CHAPTER 150: CHAPTER 149: PRINCELY HEIR, COULD YOU STOP MAKING TROUBLE?

Once inside, they realized that ten taels of silver was only for regular tickets, which meant they could only sit in a corner of the hall.

The waiter led them to a table in the corner and was about to leave when Yu Xiaolian quickly said, "I have something to auction. Can I see your shopkeeper?"

Sometimes, rare treasures are brought to auction houses by individuals who keep a low profile to avoid revealing their identities.

Seeing that they were bundled up tightly, the waiter guessed that the item they wanted to auction was not ordinary. His attitude shifted as he respectfully escorted the father and daughter of the Yu Family to the second floor.

When Shopkeeper Wang of Juming Pavilion saw the attire of Yu Changhe and Yu Xiaolian, his eyes lit up. In his years of experience, the more discreetly someone dressed, the more valuable the items they brought.

A hint of anticipation arose in Shopkeeper Wang’s heart.

When Yu Changhe placed the bundle on the table, Shopkeeper Wang twitched at the corner of his eye. What kind of treasure was this? It didn’t even have a fancy box?

When the bundle was opened, revealing the glass cup scattered inside, Shopkeeper Wang’s eyes shone, "Is this... glazed?"

Seeing her father silent, Yu Xiaolian knew that he forgot his words due to nervousness. She quickly introduced, "Yes, this cup is called a Seven-colored Bubble Cup, and the set includes six of them."

"Glazed Cup?"

Shopkeeper Wang had only once seen a glass cup at Prince Jin’s place. This was his first time seeing a glazed cup, especially a colorful one.

Shopkeeper Wang carefully picked up a cup and examined it under the oil lamp. The light refracted on the cup, casting dazzling colored glimmers.

Shopkeeper Wang thought he had found a treasure today. He had always said that the more securely something was hidden, the more valuable it was. His eye for people was getting sharper.

The fact that these treasures arrived as soon as the ocean-going ship docked suggested that these two had channels for smuggling.

Smuggling goods on ocean-going ships indicated what? It either meant they had connections in the government or onboard the ship. Shopkeeper Wang cautiously returned the cup to its place.

He silently criticized them for wrapping the Seven-colored Glazed Cup in shabby cloth, showing no regard for its value.

"May I ask what starting price you two have in mind?"

Yu Xiaolian had thought about this before coming. Glazed items were rare in ancient times but not nonexistent, unlike plastic, which was unavailable. So the price couldn’t be set higher than plastic.

"One thousand taels!"

After all, it was a reserve price. She believed that once the Seven-colored Bubble Cup went out, someone would be willing to bid higher.

Shopkeeper Wang expected them to quote high but was surprised to find the price moderate, similar to that of a glass cup.

"Juming Pavilion happens to hold a large auction tonight. The store will take a five percent commission from the sales if you two have no objections. Shall I take the items to prepare them?"

Yu Changhe and Yu Xiaolian naturally had no objections. They brought the items here to exchange for money.

Shopkeeper Wang wrote them a receipt and affixed a red stamp on it, verifying that he had received their glass cups.

"You two honorable guests can stay in the private room; no need to go downstairs."

Shopkeeper Wang went out and called over the nearby waiter, "Quickly serve the fine tea and snacks to the guests in the private room we just had!"

When the waiter brought in the tea and snacks, the auction had officially started. Yu Changhe and Yu Xiaolian stood by the window on the second floor, looking down at the auction since it was the first time for both father and daughter, making them full of interest.

Before going on stage, Shopkeeper Wang felt a bit excited because, two days ago, their prince had sent an extremely rare treasure.

The reason for holding this auction was that rare treasure.

It was said there were two; the prince kept one, and the other was sent here.

This was a show of trust from the prince. Thus, two days ago, Shopkeeper Wang spread the word that he had acquired a magnificent treasure and planned to auction it two days later. Those seeking a unique collectible should come quickly.

He had to sell this rare treasure at a good price for their prince.

Coincidentally, ocean-going ships docked, bringing some exotic items, making this auction potentially the grandest of the year.

"The first lot is a pair of glass cups from overseas, starting at five hundred taels!"

Once Shopkeeper Wang finished speaking, Yu Xiaolian couldn’t help but gasp. She had set the opening price for her glass cup too low.

She thought these things sold for two renminbi each in supermarkets; setting it too high made her uneasy.

Ah, sometimes you really shouldn’t second-guess yourself.

"Six hundred taels!"

"Eight hundred taels!"

"One thousand taels!"

"Any higher bids? If not, it’ll be sold to Mr. Yang for one thousand taels?"

"Alright, sold for one thousand taels, this pair of glass cups goes to Mr. Yang!"

Yu Xiaolian roughly calculated in her mind. A pair of glass cups sold for one thousand taels, meaning five hundred taels each. If her glass cups also went for five hundred taels each, then it would be three thousand taels.

The second item was Yu Xiaolian’s glass cup. After a fantastic introduction by Shopkeeper Wang, the crowd began bidding.

When the bid reached three thousand taels, Yu Xiaolian was already very satisfied, but unexpectedly, someone in the neighboring room bid again.

"Three thousand five hundred taels!"

Shopkeeper Wang heard the voice and felt a headache. Was his princely heir intentionally causing trouble?

An elderly man seemed to be competing with a young man, "Four thousand taels!"

Shopkeeper Wang quickly ran a few steps downstage, called over a clerk, and said, "Tell the princely heir not to bid anymore. Say the good stuff is yet to come!"

Jun Mobai had his eye on this glass cup. It was big, and convenient for drinking water.

He liked the colors.

You want to buy it for collection? Sorry, I want to use it for drinking water.

The clerk nervously knocked on the door of Jun Mobai’s private room and stuttered Shopkeeper Wang’s message.

Jun Mobai curled his lips in displeasure, "Tell the old man Wang not to meddle in my affairs."

Wasn’t the treasure Wang mentioned one he had already seen in his little emperor uncle’s residence?

Exactly, he wasn’t interested in that. He was just keen on this glass cup, clear and with unique patterns, perfect for drinking wine and water.

No one else should think of competing with him!

Ultimately, Shopkeeper Wang couldn’t stop Jun Mobai from spending, and the glass cup was finally purchased by Jun Mobai for four thousand five hundred taels.

Jun Mobai examined the just-delivered Seven-colored Bubble Cup and said to Fu Qing behind him, "The voice of the person bidding against me sounded familiar."

Fu Qing frowned, "Want me to go check it out?"

Jun Mobai thought for a while, "Forget it."

"Daughter, this item is good. It doesn’t stand out like plastic. From now on, we’ll just sell these, and let’s not bring out the plastic stuff." Yu Changhe whispered.

Yu Xiaolian nodded. She thought so too; though rare, glazed items still have traceable origins, unlike plastic which has no place of production.

If powerful people caught them, forcing them to disclose the plastic manufacturing process and origin, they couldn’t make that up.

Probably, this thing doesn’t exist overseas either.

Being a bit cautious is better.

No sin is attached to ordinary men, but harboring a treasure invites trouble!

While Yu Xiaolian was lost in thought, Shopkeeper Wang was already presenting the final, crowning piece.

When this treasure came out, it instantly caused a stir in the audience, showing that many had come specifically for this last item.