When the women entered the auction area, each received a mother-of-pearl shell and a bracelet of East Sea pearls. The shell was marked with the family emblem and a number. Each pearl represented fifty taels of silver. When bidding, a woman removed pearls from the bracelet and dropped them into the shell. The sound of pearls falling into the shell marked the bid. Once a pearl was dropped, it could not be taken back.
Each sea treasure was presented by the Treasure Mistress, who used silver scissors to cut open the shark-silk veil covering it. Once the veil was cut away, bidding began. Each increase was ten taels. If three conch-horn calls sounded with no further bids, the item was sold. The winner then pressed a fingerprint in red cinnabar onto the Sea Treasure Register, which was made of merfolk skin. After the banquet, the item would be collected using this record.
What was even more subtle was that only women were allowed to bid by holding shells. The men listened from the upper floors to the clear sound of pearls hitting the shell. From that sound, they could tell which family had brought out rare treasures and which family spent heavily to buy them. In this way, they learned each other’s financial strength without openly talking about money. Their pride as “gentlemen who do not speak of profit” was preserved, while their desire to compare wealth was satisfied. This restrained but intense competition was always the final highlight of the Ruyi Harbor Tide Banquet.
When Xu Miaoxue returned to her seat with Pei Hening, she noticed that several folding screens had been added. When she asked why, she learned that many young men from noble families had said they wanted to come watch the auction.
As soon as Pei Hening heard this, her face changed. They were not here to watch the auction—they were here to watch her Sixth Aunt make a spectacle of herself.
Quite a few men arrived one after another. Those who were married sat beside their wives. Unmarried young men, mindful of propriety, sat behind the screens.
Pei Hening scanned the room but did not see that familiar figure. If her Sixth Uncle came, everything would be settled—no one would dare make fun of his wife. She looked at Xu Miaoxue with disappointment, but Xu Miaoxue’s face showed no change.
Pei Hening did not know that Xu Miaoxue was forcing herself to stay calm. Her legs were shaking, and her palms were wet with sweat.
If Pei Shuye suddenly decided to come as well, she would be finished.
She faced a difficult choice.
Either she found a chance to leave immediately and save her life—after all, she had already made it into Ruyi Harbor and could report back to Sixth Master.
Or she could take a risk, stay a little longer, and see the incense ball being auctioned. Opportunities like this would not come again. But if she stayed, she had to bear the risk that Pei Shuye might appear at any moment. If he did, she would lose everything—and might even lose her life.
Just as she hesitated, an older woman walked gracefully up to her.
“Sixth Madam Pei, please forgive us,” the woman said gently. “My daughter Mingyu fainted before the banquet due to illness. Her grandfather felt sorry for her and asked Lord Pei to accompany them in sending her home first. That is why Lord Pei has not come. Please don’t take offense.”
This woman was Old Master Lu’s eldest daughter-in-law—the mother of Lu Mingyu, who had fainted earlier after hearing that Pei Shuye was married.
Her words were flawless on the surface, sounding humble and apologetic. In truth, they were a clear display of power, right in Sixth Madam Pei’s face. The curious gazes around them all turned toward Xu Miaoxue again.
Old Master Lu’s attitude was obvious. Even though the Top Scholar was already married, he still wanted his eldest granddaughter to marry Pei Shuye. After all, Pei Shuye had no children yet—changing wives was not impossible. And Pei Shuye’s own attitude was unclear. He really had gone with the Lu family. Was it simple kindness, or did he still care?
But the onlookers noticed something unexpected. The Sixth Madam Pei, who had looked a bit listless before, suddenly became radiant when she heard this.
Good. Very good. So this Top Scholar was someone who could change his feelings easily.
Xu Miaoxue said cheerfully,
“Oh dear, I saw Miss Lu faint earlier and have been worried ever since. Of course the Sixth Master should escort her home—that’s only proper courtesy. Since that’s the case, we won’t wait for him. Let’s begin.”
The women exchanged looks, all surprised. It felt like throwing a punch into cotton. Shouldn’t a country woman start screaming and making a scene when she heard another woman might be tempting her husband? Yet Xu Miaoxue was this calm. Was she truly generous—or simply foolish?
Even Pei Hening looked at her with more sympathy than before. After sitting down, she muttered,
“You don’t need to force a smile if you’re hurting inside. The more you act like this, the more they’ll push you.”
