Chapter 63 Discussing Major Plans
In the main hall of Fengyi Palace, the aftermath of the money-grabbing declaration with a starting price of ten thousand taels of gold had not yet subsided, and the lingering sound of the third ring of the Xuanji Bell was still vibrating in everyone's hearts.
The basic industry tax of 15,000 taels of gold was like a heavy exclamation mark, which hit Emperor Nangong Yu so hard that he covered his chest with his hands. His eyes switched wildly between the golden light, the pain in his body, and the desire for the future fairy shuang.
Just as the atmosphere was delicate and everyone was trying to digest the overwhelming wealth and the prophecy of the Xuanji Bell, Emperor Nangong Yu's eyes turned and caught the thought that flashed through Dongfang Yuning's mind:
"Third brother has been traveling outside all year round, living in the open air. He needs to be nourished! It just so happens that we still have some diluted Lingquan tea left... When he comes later, give him a big cup first!"
Strengthen your body and refresh your mind! Then, I can drag him to plan the grand cause of the auction house! Hehe, my rare treasures are waiting to make a stunning appearance at the auction house and harvest...
No, it's for the benefit of all people! Starting at 10,000 gold? That's just the threshold!]
Nangong Yu instantly became alert!
[Third uncle?! Replenishing health?! Spiritual spring?! And the auction house business?!]
He seemed to see a moving God of Wealth and future supplier of fairy cream approaching! He made a quick decision and shouted to the crowd outside the hall with full energy and a hint of imperceptible urgency:
"Come! Quickly summon Dongfang Linyuan to the Fengyi Palace for an audience! Tell him... tell him that the Empress, the Queen Mother, Prince Yong, the Crown Prince, and the Princess are all here, and we have something important to discuss! Tell him to come quickly!"
[The key is to be quick! Don't delay my sister-in-law from giving him the immortal spring and negotiating a big deal!]
The emperor added inwardly.
System 118: [Beep—Host's plans for caring for (and commercializing) Dongfang Linyuan detected. Emperor Nangong Yu has efficiently executed the command to 'summon toolman (crossed out) capable personnel.']
Friendly reminder: Host, your Third Brother's psychological endurance is assessed as A-level (businessman's nature), but facing the double impact of the Spiritual Spring + the 10,000 gold starting bid, there is still a 5% chance that his expression will lose control. Suggestion: Feed him information (and Spiritual Spring) step by step.
Dongfang Yuning: [Gradual progress? No, no, no, 118, that's called striking while the iron is hot! San Ge's ability to handle pressure is amazing! Look at how far he's come, what storms hasn't he seen? A mere 10,000 gold starting bid, no big deal!]
The villain in her heart is ready to fight.
My 'Star Tears' necklace, Ice Silkworm Snow Soul Brocade, and those few Nine Revolutions Resurrection Pills (Diluted Youth Version) that could keep me alive...
Tsk tsk tsk, just thinking about those wealthy ladies and celebrities fighting over it makes me excited! 118, quick, help me refine the hunger marketing script! Limited quantity! Must be limited quantity! It’s best to let them fight for the right to buy it first!
The smile on her face became more and more "kind".
System 118: [Ding—Script optimization in progress… Plan 1: Spread rumors the night before the auction, claiming that the wife of a certain Duke has been privately booked, triggering panic bidding…]
Option 2: Create three levels of membership: Platinum, Diamond, and Supreme Obsidian. The higher the level, the greater the chance of success in grabbing items. The membership fees are...
Option Three: Bundle Sale: Buy a bottle of high-priced face cream and you must also buy ten kilograms of regular snail noodles (double the price)... Host, which one do you choose? Or... take them all?]
The electronic sound is full of the excitement of aiding and abetting evil.
Dongfang Yuning: [I want them all! Adults don't make choices! 118 You're truly my sweet little cotton-padded jacket (black-hearted version)! That's it!]
The little man inside her was already wielding the sickle (cross out) of the glittering auction hammer.
Just as Dongfang Yuning and the system were busy perfecting the plan of cutting leeks (crossed out) to benefit the people in their minds, steady and powerful footsteps were heard outside the hall.
