Chapter 100: The Auction and Shen Sisi’s Jealousy

Page (1/3)

Pearl rolled her eyes upon hearing this and said irritably, “Young Master Jiang, the Beauty Elixir has already risen to two hundred taels per bottle. Didn’t you hear about it?”

A trace of embarrassment flickered across Jiang Lin’s face. Of course, he knew this, but he feigned ignorance: “Is that so? As a man, I’m naturally not very familiar with the prices of women’s items. Besides, Sisi mentioned that Sister Qingyun already has some of the Beauty Elixir, so…”

Shen Qingyun interrupted him expressionlessly, “Young Master Jiang, I don’t have any here. If you want some, you can buy it yourself at the Liyan Pavilion.”

Jiang Lin frowned displeased. “Sister Qingyun, I know many things have happened recently at the Duke’s residence, and you must be feeling upset, but you shouldn’t be so unfilial to your elders.”

“If we’re talking about filial piety, then Young Master Jiang should go to my sister Shen Sisi. She’s the future wife of the Marquis’s heir and the daughter-in-law of Lady Jiang. It certainly isn’t my place.”

Pearl chimed in, “Young Master Jiang, since you’re so filial, why not just offer a thousand taels and buy five bottles directly from the Liyan Pavilion?”

Their words left Jiang Lin utterly humiliated. Clinging to what little dignity he had left, he maintained a courteous facade and left regretfully.

But inside, a deep sorrow gnawed at him.

He had come not only to buy the Beauty Elixir but also to seize the chance to see Shen Qingyun.

How he longed to marry Shen Qingyun! He couldn’t help but think this way, sometimes even dreaming of their wedding, where Qingyun’s generous dowry paved the way for his rise.

Each time he woke from these sweet dreams, an indescribable melancholy would wash over him.

When Shen Sisi stopped Jiang Lin at the Duke’s residence, she saw his lost and forlorn expression.

“Brother Lin, what’s wrong? Is it because I wouldn’t sell it to you? Am I being too selfish?”

Jiang Lin forced a bitter smile. “Forget it. Sister Qingyun is a woman; it’s understandable she wouldn’t want to part with it. Or perhaps she truly doesn’t have any.”

Shen Sisi clenched the handkerchief so tightly her nails dug into her flesh, yet her face remained gentle. “It’s nothing, Brother Lin. I used my old hair accessories as a pawn before. Tomorrow morning, I’ll go to the Liyan Pavilion and buy a bottle. Then I’ll have someone deliver half a bottle to you.”

“Sisi, you don’t have to go to such trouble.” Jiang Lin was touched. “It’s truly my luck to have you as my bride. Mother would be so happy to know this. Only a woman like you deserves to be the future wife of the Marquis’s heir.”

The last words were clearly self-comfort.

Seeing the affection in Jiang Lin’s eyes, Shen Sisi’s heart ached slightly, and she leaned her head on his shoulder. “As long as it makes you happy and honors Mother, I’m willing to do anything.”

Jiang Lin took the opportunity to wrap his arm around Shen Sisi. They shared a tender moment, rekindling their feelings before reluctantly parting.

Page (2/3)

Shen Qingyun felt nothing but scorn upon hearing all this.

Jiang Lin truly was incorrigible—a man who wanted to live off a woman’s support while keeping up appearances. Whoever married him would be unlucky. Luckily, she had escaped that misery; this trap was for Shen Sisi to fall into.

Still, the incident served as a reminder. The next day, Shen Qingyun made a point of going to the Liyan Pavilion herself to buy two bottles of the Beauty Elixir.

Having made prior arrangements, upon seeing their mistress arrive, the stewardess hurriedly stepped aside and brought out the last two bottles prepared.

Fate’s path was narrow, and coincidentally, Princess Zhenyang arrived soon after.

Seeing the princess’s unfriendly glare, Shen Qingyun sighed inwardly. She truly clashed with these princesses.

But due to her status, Shen Qingyun bowed politely to Princess Zhenyang and prepared to pay and leave.

However, hearing these were the last two bottles, the princess’s attendants immediately stopped her.

“Shen Qingyun, why are you buying two bottles alone? Give one to me.”

Shen Qingyun smiled coldly. “Princess, first come, first served. It’s my right to buy as many as I want. You should come back another day.”

Princess Zhenyang couldn’t stand her indifferent demeanor. “What first come, first served? You haven’t paid, so it’s not yours yet.”

Turning to the stewardess, she said, “You run this business to make money, right? I’ll pay double. Sell both bottles to me!”

The stewardess hesitated, looking at Shen Qingyun, and said, “That would be eight hundred taels. Princess, you could come back in three days.”

Shen Qingyun remained calm. “I’ll pay a thousand taels. I don’t want to wait.”

At first, the princess felt a pang of reluctance at the price. Then, seeing Shen Qingyun challenge her so casually, she was furious. Having been outshone during the imperial consort’s flower viewing, she would not let this insolent Shen Qingyun win again.

“One thousand one hundred taels!” she declared firmly.

“Only a hundred more?” Shen Qingyun said lightly, with a casual air and a hint of mockery in her eyes. “One thousand three hundred taels.”

Princess Zhenyang gritted her teeth, furious: “One thousand five hundred taels!”

The crowd gasped.

One thousand five hundred taels just for two bottles of Beauty Elixir—how extravagant the princess was!

Page (3/3)

Among the onlookers, Shen Sisi was also stunned, but her thoughts differed from the others. She only saw that Shen Qingyun had the financial means to challenge the princess.

That was over a thousand taels. For her to speak so nonchalantly, yet as a daughter of the Duke’s residence, she herself was so financially constrained!

But at that moment, Shen Qingyun seemed somewhat dispirited. After staring at Princess Zhenyang for a long while, she finally frowned and said to the stewardess, “Forget it. I don’t want it anymore. Let Princess Zhenyang have it.”

Seeing Shen Qingyun concede, Princess Zhenyang was elated and ordered her maid to pay.

However, the maid awkwardly tugged at the princess’s sleeve and whispered, “Princess, there isn’t enough money.”

Princess Zhenyang froze. Shen Qingyun chuckled softly. “In that case, stewardess, please wrap it up for me.”

Princess Zhenyang’s face flushed crimson. How could she endure such humiliation? She hurriedly said, “I just happened to forget my money. The maid will go back and fetch it now.”

Of course, the result was that although Princess Zhenyang appeared triumphant in public, upon returning home, she was immediately punished with house arrest.

As Shen Qingyun left the shop, her previously downcast expression changed. She winked at Pearl and Yicui. “Let’s go. I’ve made a little profit today. I’ll treat you both to a nice meal.”

Shen Sisi stood not far off, her face twisted.

Clutching the two hundred taels in her hand, she had failed to buy the Beauty Elixir today and didn’t know how to explain it to Jiang Lin. Lady Jiang was the sort to criticize her harshly.

A flood of emotions overwhelmed her—regret, worry, anger, jealousy, and resentment.

She had initially urged Shen Zhifeng to bring Shen Qingyun back to escape the engagement. In the end, it was all for nothing.

If only Shen Qingyun were gone, she thought bitterly. Then she would be the only daughter of the Duke’s residence, entitled to the wealth and status!

Why wouldn’t Shen Qingyun just die?