My Wife is Unbeatable in the Whole World, Touch Me If You Dare!-Chapter 428 - 290: Picking Up a Bargain

King Rui Mansion.

King Rui looked at the official from the Ministry of Revenue with displeasure and said, "Only one thousand taels, isn't that too little? Are you treating beggars at the Ministry of Revenue?"

The official, struggling with an answer, said, "Your Highness, the National Treasury is tight this year, we really cannot spare any more silver."

King Rui glanced at him and said, "That's the same excuse every year, when has the National Treasury ever not been tight?... Fine, I won't make it hard for you. Since the National Treasury is tight, I will offer you some silver. Sell me the Sky Sound Courtyard and Happy Building, I'll give you 500,000 taels."

The color drained from the Ministry official's face.

King Rui asked, "What's the matter, is there a problem?"

The official honestly said, "Your Highness, just a moment ago, King Gong already offered 850,000 taels and bought the Sky Sound Courtyard and Happy Building."

King Rui showed a look of regret and said, "Since it's like that, then never mind. You can go back."

The official from the Ministry of Revenue breathed a sigh of relief and quickly left.

King Rui sighed softly and muttered, "Not ninety-five, not one hundred and five, but eighty-five…"

He looked toward the effeminate man behind him and said, "Have Mr. Chen come see me."

Not long after, a middle-aged man walked into the main hall, bowed, and said, "May I know what Your Highness has commanded?"

King Rui looked at him and asked, "Mr. Chen, how long have you been by my side?"

The middle-aged man, not understanding why King Rui suddenly brought this up, said, "Your Highness, for five years."

King Rui sighed softly and said in a low voice, "Five years, even a dog should be familiar after that time, how come you aren't?"

The middle-aged man was inwardly shocked but maintained a composed facade, barely managing a smile, and said, "Your Highness, I do not understand what you mean…"

King Rui looked at him and said, "It's okay if you don't understand. Remember to be smarter in your next life and choose a better master…"

…

Ministry of Revenue.

The Minister of Revenue sat within the government office, in high spirits.

The Sky Sound Courtyard and Happy Building could be money trees for some, but they also required significant investment and operation, and the court did not permit government offices to operate pleasure grounds, so keeping them at the Ministry of Revenue was pointless.

King Gong was willing to pay 850,000 taels, which would temporarily replenish the National Treasury.

The land and property deeds and various contracts had already been prepared, just waiting for King Gong's payment to hand them over.

At that moment, an official reported that King Rui was visiting.

The Minister of Revenue frowned slightly. Why was King Rui here? Could it be dissatisfaction with the allocation he was given?

Just one thousand taels of silver; if he didn't want it, all the better, then even that thousand taels could be saved.

As he watched the figure entering the government office, the Minister of Revenue stood and saluted, "I've seen King Rui. Your Highness, do you have any business at the Ministry of Revenue?"

King Rui smiled and said, "Lord Cui, I am here to buy the Happy Building and Sky Sound Courtyard."

Relieved that it wasn't about the allocation, the Minister of Revenue said, "Your Highness comes at an unfortunate time, the Happy Building and Sky Sound Courtyard have already been sold to King Gong for 850,000 taels of silver…"

King Rui said, "What if I am willing to offer a higher price?"

"Please, take a seat, Your Highness."

The Minister of Revenue came out from behind his desk and said, "Someone, serve tea to His Highness."

After King Rui was seated, he finally asked, "May I know how much Your Highness is willing to offer?"

King Rui said, "One million taels."

The Minister of Revenue's eyebrows twitched. He was neither a party of King Rui nor King Gong; whoever offered more, he would sell to them, fair and square, leaving no room for complaints, and it would be a reasonable account to the court.

However, with King Rui offering one million taels, King Gong's counter-offer might be even higher.

He thought for a moment, then looked at King Rui and said, "How about this, in three days, the Ministry of Revenue will hold a public auction for the Happy Building and Sky Sound Courtyard, the highest bidder will acquire them. At that time, Your Highness can send someone to participate..."

King Rui cast a glance at him and said, "Chief Cui really knows how to do business."

The Minister of Revenue smiled faintly and said, "King Rui wishes for it, King Gong wishes for it too, the Ministry of Revenue can only do so much; it's also good to explain to the court."

Moments later, King Rui walked slowly out of the Ministry of Revenue.

The Minister of Revenue, this old fox, did not want to take sides between him and King Gong.

This was also within his expectations; it was nothing more than spending more silver. As for financial power, he was not afraid of King Gong.

Thinking of King Gong's expression at this moment, a slight curve appeared on his lips.

King Gong Mansion, King Gong looked at a servant and asked, "What message did King Rui send?"

The servant said, "People from King Rui Mansion said that King Rui invited Your Highness over for dog meat."

King Gong frowned and said, "Is that all, did he say anything else?"

The servant continued, "He also said that it was a dog he had raised for five years but it never became tame, so he slaughtered it for meat and asked if King Gong would like to try a few bites…"

Bang!

King Gong slapped the table, his hand trembling slightly from the pain, his face utterly grim.

How could he not decipher the implied message from King Rui?

It had always been him scheming against King Rui from behind; he had never anticipated a day when he would be countered by King Rui.

King Rui was someone he had watched grow up.

He was certain King Rui didn't have the intellect, Li Rui was ill-educated, impulsive. If not for the strategists by his side who continually devised plans for him, he would have been out of the game like Kings Xuan and Xin…

Clearly, there was an expert advising him behind the scenes.