The dusty yet handsome Marquis of Zhenbei and imperial merchant Dongfang Linyuan strode in. He had just returned to the capital, not even having time to return to the Marquis's residence, when he was urgently summoned to the palace by the Emperor, and was puzzled.
"Your Highness Dongfang Linyuan pays homage to Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager, the Empress, His Royal Highness Prince Yong, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and His Royal Highness the Princess."
His voice boomed as his gaze swept across the hall, encompassing what was arguably Dayan's finest team. His doubts grew even stronger. Finally, his gaze settled on his younger sister, who looked at him with sparkling eyes, a kind of... well, like the excitement of a three-day-starved fox seeing a fat chicken?
"Third brother!"
Dongfang Yuning immediately transformed into the most caring little sister, and came forward with the pot of diluted Lingquan tea, with an extremely sincere concern on her face.
"You're finally back! You look so tired! Come on, have a cup of tea to moisten your throat and relieve your fatigue! This is a health-promoting flower tea that I personally mixed. It's super effective!"
She moved as fast as lightning, and without any hesitation, she poured a large cup of warm Lingquan tea and stuffed it directly into Dongfang Linyuan's hand.
Dongfang Linyuan was stunned by his sister's enthusiasm and subconsciously took the teacup. Before he could even say a few words of courtesy, he clearly heard his sister's penetrating voice:
[Hurry up and drink it! Third Brother! This is great stuff! Produced by Lingquan Space! Dilute 1:100! Gently nourishes, strengthens the body, and prolongs life!]
You won't feel tired even after running two laps! I saved this for you! Drink it and I guarantee you'll feel refreshed. You'll have the energy to talk to me about the auction house later!
Spiritual spring?! Space?! Dilution?! Longevity?! Horse racing without fatigue?!
These key words exploded in Dongfang Linyuan's mind like thunder! His grip on the teacup suddenly tightened, his knuckles turning white!
[Oh my god! My little sister...she actually has such a treasure?! And...she even gave it to me to drink?!]
The huge surprise and shock instantly overwhelmed him! He felt his heart pounding, and the blood rushed to his head! He wanted to raise his head and drink this cup of nectar immediately!
But! His top-notch expression management skills, honed through the ups and downs of the business world, came into play at a crucial moment! [No! Can't let it slip! My little sister doesn't even know we can hear her feelings! What if she finds out how excited I am and scares her?! And... the secret of this fairy spring...] He forcibly suppressed the exclamation and ecstasy that threatened to burst from his throat, striving to maintain the calm demeanor of the Marquis of Zhenbei, though the muscles at the corners of his mouth twitched uncontrollably.
He took a deep breath and said in a voice as steady as possible (although with a slight tremor that was barely perceptible):
"Thank you for your concern, little sister. I'm a little thirsty."
After saying that, he picked up the teacup and took a big sip slowly and seemingly leisurely, just tasting a cup of ordinary tea.
The warm liquid slid into the throat, and the indescribable clear stream that seemed to carry the power of the origin of life spread out instantly!
The fatigue from days of running around seemed to be wiped away by a gentle big hand, my mind was as clear as if washed by a mountain spring, and every limb was filled with warm vitality!
This feeling... was amazing! It was hundreds or thousands of times stronger than any top-tier supplement he had ever handled!
[Fairy Spring! It really is a fairy spring!]
Dongfang Linyuan was screaming wildly in his heart, and was so excited that he almost cried!
"Little sister, little sister! You are truly our Dongfang family's lucky star! No! You are the God of Wealth! No! You are a fairy!"
He felt that he had missed out on more than 100 million yuan on this business trip! He had missed the chance to become an immortal!
He resisted the urge to immediately grab the entire pot of tea and drank it, trying to control his facial expression, revealing only a hint of just the right amount of comfort and approval.
"Hmm, my little sister's tea... is truly extraordinary. It has a warm and mellow taste and a long aftertaste. Drinking it makes you feel refreshed."
"More than refreshed! I feel like I could kill a cow right now! No, ten!"
But my heart was in turmoil.
Emperor Nangong Yu looked at his third uncle's painful expression as he tried to suppress his ecstasy and pretend that he had just had a cup of good tea, and he felt secretly happy:
[Hahaha! Linyuan, ah Linyuan! It must be very hard to hold it in, right? I understand! I understand everything!]
