Transmigrated into a female county magistrate during a famine, leading her country to prosperity

Chapter 1241 What are they waiting for?

From the moment Yunniang stepped onto the stage, melodious and gentle music filled the pavilion, like flowing water under a small bridge, or the warbling of orioles in spring, soft and captivating, lingering in the air.

The lights around the main hall were quietly turned off by the servants, leaving only the palace lanterns above the bidding platform lit. The warm yellow light focused on the center of the platform, which not only accentuated Yunniang's slender figure but also added a touch of mystery to the upcoming bidding.

Yunniang's voice, though mingled with the sounds of string and bamboo instruments, remained clear: "Although I know that you distinguished guests do not wish to hear Yunniang's rambling, I still cannot help but say a few more words. The rules of our auction house have never changed—the highest bidder wins, and there is no deception of the young or old. If no one follows up within three breaths after a bidder has made their bid, the treasure will belong to the bidder who made the bid!"

In a private room on the third floor, Shen Zheng smiled slightly after hearing these "rules" and took a sip of tea.

Knew it.

Regardless of the time or place, the rules of auctions are largely the same—the rules enhance the scarcity of items, amplify human competitiveness and loss aversion, and thus drive the price of the items beyond rational expectations.

"We all know the rules!" An urgent voice rang out in the hall: "Manager Yun, let's get started!"

“Alright, then Yunniang will listen to our distinguished guests and will not say any more!” Yunniang’s eyes swept across the hall, and she clapped her hands lightly. “Let’s start with the first competing item as an appetizer for our distinguished guests.”

As soon as he finished speaking, a servant in blue robes slowly walked up the stage carrying a tray covered with velvet. The guests in the pavilion all focused their attention on the tray, looking very curious.

"The first competing item—a white jade ornament depicting an egret carrying a lotus flower!"

Yunniang gently unfolded the velvet cloth on the tray, and under the warm yellow light, the egret, finely carved from white jade, came to life.

Yunniang ran her fingers along the egret's neck and smiled, "This competing piece is from the hand of the renowned jade carver, Master Chang Geng. The 'White Egret Holding Lotus' symbolizes 'passing the imperial examinations smoothly.' Whether you display it in your study for appreciation or give it to a younger generation as a lucky gift, this treasure is an excellent choice!"

"Master Chang Geng?!"

As soon as Yunniang finished speaking, a murmur of discussion arose in the hall.

"If I remember correctly, Master Chang Geng was a direct disciple of Master Chang Sun. The jade carvings he made even have some of the skill and artistic charm of Master Chang Sun!"

"Indeed, indeed! Before Steward Yun spoke, I thought this item was made by Master Changsun!"

"Forget it, everyone. How could Master Changsun's masterpiece possibly appear in an auction? However, Master Changgeng's work is no less impressive. Everyone, I must fight tooth and nail for this 'White Egret Carrying Lotus'!"

"Manager Yun, how much silver is the starting bid for this item?" someone asked, voicing the question that everyone was concerned about.

Yunniang smiled at the crowd and said in a clear voice, "The starting bid for this white jade lotus and egret ornament is only three hundred taels of silver! Each bid must be at least fifty taels higher. Distinguished guests, you may begin bidding now!"

"Three hundred and fifty taels!" As soon as Yunniang finished speaking, a wealthy merchant-looking man on the left side of the hall raised his hand and shouted out the price.

"Four hundred taels!" The local gentry at the next table of the wealthy merchant retorted.

"Five hundred taels!" The wealthy merchant immediately raised the price by one hundred taels, clearly not going to give up easily.

"Five hundred and fifty taels!" someone joined the bidding from the right side of the hall.

"Six hundred taels!" The local gentry who had previously bid "four hundred taels" was still unwilling to back down.

In a private room on the third floor, Shen Zheng listened to the rising and falling bids in the hall and couldn't help but think of something.

"Master Changsun..."

She raised her left wrist and pulled her sleeve up half an inch, revealing the white jade beaded necklace on her wrist.

This bracelet was a jade ornament specially made for the Empress Dowager before her birthday.

In addition to this bracelet, jade pendants, earrings, belts and other items were also sent to Tongan County at the time.

And the person who crafted these jade ornaments seems to be... surnamed Changsun?

"Changsun Lang?" After a moment, Shen Zheng finally remembered the name and turned to ask Chen Zhikuan, "Is the Master Changsun they're talking about this master craftsman?"

Chen Zhikuan's gaze involuntarily fell on Shen Zheng's wrist. After a moment of stunned silence, he immediately nodded: "Indeed, Lord Shen."

Shen Zheng nodded slightly and turned her gaze back to the hall.

This round of bidding is nearing its end.

"One thousand one hundred taels!" Yunniang's eyes crinkled as she deliberately drew out her words: "This distinguished guest from the Left Hall has bid one thousand one hundred taels. Are there any other distinguished guests willing to bid? One—two—"

As she spoke, she paused deliberately, her gaze sweeping across the hall.

Seeing that no one responded, she slowly picked up the jade chime on the table and gently struck it with a jade mallet.

"Ding--"

With a soft click, Yunniang smiled and said, "One thousand one hundred taels! Three breaths have passed, and this white jade ornament with a white egret carrying a lotus is now the property of this distinguished guest! Congratulations, esteemed guest!"

"Clap clap-"

A round of applause rang out in the hall, making the person who displayed the ornament beam with joy and nod to everyone.

Immediately afterwards, the second competing item was brought to the stage by the waiter.

Yunniang pretended not to know, secretly lifted the red cloth for a peek, then covered her mouth in surprise: "A rare medicinal herb that is hard to come by!"

Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall was stunned and sat up straight, even the lingering sound of string and bamboo instruments stopped.

Many people speculate that the second competing product is Red Thorn Grass Liquid.

On the third floor, Shen Zheng's heart skipped a beat, and she turned to look at Chen Zhikuan.

Chen Zhikuan frowned slightly and slowly shook his head: "Lord Shen, I don't think so... Yesterday, I heard the tone of the owner of Jubao Pavilion, and he should have put the Red Thorn Grass Liquid in the later auction."

Shen Zheng also felt that the Red Thorn Grass Liquid wouldn't be filmed so early.

Just then, Yunniang unveiled the red cloth: "One thousand-year-old wild ginseng, weighing seven taels, starting bid—eight hundred taels! Each bid must be at least fifty taels higher!"

"..." Shen Zheng slowly leaned back in her chair.

Sighs and murmurs rose from the hall.

"What?! I thought it was thorn grass sap..."

"Although I don't know what miraculous effects that herbal sap has, it would be great to be able to broaden everyone's horizons!"

"Let's wait a little longer. Speaking of which... this old ginseng is of very good quality."

"One thousand taels!"

"One thousand and fifty taels!"

"One thousand two hundred taels!"

In no time, the price of the old ginseng had already surpassed that of the previous white jade ornament.

Ultimately, this old ginseng was acquired by a wealthy merchant for 2,800 taels of silver.

Over the next half hour, one competing product after another was presented on stage, dazzling the audience.

The sounds of string and wind instruments were sometimes melodious and sometimes gentle, accompanied by the clear and resonant sound of the jade chime, which made the bidding atmosphere even more intense.

In the private room on the third floor, Shen Zheng waited for the Crimson Thorn Grass Liquid to be served while secretly observing the situation inside the pavilion.

So far, none of the people in the private rooms on the second and third floors have participated in the bidding...

This may not be good news for her.

What are these people waiting for?