Zhang Ziqian seized the opportunity to ask, "Lord Hu, why don't you name a starting price?"
Hu Xiaotian said, "One thousand taels of silver."
He had barely finished speaking when Long Yefang declared loudly, "This painting is mine! One thousand taels of gold!"
What was swagger fit for a royal bastard? Only a royal scion like Long Yefang could display it to such perfection. Now that Long Yefang had gone so far, who would dare speak up-and who could bear to part with the money? No matter how lifelike or finely painted it was, no one there thought a painting worth so much gold. Even Wan Boping, the richest man in Azure Cloud, would balk at squandering such a sum. Let the sons of high officials throw away fortunes on a whim. Businessmen earned their money with blood, sweat, and toil.
Xi Yan said, "Lord Hu, don't forget that although you painted this picture, half of it belongs to me. How could you decide what to do with it without even asking me?"
Hu Xiaotian smiled broadly. "Show a little kindness and do something for the people of Azure Cloud. Why not make a contribution this once? If this painting solves the problem with Azure Cloud Bridge, I'll name the bridge after you once it's repaired."
Xi Yan gave a dismissive little spat. "As if I cared." Her words sounded petulant, but there was no trace of anger in her expression.
Practically everyone present understood now: these two were flirting in public. The Prince of Zhou was an utter fool, still excitedly shouting about a thousand taels of gold. Didn't the idiot realize he was being taken for a ride? Did he understand what it meant to sew someone else's wedding gown?
Long Yefang, the Prince of Zhou, had been