Everyone remained silent; they were no match for Duan Tianqi.
The women on the second floor became anxious upon seeing this.
"This guy is really stupid. Who would dare to compete with Duan Tianqi?" Cheng Xi said with a look of disappointment.
"That's right! A bowl of 'Red Dust Wine' for a mere tael of silver? Where does that leave the reputation of our 'Red Dust Restaurant'?" Huang Xi said angrily.
Green Embroidery also looked anxious. At this moment, they hoped that Gu Liyan could find a way to turn the situation around.
Below the stage, just as Duan Tianqi was about to buy the first bowl of Red Dust Wine for one tael, Gu Liyan suddenly smiled wickedly, slowly raised one hand, and spoke loudly:
"Eleven taels!"
Everyone stared at Gu Liyan in astonishment, speechless.
"Hey! How can you bid like that?" Duan Tianqi was a little confused.
“Young master, you may not know this, but I have a natural fondness for wine, so naturally I want to drink this Red Dust Wine! Besides, I'm not short of money!” Gu Liyan shrugged. “There's no rule against me bidding, is there?”
As he spoke, Gu Liyan looked at the wine in the bowl, licked his lips, and seemed to really want to drink it.
"Pfft, haha!"
Seeing Gu Liyan's greedy eyes, everyone couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"I'll offer twenty-one taels!" a young man in the corner raised his hand and spoke.
"I'll offer thirty-one taels!" A middle-aged man spoke up weakly from an inconspicuous corner.
The scene immediately became lively when someone chased the price.
"I'll offer forty-one taels!"
"Fifty-one taels!"
...
"Eighty-one taels!"
Gu Liyan smiled wickedly, and just as he was about to raise his hand, Duan Tianqi raised his hand instead: "Ninety-one taels!"
“It seems this young master is determined to have it, so this bowl of wine is for him!” Gu Liyan said, neither humble nor arrogant.
"Hmph, kid, I'll remember you!" Duan Tianqi glared at Gu Liyan, then took the wine and took a sip. Suddenly, his eyes lit up. "This, this is..."
A sip of wine didn't have the strong impact of alcohol I had imagined; instead, it nourished my body like a magic elixir!
Seeing Duan Tianqi's astonished expression, everyone looked at him with confusion.
"What's wrong?"
Why isn't he moving?
"Could there be something wrong with the Red Dust Wine?"
Amidst the murmurs of the crowd, the women on the second floor also became nervous.
"What is he doing? Why isn't he moving?" Cheng Xi frowned.
"Could there really be something wrong with the wine?" Huang Xi asked with a worried expression.
Qingqing looked at Gu Liyan, and under the mask, she could see his slightly narrowed eyes and the confident expression on his lips.
"It was him? What did he do?" Qingqing frowned as she looked at Gu Liyan.
Just as everyone was puzzled, Gu Liyan suddenly spoke:
"The piece I just played is called 'Companions in the Mortal World.' Drinking the 'Mortal World Wine' after listening to it will produce two or even three times the effect of the wine. Those with high potential can even achieve five times the effect! It seems that this young master has superior potential; the 'Mortal World Wine' has already produced five times the effect on you!"
Duan Tianqi stared blankly at Gu Liyan, then at the Red Dust Wine in his hand. Thinking of the changes in his body just now, he tilted his head back and drank it down in one gulp without saying a word...
"Awesome! This is the first time I've ever been able to drink this Red Dust Wine in one go! It feels like my whole body has been opened up! Next bowl, keep bidding!" Duan Tianqi stared at Gu Liyan with burning eyes.
Gu Liyan smiled slightly, "No problem, the bidding for the second bowl begins now!"
Meanwhile, Hongling had already arrived at the Prince's residence. The moment she stepped inside, she sensed that the residence was different today.
With a sentry watching her every step, Hongling couldn't help but wonder: Could it be that the Prince's mansion has important guests today?
"This way, Miss Hongling." The servant leading the way reminded her, "Today is different from usual, so please be mindful of your words and actions, Miss Hongling."
Hongling nodded. "Thank you for informing me, Uncle Li."
Pushing open the door, all eyes in the hall turned to her. Hongling calmly stepped forward, bowed her head, and said, "This humble girl, Hongling, greets Your Highness."
The people in the hall did not speak, but the drunken old man sitting to the side spoke apologetically, "Hongling did not recognize His Majesty the Emperor here, please forgive her."
Hong Ling was slightly taken aback. She looked up and saw a handsome man in a yellow robe looking at her with great interest.
"Is this Hong Ling, the number one dancer of the Fengchen Restaurant? Haha, I've heard of your name for a long time, and I didn't expect that seeing you today would prove your reputation is well-deserved!" Duan Zhengxiu looked at Master Weng and said, "Master Weng, there's no need to panic. Ignorance is no excuse! Beautiful Hong Ling, please rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Hongling hurriedly stood up and stepped aside.
"Someone, bring me a seat!" Duan Zhengxiu said.
"No need, Your Majesty!" Hongling said hastily. "This humble girl has something to say to Master Weng."
Everyone frowned as they looked at Hong Ling, displeased with her refusal.
Master Weng frowned and stood up. "Your Majesty, something must have happened at the Fengchen Restaurant. I shall take my leave now!"
"Master Weng, please wait. I have been curious about the Fengchen Restaurant for a long time. I wonder if I would have the honor of visiting it?" Duan Zhengxiu became interested and hurriedly stood up to speak.
"This..." Master Weng looked embarrassed, unsure whether to refuse or nod.
Instead, it was the attendants around who spoke up, "Your Majesty, what if something goes wrong and we encounter assassins...?"
"Your Majesty, please go!" Hongling suddenly spoke up. "This humble woman will certainly protect Your Majesty!"
Duan Zhengxiu's lips curled up slightly. "Miss Hongling is so confident, very well! You shall protect me! Prepare the carriage, let's go to the Wind and Dust Tavern!"
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