At the sound of this bid, Ying Wuqing’s smile abruptly froze. Following the voice, he saw a familiar figure.
It was none other than Ling Chen who was competing with him for the Flower Goddess.
"Ling Chen, what are you doing?"
Xiao Muyu and Dai Chao, seated at the same table, looked at Ling Chen with incredulity. They never imagined Ling Chen would participate in such bidding.
Xiao Muyu knew Ling Chen was not a lecherous person; he could even be described as indifferent to women. Had he suddenly changed his nature today?
"I just feel sorry for this girl. Leaving her in the hands of Ying Wuqing would be a bit cruel," Ling Chen said seriously.
Xiao Muyu was skeptical. If Ling Chen had suddenly been overwhelmed with chivalry, why hadn’t he bought any of the other women earlier but insisted on buying this girl from a different domain?
Could it be that this girl was what truly piqued Ling Chen’s interest?
Only Ling Chen himself knew the real reason he wanted to buy this girl. The girl with black and white hair gave Ling Chen a distinct feeling—not related to her appearance, but her aura.
He had once read an ancient book titled "Record of Different Worlds" in the Scripture Pavilion of the Divine Intent Sect. It was written by an Elder of the sect and documented conditions on the Tianyuan Continent beyond the Five Kingdoms.
The book mentioned that in a place called Zhongtu, there were many powerful bloodline families. Among them, one was exceptionally skilled in Yin and Yang methods and Qimen Dunjia. This family was unfathomable and considered one of the strongest forces in Zhongtu. Their distinguishing mark was black and white hair.
Thus, Ling Chen suspected that this girl from a different domain might have some connection to this mysterious family.
Even if there was only a slight connection, the money he spent would be worth it. If there was no connection, he would consider it a good deed done.
"Fourth Prince, this Ling Chen seems to be deliberately trying to make things difficult for you."
At this moment, Ouyang Ming, beside Ying Wuqing, whispered provocatively in his ear.
"Hmph, this kid won’t be arrogant for long."
Ying Wuqing’s face darkened. One hundred thousand taels of gold was his limit. Spending 110,000 taels, even if he could afford it, would bankrupt him. It wasn’t worth it for a woman.
Standing up and looking at Ling Chen, Ying Wuqing chuckled. "I never expected Brother Ling to be such a ladies’ man, willing to spend one hundred and ten thousand taels of gold on a woman. Truly admirable. I just wonder, what would Miss Xu Ruoyan think if she knew about this?"
Everyone assumed Xu Ruoyan was Ling Chen’s fiancée and that their relationship must be intimate.
However, only Ling Chen himself knew that his engagement with Xu Ruoyan had only a month remaining, and their relationship was not as intimate as others believed.
Therefore, Ling Chen appeared quite relaxed and said confidently, "Your Highness the Fourth Prince, rest assured. Even if Miss Xu learns of this, she will absolutely not mind."
Ying Wuqing sneered. This kid dares to say such a thing in public! Does he really think Xu Ruoyan is an ordinary woman who would tolerate him having multiple wives and concubines?
"This Ling Chen is too outrageous! Miss Xu, your fiancé is right here, yet he dares to buy the Flower Goddess to satisfy his own desires. He clearly has no regard for your engagement!"
On the balcony above, Li Tai sneered, looking at Ling Chen from afar.
The other, Zhou Heng, also regarded Ling Chen with disdain. "How could such a fickle man be worthy of your noble status, Miss Xu? I am genuinely indignant on your behalf."
"Impossible, he isn’t that kind of person."
Xu Ruoyan took a deep breath but ultimately shook her head. Ling Chen shouldn’t be that kind of man, she thought.
"Not that kind of person?"
The scorn on Li Tai’s face intensified. "Miss Xu Ruoyan, you still don’t understand men. Which man doesn’t love beauty, especially such a unique beauty from a different domain like her? I’m afraid any man lacking self-control would want to take her home to vent his desires, treating her as his exclusive plaything."
"Brother Li speaks wisely." Zhou Heng nodded in agreement. "This Ling Chen is only fifteen, at the peak of his youthful vigor. If he buys a beautiful woman to take home, isn’t it to vent his lust? Or is he buying her to be his adopted daughter?"
Influenced by their insinuations, Xu Ruoyan began to waver. She glared at Ling Chen angrily; why would he do such a thing, embarrassing her in front of everyone?
"Miss Xu, let me, Li Tai, go down and teach this kid a lesson for you!"
Without waiting for Xu Ruoyan’s approval, Li Tai, with a tap of his foot, leaped off the balcony.
"We should follow them quickly, to prevent any serious trouble."
The Crown Prince and Zhou Heng also rose from their seats. This was the Cui Yu Building. If a fight were to break out, it had to be kept within limits; they couldn’t let anyone wreck the place.
Xu Ruoyan also stood up. She, too, wanted to know why Ling Chen would do such a thing.
"Looks like trouble’s found you, Ling Chen."
Just as Ling Chen finished saying Xu Ruoyan wouldn’t mind, Xiao Muyu saw Xu Ruoyan and her group heading their way.
"It shouldn’t be too much trouble. A clear explanation should suffice."
Ling Chen was not flustered by this. He and Xu Ruoyan didn’t share a deep relationship, and he had already promised her to annul their engagement, so there was no room for misunderstanding.
However, with outsiders present, Ling Chen still planned to explain things clearly to save Xu Ruoyan from public embarrassment.
"Ling Chen, you fickle fellow! How dare you wrong Miss Xu Ruoyan! Today, I will teach you a lesson on her behalf!"
Li Tai approached Ling Chen and rebuked him coldly.
"Who are you to Xu Ruoyan? What right do you have to teach me a lesson on her behalf?"
Ling Chen raised an eyebrow. When did his affairs become the business of unrelated people?
Li Tai was momentarily speechless but quickly recovered, retorting coldly, "I am one of Miss Xu’s suitors! I just can’t stand your behavior, kid! What, are you too scared to accept my challenge? If you’re going to act like a spineless coward, then stay away from Miss Xu from now on!"
"Xu Ruoyan, is this your intention as well?"
Ling Chen ignored Li Tai and turned to Xu Ruoyan. "You should know very well what kind of person I am. If I say I bought this girl purely out of sympathy, would you believe me?"
Hearing this, Xu Ruoyan hesitated. She understood Ling Chen’s character, yet his words lacked conviction.
"Heh, who are you trying to kid? If that’s the case, hand the woman over to me. That will prove your innocence." Li Tai’s mouth twitched into a smirk as his gaze fell on the girl from a different domain, his eyes gleaming with lust. In his view, Ling Chen would have to hand over the girl to clear his name with Xu Ruoyan.
That way, even if he couldn’t win Xu Ruoyan’s favor, obtaining such a beauty for free wouldn’t be a bad deal.
Ling Chen couldn’t stand this guy any longer, his gaze turning sharp. "Who do you think you are? You’ve been yammering on nonstop since this started. Are we that close?"
"What did you say? You damned scoundrel, are you looking for death?!"
Humiliated by Ling Chen in public, Li Tai lost all face instantly. His face became extremely grim, and then, without hesitation, he attacked. His True Qi surged, and he thrust a finger straight at Ling Chen’s face.