"Everyone, I will take these items back to the temple tonight. Early the morning after tomorrow, I will hold a Dharma assembly at the Great Xiangguo Temple. If anyone else has items they wish to have sanctified, you may bring them as well! However, I do have one request, and I wonder if you gentlemen might grant it?"
"Master, you are highly respected and possess a benevolent heart. Please, do not hesitate to state your request!"
It had to be said that, apart from the rather gruesome wound on his head, the old monk's appearance was quite pleasing. Even though these people were unaware of his true identity, they felt an immediate fondness upon seeing him.
Seeing the old monk about to speak, Li Shishi, as the initiator, naturally took the lead in asking.
"These fox furs are for the esteemed guests to keep warm, and I dare not keep them. After sanctification, they will naturally be returned to you to dispose of as you see fit. However, these carved ivory items are truly too cruel. I am thinking that after sanctification, I would like to have them buried to rest in peace, placed beneath the pagoda. I wonder what the esteemed guests think of this proposal?"
Although Han Mo had been the one to propose this, the old monk hadn't initially taken such a showy affair too seriously. But when he saw all the young nobles of Bianliang City present, the old fellow gradually got into character as he performed.
Speaking of the carved ivory, the compassionate and benevolent demeanor on his face truly resonated deeply with everyone present.
"There is certainly no problem with that. After all, to harm a life for such a small trinket is truly against heavenly principles!"
"Sister Shishi is right. We shall never buy such things again in the future!"
"Miss Lian'er speaks wisely. There are countless playthings in this world. We are all scions of noble families, why should we be tainted by such bloody objects!"
As the courtesan, Wu Lian'er naturally had a myriad of supporters.
In just this short while, countless people had begun to follow suit and curry favor.
And as time went on, more and more of these fawning individuals appeared. Regardless of whether their words were spoken with genuine sincerity, within a mere quarter of an hour, almost everyone in the hall had begun to chime in agreement.
Listening to the chorus of voices, Wang Chao'an, sitting in the corner, turned ashen.
The ivory fan clutched in his hand now felt more like a silent mockery to him.
This item was originally a product of refined taste, and he could even imagine that if he dared to take it out, countless people would immediately demand that he hand it over to the old monk.
"My good sir, you have brought so many carved ivory items with you. Do you not feel that your hands are stained with blood? The Master has been speaking for so long, have you no self-awareness?"
Just as he was preparing to slip away quietly, a scrawny fellow sitting next to him suddenly blurted out.
"Damn it!"
Looking at the hostile crowd surrounding him, Wang Chao'an froze entirely.
"Indeed, my friend. This item is covered in blood from top to bottom. Keeping it with you is truly inauspicious!"
"Everyone, listen to me. Regardless of anything else, these items are extremely valuable. If this gentleman is not willing, then perhaps these items need not be sanctified!"
Although one of the young monks beside the old monk recognized Wang Chao'an, seeing the old monk's compassionate demeanor at this moment, this young monk decisively chose to feign ignorance.
As soon as he spoke, everyone in the hall who looked at Wang Chao'an's eyes was filled with disdain.
This item was indeed of extraordinary value, but the Fanlou was already a famous den of vice in Bianliang City.
In the eyes of these people, no matter how precious this item was, it was merely a plaything.
Although many people in the crowd now felt a bit ashamed of the old monk's actions, they were unwilling to publicly oppose him over such a trinket and make a fool of themselves.
At this very moment, looking at Wang Chao'an and the carved ivory products held by his servants behind him, these people were filled with schadenfreude.
The people speaking now were all more cutting than the last.
Wang Chao'an was now in a truly difficult position. If he did not hand over these items, it would be wishful thinking to sell the remaining bronze wares to these people.
"Are they not just a few small trinkets? These items were originally meant to be given to the Master for sanctification!"
Under this peculiar pressure, Wang Chao'an finally couldn't take it anymore. Forcing down the heartfelt pain, he gritted his teeth, stamped his foot, and waved his hand.
"Are you… are you really giving them away…"
At this, the servants behind Wang Chao'an began to feel reluctant.
These were items they had bought with their hard-earned money, originally intending to show them to the distinguished guests here and perhaps sell them at a good price. Now, it was like losing the wife and breaking the soldiers!
Not only were the items not sold, but they were now essentially being given away for free.
Never mind how much these items were originally worth; just the principal alone amounted to at least several hundred strings of cash…
"Less nonsense, just give it if you're told to!"
No matter how reluctant he was, Wang Chao'an had no choice but to bite the bullet and proceed.
For the sake of the sales of the bronze wares, at this moment, even if his heart bled with anguish, he could only force a smile onto his face.
"Amitabha! The donor is indeed compassionate and benevolent!"
Upon hearing Wang Chao'an's words, the young monk serving nearby immediately smiled and walked over, holding up a tray and placing it before Wang Chao'an.
Casting one last look at the items he had painstakingly acquired, Wang Chao'an could only suppress his heartache and place them all on the tray.
In just this short while, over a dozen exquisite carved ivory pieces, worth thousands of strings of cash, were gone from him…
"Oh, isn't this Steward Wang from the residence of Lord Wang? Steward Wang, are these actions by decree of your master?"
Just as he handed over the items, someone suddenly recognized Wang Chao'an's identity.
This made Wang Chao'an even more embarrassed.
He had initially hoped to use the Wang household's name to get these items back, but now that his identity as belonging to the Wang household had been exposed in public, these items were likely completely out of his reach.
Of course, he also understood that what was even more painful was the remaining items in his hands. They would likely not be sold in Bianliang City for at least several months. And because of the performance put on by these women tonight, it was probable that the price of ivory products would continue to fall for a long time to come.