At this moment, the entrance of Jizhen Tower was completely blocked by carriages and horses, making it impossible to get in.
Bai Zheng lifted the side curtain and looked out. All she saw were either lavishly decorated carriages or seemingly low - key but actually extremely luxurious ones made of high - quality wood. They were crowded together, and the street was ablaze with lights on both sides, filled with a bustling crowd.
With great difficulty, they squeezed their way to the entrance of Jizhen Tower. A waiter came out to greet Bai Zheng and her party. Politely, he led them up to the second floor.
The interior of Jizhen Tower was in a huge circular shape, with three floors. In the center of the first floor, there was a large circular platform made of rosewood, used to display the auction items.
Around the platform, there were rows of long benches, which were now full of people.
On the second floor where Bai Zheng was, there were private rooms. Usually, these rooms had their windows and doors closed, looking like ordinary private rooms as Bai Zheng had seen last time. But on this special day, all the rooms had their doors and windows wide open. Each room was partitioned into three private seats by screens, able to accommodate three groups of people.
The windows facing the platform were covered by a gauze curtain, which somewhat blocked the view, so it was usually pulled up by the people sitting there. People could clearly see each other through the windows, and those on the first floor could also look up and see the second floor at a glance.
Even these private seats were quickly booked out after Jizhen Tower announced the news. If it weren't for Bai Yinan's third - rank official position and Bai Zheng being the owner of the auction item, and the manager of Jizhen Tower having specifically reserved this private seat for them, the father - daughter pair would probably have to squeeze with the crowd on the first floor.
Bai Zheng's gaze turned to the third floor. The third floor was the most high - class private area. Between every two luxurious rosewood columns, there was a layer of Shu - style gauze. Due to the lighting, from the outside, one could only see some very blurry shadows behind the gauze, and it was impossible to tell whether they were male or female.
Without a doubt, today's big spenders were hidden behind these layers of gauze.
Bai Zheng was in a daze when a young man who looked like a waiter walked in, carrying a tray. On the tray were neatly arranged wooden boards with different numbers on them.
The waiter bowed slightly and said, "I'm here to deliver the number plates."
Bai Zheng followed the waiter's voice and looked towards the door. Just then, she saw a young man in a sky - blue robe with a moon - white gold - embroidered belt around his waist passing by in the corridor behind the waiter.
The young man seemed to sense Bai Zheng's gaze and suddenly turned his head, locking eyes with her.
As his gaze turned towards her, Bai Zheng immediately put on a smile. The young man in front of her was none other than Prince Feng Jingyi, who had witnessed her bet with the prime minister.
The moment Feng Jingyi met her eyes, he also smiled. His smile was so gentle that it was hard not to feel a sense of closeness.
He waved at Bai Zheng, signaling her to come out. Bai Zheng looked at Bai Yinan. Seeing him nod, she got up and walked out of the private room.
"Greetings to Your Highness, the Fifth Prince," Bai Zheng said, slightly curtsying.
"Miss Bai, there's no need for such formalities. I was just thinking that the time for your bet is approaching. I'm glad to see you today and ask how things are going."
That day, being dragged there by Feng Jingye had left a rather deep impression on Feng Jingyi of this stubborn young girl.
Maybe it was because he had always been too cowardly, or maybe it was this kind of self - confident and unbridled personality that he had once seen in someone he highly admired.
Although he was powerless to help with the 200,000 taels of silver, he thought it would be good if he could protect her for a while.
"Thank you for Your Highness's concern. I'm extremely grateful," Bai Zheng replied politely.
"If you have any difficulties and if I can help, just tell me. If you lose the bet, don't be afraid. I'll plead with Prime Minister Chu for you..."
"Hey, I was wondering who that hussy was, publicly seducing a man. Isn't it the fiancée of Young Master Chu?" A shrill voice came, interrupting Feng Jingyi's unfinished words.
Feng Jingyi immediately frowned. Bai Zheng followed the sound and saw a group of people walking towards them.
At the front was a young girl in gorgeous clothes. She had a broad forehead and slender eyebrows and eyes. As she walked, the jade pendants on her body jingled. She was Bai Yinan's elder sister, Bai Yuxin and Su Zheng's second daughter, Su Muxiao, who was also Bai Zheng's cousin.
Bai Di and Chu Feng were walking behind. Bai Di had her head slightly lowered with a smile on her lips, while Chu Feng glared at Bai Zheng fiercely when he saw her.
Su Muxiao walked closer, and the sneer on her face deepened. "Young Master Chu, you've really had a hard time. You've been wrongly accused of being morally corrupt by some scheming people. It's a pity that people in this world believe the rumors, ruining your reputation. But those who really deserve to be scolded can come out openly and seduce men."
When Feng Jingyi was talking to Bai Zheng, he had been standing sideways in the corridor. His sky - blue robe looked rather ordinary at first glance, so it was natural that Su Muxiao and the others couldn't recognize his identity easily.
There were people coming and going in Jizhen Tower at this time, and it was extremely noisy. Bai Zheng had stood a bit closer to Feng Jingyi while talking to him, so it was understandable that they were misunderstood by those with ill intentions.
Chu Feng's face was extremely ugly. Since the bet last time, he had been extremely angry with Bai Zheng. This girl had clung to him desperately before, but then suddenly said she wanted to break off the engagement, ruining his reputation and even angering his father.
"We're all family. Second Sister, just let Zheng'er go. A girl is most afraid of being seen in such a situation," Bai Di said, seemingly trying to defuse the situation but actually adding fuel to the fire.
Hearing this, Su Muxiao raised her eyebrows and shouted, "Since you've done it, don't be afraid of being talked about! No wonder our dear younger sister is so determined to break off the engagement. It turns out she has a new lover."
Feng Jingyi's face was getting darker and darker. Bai Zheng just found it interesting and calmly watched Su Muxiao.
Seeing that Bai Zheng was not only not angry but also looking like she was watching a show, Su Muxiao felt a fire rising in her heart.
She stepped forward, put her hand on Feng Jingyi's shoulder and tried to turn his body around, shouting, "I'd like to see which wild man you've hooked up with. He can't even compare to Young Master Chu!"
Bai Zheng's face changed. She quickly stepped forward, grabbed Su Muxiao's hand and then pushed her away forcefully. Su Muxiao lost her balance for a moment, took two or three steps back and then fell to the ground.
Everyone was stunned.
Bai Zheng looked coldly at Su Muxiao on the ground and said, "Cousin, please respect yourself. I'm talking to someone openly here. Everyone who passed by didn't say anything. Why is it considered seducing a man when it comes to you, cousin? What dirty thoughts do you have in your heart that you think everything is filthy?"
"What did you say!" Bai Di couldn't help but shout angrily. Then, as if realizing she had lost her composure, her face changed several times, and she rushed to help Su Muxiao up.
Chu Feng, who had finally reacted, was instantly furious. The rumors outside had made his life miserable these days. Today, he saw Bai Zheng openly seducing a man and then unreasonably attacking his cousin.
He felt a rush of blood to his head. He took a few steps and rushed in front of Bai Zheng, raising his hand to slap her in the face. "How dare you push your cousin for a wild man? You slut..."