Inside the Marquis's manor.
Lin Zequ stood at the main seat of the grand hall, his gaze cold and sharp. "Have you inquired thoroughly? Is it indeed that treasure map from the Southern Border?"
A subordinate knelt on one knee. "Your Lordship, I initially found it hard to believe. That map was seized from your hands. They should understand its importance and wouldn't casually sell it to others."
"I made some inquiries and it seems the second young master of the General's manor is opening a shop and didn't want to use household funds. Su Yunmo used this method to help him raise money."
Lin Zequ let out a cold snort. "What kind of excuse is that? If that girl were truly short of money, with Ye Jingyu's affection for her, wouldn't he have helped her?"
The subordinate frowned, speculating with doubt. "Perhaps Su Yunmo is unwilling to ask Prince Yu for help. After all, this matter has nothing to do with her; it's her family's business."
It was likely that even if Prince Yu doted on her, he wouldn't extend that favor to her entire family.
Lin Zequ pondered for a moment. "A treasure map is a very important item. No matter what Su Yunmo intends to do, this trip is unavoidable. Tell Third Concubine to take the item to Prince Yu's manor."
He paused, then added, "Remember not to act rashly. Just treat it as a social visit during the year-end."
The subordinate acknowledged the order and relayed the message to Third Concubine.
Third Concubine then took the item and headed towards Prince Yu's manor.
Prince Yu's manor was bustling with activity, and Qian Xue was busy receiving guests in the courtyard.
Upon entering the manor, Third Concubine was escorted to the back courtyard.
Su Yunmo, seated in a pavilion, saw Third Concubine approaching from afar, a cold smile flashing in her eyes.
Ye Ningyuan poked her head out from beside her. "Mo Mo, you're amazing. You can even tell fortunes! She actually came?"
"Lin Zequ has his eye on that map. He won't fully trust the information his subordinates have gathered, so he'll definitely send someone to investigate the manor," Su Yunmo said, watching as Third Concubine was led towards the lake. She then stood up.
Ye Ningyuan snapped her fingers. "You predicted that Lin Hongze wouldn't come himself, so you deliberately set this trap. You're so clever."
Su Yunmo frowned and gave her a look of disdain. "I haven't even asked yet, why are you here?"
Didn't Prince Yun Yi drag this person away that day? She thought she would be bedridden for a while, so how did she get out so quickly?
And without losing any limbs.
Ye Ningyuan squeezed in beside her. "It's because I've developed feelings for Mo Mo! I miss you terribly when we're not together, so I came to see you, risking a beating from my father."
Su Yunmo narrowed her eyes and looked at her. "Do you miss me, or do you miss the treasure map?"
"Oh, Mo Mo, you figured it out," Ye Ningyuan said with a surprised expression, then leaned in with a sly grin. "To tell you the truth, I've always wanted to take the treasure map and go find treasure with you."
She made a shushing gesture and said earnestly, "I want to take you and run away together after we find the treasure map, to a place where no one can find us. What do you think? Aren't you excited?"
"Not at all," Su Yunmo said, pushing her face away with a small hand and striding out of the pavilion.
Ye Ningyuan pouted, her eyes filled with feigned sadness. "Mo Mo, you're so heartless, rejecting my request so quickly. Can't you consider it a little longer?"
Su Yunmo couldn't be bothered to reply; this person was never serious anyway.
Meanwhile, Third Concubine had arrived at the auction site.
The auction site was a large open space, with many people gathered, all vying to place bids.
Third Concubine squeezed to the front. "Is this a real treasure map? It's not just something someone drew randomly, is it? I don't believe it."
"If you don't believe it, you can inspect the goods," Su Yunmo said, emerging from behind the crowd.
Upon seeing her, Third Concubine's face immediately darkened, and she let out a cold snort. "So it's you."
The Marquis had sent someone to inquire about a treasure map being sold at Prince Yu's manor, instructing her to check it out. It turned out to be that wretched girl, Su Yunmo.
"Is there a problem with it being me? Let me be clear, this map goes to the highest bidder. As long as you're willing to bid, I don't care who ends up with it," Su Yunmo said, climbing onto a chair.
She stood tall, arms crossed. "Of course, if you don't have the money, I advise you to leave early."
"Who says I don't have money! Does the noble Marquis's manor not even have enough to buy a broken map?" Third Concubine glared at her fiercely.
If it were anyone else, it would be fine, but she didn't want to lose face in front of this wretched girl!
Su Yunmo signaled to Ye Ningyuan in the crowd and raised her voice. "In that case, let the bidding begin. Starting at three thousand taels."
This price sent everyone into a frenzy.
"I bid four thousand taels!"
"I bid five thousand taels!"
...
Seeing them bid desperately, Third Concubine also chimed in, "I bid ten thousand taels!"
Her last three words were sonorous and powerful, silencing the crowd.
While a treasure map was a good item, ten thousand taels was no small sum.
Third Concubine said haughtily, "What? No more bids? Since no one is bidding, this item is mine."
"Ten thousand and one tael," Ye Ningyuan said slowly, walking out from behind the crowd.
With her hands behind her back, she glanced at Third Concubine with a smile. "I heard this treasure map is priceless. Since that's the case, I'll join in the fun."
Third Concubine hadn't expected Ye Ningyuan to appear out of nowhere and suddenly felt uncertain.
Lin Zequ had instructed her when she left that this trip was merely to gauge the situation and not to act rashly.
If she were to compete with others, it would simply be a matter of bidding higher. If she could indeed retrieve the treasure map, she could also please the Marquis.
However, Ye Ningyuan's identity was different. If she were to confront her, she would have to reconsider.
Su Yunmo observed Third Concubine's expression, her eyebrows raising playfully.
"It seems some people like to boast. I thought someone from the Marquis's manor would be wealthy, but at ten thousand taels, you're already afraid. It seems you don't have much status in the Marquis's manor."
These words struck Third Concubine's sore spot. She hated it most when people talked about status in front of her.
After all, although she was currently the sole mistress of the Marquis's manor on the surface, her status was still that of a concubine, and Lin Zequ had never intended to elevate her.
"Who says I'm afraid? This small amount of money is nothing to me!" Third Concubine gritted her teeth and raised her voice. "Eleven thousand taels!"
Ye Ningyuan smirked playfully and immediately replied, "Eleven thousand and one tael."
Third Concubine glared at her hatefully and said word by word, "Twelve thousand taels!"
Ye Ningyuan clicked her tongue. "Twelve thousand and one tael."
"Ye Ningyuan, you're doing this on purpose!" Third Concubine's tone suddenly rose, and she pointed at Ye Ningyuan, shouting. "Are you deliberately opposing me!"
Ye Ningyuan spread her hands and shrugged, looking innocent. "What are you saying? Didn't Mo Mo say it goes to the highest bidder? If you truly want it, just outbid me."
Third Concubine's teeth itched with hatred.
While the Marquis's manor was indeed prosperous, Prince Yun Yi's manor was not lacking. If she were to increase the bid by one tael at a time like this, how long would it take!