He seemed to have found organization.
The Queen Mother and the Empress exchanged a knowing glance, a smile playing on their lips. The Crown Prince and the eldest princess also tried to keep a straight face, but their shoulders moved suspiciously.
Dongfang Yuning was completely oblivious to the turmoil in Third Brother's heart and the subtle expressions of the crowd. He only saw Third Brother drink the tea and even praised him, and his heart suddenly blossomed:
[Look! 118! I told you San Ge could handle it! Steady as a rock! Okay! Strike while the iron is hot!]
She immediately took Dongfang Linyuan's arm affectionately and took him aside, as if no one else existed. Her little face was filled with the light of a profiteer. She lowered her voice, but it was meaningless under the broadcast of her inner voice. She said excitedly:
"Third brother! You're back just in time! I have a great idea! Our Fengming Jiuxiao Chamber of Commerce is going to open another branch - Fengming Jiuxiao Auction House!"
Dongfang Linyuan was still savoring the aftertaste of the spiritual spring, but upon hearing this, he immediately perked up his nerves:
"Auction House? What do you think?"
[The immortal spring has been taken out, and the things sold at this auction house...hiss! I can't even imagine!]
His inner alarm bells were ringing (excited).
"It's not a brilliant idea,"
Dongfang Yuning waved his hand in a humble manner, but the golden light in his eyes was almost materializing.
"It's about selling some truly rare, amazing things! For example—"
She counted on her fingers, listing them like treasures:
"First of all, this!"
She pointed to the ordinary bottle of Fairy Skin Jade Dew Rejuvenating Cream on the table.
"You saw the effect, it's immediate, right? But this is just the basic version! What we're going to auction is the rare edition! The effect is 30% better than this! The ingredients are even more exquisite! As for the production volume... hehe, a maximum of ten cans a month!"
Dongfang Linyuan looked at the bottle of facial cream that amazed the Empress Dowager, and then heard that the effect was 30% better and ten bottles were required per month, his heart skipped a beat!
[How much is this... worth?!]
He tried to remain calm:
"Well, things are valuable because they are rare. This is the best strategy."
“Secondly!”
Dongfang Yuning's eyes became brighter.
"Life-saving pill! Nine-transformation Resurrection Pill (diluted youth version)! As long as you still have breath, taking this will keep you alive for three days, buying time for treatment! The ingredients are extremely rare and extremely difficult to refine! In one season... well, only three pills are available at most!"
Nine-transformation soul-resurrection pill?! Three days of respite?! Dongfang Linyuan gasped!
This is no longer a question of value! This is a priceless treasure that can make people spend their entire fortune to buy their lives! He felt his breathing become a little rapid.
"besides!"
Dongfang Yuning became more and more excited as he spoke, not noticing the gradually failing expression control of his third brother.
"Dragon and Tiger Bone Strengthening Pill (mild version) for strengthening the body! Martial artists can achieve twice the result with half the effort! Ordinary people can use it to prolong their lives! This... I can order a little more, but the quantity must be limited! Also..."
She rattled off a list of the "rare items" of the future: cat's eye stones that allow night vision (actually specially treated crystals), ice-fire silk brocade that keeps you warm in winter and cool in summer (system black technology), and even "Pure Mind and Concentrate Incense" (leftover spiritual spring materials + special herbs) that can temporarily enhance concentration...
System 118:
[Ding——Host, your third brother's heart rate has soared to a dangerous level, his facial muscles are twitching irregularly, and his pupils are dilating.
Suggestion: Stop feeding him "nuclear-level" product information, or directly tell him the starting price so he can give up (cross it out) and be mentally prepared.
Dongfang Yuning: [Oh, 118, you're such a bummer! My third brother has seen a lot of ups and downs. Look at him... eh?]
Only then did she notice that her third brother Dongfang Linyuan's face was indeed a little red, there seemed to be sweat on his forehead, and the hand holding the teacup was shaking slightly.
[Third brother? Are you okay? Are you tired from traveling too long?]
She asked with concern, muttering in her heart:
[Is the spiritual spring too potent? It shouldn't be that way. It's diluted...]
