Farming and reading lady

Two servants carried the painting and stood at the edge of the platform. Some people were examining it seriously, some were savoring it carefully, and some were chatting with their friends. After about a quarter of an hour, someone picked up a pen placed aside, wrote down his or her initial price, and put it in the price box on the side. After about another half a quarter of an hour, most of the interested guests had already bid their prices.

The price frame was quickly taken to the side of the platform by another servant to count. Of course, the counting was transparent, a bit like modern household voting. Soon the highest price was counted and handed over to the host. She was surprised, but soon regained her composure: "The highest bidder is bidder No. 32. Bidder No. 32 initially bid taels for Xianqing Jushi's "Harmony of Strings."

Everyone was discussing the big spendthriftness of bidder No. 32. Although the painting was a good one, the painter was unknown, and the starting price for this first painting was as high as one thousand taels.

Gu Xixian and his sister followed their teacher, standing in the crowd and listening to the discussions of the people around them. This price was actually beyond Gu Xixian's expectations. If she were a bystander, she might have directly thought that someone had hired someone to help her. She looked at her brother, who looked proud of it. Although he tried to maintain his composure, the smile in his eyes was out of his eyes. She looked at the teacher again, and saw him stroking his beard and looking calm. She couldn't help but wonder if he had paid the thousand taels. She tried to recall it, but it seemed that she didn't see the teacher pick up the pen.

"The reserve price has been set, and now we enter the bidding stage. Is there anyone who can offer a higher price?" The beautiful host did not hold out much hope. She also felt in her heart that this price was already sky-high for a painting by a novice painter.

"One thousand one hundred taels." A low and slightly hoarse voice sounded. It was from an old man who had just entered the auction hall. He was thin but tall, and walked slowly with his hands behind his back. The edges of his dark robe were embroidered with golden auspicious clouds, and in the middle of the robe there was a dragon playing with each other, which was also shining with golden spots. He was noble in his low-key manner.

Everyone in the hall turned around and saluted: "Greetings, Prince Mingxiao."

Gu Xixian and his sister bowed their heads along with the others. The teacher had given them a brief introduction to the important person. Prince Mingxiao was the younger brother of the previous Emperor Mingrui and the younger uncle of the current emperor. It was said that this man was both civil and military, talented, and could stabilize the country with his martial arts and surpass all the heroes with his literary skills. However, he was a low-key person. If the emperor did not summon him, he would not attend court or participate in politics. He just liked to stay alone in a corner and cultivate his character. He was a reclusive person. Gu Xixian did not expect to have such a good fortune today. He could not suppress his curiosity and kept looking at him quietly.

Prince Mingxiao simply waved his hand at the crowd and said, "We are all spectators, no need to be polite."

He walked to Tong Mingyan, nodded and whispered: "Join the shoot first, and then we'll talk after the shoot."

Tong Mingyan nodded, and the two of them stood aside again in tacit understanding. Gu Xixian was curious, why did he feel that there was something ambiguous between his teacher and Prince Mingxiao?

"Your Highness has a keen eye for talent and is offering a price of one thousand one hundred taels. Is there anyone else who wants to raise the price?" The beautiful host is indeed experienced, and her sweet voice quickly brought everyone back to the scene.

The waiter next to her handed her a price slip. She paused and sang loudly again: "One thousand three hundred taels, bidder No. 32 bids one thousand three hundred taels again, one thousand three hundred taels, is there anyone else who wants to continue?"

Everyone started talking in low voices again. There were actually people bidding against Prince Mingxiao. No one knew who was so bold.

Seeing that everyone was just discussing and no one was participating, and that the prince did not bid again, the host knew that the price was almost up: "One thousand three hundred taels for the first time, one thousand three hundred taels for the second time, one thousand three hundred taels for the third time, it's settled. This painting belongs to bidder No. 32."

The painting was carefully rolled up by the servant boy, placed in a long purple brocade box, and taken away.

