Chapter 32: Striking It Rich

Under the cover of night, the Wangyue Pavilion was ablaze with light, bright as day. Outside, carriages and horses arrived in a constant stream, carrying the city of Luoyang’s most prominent and influential figures, all dressed in fine silks and elaborate robes.

In an inconspicuous private room on the second floor, Zhao Yi sat with his legs crossed, leisurely sipping tea. Tian Yi stood respectfully behind him, as motionless as a shadow.

"My lord, everything has been arranged."

Zhao Yi nodded, his gaze fixed on the temporary red-carpeted stage erected in the center of the main hall below. A graceful figure in a pale purple gown slowly ascended the stage, drawing the eyes of the entire crowd.

It was her. Liu Ruyan, the famed courtesan of the Baile Pavilion.

Zhao Yi’s brows arched slightly. He turned his head and glanced at Tian Yi, his expression inquisitive. "Is she reliable?"

"Absolutely," Tian Yi replied, his voice devoid of any ripples. "I followed your instructions, my lord, and offered her a prospect she could not refuse. I told her this was not merely an auction, but the beginning of her escape from the demi-monde, a rebirth, and the chance to wield true power. If she performs well, she will one day be the queen of Luoyang’s business world and the secret purse-bearer for the Shadow Guards."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yi nearly spat out his tea. Looking at Tian Yi’s stone-faced, earnest expression, he couldn't help but chuckle. "You bastard, you truly are a genius at applying what you've learned."

Below, Liu Ruyan bowed gracefully. Her gentle, ethereal temperament and transcendent beauty instantly hushed the noisy hall.

"I am Liu Ruyan, and I greet you all, honored guests." Her voice was as crisp and melodious as a warbling oriole. "Tonight, entrusted by a wealthy merchant from the Western Regions, I bring you three peerless treasures. This item is known as 'Glaze'."

As she spoke, two sturdy servants brought over a brocade box. Liu Ruyan opened it herself. Under the lights, an emerald-green wine cup lay quietly within. Its crystal-clear texture and shimmering, brilliant luster instantly captivated everyone in the room.

"What a beautiful object!"
"Is... is this truly a thing of this world?"
Exclamations rose one after another.

"This cup is named 'Spring River Moon'," Liu Ruyan said, her voice laced with a hint of allure. "The starting bid is ten thousand taels of silver!"

"Fifteen thousand!" a portly salt merchant shouted impatiently.

"Twenty thousand! Such a divine object is not for the likes of you money-grubbing merchants to possess! My master is the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel!" a middle-aged man in the attire of a steward declared arrogantly.

"Thirty thousand!"
"Fifty thousand!"

The price skyrocketed. In a corner, an elderly man in plain, inconspicuous clothing suddenly raised his placard. "One hundred thousand."

The room went silent. Some recognized him. "That’s the steward from Prime Minister Wang’s estate!"

Prime Minister Wang Defa’s man. These words fell like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing the enthusiasm of most. In the end, the cup was secured by the Prime Minister’s steward for the astronomical sum of one hundred and twenty thousand taels.

The atmosphere was now completely ignited. The second item was a tea bowl as clear as water. "This bowl is named 'Summer Night Star'. Starting bid, ten thousand taels!"

This time, the competition was even more fierce. Several wealthy merchants and stewards from various noble households argued until their faces were flushed.

"One hundred and eighty thousand!" With the fall of the gavel, the tea bowl was carried off by a delighted silk merchant.

The final item was brought out: a half-foot-tall, deep red vase carved with intricate cloud patterns. The moment it appeared, the entire hall seemed to hold its breath.

"This vase is named 'Autumn Ode'. It is the absolute pinnacle of Glaze—a treasure that belongs only in the heavens, rarely seen in the human world. The starting bid is fifty thousand taels!"

"One hundred thousand!"
"One hundred and fifty thousand!"
"Two hundred thousand!"

The price was completely out of control. Everyone had gone mad. Ultimately, after a brutal bidding war, the vase was sold to a mysterious wealthy merchant for a terrifying sum of two hundred and thirty thousand taels.

The three pieces of Glaze had sold for a total of five hundred and thirty thousand taels of silver. Watching the frenzied scene, Liu Ruyan maintained her calm and serene smile. "I thank you all for your generous support. However, the Western Regions are far away, and the firing of Glaze is exceptionally difficult. I do not know when such treasures will appear in Luoyang again."

Her words left the winners looking immensely proud, while those who had failed to win beat their chests in regret.

In the private room, Zhao Yi leaned back comfortably, feeling every pore of his body relax. Tian Yi’s eyes were filled with undisguised shock and admiration. A casual idea from his master had raked in hundreds of thousands of taels—faster than robbery!

Zhao Yi slowly pulled two hundred thousand taels from the thick stack of silver notes and tucked them into his robe. He pushed the rest toward Tian Yi. "Take ten thousand and distribute it among the brothers who handled tonight's work. The rest will be the operating funds for our Shadow Guards! I don’t care what methods you use—burning money or bribery—but I want our eyes and ears to cover every corner of the Great Zhou as quickly as possible!"

Tian Yi’s heart leaped. He solemnly gathered the bank notes and knelt on one knee. "As you command, my lord!"

...

Leaving the Wangyue Pavilion, Zhao Yi first detoured to the secret base outside the city. He tossed a heavy bag of silver to Foreman Zhang. "Well done! Double the bonuses for everyone in the workshop this month!"

The craftsmen erupted in thunderous cheers. Zhao Yi pulled the visibly excited Foreman Zhang aside. "Write down the formulas for the cement and the Glaze in the most detailed terms possible and hand them to me tomorrow."

"Also, I have a new task for you." Zhao Yi’s gaze became exceptionally serious. "This Glaze is not yet perfect. I want you to try and fire something completely colorless, as transparent as ice. I want it so clear that one can look through it and see every single hair on a person's face on the other side."

Having finished his instructions, Zhao Yi walked home, feeling satisfied. Clad in two hundred thousand taels of silver notes, he hummed a nameless tune, looking every bit the dissipated young master who had just won a fortune at the gambling tables.

As soon as he entered his home, he saw his father, Zhao Zhao, sitting in the courtyard with a dark expression.

"Sing! Sing! Sing your sister's tune!" Zhao Zhao cursed irritably. "That grating voice of yours is polluting my ears!"

Zhao Yi waved his hand dismissively and slipped into his room.

...

The night passed in silence. Or perhaps, there was a lascivious dream known to no one.

In the dream, he was back in the familiar Imperial Study. The Empress, sitting high above, was still lounging on her couch, only the cumbersome dragon robe had vanished once again. In its place was a black, translucent silk as thin as cicada wings.

The perfect body he had fantasized about countless times was visible under the silk, filled with lethal temptation. The breathtaking curves were more statuesque than in his memories, and the bottomless valley seemed capable of swallowing everything in the world. The fair, creamy skin, dizzying to behold, glowed with an ivory luster under the candlelight.

She looked at him, the corners of her mouth curled in that playful, slightly languid arc, and beckoned to him with a long, jade-sculpted finger.

Zhao Yi felt his blood ignite in an instant. He walked forward step by step, his heart drumming like a war drum. This time, he finally reached the side of the couch.

The scent of orchids—the unique fragrance of the Empress—drifted into his nostrils, driving him to the brink of madness. He reached out, trembling, toward that long-desired landscape.