Chapter 520 For Fairness

There are many people present whose families have been chosen to enter the palace, but even when compared with their own daughters, they all feel that their looks are slightly inferior to the woman in front of them.

The woman had a pretty face and clear features. Her appearance alone was hard to dislike, not to mention her demeanor in a palace dress that made her stand out in front of everyone. It was hard to believe that she was just from a merchant family.

But soon, someone on both sides seemed to have noticed something, and they all looked at a middle-aged man in a blue brocade robe sitting in the front row of the seats where Shang Jia was.

Although he is middle-aged, he doesn't look old at all, either in his figure or appearance. Instead, he has an elegant and mature aura that comes with the passage of time.

More importantly, the man’s appearance... and the appearance of Lang Zhaoyi in front of him, are exactly like they were carved from the same mold.

Now, everything is complicated no matter which aspect is taken.

It is common for a daughter to take after her mother in appearance, but it is rare to see a child who takes after his father in appearance.

Prince Li originally had little interest in this so-called charity banquet, but since it was the Queen Mother who initiated it, he naturally couldn't not come. When he heard that the Queen Mother had asked Lang Zhaoyi to preside over today's banquet, Prince Li was whispering instructions to Princess Li beside him, but when he noticed the gazes around him, he subconsciously looked up.

The first person he saw was Si Zhongqing, who was standing in the front row opposite him and had an obviously different demeanor and appearance. The next second, he saw Si Jinyu, who was sitting next to Si Zhongqing.

A fierce light flashed in his slightly cloudy eyes, and the King of Li clenched his fists slightly, staring at Si Jinyu's face, and then slowly turned to Si Zhongqing, with a hint of viciousness unconsciously hidden in his eyes.

Si Jinyu has always been sensitive. He noticed the malicious intent coming towards him and subconsciously wanted to return the gaze. However, before he could raise his eyes, Si Zhongqing reached out and patted the back of his hand gently to comfort him.

Si Jinyu's expression darkened a little, he lowered his eyes, and pretended not to know.

At this moment, Si Linglong, who was standing in the middle of the hall, did not pay attention to the looks around her. After announcing the official start of the charity banquet, she raised her hand and gestured outside the hall.

"Come in."

As soon as she finished speaking, two rows of palace maids holding trays walked in. They walked in unison, and the height of their skirts were exactly the same, which showed that they were well-trained palace maids.

The trays they held in their hands were the items to be auctioned at this charity banquet.

Real objects, which are different from the booklets in people's hands, can better mobilize people's senses and emotions.

Si Linglong raised her hand slightly, and the two rows of palace maids each held a tray and turned to the sides, apparently to allow people on both sides to see more clearly.

Si Linglong then spoke slowly, "This charity auction is divided into two parts. The first is the bidding, and the second is the silent bidding. Before the auction officially begins, everyone can choose one to three items you want most based on the brochure in your hand and the items in front of you, write the highest price you are willing to give on a piece of cardboard and write your name."

"Put the card with the silent bid written on it into the tray of the items you selected. After the bidding for each item is over, the palace servant will make a final comparison with the amount written on the card. If the bid price is lower than the bid on the paper, the item will belong to the person who bid silently. If the bid price is higher than the bid on the paper, the item will belong to the person who bid silently. As for the person who bid silently, you can keep it secret."

As soon as Si Linglong finished speaking, a lady sitting in the aristocratic family seat on the left expressed her confusion.

"Why go to all that trouble? Wouldn't it be simpler to just call for the shoot?"

Si Linglong obviously knew someone was going to ask a question, but she didn't panic. She just blinked at the lady who asked the question and smiled.

“Because it’s fun.”

"Ah?" The lady obviously didn't react. She wanted to ask again, but someone next to her pulled her clothes. Just when she was confused, she heard Si Linglong say,

"The people who are present at this charity banquet today have different identities and statuses, but since they have been invited to the banquet, they are the main hosts of this charity sale. As the main hosts, I, as the host of this banquet, naturally have to make them feel at home."

On the main seat, Empress Dowager Sheng glanced at her when she heard the words. The latter seemed to feel the pressure from the Empress Dowager and immediately gave her a flattering smile.

The people on both sides of her could hear the perfunctory tone in her words.

But everyone present was a smart person. Except for the lady who spoke frankly just now, everyone else understood the intention after just a quick thought.

This move is for the sake of fairness.

Si Jinyu was determined in his heart.

His eyes swept across the group of dignitaries sitting opposite him. In comparison, the merchants and wealthy businessmen on this side seemed relatively weak.

When there is a clear difference in status, if the two parties are competing for the price, the party with the lower status will inevitably give in first.

It has nothing to do with rules, it's just a matter of identity.

But if there are those who really want to bid for the item, as long as the silent bid is higher than the shouting price, then they can get the item as they wish without offending anyone.

Since Si Linglong dared to call such people of unequal status together for a charity auction, it was natural for her to make some arrangements in advance regarding the rules.

Thinking of this, Si Jinyu smiled faintly.

Linglong is worthy of being the daughter of their Si family.