"No...it's okay! Little sister, please continue! How are you going to set the price for this auction?"
Dongfang Linyuan asked this question almost through gritted teeth. He felt that he could no longer control his facial expression!
[What's the starting price? Tell me the starting price! Let me die a happy death!]
Dongfang Yuning blinked his big eyes, revealing an innocent yet slightly "cunning" smile, as if he was saying something very ordinary:
"Oh, about the pricing. I've thought about it. Since these are top-tier rare items, they naturally have to be worthy of their value. So..."
She paused, and clearly uttered the number that caused everyone present (except Nangong Ye) to suffer another cardiac arrest:
"Starting price—10,000 taels of gold! The highest bidder wins!"
boom--!
"Ten thousand... ten thousand taels of gold?! Starting price?!"
Dongfang Linyuan's voice suddenly rose and broke! His eyes widened, as if struck by a bolt of lightning from the sky. His entire body froze!
The teacup in his hand fell to the ground with a clang. Fortunately, there was a thick blanket, and the warm tea mixed with the precious diluted spiritual spring water spilled all over the floor!
Ten thousand taels of gold?! Starting price?! The highest bidder wins?! Oh my god! Little sister! You're trying to rob us... No, you're trying to rob the national treasury! No! Even the national treasury isn't that rich!]
Dongfang Linyuan's inner world completely collapsed! The demeanor of a top-tier imperial merchant, the expressionless expression of his emotions, all vanished in this moment!
He felt his soul trembling in the golden light! The huge shock and ecstasy overwhelmed him like a tsunami!
He opened his mouth, but no sound came out. He could only stare at his little sister like a fool, with a complex expression of shock, ecstasy, disbelief and "my sister is a god"!
Emperor Nangong Yu looked at his third uncle's reaction, which was even more exaggerated than his own, and felt inexplicably balanced:
[Look! It's not that I don't have the willpower! It's that Ning'er is so scary (crossed out) and so capable!] He even felt like laughing.
The Queen Mother hurriedly lowered her head to twirl her Buddhist beads, her shoulders shaking even more violently. The Empress covered her lips with her sleeve and coughed softly.
The Crown Prince and the eldest princess pinched their thighs tightly, afraid of laughing or screaming out loud.
Just when the focus of the whole audience was on Dongfang Linyuan, who was shocked by the starting price of ten thousand gold, in the corner, a resentful gaze almost turned into a tangible black gas, enveloping Nangong Ye.
He looked at his young fiancée holding the third brother's arm affectionately, chattering non-stop, her eyes bright with only the third brother and the future gold mountain, and she didn't glance at him from beginning to end!
Nangong Ye's heart felt like it was soaked in a jar of aged vinegar, sour and bitter.
Ning'er...
The villain in his heart was drawing circles in grievance.
I can help you too...
[I can also fulfill your wish...]
[Does the auction house need a military deterrent? My secret guards are at your disposal! Need connections? My reputation is quite useful in the court... Need startup capital? I'll give you everything from my private vault!]
[Why...why are you only looking at Third Brother...and not at me?]
The resentful aura almost condensed into water droplets, flowing down his black robe. He was like a lemon tree forgotten in a dark corner, emitting sour smell.
The Queen Mother, standing by, keenly caught the rare aura of resentment towards her youngest son! Her eyes lit up, and her heart instantly went into a carnival mode:
[Oh my! The Buddha has appeared! Look, look! My youngest son, who has been carved out of ice since childhood! That fierce god who terrified the enemy on the battlefield! He actually...actually has this expression?!]
The Queen Mother was so excited that sparks were about to fly from her Buddhist beads!
[Hahaha! I've never seen this before! My life is worth it! Look at that look, so full of resentment that it's almost dripping with water! Tsk tsk tsk tsk, I can smell this sour smell from eight feet away!]
[Ning'er! My good daughter-in-law! Well done! That's how it should be! Ignore him! Make him jealous! Make him anxious! Hahaha, let's see if he dares to have a stern face all day long again!]
[Oh my god, how can I feel so good being a mother-in-law?! Come on, Ning'er! Leave him alone for a while! I support you!]
