Chapter 115: The Auction Venue

Noticing Yun Zui’s gaze fixed upon them, Xiao Tianming spoke up immediately, "I only met those three later on; we aren't particularly close yet..."

Yun Zui saw that Xiao Tianming’s eyes were flickering with hesitation. She knew his words might not be entirely true, but it didn't matter. She merely gave a faint, indifferent nod.

Seeing this, Xiao Tianming let out a sigh of relief and continued his introductions: "Xiao Qier is my younger brother, and Xiangbao is my younger sister. Gou'er is an orphan; we've been begging for a living together."

Upon hearing this, Yun Zui looked more closely at Xiao Tianming and Xiao Qier. They bore only a faint resemblance to one another. Still, both were quite handsome; perhaps they had once belonged to a prominent family.

"We can talk after the meal. Let's eat first." Yun Zui was truly famished and had no desire for further conversation.

Only after Xiao Tianming picked up his chopsticks did Xiao Qier, Gou'er, and the others dare to follow suit. Yun Zui took note of these small gestures. Perhaps Xiao Tianming had been a master before becoming a beggar, and those three quiet individuals had been his servants.

During the meal, Yun Zui felt a persistent discomfort on her lips, so she peeled off her fake mustache. Xiao Tianming was so startled that he choked on his rice. Yun Zui had been wearing a fake mustache?

"I am a woman," Yun Zui said calmly.

Xiao Tianming was stunned once again.

A woman?!

Good heavens, he found it hard to believe. It wasn't that Yun Zui looked like a man, but rather that her decisive and swift manner of doing things didn't seem like that of a woman. Unconsciously, a sense of admiration stirred within him.

After the meal, Yun Zui told them all to go and rest, feeling exhausted herself. Reading was far more tiring than carrying out a mission! She needed a good rest.

The next day, Yun Zui rose early, as the household needed a thorough reorganization with new staff. To her surprise, when she pushed open her door, she found Xiao Tianming sitting right outside.

"Is something the matter?" Yun Zui asked.

She was dressed in men's clothing but without the mustache. Her face, devoid of makeup, was fully exposed. Her delicate features were exquisite, her skin smooth, flawless, and radiant; her cheeks were tinged with a peach-like glow, and her lips were naturally crimson. She looked remarkably handsome—an androgynous beauty. But after yesterday, Xiao Tianming knew she was a woman.

Xiao Tianming was momentarily dazed, then quickly averted his gaze. "I am used to waking up early," he replied. "Thank you for taking us in and helping treat Xiangbao; she is much better." After a brief pause, he added, "Didn't you say you wanted to make use of me? What can I do?"

Yun Zui hadn't expected Xiao Tianming to be so diligent as to seek out work himself.

"I will take you to a place, and you will be responsible for helping me select people."

She had no intention of keeping the household servants currently in the residence; she intended to buy her own. She would purchase slaves at the slave auction market. She needed subordinates willing to protect their master even unto death, not mere servants who stayed for a paycheck.

Xiao Tianming didn't quite understand what Yun Zui meant, but he agreed immediately.

Breakfast was again shared at a large table. Yun Zui rarely ate with others, but she found the feeling quite pleasant.

After the meal, Yun Zui and Xiao Tianming rode in the same carriage, with another following behind. Yun Zui planned to buy ten people. With those ten plus a sharp-witted person like Xiao Tianming, she believed they could serve her well.

They soon arrived at the auction house. Both Yun Zui and Xiao Tianming were dressed in fine robes, and their arrival was met with immediate hospitality.

"Welcome, young masters, please come in," the guard said respectfully.