While the two were discussing their wedding, the auction outside was in full swing.
Wen Qiao glanced up. Through the crystalline wall, she could clearly see the central stage of the hall.
On the stage stood a stunning woman, her cultivation at the Yuan Bright Realm. Her figure was graceful and full, her demeanour enchanting, and her soft, alluring voice expertly stirred the crowd’s desire to bid. At the moment, she was introducing a jade-like defensive spiritual artefact, said to be able to withstand an attack from a Yuan Martial Realm cultivator.
The defensive jade caused a commotion in the hall, with many cultivators eagerly bidding, driving the price higher and higher.
Wen Qiao, uninterested in the auction, took only a brief glance before withdrawing her gaze.
After some time, Ning Yuzhou handed her a list of the day’s auction items. His tone was warm as he asked, “Is there anything you like?”
The list detailed the items available in this auction at Lingxu Pavilion, including pills, talismans, artefacts, arrays, and spiritual herbs. However, the final three items were left blank and not listed.
Wen Qiao shook her head and replied candidly, “I don’t have any Yuan Crystals.”
Ning Yuzhou chuckled softly. “I do. Tell me what you like, and I’ll get it for you.”
Was he planning to gift her something? Wen Qiao blinked slowly, sipping her tea as she thought to herself: Even if he has Yuan Crystals, how many could a non-cultivator like him possibly have? Surely they were given to him by Emperor Chenghao.
Ning Yuzhou saw through her thoughts effortlessly and smiled again. “You’re my fiancée.”
As her fiancé, giving her gifts was only natural.
Wen Qiao found his reasoning sound but continued to look at the list. Still, she shook her head after a while.
Everything at Lingxu Pavilion’s auction was undoubtedly high-quality and expensive. However, with her current low cultivation level, most of the items were overkill and practically useless to her.
Being so plainly refused didn’t bother Ning Yuzhou. He continued watching her warmly, prepared to bid on anything she showed interest in.
They sat together for a while, but nothing caught Wen Qiao’s attention—until the final three auction items.
The Yuan Bright Realm woman hosting the auction held up a jade tray. On the tray lay an oval object about the size of an adult’s thumb. It was a dark, metallic black with a faint sheen and radiated a cold, metallic aura, especially striking against the white jade tray.
Wen Qiao unconsciously leaned forward, her previously composed posture breaking slightly.
Noticing her reaction, Ning Yuzhou followed her gaze to the seed-like object on the tray.
“This is a spiritual plant seed discovered in an ancient relic site,” the auctioneer explained. “Our appraisers have determined it to be a seed of a Seventh-Rank ancient spiritual plant. Unfortunately, its exact species and use remain unknown. The bidding starts at one Yuan Bead.”
The announcement sparked bids, but the excitement was noticeably less fervent than for previous items. Everyone knew the seed was potentially priceless, but as a mere seed, its value depended entirely on whether it could be successfully cultivated—a significant uncertainty.
Lingxu Pavilion had a peculiar tradition: its final auction items were not necessarily the most valuable but often the most mysterious. The rarer and more enigmatic an item, the later it was presented. This approach often attracted collectors or risk-takers hoping to uncover hidden treasures.
Rumours even told of past auctions where similar items caused controversy. In one case, a seemingly mystical treasure map went for an exorbitant price, only for its buyers to discover it led to the lair of a King-Level demonic beast, resulting in catastrophic losses.
Of course, there were also instances of sharp-eyed buyers finding great value, leading to joyous outcomes.
This time, the mysterious Seventh-Rank seed piqued many attendees’ interest, though most were cautious about its uncertain potential.
Wen Qiao, however, couldn’t take her eyes off the seed.
“Do you want it?” Ning Yuzhou asked.
“Yes,” she replied softly, offering no further explanation.
Ning Yuzhou recalled the rumours circulating about Wen Qiao’s fondness for tending spiritual plants and understood her interest.
Ultimately, the seed sold for 1,000 Yuan Crystals. In Dongling, this was a significant sum, though it was far less than the prices fetched by some of the defensive spiritual artefacts earlier.
Clearly, even for a rare Seventh-Rank seed, many attendees weren’t willing to gamble on an item of uncertain value.
Lingxu Pavilion’s staff showed no disappointment, promptly moving on to the next auction item.
Wen Qiao picked up her tea again, sipping to suppress her faint disappointment.
She had really wanted the seed. Perhaps her half-demon bloodline gave her an innate affinity for plants; seeing the seed had stirred an irresistible urge to own it.
But not obtaining it didn’t bother her too much. After all, she could always focus on nurturing the five potted plants on her windowsill—they could use larger pots anyway.
—
After the auction concluded, Wen Qiao and Ning Yuzhou agreed on their wedding date.
As they left, Ning Yuzhou escorted Wen Qiao to the beast-drawn carriage waiting outside.
Lian Yue trailed closely behind, sneaking glances at the Seventh Prince, her mistress’s fiancé. She couldn’t help but feel that her future master was almost too perfect.
Ning Yuzhou helped his fiancée into the carriage and said, “Miss Wen, I will report to my father and send the betrothal gifts to the Wen family soon.”
His words startled not only Lian Yue but also the nearby guards and attendants.
Betrothal gifts? What betrothal gifts?
Wen Qiao nodded slightly. Since they had already settled the matter, even if she later found something odd about it, she wouldn’t object.
Ning Yuzhou smiled at her again, his starry eyes dazzling like scattered starlight, so radiant that Wen Qiao felt momentarily dazed.
Then he handed her a small white jade box. “Here’s a meeting gift for you. Take care on your way back.”
Wen Qiao glanced at the box and accepted it silently. “Thank you.”
“No need to thank me. You’re my fiancée—it’s only right.”
Looking at his warm and amiable expression, Wen Qiao found herself at a loss for words and could only nod in response.
Beside her, Lian Yue was practically bursting with impatience.
The future young master isn’t just handsome and kind, but also thoughtful enough to gift her mistress something. How could he be more perfect? But, Miss, shouldn’t you respond a bit more enthusiastically? While it’s true you’ve grown up isolated and are naturally reserved, a few kind words to your fiancé wouldn’t hurt!
Ning Yuzhou’s gesture of helping Wen Qiao into the carriage and gifting her the jade box did not escape the notice of the Wen family members emerging from Lingxu Pavilion.
Wen Zhongqing had brought several younger family members to broaden their horizons, and they had successfully bid on several items. Wen Mei and Wen Xian each received something, both delighted with their acquisitions.
However, they hadn’t expected to witness the Seventh Prince, infamous for being unable to cultivate, personally gifting his fiancée something.
Truth be told, aside from his inability to cultivate, Ning Yuzhou’s character and looks were unparalleled, a rarity even among men. To be treated with such care by someone so outstanding would stir envy in any woman, even those focused solely on cultivation.
But alas, the Seventh Prince was a “waste,” unable to cultivate. Once again, Wen Xian found herself sighing inwardly. Her gaze at Wen Qiao grew tinged with a hint of pity.
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