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Join the ServerThe voice was like cold spring water striking jade. Duke Xiao’s pupils abruptly contracted—from the sound alone, he already guessed that the occupant of the central private box was none other than the Eldest Prince of the Aetherland Empire!
Swirling his wine, the Duke fixed his gaze on the arena.
Even this reclusive crown prince had personally descended. It seemed the allure of the elven maiden was… truly enticing.
After a moment of deliberation, Duke Xiao decided not to rush. Better to observe for now.
After all, offending a prince over an elf girl was clearly not a wise move.
Just as Duke Xiao gave up bidding, and everyone present thought the auction was finally drawing to a close—
“Fifteen thousand, third call…” The auctioneer was about to bring down his gavel when a forceful male voice suddenly rang out from the northwest luxury box:
“I bid sixteen thousand gold coins.”
Sixteen thousand gold coins? Everyone in attendance gasped once more. Were they really treating money as if it were nothing, adding a full ten thousand gold coins in a single leap?
The entire venue fell into an icy silence.
Duke Xiao nearly smashed his wine glass on the floor. That voice was unmistakably…! His uncertain gaze swept back and forth between the two boxes, and he ultimately shook his head in resignation.
“T-Ten… sixteen thousand gold coins!” The host’s legs went weak, and he nearly collapsed onto the stage.
As an auctioneer, he had seen many nobles and dignitaries. Naturally, he knew who dared to challenge the Eldest Prince—from the voice, it was clearly the Second Prince of the Aetherland Empire.
Moreover, it was rumored that the two princes had never gotten along, locked in an unending struggle for the crown prince position. Whenever these two appeared together, trouble was sure to follow.
Still, as the host, he was aware of the guest list’s weight. Fortunately, the Third Prince hadn’t come this time; otherwise, this little auction house could never withstand the antics of those three young masters.
The Eldest Prince’s voice suddenly sharpened: “Twenty thousand gold coins!”
The northwest box responded unhurriedly: “Twenty-one thousand gold coins.”
That calm, deliberate tone was chilling—unmistakably the Second Prince’s signature manner.
“Second brother! Are you deliberately opposing me?! Thirty thousand!”
The Eldest Prince slammed the table and stood up. His voice, amplified by the box’s speaker, spread throughout the venue, making everyone present feel his fury.
“Elder brother jests. Elves are rare; naturally, the highest bidder wins—the capable take them. Should not an elder brother yield a little to his younger sibling? Thirty-one thousand gold coins.” The Second Prince spoke unhurriedly.
“Hmph! Don’t think I don’t know what you’re planning. If I give in today, tomorrow you’ll be shitting on my head, won’t you? Thirty-five thousand!” The Eldest Prince sneered.
As the price soared to thirty-five thousand gold coins, the entire auction hall fell into a strange silence.
Nobles exchanged meaningful glances. This had long since exceeded the scope of an auction; it was clearly a preview of the struggle for the crown.
Only the immensely wealthy Aetherland royal family could so casually toss astronomical sums as bargaining chips in a power play, all for the sake of face.
“Since elder brother is so determined… it would be improper for me, the younger brother, to snatch away your prize. I only hope that with such lavish spending, elder brother will be able to stand just as confidently before our imperial father in the days to come.” The Second Prince suddenly gave a light laugh, his voice carrying a perfectly measured note of deference.
By the time the Eldest Prince realized what had happened, it was already too late. He had bid an outrageous thirty-five thousand gold coins for an elven maiden.
Though the elf was indeed rare, if his father learned of such reckless extravagance and frivolity, it could seriously impact his future bid for the crown.
“Fine. Very well. Today’s ‘generosity’ from my second brother… I will remember it well.”
As the conflict between the two princes ended, the host shakily brought down his gavel, marking the auction’s final conclusion.
Li Yunxin watched as the elven maiden was led away and couldn’t help sighing softly.
“I never thought an elf could cause two princes to quarrel publicly. Quite a show I’ve witnessed today.”
Father Su, hearing Li Yunxin’s words, became intrigued. “Oh? Does this young lady also understand a thing or two about court affairs?”
As a transmigrator, Li Yunxin had read many books on imperial power struggles back on Earth. She wasn’t an expert, but she knew a little. And seeing Su Liyue’s father question her so, he was clearly curious—a good chance to make a deeper impression.
“I wouldn’t dare claim deep knowledge, but I know a bit. It’s said that in the Aetherland Empire, only the Eldest and Second Princes are capable of contending for the crown. As for the mysterious Third Prince, for reasons unknown, he was reportedly excluded from the succession long ago.”
Father Ye and Father Su exchanged a meaningful glance. “Then does this young lady have any different views on the matter?”
Li Yunxin thought for a moment before continuing, “The struggle for the crown is never a personal fight; it involves the open and covert strife of multiple factions. No one can guarantee they’ll choose the right side, for the emperor’s heart is as deep as the sea—choose wrong, and you’re doomed. Since that’s the case, why should we, common folk, wade into these muddy waters?”
The two patriarchs clapped their hands in unison and laughed. Father Su cast a meaningful look at his own daughter.
This girl… her choice of friends wasn’t bad at all. He had worried that she might fall in with the wrong crowd at school. Now it seemed he had been overthinking things.
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