Xu Miaoxue almost laughed. What a cute, awkward girl—her face showed dislike, but her heart secretly leaned toward her. Xu Miaoxue felt an urge to tease her a little and nodded obediently.
“Yes, yes, Miss Ning, I understand. I just don’t want to cause trouble. Once I buy what I want, I’ll leave. The auction is about to start—can you teach me how to bid?”
Pei Hening explained patiently,
“One pearl is worth ten taels. When you bid, just drop pearls into the shell. If you flip the shell upside down, it means you’re doubling the bid. Got it? And don’t embarrass yourself—I won’t save you.”
Xu Miaoxue nodded seriously and tried to toss a pearl into the shell. She missed, and the pearl nearly rolled onto the ground. Pei Hening lunged forward and caught it just in time.
Pei Hening sighed in disgust.
“Forget it. You’re so clumsy—you can’t even do this. Don’t touch anything. I’ll bid for you.”
Xu Miaoxue succeeded again.
“Thank you so much, Miss Ning.”
The cleverest liars never say what they want. They guide others to say it for them.
Xu Miaoxue was under attack from all sides. Everyone was watching her. If she showed too much desire for the incense ball, it might backfire. At this moment, Pei Hening was the best shield she could use.
Finally, Xu Miaoxue saw the Snow Bamboo Twin Purity Incense Ball.
People around her praised Second Master Zheng’s craftsmanship, saying it was truly extraordinary. To honor the Pei family, he had brought out such a painstakingly crafted treasure. The noise of discussion blended together—and suddenly exploded in Xu Miaoxue’s mind like a gunshot.
She could hardly believe it.
Her father’s works had long ago been pawned or sold. She thought nothing remained. She never imagined that after so many years, she would see her father’s finest craftsmanship again in a place like this.
One look was enough.
This was her father’s work.
The Treasure Mistress explained the object’s wonders. Xu Miaoxue’s ears rang, but she caught one line:
“Inside this incense ball is also a ‘shadow image’ technique. On the front, bone pieces form three green bamboo stalks. When viewed from the side at the right angle, the bamboo shadows project onto a silver mesh and form the cursive character ‘Miao.’ This reflects the craftsman’s ingenuity. It is extremely rare.”
No.
These people did not understand.
That character Miao was Xu Miaoxue’s Miao.
The silver-white snow in the bone-and-wood inlay was her Xue.
When Xu Gong made this incense ball, Xu Miaoxue had sat on his knee, not fully understanding anything. He had joked, Let my daughter’s name travel across the seas too.
Xu Miaoxue’s blood burned. She wanted to take it immediately.
Luckily, nothing went wrong. Though many wanted to bid, once they saw it was Pei Hening who wanted it, they all gave face to the Pei family. Xu Miaoxue successfully won the incense ball.
However, by auction rules, items were only handed over after every five treasures were sold. She had to wait a little longer before she could take the item and leave.
She was only one step away from success. Her heart had already flown to the incense ball. This was only the beginning. She still had a long road ahead.
What had really happened?
Why had her father’s carefully crafted work ended up under Second Master Zheng’s name?
There were many bone-and-wood craftsmen in Ningbo. For all these years, she had never imagined that the famous Second Master Zheng would have anything to do with her family.
She wanted to go back immediately and investigate everything.
But she still had to sit through this fake banquet.
Normally, nothing could interest her in her current state of mind. But she still had a task from Sixth Master.
Earlier, Pei Hening had introduced all the attending women to her. Xu Miaoxue had not fully memorized them. Now was a good chance to confirm them again.
In the past, the Zheng family always fought to sit in the most visible places. But today, they hid in the back like quails. Recently, the scandal over inferior salt had caused great trouble. The Zheng family had lost face and no longer dared to draw attention.
Second Master Zheng was like a reclusive figure—rarely seen. He did not attend the Pearl Banquet at all. It was said that his wife, Pei Yurong—Pei Hening’s aunt—had weak legs since birth and did not like attending banquets.
There were very few Zheng family women present. Xu Miaoxue tilted her head several times before finally spotting Zheng Yishu, the Zheng family’s eldest daughter, who was rumored to be marrying Cheng Kaishou. Seeing her at last, Xu Miaoxue found she was nothing like her flamboyant father Zheng Tong. She was slender and quiet, sitting alone in a corner, as if the noise of the banquet had nothing to do with her.
