As soon as the waiter finished speaking, Gu Qianluo's dark eyes suddenly lit up, "Miss Cuiling?"
"It's that lively, charming, and graceful newcomer, Cui Ling!"
"Oh? Will Miss Cui Ling be performing on stage tonight?"
"Who knows! If you'd like to wait, sir, the waiter will bring you some good dishes!"
Gu Qianluo narrowed her eyes slightly, touched her already full belly, and forced herself to speak.
"Alright! Bring over some cold dishes then!"
"Alright! Please wait a moment, sir!"
Just as the waiter left, several handsome and elegant men sat down at the table behind Gu Qianluo.
"Hey! You guys don't know, do you? Tonight's top courtesan is Miss Cui Ling from the Marquis's mansion!"
"Oh? Brother Zhu, have you seen this young lady before? What do you think? Isn't she exceptionally beautiful?"
"I've heard that Miss Cui Ling was originally the personal maid of the Second Madam of the Marquis's Mansion, and she grew up with Miss Gu since she was a child."
The Gu family was extremely wealthy, and it was said that even the personal maids and guards of the young ladies and gentlemen often accompanied their masters to school.
This young lady, Xiao Cui, is proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. If it weren't for her humble origins, I would have wanted to marry her.
Upon hearing this, Gu Qianluo couldn't help but turn around to look at the speaker. She saw that the man had a fat head and big ears, a lewd smile, and looked like he was indulging in lustful desires after being well-fed and clothed.
This caused a surge of heat to rise in her throat, almost making her vomit in front of everyone.
"Brother Zhu already has a virtuous wife and concubines at home, so why don't you leave this fine girl to us?"
"Look! Look! Miss Cui Ling is out!"
Upon hearing this, Gu Qianlu stood up and followed the crowd toward the stairwell.
Wow! She's so beautiful! She's absolutely stunning!
"If Miss Cui Ling stays at Ming Chun Lou every day, I'll just drink here from now on!"
Gu Qianlu recognized Xiao Cui at a glance. Looking at her graceful and charming appearance, tears of emotion welled up in her eyes.
"Miss Cui Ling! Miss Cui Ling!"
The cheers and jeers of the crowd echoed through the corridor, but Xiao Cui on the stage seemed not to hear them. After giving a slight curtsy in the center of the stage, she slowly returned to her guqin.
A melodious and moving piece of music touched all the guests present.
As soon as Cui Ling finished playing a piece, guests rushed forward to present her with hairpins and jewelry. The madam in charge was busy collecting the gifts and insisted on keeping Cui Ling, who was about to leave, on the stage.
Gu Qianluo narrowed her eyes slightly. She could clearly see Xiao Cui's reluctance, and her eyes burned with anger. She couldn't help but inquire with Young Master Zhu, who had just boasted that he would redeem Xiao Cui.
"Young master, how much silver will it cost to redeem this Miss Cuiling from her servitude?"
"Young master, this must be your first day at Mingchun Pavilion, right?"
Gu Qianluo's brow twitched slightly as she asked in confusion, "How did you figure that out, young master?"
"You're too young. You'll find out soon enough!"
As soon as the words were spoken, the guests came down from the second floor to the first floor. Gu Qianluo couldn't be left behind, so she followed the others downstairs.
When the madam on stage saw the guests walking towards the center of the stage, she couldn't suppress her joy. She pulled the maid beside her and said something, and Cui Ling was then invited to the center of the stage.
Gu Qianluo approached the stage and saw Xiao Cui with her eyes covered by a thin veil and a calm expression. Two maids were supporting her on either side. From a distance, she looked as if she was being coerced into standing there.
"Xiao Cui, I must save you!"
Shouts and cheers came from the audience. Gu Qianluo, not to be outdone, lowered her usual delicate and clear voice and called out to Xiao Cui on stage.
"Cui'er! Cui'er!"
Upon hearing the familiar voice, Xiao Cui suddenly panicked and reached out with both hands in all directions.
"Miss, Miss, where are you? Miss!"
Seeing that she was out of control, the two maids quickly pulled her back to the center of the stage.
Seeing that the crowd was gaining momentum, the madam on the stage finally couldn't hold back any longer and walked to the center to speak.
"Today is the opening day for Miss Cui Ling's auction. The highest bidder wins. Starting price: 100 taels of silver!"
Upon hearing this, Gu Qianluo realized that the highlight the man had mentioned was actually the auction.
The guests seemed to really like her and all wanted to have her; the bidding grew louder and louder.
"200!"
"300!"
"350!" Gu Qianlu was unwilling to give up. Whenever someone offered a higher price than her, she would shout out an even higher price.
"400!"
“450!” Gu Qianluo said angrily.
Upon hearing Gu Qianluo's voice, Xiao Cui's eyes welled up with tears, and she murmured involuntarily.
"Miss, Miss, have you come to save me?"
"800!" shouted a guest who looked old and somewhat aged.
Gu Qianlu gritted her teeth, took out the only 1,000 taels of silver she had, and held it above her head. "1,000 taels!"
After she announced her price, everyone turned to look at her, whispering amongst themselves.
"She's just a prostitute, why would she cost 1,000 taels of silver? The girl named Huaying at the Qingxiang Pavilion next door only costs 500 taels when she starts out."
"Yes! I think this young master is either blinded by drinking or it's his first time in a brothel and he doesn't know the ways of the trade."
“She’s not a prostitute! She’s priceless!” Gu Qianluo retorted firmly, her voice booming.
After a while, seeing that no one had made a bid, the madam on the stage was about to announce the sale with great excitement.
Gu Qianluo and Xiao Cui smiled again, a smile they hadn't shown in a long time. She was carrying the silver coins and was about to head to the center of the stage when suddenly, a familiar voice rang out.
"1200 taels!" Upon hearing this, Gu Qianluo's heart sank and her expression darkened. She slowly turned around and recognized the man's face as soon as she looked up.
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