The inscription on the fifth Star-Cutting blade is: Only know to die for the country on the battlefield, why need a horsehide shroud to return!
Luo Lan said, “Same rules as before. Young masters, you may bid!”
“Only know to die for the country on the battlefield, why need a horsehide shroud to return?”
The young masters below either recited it silently in their hearts or repeated it softly, savouring the words.
After all, it was a new blade, and the inscription carried a tragic, heroic air that suited their tastes. The previous round had left many of them frustrated, so the fifth round’s bidding was lively. The price climbed steadily to two thousand one hundred taels before finally stopping.
Not every black knife could fetch five thousand taels. In Luo Lan’s view, as long as it sold for no less than one thousand five hundred taels, she could fully account to Jinfeng.
The fifth blade’s inscription was not as striking as the first or fourth, so this price was acceptable.
“Young Master Zhang bids two thousand one hundred taels. Does anyone wish to raise?” Luo Lan asked loudly.
The moment she finished, a voice called, “Three thousand taels!”
“Is it another maid?”
“It really doesn’t sound like a man. Ha, you were right. Which family’s young lady sent this one?”
“It’s no family’s maid. I’m certain this is a shill from Jinchuan Chamber! How else could it be so coincidental? One maid was odd enough, now another!”
“I think so too. And that mysterious fellow pretending to be aloof, he’s probably a shill as well. When the price wasn’t high enough, he bid against himself!”
“No, Brother Liu, look at Miss Luo Lan. She seems genuinely surprised.”
On the stage, Luo Lan watched the maid approach slowly, her face indeed full of surprise.
“Well now, this maid is impressive. Her bearing and courage far surpass the earlier one. Her face and figure are excellent too. Look at that tiny waist, tsk tsk, must be very soft.”
One young master commented in a frivolous tone.
The young master beside him wore a lewd smile.
Noticing the maid glance their way, the two felt no shame. Instead, they raised their eyebrows at her.
“Do you want to die?” Young Master Qi snapped, his face dark. “She is Princess Nine’s personal attendant!”
“What?”
The two young masters nearly jumped in fright!
A personal attendant was often the most trusted and closest to her mistress. Teasing Princess Nine’s attendant was nearly the same as teasing the princess herself.
Not to mention Princess Nine was the emperor’s most beloved daughter, the princess alone was not to be trifled with.
Other princesses were either dignified and gentle, or wilful and overbearing, or extravagantly indulgent.
But Princess Nine was renowned for her intelligence and composure. She often helped Chen Ji review memorials.
Chen Ji disliked administrative duties. When truly annoyed, he simply handed all the memorials to Princess Nine.
Even cabinet ministers whispered that many simple memorials were approved by Princess Nine, while only those requiring the emperor’s personal seal were handled by Chen Ji himself.
Chen Ji had sighed more than once that if Princess Nine had been born male, she could have eased much of his burden.
Yet if she truly were male, he probably would not dare keep her by his side daily to handle state affairs.
After all, the imperial family’s struggles were always ruthless.
“We’re done for!”
Cold sweat broke out on the two young masters’ faces. They wished they could slap themselves.
If Princess Nine wanted to punish them, even their fathers’ intervention would be useless.
But the maid ignored them, merely glancing over before continuing to the stage.
“Miss Qin’er, why are you here?” Luo Lan asked with a smile.
“What, can I not represent Her Highness at the auction?” Qin’er countered.
“Of course you can. We do business with open doors and welcome everyone.”
“Then continue, Miss Luo Lan.”
Qin’er simply stood casually below the stage.
Only then did Luo Lan remember she was still hosting the auction.
She smiled at Qin’er, then asked, “Miss Qin’er bids three thousand taels. Does anyone wish to raise?”
Though many young masters liked this blade, knowing Princess Nine had bid, who would dare compete?
The young masters all shook their heads.
The fifth black knife naturally went to Qin’er.
“The princess says this is all the money she has left.”
Qin’er handed several banknotes to Iron Hammer, hugged the knife box, and turned to leave.
Luo Lan watched her back with a wry smile.
Qin’er’s words seemed abrupt, but Luo Lan understood.
The previous black knives for Princess Nine were priced at eight hundred taels each, but now their value clearly far exceeded that. The princess deliberately sent Qin’er to buy one, not wanting Luo Lan to feel she was taking advantage of Jinfeng.
Princess Nine’s fief was also a county, but far smaller than Jinchuan, with little annual tax revenue, so her funds were limited.
After buying blades last time, she had only a little over three thousand taels left. This time she had brought nearly all of it.
As Qin’er passed the two young masters with the knife box, she gave them a cold glance, then flicked her long sleeve lightly. Two crisp slaps rang out.
The left cheeks of both young masters swelled visibly, blood trickling from their mouths.
Yet relief showed in their eyes.
Qin’er striking them meant the matter was settled.
Being publicly slapped by a maid was humiliating, but compared to Princess Nine’s wrath, what did it matter?
Besides, being slapped by the princess’s personal attendant was not too shameful.
From start to finish, Qin’er said not a word to them, nor paused her steps.
But just as she neared the courtyard exit, Qin’er suddenly stopped and looked at the mysterious young man who had twice bid five thousand taels.
Then, hugging the knife box, she curtsied gracefully. “This servant greets His Highness the Prince of Jin!”
“You little maid, I covered my face. You could have pretended not to see me. Why insist on formalities?”
The young man sighed helplessly. “Now how am I supposed to continue bidding?”
“Forgive me, Your Highness.”
Qin’er was equally helpless.
Imperial protocol was strict. If she truly did not recognise him like the others, that would be fine.
But she clearly knew him. Meeting without paying respects, even if the prince overlooked it, the chief eunuch in the palace would punish her if he learned of it.
“Prince of Jin? Which Prince of Jin?”
“Are you stupid? Great Kang has only one Prince of Jin!”
“You mean the late emperor’s youngest son, enfeoffed in Jin Province?”
“Who else could it be?”
“But isn’t it said that vassal princes cannot return to the capital without cause?”
“Wasn’t there a rebellion in Jin territory? Probably summoned back by His Majesty.”
All the young masters were shocked, then showed sudden realisation.
No wonder this young man spent so lavishly and none of them knew him.
So it was the Prince of Jin.