Xu Miaoxue’s gaze swept over the many different beauties at the banquet, and her thoughts drifted again.
Next, she had to find a way to get close to the Zheng family.
She had never truly planned to obediently work for Sixth Master. Those polite words were only temporary measures. Now she has a new goal. She was impatient and did not want to waste time on Sixth Master anymore.
But the Sixth Master was a terrifying man. This time, she did not dare tear up their agreement rashly.
She would have to wait for the right chance.
As she thought this, Xu Miaoxue continued observing the women. Beside the Zheng family seats, in another remote spot, sat a woman wearing a lotus-purple jacket. She clutched her pearl bracelet tightly, her knuckles turning white.
Pei Hening had introduced her before. Her name was Feng Baolian. Her natal family had once traded in seafood. Years ago, they had saved a Lu family merchant ship during a storm. To repay the favor, Old Master Lu arranged a childhood betrothal between the two families.
Back then, the Lu family was not yet powerful, and Fifth Master Lu was only a concubine-born son. The match was barely acceptable. But times had changed. After the Lu family became wealthy, they never mentioned the marriage again. The Feng family had no choice but to send their daughter over themselves.
Old Master Lu valued his word and forced Fifth Master Lu to marry Feng Baolian. But he despised her low background. After three years of marriage, he never even looked at her properly.
She was a pitiful woman who was never accepted.
Xu Miaoxue grew curious. Did Feng Baolian also want to buy a sea treasure? She looked toward the auction platform.
The Treasure Mistress cut open the shark-silk veil covering the next item. On the coral table, a red jade conch hairpin glowed like dark amber under the glass lamps. It was a rare, high-quality piece.
“A red jade conch hairpin donated by the Fifth Branch of the Lu family,” the Treasure Mistress announced. “It symbolizes many children and a happy marriage. Starting bid: one pearl.”
So this was Feng Baolian’s donated treasure.
But strangely, the noble ladies either played with their pearl bracelets or lowered their heads to sip tea. Their expressions were aloof. No one bid.
Xu Miaoxue sensed something wrong. This time, it was the Fifth Branch’s turn to donate a treasure. Feng Baolian must have brought out her most valuable possession to save face.
A conch-shaped hairpin was an essential dowry for sea women. Even poor families would carve one from wood if they had to. Families with some wealth used fine materials. This red jade was clearly costly.
But no matter how beautiful the dowry was, it could not change her origin as a sea woman. Who would marry a sea woman as a proper wife?
“No one bids even one pearl?” the Treasure Mistress asked again.
A few light laughs sounded, clearly mocking.
Zheng Yishu spoke slowly,
“Sister Feng, your hairpin is nice, but we can’t afford to enjoy it. Why don’t you take it back? After all, only after having children can a woman rise in status.”
Xu Miaoxue knew this had nothing to do with her, but the sarcasm made her angry.
“This is our Fifth Madam’s most precious dowry,” a gentle voice said. “Perhaps everyone has never seen such a style and dares not bid. I’ll support Fifth Madam and bid for her.”
At first, it sounded like a savior—but it was actually First Madam Lu. As expected, she tossed only one pearl into the shell, openly insulting the item.
Another woman chimed in,
“Oh my, First Madam Lu, you’re too kind, even helping this sister-in-law. Be careful not to get scammed by poor people.”
“Yes,” another added. “You don’t need to worry. Speaking of climbing high branches, isn’t there someone even better at it today? A hairpin for bearing heirs might not be unwanted after all.”
She emphasized the words “climbing high branches” and cast a meaningful glance toward Xu Miaoxue.
Xu Miaoxue had been paying close attention to everyone’s status and had figured out the dynamics. The noble women of Ningbo also formed circles. The most domineering group was led by First Madam Lu.
Even when humiliating others, noble women wore kind smiles. They seemed to be helping, but were actually slapping people in the face. One after another, they spoke sweetly but shot hidden arrows, trampling both Feng Baolian and Xu Miaoxue into the mud.
Even Pei Hening was furious and wanted to argue, but her mother Kang sharply glared at her. She could only stay silent. At this moment, silence was the greatest kindness.
Xu Miaoxue pretended not to understand.
She was about to leave anyway. None of this concerned her, and she did not want to cause trouble.
But someone would not let her go and added,
“I heard there’s a parasite in the South Sea that crawls onto agarwood trees. After absorbing enough fragrance, it thinks it has become a precious spice!”
