Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 469 - 305: Struggle

Don’t just speak of this ancient time, even in modern times, such things are plenty. Perhaps not as blatant, but not uncommon.

These are all women who were sold into the brothel from a young age, their destinies already sealed.

Soon, it was Hua Lian’s turn.

"Chengyu! Is that the girl you were talking about? Tsk tsk! There’s something pitiful about her." Zhu Pang looked at Hua Lian, still thinking in his heart that Gu Chengyu liked girls who were soft and fragile like this.

"Two hundred liang!" Mr. Jia shouted as it came to Hua Lian’s turn, his voice echoing. Seeing this, other gentlemen and sons with shallow pockets gave up.

Only two people were still bidding, Hua Lian, with tear-filled eyes, looked at the crowd, searching for Gu Chengyu’s figure. She knew Mr. Gu was out of prison, but he might not come to Tianxiang Pavilion. Perhaps Mr. Gu still thought she had taken the Jade Pendant and redeemed herself?

"Three hundred liang!"

The youthful, clear, and gentle voice drew the attention of everyone in the opposite private room.

"Huh? Isn’t that Gu Chengyu? I didn’t expect he would come to Tianxiang Pavilion right after getting out of prison," Liu Haonan was a bit surprised to see Gu Chengyu, especially since Gu Chengyu was the one bidding too.

These words prompted Min Feng to glance at him. Liu Haonan, a bit awkward, only then realized his words were inappropriate, as Min Feng and Gu Chengyu had also just been released from prison, implying Gu Chengyu was in a rush for such pursuits.

Lu Chen said to Yu Ting and the others, "This Gu Chengyu is quite interesting. Didn’t you say his poetry is outstanding? Why hasn’t he recited any?"

Lu Chen wished to take Gu Chengyu’s poems back to the Fourth Prince, who had been bedridden with illness, and mentioned Gu Chengyu more than once in recent days.

On the side, Jiang Cheng, through Yu Ting, finally connected with the son of a noble family; how could he not respond?

"This Gu Jieyuan is somewhat strange, seemingly not fond of composing poems. However, whenever he does, it becomes a classic, sure to be passed down,"

"Oh? I’ve heard the couplet on the latrine at Ten-mile Pavilion was composed by him? This person indeed possesses extraordinary talent."

Lu Chen grew curious about Gu Chengyu. Since Gu Chengyu had taken notice of that girl but was unwilling to let poetry decide the winner. Lu Chen glanced at Hua Lian on the high platform, an idea forming in his mind.

Min Feng was quite surprised by Gu Chengyu’s sudden bid, scanning Hua Lian on the platform below. He merely thought she seemed familiar, with decent looks. She was only a bit more pitiable and touching than the other girls!

Upon hearing the voice, Hua Lian’s heart instantly leapt with joy. She hurriedly looked in that direction and indeed saw the Mr. Gu she longed for day and night.

As she met Gu Chengyu’s eyes, brilliant and enthusiastic light erupted in her own eyes, tears streaming down her cheeks, her hopeful gaze fixed on Gu Chengyu. At that moment, she saw only him.

This voice Hua Lian recognized, and naturally, so did Xi Yan, sitting before the qin table in the inner chamber.

She didn’t expect Gu Chengyu to come, let alone bid, which didn’t seem like Mr. Gu’s usual nature. Could it be that Mr. Gu really took a liking to Hua Lian? Or was it Hua Lian’s genuine feelings that moved Mr. Gu?

Xi Yan regretted bitterly, as she was mocking Hua Lian’s hopeless infatuation just days before, and now found herself proven wrong.

Meanwhile, her heart felt unsettled, tinged with jealousy and irritation. If Xi Yan still didn’t realize her feelings for Gu Chengyu, she’d be truly foolish.

Mr. Jia hadn’t expected someone to suddenly raise the bid by a hundred liang. He looked at the elegant private box on the second floor and saw a young noble dressed in luxurious attire.

The noble was as handsome as jade, unparalleled in the world. Didn’t expect such a divine-looking noble to take an interest in Hua Lian?

Mr. Jia hesitated a bit, not knowing this noble’s background. If he was a descendant of an aristocratic family, what if offending him was unwise?

He looked at Hua Lian again, ultimately feeling a bit reluctant, deciding to bid one more time. If it didn’t work out, he’d give up. After all, she’s just a brothel girl, not worth spending so much money and offending the powerful for.

"Five hundred liang!" Mr. Jia called out, albeit with a lack of confidence.

Madam Hua was overjoyed, not expecting Hua Lian to sell for such a good price. Five hundred liang, in the past, could redeem a girl. Today, it was just for one night. Madam Hua thought such literary gatherings should happen more often.

Hua Lian’s heart filled with anxiety, fearing that Mr. Gu would find the price too high and back out. This wasn’t a redemption price, and she wasn’t a heavenly beauty. Would Mr. Gu really spend that much for her?

Gu Chengyu felt a bit frustrated, though he didn’t know why Hua Lian hadn’t redeemed herself, but given his promise, he could only help to the end.

Gu Chengyu called out six hundred liang, with Zhu Pang tugging at Gu Chengyu’s sleeve.

"Are you serious? Is it worth it? Six hundred liang could redeem her already, and she’s neither a fairy nor an Oiran, is it necessary?" Zhu Pang didn’t understand Gu Chengyu’s intentions. According to Gu Chengyu, the girl merely visited him in prison, was it worth helping her this much?

"One should not speak without keeping faith, even if it’s her own reason leading to today’s situation. But since I’ve made up my mind, I naturally follow my heart."

Gu Chengyu wasn’t interested in Hua Lian but admired her loyalty and affection. He didn’t want such a girl trying hard to escape the mire to be dragged back into the swamp.

Mr. Jia looked at Hua Lian one last time, not because he was reluctant about the money, but because he didn’t want to offend the powerful, ultimately staying silent.

Hua Lian was elated to see Mr. Jia not bidding again.

"One thousand liang!"

Gu Chengyu thought that since Mr. Jia backed down, Hua Lian was at least safe. Unexpectedly, things took a turn.

Gu Chengyu followed the voice, surprised to see it was Lu Chen?

He and Lu Chen were strangers. If Lu Chen was interested in Hua Lian before, why didn’t he bid? Now that no one was bidding, he came out to interfere.

Lu Chen stood up and bowed to Gu Chengyu, "I’ve long heard of Gu Jieyuan’s exceptional talent. A friend of mine admires your literary skill greatly. Today, I’d like to invite Gu Jieyuan to compose a few poems, so we can witness your talent."

Seeing this, Gu Chengyu stood and returned the bow, feeling puzzled. What could Lu Chen mean by this, perhaps Yu Ting had said something to him?

"If Gu Jieyuan places first, then this girl Hua Lian naturally belongs to Mr. Gu."

Lu Chen wasn’t interested in Hua Lian. He bid a thousand liang merely to pressure Gu Chengyu to compose! A girl with such beauty, compared to the maids in their manor, wasn’t even outstanding. More charming rather than prim!

Gu Chengyu’s face darkened; Lu Chen’s attitude was a bit too arrogant, composing poetry was his freedom. No one would feel comfortable being forced.

Gu Chengyu faintly smiled, "Since Brother Lu bids a thousand liang, I’ll offer one thousand two hundred liang then."