun Qiyu, saying, "You seem to be having a pretty comfortable time in Chang'an."
Jun Qiyu chuckled lightly, "It's just an act. Xie Zhun brought you back because he really wants you to marry me, right?" His tone was also different from before.
She looked at Jun Qiyu and nodded slightly.
"You are His Highness Prince Yan?" Luoju looked at Jun Qiyu and said, "Our young lady will not marry you, let alone marry you in place of Xie Siyao."
Hearing Luoju's words, Xie Sili burst out laughing.
She glanced at Jun Qiyu, only to see him rip off the human skin mask from his face, revealing a face that was...
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