Then new paintings were sent up. Gu Xixian looked at them very carefully and attentively. Every artist had his own unique style, which was worth learning. Gu Xixian still felt unsatisfied until the end. With such a good learning opportunity, she really wanted to come here every day. However, it was obvious that this place was not accessible to ordinary people. She had this self-awareness.

But she was really curious about which big shot bought her paintings and who actually praised her so much.

After the auction, Tong Mingyan took the two to a teahouse. When they opened the door of the private room, they saw someone sitting inside sipping tea. Gu Xixian looked and saw that it was Prince Mingxiao. Tong Mingyan was obviously much more relaxed here. He just clasped his fists hastily, then lifted his robe and sat down, saying to the brother and sister, "Just find a seat."

Prince Mingxiao didn't seem angry at all. He just squinted at the two and asked, "Are these your two disciples?"

Tong Mingyan smiled and nodded: "Two traitors, I hope Huaizhi will take good care of them in the future."

Gu Xixian bowed his head at the right time and saluted Prince Mingxiao again with his brother, but rolled his eyes in his heart and complained madly, how could they be traitors? What was wrong with them? He despised the teacher's words... Close distance... Continue to observe quietly...

"Hehe, little girl, you are quite thoughtful. What, have you seen enough? Do I have an extra eye or one less nostril?" As the voice rang out, the small bun on her head was pulled up by someone, forcing her to look up.

Gu Xixian bared his teeth, wrinkled his nose, and patted the arm on top of his head: "Let go, let go, your scalp is about to be pulled off."

Damn, it hurts so much that tears come out. What kind of barbarian is this? How can he treat a girl so rudely?

"Your Highness, please show some mercy. You will lose your friends if you continue like this." Tong Mingyan blamed him. He and this man have been good friends for many years. Even if others don't know, how could he not know the bad temper hidden in this man? He loves to tease children the most.

Prince Mingxiao withdrew his hand awkwardly, touched his nose, and looked at the little girl glaring at him with red eyes, and he smiled awkwardly.

Gu Xihao rubbed his sister's hair with heartache. He didn't expect that this prince was no different from the snotty kid in the village. He even pulled the little girl's hair. He really learned something new. He didn't dare to say anything, but his eyes were red with heartache. He felt pain for his sister and for his brother.

"Alright, alright, it's all gone, can't I compensate you? Little girl, tell me, what do you want?" Prince Mingxiao said with his hands spread out like a scoundrel. He was just jealous that old guy Tong Mingyan could have such a beautiful and skillful little apprentice, and he was mischievous for a while.

"My hair and body were given by my parents. I don't even know how many of them you've plucked out. Can you compensate me with a little money?" Gu Xixian pouted and glared at him angrily. In her heart, she thought that money was the most lovable thing in the world. If he gave her money, she could barely forgive him.

"Hey, you're a greedy little girl." Prince Mingxiao was amused: "If a little money is not enough, then is it enough to exchange three gold ingots for your little fur?"

Three gold ingots seemed pretty good, but I wondered how much they would be worth in silver? She hadn't calculated it yet, so she rolled her eyes and asked, "How much silver can your three gold ingots be worth? What if they're very small? Wouldn't that make me lose a lot?"

"Puff!" Prince Mingxiao spit out the imported tea he had just drunk. "There is actually someone who suspects that my gold ingots are not enough. Little girl, you are the first one. You are really brave."

"I don't have any fertility. I'm a girl. My brother is the one who has fertility." The sequelae of the novel in the previous life came out smoothly.

"Ahem..." Prince Mingxiao spit out the second sip of tea he had just taken. He gave Tong Mingyan a thumbs up and said, "I give up. Is this little girl your biological daughter?"

Tong Mingyan's face also turned red, and he scolded: "Xian'er, what nonsense are you talking about."

Gu Xixian immediately realized that he had slipped his tongue and stuck out his tongue twice.