Warning: SENSITIVE CONTENTS AHEAD
A/n: You've been warned :')
"My lovelies, look at what I have here," Wei Ling's disciple brought two female children forward.
"Can you guess who they are?" she playfully questioned the audience, sparking their curiosity.
The two little girls curiously and nervously standing on the grand stage were 6 and 12 years of age, respectively.
They had similar features that made them look alike: double-lid eyes, small lips like the petals of a baby rose, and short brunette hair that emphasized their small lovely faces.
Their skin was smooth and free from blemishes, reflecting the vitality of youth.
Wei Ling stood behind them and smiled brightly. "They are the- oh," she paused, seeming to forget an important thing.
With a twisted grin that sent shivers down the little girls' spines, she clarified, "I mean, they 'were' the princesses of our beautiful enemy, Yulong, who tragically perished under our supreme power."
"Princesses Baoyu and Nan Yu, once the pride of a majestic kingdom, now lost to the ravages of war!" Wei Ling laughed, her high-pitched voice echoing in the auction house, full of mockery and malice.
Everyone present in the auction house was stunned into silence by her information.
They knew that Wei Ling wouldn't joke about such things. She was meticulous when it came to her work.
And Tanxia had been clashing in a relentless war with Yulong for over a decade. Just when people thought that Tanxia would give up after fighting for so long with no victory in sight, the heir of Commander Zhang returned from his seclusion and joined the army.
His reputation in the army preceded him as a master of tactics and strategy.
Under his unconventional tactics and strategies that defied traditional norms, the tide of the war shifted dramatically.
Within a mere seven months, the once undefeated Yulong's forces suffered a series of defeats and were conquered by Tanxia.
Many knew that Yulong had 5 descendants, 3 boys and 2 girls. The boys had tragically died in the war, while the girls were missing.
If what Wei Ling said was true, then the little girls standing on the stage were the missing princesses!!
Excitement, surprise, and delight sparked in the audience.
On the stage, the princesses' once-royal garments were replaced with clothes that showcased their immature bodies.
They wore a short pink top that exposed their fair shoulders, arms, and upper chest, paired with a knee-length skirt that revealed their tender white legs.
The pink top was held in place by a ribbon tied around their waist, leaving the midriff partially exposed.
One could witness a beautiful scene if the ribbon were pulled off.
The younger sister clutched onto the hand of her elder sister, who looked at her protectively.
The older sister appeared calm and collected, but her eyes betrayed the fear that lurked within her heart.
Few men in the audience involuntarily glanced down, their eyes hotly upon the soft curve of her immature breasts. Their tongues passing quickly over their lips. These immoral men were as always aroused to their desires
The atmosphere in the room was a mix of sympathy and cruelty.
The soft-hearted people in the auction house couldn't help but feel compassion for the little girls, who were innocent victims of a tragic fate.
Yet, others reveled in their misfortune, their gazes leering on them with vile intent.
They saw them as a prize to be claimed.
Wei Ling smiled gently and patted the little girls' heads, saying, "We're going to have so much fun!" However, there was no warmth in her gesture.
"Let's start the bidding from 10,000 gold, shall we? I'm sure my lovelies don't have a problem with that," Wei Ling casually swung the hammer.
10,000 gold. Most of the people hesitated.
Wei Ling glanced at her precious princesses and added meaningfully, "the price is nothing compared to the royal blood that courses through their veins."
She maliciously describe, "imagine the indescribable pleasure you could experience when you destroy the royal blood of Yulong. The sense of excitement that would make your blood boil, knowing that a royal blood is underneath you, begging, cursing, screaming, moaning..."
Nan Yu trembled in horror, her once arrogant eyes filled with fury, pain, and intense fear.
Wei Ling's words ignited the enthusiasm of many men who thought with their lower body instead of their brain.
"10,500 gold!"
"11,000!"
"Tsk, I'll pay 15,000 gold for both of them!!"
"15,000 gold by guest no.21! Who will give me 16,000?" Wei Ling clapped her hands with delight.
"Ah! 17,000 gold, thank you guest no.19!"
"18,000!"
"20,000 gold by our guest no.21 again!"
The auction house was filled with the delightful screams of Wei Ling and the sound of paddles constantly swinging in the air.
"25,000 gold!! 25,000 gold by our guest no.15!"
Nan Yu looked at her little sister, who was curiously observing the operation. She was innocent as a baby deer and clear as a clean lake without impurities.
"28,000. 28,000 gold by our guest no.21 again!" Wei Ling screamed in joy.
Tears welled up in Nan Yu's eyes as she heard her voice. The one who desperately wants to buy them was not a good person!
"29,000 gold."
"31,000!"
"45,000 gold!"
