A Difficult Situation
Considering the differences between ancient and modern times, where men and women cannot sit together, and fearing that the powerful and influential might influence the bidding, resulting in high-ranking officials and top-tier wealthy individuals raising their bids while others dare not bid, Xiao Lingyan had all the teahouses in the capital inspected and then directly purchased one of them at a high price.
The teahouse he bought was originally used for listening to storytelling.
To make it easier for everyone to see the storyteller's expressions and hear his voice, a high platform was built in the middle, and four empty clay pots were buried in front of the platform to amplify the sound. The amplification effect was quite good.
Rows of seats were arranged below the stage, and a semi-circular two-story building was built around these seats, with semi-open private boxes on the upper floor. Only a railing was built facing the storyteller's platform.
After Xiao Lingyan bought the teahouse, he had the craftsmen quickly renovate it, rearrange the tables and chairs, and install a semi-transparent curtain in the semi-open private room, which then served as the venue for the auction.
During this period, not only did Zhao Ruxi cultivate his own subordinates, but Xiao Lingyan also cultivated a group of people. He retrained a group of assassins and also recruited some disciples and servants who wanted to follow him.
However, the ancients had never seen anything like an auction. Just listening to him talk about it wasn't enough to fully grasp some of the points; plus, time was tight, and Xiao Lingyan was available, so he was mainly in charge of organizing this first auction.
He was just discussing the allocation of the private rooms upstairs with Xiao Lingpu.
There are too many high-ranking officials and dignitaries in the capital, but too few private rooms, so how to allocate them is a problem. If the allocation is not done well, it is very easy to offend people.
Fortunately, the ancients had a good habit of replying to invitations. Therefore, Xiao Lingyan knew who would come and who wouldn't.
Because this business deal explicitly involved Xiao Lingyan, even though the Crown Prince and the Third and Fourth Prince were at odds with Xiao Lingyan, they had to outwardly appear respectful and amicable. Therefore, they all expressed their intention to participate.
Since the Emperor and the princes had given them face, the nobles and ministers below them naturally dared not refuse to come. Even if they didn't have time themselves, their wives could come and see the excitement. Therefore, not a single invitation Xiao Lingyan out was rejected; everyone expressed their intention to come.
After receiving the reply, he discussed it with Xiao Lingpu, ranked the powerful people from highest to lowest, and then arranged the seats.
The central private room upstairs was definitely reserved for the Emperor's eunuchs. The rooms on either side were for the Crown Prince and other princes.
On either side of the princes' private box, Xiao Lingyan arranged for princes such as the Prince of Prince of Zhennan and other princes of the second rank. On the other two sides were dukes and the heads of the three ministers and six ministries.
Fortunately, the titles of nobility in the Great Jin Dynasty have been gradually reduced in recent years, and no new titles are being conferred. Therefore, there are not many princes and dukes. The heads of the Three Ministers and Six Departments have filled the private rooms upstairs.
The extra one was given to Kang Shilin.
As Kang Shilin's apprentice, Zhao Ruxi sat down next to her master.
Downstairs, Xiao Lingyan simply had the seating arranged into two rows, leaving an aisle in the middle. Noble families and officials sat on either side, clearly separated. Higher-ranking officials sat in front, and lower-ranking officials sat in the back, and so on.
This also avoided the debate between the Marquis of Pingnan and the Minister of Ministry of Personnel about who should sit in the front and who should sit in the back. Otherwise, it would have inevitably led to a major battle.
Even if everyone is well-mannered and doesn't cause a scene on the spot, they'll definitely be unhappy. This debt will be pinned on Xiao Lingpu later. After all, he and Xiao Lingyan are one entity. The younger brother may be immature, but surely the older brother can understand these things?
Downstairs, Xiao Lingyan was busy, while upstairs, Xiao Lingpu had finished explaining the auction and inquired about the situation at the border. He then said, "You've been back and forth for several months now. Your marriage can't be delayed any longer. What are you thinking?"
Fu Yunkai remained silent.
He was a military general who had returned to the capital on leave to resolve his marriage issues, so there was no need for him to do tasks like transporting provisions.
However, staying in the capital was bothering him with Xiao Lingpu and his mother's urging. He knew that his marriage could not be delayed any longer, and he could not find a suitable person in a short time. He was also unwilling to settle for someone else, so he simply asked for a job to transport grain to the border to avoid this troublesome problem.
Now that he'd just returned to Beijing and hadn't even settled in, his friend was bringing up old issues again. Fu Yunkai felt a surge of annoyance.
However, he also knew that his friend meant well.
After all, he couldn't stay in the capital for several years just to get married.
My father is alone on the border; he can't support the whole family alone, and there are always places he can't take care of.
Those deputy generals are all from different factions, and they all have their eyes on my father's position. None of them are easy to deal with. If my father is not careful and gets plotted against, he might lose his life.
As for himself, as the Heir of the Marquis of Pingnan, he had to get married to ensure the Fu Family had an heir.
Otherwise, if something were to happen to him and his father at the border, and Fu Yunlang were to be assassinated, the entire family business would fall into someone else's hands. His mother's later years would be difficult.
Furthermore, he needed to find someone to manage the household affairs for him, so that his mother could no longer control the Marquis of Pingnan's Residence and become a hindrance to him and his father.
He sighed heavily and rubbed his temples.
"How about I arrange for Eldest Miss Cen to bring Miss Mu out so you can meet her? Don't always judge people with prejudice. Not all daughters of noble families are like you think. What if this Miss Mu is an outstanding person?" Xiao Lingpu advised.
"Fine," Fu Yunkai said helplessly.
As the weather grew colder, the number of training classes decreased, and Zhao Ruxi returned to the Marquis's residence early that day.
The gatekeeper greeted her warmly with a smile, "Miss, you're back? The eldest son and sixth daughter of the second branch are talking with the old lady right now."
Even if Zhao Ruxi wasn't interested in the message that someone was so eager to send her, she couldn't show it.
She raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Really? Sixth Miss has come too?"
She turned to Qingfeng and instructed, "The New Year is almost here, and Uncle Liu has been working hard. Tomorrow, bring Uncle Liu ten catties of dried vermicelli from the estate."
"Oh, thank you for the gift, young lady." Uncle Liu quickly bowed.
As the group walked inside, Qingfeng asked in bewilderment, "Isn't Sixth Miss supposed to be at school? Why is she free to come today?"
Training courses also have a ten-day break. Today, the training course continues, so it's not yet the ten-day break. The Capital Women's Academy also has classes.
Thinking about the auction to be held tomorrow, Zhao Ruxi pondered, "Perhaps they need to see me about something."
Given Fu Yunlang's personality, he would definitely boast about such a big thing to his sweetheart.
However, the auction venue had limited space, and Zhao Ruyu had no power, influence, or money. Even if Fu Yunlang wanted to curry favor with his sweetheart, he couldn't arrange a private box for her. If Zhao Ruyu wanted to join in the fun, wouldn't that just lead to her targeting Zhao Ruyu?