The Queen Mother's mind was filled with emotions, but she tried to maintain a dignified and kind expression on her face. However, her slightly narrowed eyes flickered with excitement, as she was willing to watch the fun.
Dongfang Yuning finally noticed that his third brother's teacup had fallen, and he quickly bent down to pick it up, complaining inwardly:
"Third brother's composure... doesn't seem as strong as I thought? He's so excited about a million gold coins? Will he faint when he sees the transaction price next time?"
At the same time, he also felt the strong presence and intense negative gaze from the side and back.
She looked up in confusion and happened to meet Nangong Ye's eyes, which were as deep as a cold pond but now filled with grievance and accusation.
Dongfang Yuning: “???”
What's wrong with Brother Aye? Who made him unhappy? Why is his face so dark? His eyes... are so strange? As if I owe him eight hundred... no, eighty thousand taels of gold?
System 118: [Drip—High concentration of acetic acid detected. Source: Nangong Ye. Emotional analysis: Strong sense of loss (88%), grievance (75%), seeking attention (95%), potential for evildoing (1%, slowly rising).
Trigger reason: Host, in the past 15 minutes and 38 seconds, your gaze stayed on Dongfang Linyuan for 92% of the total time, you made physical contact with him 3 times, took the initiative to talk to him 7 times, and to Nangong Ye... 0 times.
Recommendation: Take soothing action immediately, otherwise the resentful husband's status may escalate into a blackened jealous king, and the consequences... This system cannot predict.
Dongfang Yuning: [What?! Jealous? Jealous? Because I ignored him while talking to Third Brother?]
She realized it later, looking at Nangong Ye's resentment that was almost materializing, then looking at her third brother who was still in a trance, and the Queen Mother's expression of watching the show with relish...
Her little brain worked rapidly for a moment, and then, under the piercing gaze of everyone (especially the Queen Mother), Dongfang Yuning made a move that instantly made Nangong Ye rise from hell to heaven, made the Queen Mother almost laugh out loud, and left everyone else stunned -
She put down the teacup she had picked up and jumped in front of Nangong Ye like a light deer.
Before Nangong Ye could react, she stood on tiptoe, stretched out her tender white hands, and with a "smack", held his handsome yet resentful face!
"Brother Aye!"
Her voice was crisp and a little sweet, and her big eyes were blinking, showing complete trust and a hint of cunning?
"Don't be unhappy! Look at you, your face is wrinkled like a bun!"
She rubbed his cheek (the touch was surprisingly good), then leaned close to his ear and whispered in what she thought was a very quiet voice (but in fact her inner voice was broadcast to the whole audience):
"For something as important as the auction house, of course I have to discuss the details with my third brother, who is the best at making money! But!"
She emphasized her tone and looked at him with sparkling eyes.
"The most important thing is that only Brother Aye can help me!"
Nangong Ye was stunned by her sudden intimate actions and words. The frost and jealousy on his face melted away in an instant, leaving only dullness and a barely perceptible blush.
He subconsciously held her small hand that was holding his face, and his voice was a little hoarse:
"What's up?"
Dongfang Yuning smiled like a kitten that had successfully stolen some fish, pointing to the pool of tea mixed with diluted spiritual spring water on the ground:
"Look! Third brother spilled all my Xianquan health-promoting tea! What a waste! This is a good thing for nourishing our family!"
She wrinkled her nose, looking distressed, then changed the subject and her eyes became fierce:
"So! Brother Aye! You have to help me keep an eye on Third Brother! Make him pay for it! No! Make him work twice as hard! Make back all the wasted immortal spring water from the profits of the auction house!
If he dares to slack off, you... you just deduct his dividends! No! Deduct his spiritual spring quota! If he dares to run away... you help me catch him back! You have the highest martial arts skills, this job belongs to you!"
She spoke with confidence, describing the tasks of "supervisor + thug" as extremely glorious and arduous.
The whole audience was silent.
Dongfang Linyuan had just recovered from the shock of the "10,000 gold starting price" when he heard his sister's words, and his vision went dark again:
[Little sister! Dear sister! You are trying to drain your third brother dry!]
He felt that his future life was full of golden exploitation.