The crowd was consumed by the temptation of possessing the royal sisters of Yulong.
On the fourth floor of the auction house, a man of great stature and allure reclined on a large sumptuous chair.
Surrounded by a bevy* of enchanting women, he exuded an aura of charm and magnetism.
With his dark black eyes gazing amusedly at the auction proceedings, he held a delicate cup of wine in his left hand, savoring its exquisite taste.
His head rested gracefully on his other hand, tilted slightly to one side, adding an air of relaxed elegance to his demeanor.
He possessed a striking countenance, characterized by curly hair cascading in unruly waves around his shoulders.
His broad shoulders bespoke strength and confidence, while his slender fingers seemed to possess a gentle touch.
The luxurious robe he wore draped over his form like a regal mantle, revealing his elevated status among the many people present.
Adorned with delicate embroidery and embellishments, the robe served as a visual testament to his wealth and standing in society.
He was a man who commanded attention effortlessly.
"Yulong princesses, huh?." He leisurely twirled the cup of wine and observed the bidding with interest.
"50,000 gold by our guest no.21! Anyone else willing to bid higher?" The mistress of ceremonies declared loudly, silencing the audience.
"50,000 gold going once!"
Nan Yu anxiously held her little sister's hand. She was afraid.
"50,000 gold going twice!"
A heavyset man, weighing 500 pounds, sat on the 2nd floor with a paddle displaying the number 21 in the hands of his servant.
'I can't wait to get inside them, I bet it would be tight and hot', his lips twisted into a lecherous smile as he lusted over his prize
"50,000 gold going thri-" Wei Ling was ready to bring the hammer down.
"100,000 gold." The sudden interruption startled everyone, including Wei Ling, the royal sisters, and guest no.21.
They raised their heads to the fourth floor and saw an enchanting woman with a seductive smile casually waving the paddle in her hand.
"One hundred thousand gold by our guest no.3!" Wei Ling shrieked, suspicious of life.
Never in her career had she sold an item for 100,000 gold!
The rims of her eyes reddened as she glared at the royal sisters. 'They are so privileged, ah!'
"One hundred thousand gold going once!"
Guest no.21, the obese man, trembled in rage. His chin, with excess fat skin, shook as he angrily banged the arms of his chair.
His servants around him were worried. Not for their master, but for the chair. They dearly hoped it wouldn't break down.
"One hundred thousand gold going twice!"
The obese man anxiously looked at the stage. 'No!'
"*Bang* Sold to my beloved gentleman on the fourth floor for 100,000 gold!" The hammer fell, and the unknown man on the fourth floor emerged victorious, becoming the new owner of the sisters.
Whispers of jealousy and curiosity rang among the audience, wondering who the man on the fourth floor might be.
Wei Ling's disciple led Nan Yu and Baoyu off the stage, treating them more cautiously than before.
"I'm so glad you all liked them! They were the highlight of today's show." Wei Ling's eyes were full of joy, still reminiscing about the previous profits.
"Shall we check out what more surprises we have?"
Although most of the men were disappointed that they couldn't win the royal princesses, they were geared up for the next offering.
Wei Ling introduced dozens of girls skilled in cooking, labor, dancing, painting, and more.
Most of them were bought for 50-800 gold coins. Although there was a vast difference between 100,000 and 800, it seemed great considering most of the girls were commoners and fallen nobles.
The Azure Lotus Garden Auction House, with its dazzling facade and alluring treasures, concealed the dark underbelly of human desires, where power and wealth intermingled in a dance of shadows.
"How much do you think I'll be worth?"
"50 copper at most."
"..."
"Next!"
One of Wei Ling's disciples brought a petite girl forward. She had a cute rabbit mask on her face, only revealing her bright light brown eyes, which seemed to hold stars.
The audience was excited! Finally, a hidden beauty!
Wei Ling slightly frowned and looked at her item record.
Reading the vague information, she flatly introduced the new girl, "Jiang Ying Yue, 16 years old, and good at medicine."
Wei Ling and her audience were slightly surprised. A woman who knew medicine was very rare in Tanxia, as most of them spent their time making babies or preparing for a big family.
Feeling the gazes directed towards her, Shu Wa'er pinched the flesh of her palm. She was nervous, very, very nervous.
Wei Ling, feeling jealous of a capable youngster, came forward and abruptly took off the rabbit mask.
The enthusiastic audience, waiting to see the hidden beauty, instantly recoiled in horror as they saw her face.
Fresh bloody scars left by knife wounds marred her delicate features, transforming her face into a nightmarish scene that sent shivers down the spines of those present.
Gasps and shrieks were heard all around.
Wei Ling, taken aback by the shocking sight before her, struggled to find the right words.
