Just moments ago, the crowd had been chuckling over the absence of the Pengzhou Merchants' Association Head, believing a strong rival had been taken out of the game. But that laughter was swiftly cut short.
In stark contrast, the previously frustrated Head of the Pengzhou Merchants' Association suddenly lit up with a wide smile.
He knew it. There was no way Her Highness the Crown Princess would so blatantly favor one over another, giving the second buyer of the divine carriage such generous terms. Now that the starting price had been revealed, everything made sense.
The entire third-floor hall of Tian Waitian Restaurant fell into a stunned silence, as if everyone had been struck dumb by the bidding price.
Only after a long moment did someone finally speak.
"One hundred eight thousand five hundred taels."
"One hundred nine thousand."
"One hundred ten thousand."
One after another, voices rang out. Once the first broke the silence, the bidding atmosphere gradually reignited.
When the price climbed to one hundred seventy-three thousand, the number of participants began to dwindle.
Only a few wealthy merchants remained, clinging to the contest like they were locked in a deathmatch, refusing to back down. One would barely finish shouting a bid before the next chimed in without missing a beat.
Soon, the number rocketed up to two hundred twenty-nine thousand. Even then, the bids kept coming, increasing in increments of five hundred taels each time.
At last, Yun Chuhuan could no longer hold himself back. He raised his placard.
"Three hundred thousand!"
The remaining bidders: "!!!"
That voice again?!
It was the same voice that, in the previous round, had abruptly pushed the first divine carriage's price from seventy-three thousand to eighty thousand.
And now he had leapt from two hundred twenty-nine thousand straight to three hundred thousand!
Still, he had only bid once during the last round. If this time proved the same…
The few remaining contenders ground their teeth, muttering curses in their hearts as they raised their bids.
"Three hundred thousand five hundred taels!"
"Three hundred one thousand..."
"Four hundred thousand taels!"
To the astonishment of nearly everyone present, Yun Chuhuan bid a second time.
And just like before, he rounded it up without hesitation, with a level of extravagance that made onlookers forget to breathe.
The room collectively drew in a sharp breath, and the third floor fell silent once more.
Tang Xinhua glanced toward Yun Chuhuan's direction, her gaze flickering with a trace of amusement.
She slowly raised the small hammer in her hand.
"Four hundred thousand, going once. Four hundred thousand, going twice. Four hundred thou—"
"Four hundred thousand five hundred taels!"
The second divine carriage's ability to be customized with an oversized compartment was an irresistible temptation for merchants. One last bidder decided to give it another try.
Then came the reply.
"Five hundred thousand taels!"
Without the slightest hesitation, Yun Chuhuan had once again rounded the bid up. He hadn't felt the thrill of throwing money around like this in ages. He looked like a fish that had finally returned to water, his eyes gleaming with excitement as he stared at the previous bidder, silently daring him to continue—so he could triumphantly shout out "six hundred thousand" next.
But the Head of the Hangzhou Merchants' Association frowned under Yun Chuhuan's blazing gaze. He leaned toward his trusted aide and whispered.
"Could that man be one of my enemies?"
"It is not impossible," the aide replied in a hushed tone. "If he truly intended to win the divine carriage, he would hope no one else raised the price. But right now, he clearly wants you to bid again.
If this subordinate is not mistaken, his real goal may be to deliberately inflate the price. He wants you to win the bid at an exorbitant cost, exhausting your funds. If any major deals arise afterward, you would be in no position to take them."
"Hmph. He thinks he can bait me with such underhanded tricks?"
The Head clearly had the same thought. He gave a cold snort and fell silent, refusing to bid again.
"Let's see how he reacts when he hoists his own stone only to crush his own foot!"
"Five hundred thousand taels, going once."
Seeing that no one else was bidding, Tang Xinhua raised her hammer again.
"Five hundred thousand taels, going twice... Five hundred thousand taels, sold!"
"I knew I'd win it!"
Now that the bidding was over, those who wished could choose to remove their masks and reveal their identities.
Yun Chuhuan immediately flung off both his mask and cloak, cheering with glee.
Half a million! Even if he only received thirty percent of the profits, it was still a fortune!
He was so thrilled that he practically danced in place.
But the crowd, who had just been speculating wildly about his identity, was once again struck dumb.
Seriously? Was the Sixth Prince out of his mind?
If he wanted a divine carriage that badly, with his relationship to the Crown Princess, could he not have simply asked?
And if that failed… who on earth taught him to bid like that?
Did he truly think silver was nothing but scrap metal?
The Head of the Hangzhou Merchants' Association had long since resigned himself to silent frustration. But one man suffered even more.
The assistant sent by Prime Minister Liu had been tasked with paying on behalf of the Sixth Prince. Yet no one had warned him this was how His Highness would behave.
He had been told the Sixth Prince's presence alone would ensure the divine carriage was secured at a reasonable price.
Five hundred thousand… was that supposed to be reasonable?
He dared not speak. He dared not ask.
The mood in the hall had taken a strange turn, awkward and heavy.
Fortunately, it did not last long.
Soon, Yun Shu—seated beside Yun Chuhuan—removed her mask as well. The crowd instinctively made way, forming a path as she stepped forward and ascended to the platform where Tang Xinhua had presided over the auction.
"There is no need for This Princess to introduce herself. I trust everyone here knows who I am."
Smiling faintly, Yun Shu drew out a prepared scroll.
"Today's auction concludes here.
This Princess came for two reasons. First, to announce the Merchants' Association that ranked first in paying this year's commercial taxes, along with the top three individual merchants. The initial divine carriage production methods and corresponding rewards will now be distributed accordingly."
She held up the scroll, then added.
"The names are written here and will be posted outside shortly. Anyone curious may read them at their leisure.
And second..."
She paused deliberately, letting the silence stretch and anticipation build.
"As for the future improvements to the divine carriage, I believe most of you have heard a few hints already.
This Princess will not hide the truth. Be it the more transparent glazed windows, sturdier carriage frames, or the wheels that will allow the carriage to run faster and more steadily, This Princess already possesses preliminary manufacturing designs for them all.
These designs... This Princess will provide to you at no cost."
"No cost?!"
No one had expected that. The Crown Princess had just raked in a fortune with the two divine carriages. Surely, she would squeeze even more from the follow-up components.
And yet… she was offering them for free?
What kind of strategy was this?
Many could not understand it, but they all knew one thing:
The Crown Princess never said such things without purpose.