Nangong Ye: “…”
He looked at the innocent and unreasonable face of the girl in front of him, felt the warmth from her palm, and listened to her positioning herself as the most important supervisor?
The jealousy and grievance in my heart were instantly replaced by a kind of amusing and strange sense of pampering and satisfaction.
[So... in Ning'er's heart, the most important position is for me to... take care of her third brother?]
Although this realization was a bit off-base, it seemed… not bad at all? At least it proved that she needed him, that she depended on him, and that this was the most important dependence.
The ice in his eyes completely melted, and even a faint smile appeared. He tightened his grip on her hand, his deep and pleasant voice filled with absolute indulgence and resignation.
"Okay. Ning'er, don't worry. Third Brother...can't get away. The wasted immortal spring water will be earned back a hundredfold or a thousandfold."
As he spoke, he actually raised his eyes and looked at Dongfang Linyuan meaningfully.
Dongfang Linyuan shuddered when he received the cold gaze of His Royal Highness Prince Yong, who told him to work hard or his quota would be deducted!
[It's over! I'm being targeted!]
He felt that his future career as an imperial merchant would be filled with gold ingots and Prince Yong's "encouragement".
“Puff!”
Finally, the Empress Dowager, who had watched the show with great satisfaction, could no longer hold back and was the first to burst out laughing! Immediately afterwards, the Empress also covered her lips with her hands and chuckled, her shoulders shaking.
Emperor Nangong Yu even slapped his thigh and laughed:
"Hahaha! Great! Ning'er made a good arrangement! Linyuan, do a good job! Ye'er, keep a close eye on me!"
The Crown Prince and the eldest princess couldn't help laughing, and the hall was suddenly filled with a happy atmosphere (except for Dongfang Linyuan who had a bitter face).
System 118: [Beep—Alarm cleared.] Nangong Ye's Darkness Points clear, his Happiness Points soar. Jealousy transforms into a sense of responsibility and satisfaction as his 'exclusive supervisor.'
Host, your strategy of 'diverting trouble to others' (crossed out) and 'knowing people and assigning them to the right positions' is working wonders! Friendly reminder: Your third brother's resentment value is soaring.
Suggestion: Give Lingquan some comfort (and emphasize that this is for the sake of his future earnings).
Dongfang Yuning looked at Nangong Ye, who finally stopped being jealous and took the initiative to take on the "important task", and nodded with satisfaction:
[Done! 118 You see, coaxing a man... no, it's about knowing how to appoint the right person to the right position. It's that simple!]
The villain in her heart was smug, and then she turned to look at the third brother who looked like he had lost all hope in life, and immediately put on the sweetest smile:
"Third brother! Don't be afraid! Do your best! I won't treat you unfairly! Look, this Lingquan tea... is all you can eat!"
She poured another glass and shoved it over.
Dongfang Linyuan looked at the priceless spiritual spring in his hand, then looked at Prince Yong who was watching him eagerly, tears streaming down his face.
[This isn't tea! This is the down payment for the indenture!]
But what could he do? Drink it! For the immortal spring! To avoid being "specially cared for" by Prince Yong!
Inside Fengyi Palace, the atmosphere was once again "harmonious." On one side, the Dongfang siblings, their eyes gleaming with gold, began seriously discussing the details of the "10,000 gold starting bid" (and the emperor, listening intently and trying to figure out how to get a share);
On one side is Dongfang Yuning, who is very satisfied and has successfully transformed her "resentful husband" into her "exclusive supervisor", and Nangong Ye, who is inexplicably very happy with the task although it is a bit crooked;
There was also the Queen Mother, who was enjoying the whole show and was cheering for her future daughter-in-law in her heart; and the other royal family members who were trying hard not to laugh and felt that they were overloaded with information today and needed to take a break.
System 118, on the other hand, was in Dongfang Yuning's mind, working with her to perfect every detail of the "money-grabbing (crossed out) auction myth" that was about to shake the entire Dayan and even the surrounding countries. The electronic sound was full of anticipation for the "sickle" to be swung.
The third ring of the Xuanji Bell seemed to be silently announcing: a storm of wealth created by spiritual springs, gold, rare treasures and the profiteer princess is about to sweep in!
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