Everyone laughed. Even the young men behind the screens laughed along.
Amid the laughter, Feng Baolian’s face turned pale. A tear fell onto the shell in her hand, but she said nothing, completely at the mercy of others.
Xu Miaoxue did not care if people mocked her. They were laughing at Sixth Madam Pei—what did that have to do with her? But Feng Baolian truly lived trapped in that Lu household. Seeing her helplessness made anger rise in Xu Miaoxue’s chest.
That anger kept burning.
She hated bullies who preyed on the weak. If one judged by character alone, none of these noble women were necessarily better than Feng Baolian, who was hardworking and kind.
She often felt the world was absurd. Her father had poured his life into crafting the Snow Bamboo Twin Purity Incense Ball for overseas clients. Now it bore another craftsman’s name and had become a toy for nobles to auction and admire. She nearly lost her life just to see it once.
And these people still acted so arrogant.
People without talent or virtue held power and twisted right and wrong. Those who struggled upward through their own effort were mocked as parasites.
So who was the real parasite?
Feng Baolian was another Xu Miaoxue.
“First Madam Lu bids one pearl—” the Treasure Mistress announced, sounding the first conch horn.
If no one else bid, the sale would be settled.
The second conch horn sounded, shrill and sharp.
Suddenly, Xu Miaoxue grabbed her entire pearl bracelet and threw it into the shell. With a loud clatter, far from elegant.
The Treasure Mistress looked at her uncertainly.
“Sixth Madam Pei, throwing pearls means you are bidding…”
“Yes,” Xu Miaoxue replied lazily. “I bid. Aren’t you going to announce it?”
The Treasure Mistress quickly announced,
“Sixth Madam Pei bids ten pearls—”
The clear sound fell like a hammer. The entire hall went silent.
Pei Hening was shocked.
“What are you doing?!”
“I like this hairpin. I want to buy it,” Xu Miaoxue answered confidently.
“Oh?” First Madam Lu sneered. “Sixth Madam Pei feels sympathy for my Sister Feng? Lord Pei is known for being honest and upright. You spend a hundred taels on a hairpin—how will you explain that to him?”
Xu Miaoxue smiled sweetly.
“Explain? Explain what? My husband earns money for me to spend. I can buy whatever I want.”
As she spoke, she deliberately showed off the jewelry on her body.
“Sister Feng, you should learn from Sixth Madam Pei,” First Madam Lu said sarcastically. “Learn how to make a man willingly spend money on you. Look how clearly she knows how to climb high branches.”
“So what if I climb high branches?” Xu Miaoxue replied cheerfully. “Some people want to climb but can’t. First Madam Lu, when you go home, you should teach your daughter properly. A skinny waist starved thin won’t attract my husband. My husband says women who spend money bring prosperity to the household. He doesn’t like overly pure ones—he prefers vulgar women like me.”
Xu Miaoxue smiled brightly, but her words were sharp and dirty. These noble women were used to smiling while speaking mockery. This was the first time someone laid the insults openly on the table.
Pei Hening stared, wanting to clap for her, but her upbringing stopped her.
First Madam Lu’s fake smile finally cracked. But she did not need to act herself. Her followers immediately stepped in.
“Sixth Madam Pei, let me speak fairly. Mingyu is the legitimate granddaughter of the Lu family, a precious jewel, the most noble young lady in Ningbo. With your background, you would never have had the chance to sit at the Ruyi Harbor banquet with her. You should be grateful. How dare you openly damage her reputation?”
“Indeed. We all admire your methods. Who knows what low tricks you used to seduce Lord Pei? Now you’ve finally flown onto a branch as a phoenix. Of course you’re proud. But marrying into a high family isn’t easy—you should consider whether you have the fate to enjoy it.”
“How interesting,” Xu Miaoxue said with an innocent smile. “Why is it always the woman who ‘seduces’ the man? Why can’t it be the man seducing the woman? Do you all seduce your husbands at home too? Oh, I see. No wonder your understanding is so shallow. How would you know that it was the upright and noble Lord Pei who insisted on marrying me and begged me to love him?”
Xu Miaoxue was in the middle of her best performance, full of sharp replies ready, waiting for anyone to challenge her again—
But suddenly, everyone went silent.
No one wanted to argue with her anymore.
She felt oddly unsatisfied—and then noticed something strange.
Everyone was looking at her.
No—
They were looking past her.
At someone behind her.