She was not sorry. Of course, not.
Her mind raced, anxiously thinking of how to sell her to her clients.
In a moment of awkwardness, she stammered, "Um, well....here we have Jiang Ying Yue. She is, uh, capable of knowing medical knowledge and perhaps she might make a good guard for your estates..... a jest, of course."
The audience remained unmoved.
"Let's start the price from 20-no, 5 silver. Does anyone want to bid higher?" Wei Ling turned to the audience and started the bidding.
It was deadly silent.
"I think my price was too high; let's lessen it down to 2 silver. Now, is anyone willing to purchase her?"
Wei Ling bit her inner cheek. This was the lowest price she had ever offered for her items.
The audience remained silent, their reluctance to bid reflecting the depth of their fear and discomfort.
"Seems like you're going to stay here tonight," the white parrot sighed.
"Dear Godfather, if you are not gay, please send your angel to protect me, your child." Shu Wa'er sincerely prayed, knowing that she would suffer more if she remained in the auction house.
Wei Ling was not a kind person to unsold slaves.
On the fourth floor, a sinister grin crept across the only guest's face as he gestured to the woman holding the paddle to raise it.
Although confused and reluctant, the enchanting woman raised the paddle.
"Three silver, thank you guest no.3!" Wei Ling was relieved and puzzled.
"Three silver going once... going twice... *Bang* and sold to our beloved gentleman on the fourth floor!"
The other guests on the floor below exchanged puzzled and frightened glances, mortified at why an esteemed and wealthy individual like guest no.3 would choose to purchase an "ugly" woman.
Even the word "ugly" was too beautiful for someone like that.
In the midst of their whispers and speculation, Shu Wa'er was led off the grand stage.
"Three silver, that's 250 copper coins higher than your estimated value. Looks like I'm worth more than 50 copper coins!" Shu Wa'er hissed at her parrot.
The white parrot ignored Shu Wa'er and continued cleaning his feathers; he was too lazy to argue with a dumb woman like her.
Seeing no response from the parrot, Shu Wa'er felt happy.
The disciples of Wei Ling directly led her out of the auction house through the backdoor, where a line of luxurious carriages were parked.
Shu Wa'er followed the disciples until they reached a carriage that looked somewhat average compared to the others.
A male servant was idly standing beside the carriage door. Seeing the auction staff leading another woman towards him, he stepped forward and followed the familiar procedures.
That included verifying the staff badges of the Azure Lotus Garden Auction House, the seal of his master on the parchment, and the authentic seal of the auction house.
After the verification, the male servant respectfully opened the carriage door and encouraged Shu Wa'er to get in.
Shu Wa'er blankly sat in the carriage, ignoring the presence of the two little gloomy girls sitting across from her.
She didn't know what to say to them. Her words of consolation or peaceful alliance might make the little girls hate her.
So it was better to shut up and imagine that she was alone in the carriage.
The sun began to set, painting the once-clear blue sky with hues of pink, orange, and lavender. They cascaded across the horizon, blending seamlessly with the deepening blue of the sky.
'Mom and dad would have been sitting by the fireplace and drinking tea at this hour,' Shu Wa'er thought.
From the day she escaped Xiaoling Village in Yulong, she had frequent nightmares during her sleep.
Her father's fighting stance that protected her, her mother's pleading eyes and screams that shook her guilty soul, the sea of smoke, and the pair of dangerous eyes that stared into her.
The evening breeze gently whispered through the carriage window, carrying the scent of blooming flowers and fresh earth.
Shu Wa'er sighed in relief when the carriage began to move.
From here on, she was Jiang Ying Yue. A captive of war bought by a generous man whose sole purpose was to serve him.
Or them.
She blankly gazed out; wisps of clouds adorned the beautiful evening sky, their edges tinged with a soft glow, as if kissed by the fading sunlight.
"Mom, why do you always seem to love the sky so much?"
"Because whenever I look up at it, it makes me forget about my worries, if only for a moment. The vastness and beauty of the sky make me feel free and at peace, my dear."
"Free and at peace? But what's so special about the sky? It's just there every day."
"You're right, sweetheart. The sky may be there every day, but it's ever-changing and always surprises me. Sometimes it's bright and full of sunshine, and other times, it's covered with clouds and filled with rain. It reminds me that life has its ups and downs, and that's okay."
"I never thought of it that way. I guess the sky is pretty interesting. Mom, do you like the sky more than your cute daughter?"
"Hahaha, Silly. I love you the most, of course. You are my sky, my sunshine, and my everything. Remember that."
"Yeyy, I love you too, mom!"
Jiang Ying Yue reached out and coldly pulled the curtain down, shutting out the beautiful sky and the memories that came with it.