Unfortunately, the only mole he had planted by his side had been exposed, making it difficult to promptly know his movements in the future…

At that moment, another servant came in and said, "Your Highness, the Ministry of Revenue just sent someone to notify us that King Rui is also interested in the Happy Building and Sky Sound Courtyard. In three days, they will hold an auction…"

…

Li Mansion.

Within Phoenix's room.

Li Nuo moved his hand away from Phoenix's delicate and fair ankle and said, "Alright, this is the last massage, from today onwards, you can move about freely."

Phoenix said softly, "Thank you."

Li Nuo waved his hand and said, "You're welcome."

The harmony within the Li Family household was half due to Phoenix, so offering her a few massage sessions as a thank you seemed appropriate.

Over a few days, his relationship with Phoenix had subtly changed.

Although they had lived under the same roof before, their interactions had always been somewhat formal.

However, after these days of close contact, their interactions had become more natural.

Phoenix had some errands today, and Yiren followed her out.

After leaving the Li Mansion, Song Yiren asked, "Where are we going?"

Phoenix replied, "Let's handle some matters at the Ministry of Revenue first."

At the entrance of the Ministry of Revenue, many people had gathered today, mostly nobles and rich merchants from Chang'an.

The Ministry of Revenue had announced a few days ago that they would auction off the Happy Building and the Sky Sound Courtyard today, and many people were eager to try their luck—as these were the most profitable businesses in Chang'an, and if they could get a good deal, they would make a fortune.

When two carriages stopped in front of the Ministry of Revenue, the noisy crowd suddenly quieted down.

Embroidered on the curtains of the carriages were four-clawed golden dragons, indicating they belonged to a King.

"King Rui!"

"King Gong is here too!"

Seeing the two figures descending from the carriages, everyone dismissed the idea of bidding.

Indeed, how could such bargains ever fall into their hands?

The personal attendance of King Rui and King Gong indicated their determination to win the auction.

It made sense, after all, a well-managed brothel was not just a simple brothel; not only could it generate tremendous value on its own, but its covert influence was also beyond measure in terms of silver.

"Presenting our respects to King Rui!"

"Greetings to King Gong."

Everyone paid their respects to the two, and although the auction seemed hopeless, they did not leave.

With the two Prince Regents present, even if it had nothing to do with them, it was still an event worth watching.

King Gong and King Rui exchanged glances and were each led into separate government offices by officials of the Ministry of Revenue.

Shortly thereafter, the crowd was led into the courtyard of the Ministry of Revenue.

The Minister of Revenue stood before the crowd and announced, "Today, the Ministry of Revenue will publicly auction the Happy Building and the Sky Sound Courtyard. Everyone is free to bid, and the highest bidder will win. The auction proceeds will go entirely to the National Treasury. Please do not bid maliciously, and those who win the bid but refuse to buy will be considered obstructing official duties, fined ten thousand taels, and sent to the Ministry of Justice for prosecution..."

He first read out the rules, and then said, "The starting bid for this auction is 500,000 taels, with each subsequent bid not less than ten thousand taels..., now you may begin bidding."

As his words fell, the crowd remained silent.

It was clear to everyone that today's auction was a contest between King Rui and King Gong; they were merely there to watch.

Although the two Kings had been repeatedly thwarted by Li Xuanjing, it was easy for them to manipulate him.

Just as everyone anticipated King Rui and King Gong's move, a melodious voice suddenly emerged from the back of the crowd.

"510,000 taels."

The crowd was momentarily stunned, then turned their heads.

They truly wanted to know, who was so reckless as to intrude in such a matter.

But when they saw the two figures standing there, everyone was initially startled.

Standing there were two young women—both young and beautiful.

And very familiar.

The people present, being either rich or noble, had a broad range of knowledge.

They had seen the wife of the top scholar on the day of the Advanced Scholars' parade, a deep impression left in their memory.

As for the woman beside the top scholar's wife, the Jade Sound Pavilion Master, they were even more familiar.

Were they also here to bid for the Happy Building and the Sky Sound Courtyard?

Did this mean the Li Family was also going to intervene?

The scene got even livelier.

It was now uncertain into whose hands these money trees would ultimately fall.

Inside a government office on the left, King Rui, who had been sitting steadily, immediately stood up with a puzzled expression upon learning the identity of the bidder.

Li Xuanjing wanted to intervene?

These days, he had been studying Li Xuanjing's past thoroughly and knew him well.

A gentleman seeks revenge, it is not too late after ten years.

Li Xuanjing seeks revenge, twenty years are not too late.

He would do whatever it takes to get what he wants. freēwēbηovel.c૦m

If he couldn't get it, he would destroy it.

Even if they could snatch the Happy Building and Sky Sound Courtyard from Li Xuanjing's hands, it was doubtful they would be able to operate it peacefully.

King Rui quickly made a decision.

The Chief of Staff from the Ministry of Revenue came in from outside and said, "Someone has bid 510,000 taels, King Rui, it is your turn to bid."

King Rui glanced at him, waved his sleeve, and said, "No longer buying, let's go..."

In another government office, King Gong's expression changed unpredictably but ultimately showed reluctance as he slowly stood up.

Li Xuanjing's influence was at its peak, and the previous incident had just calmed down; it was not appropriate to start another conflict with him.

He walked out of the door, and King Rui also emerged from the opposite government office.

King Gong and King Rui exchanged glances and silently left.

The Chief of Staff chased after them, watching their departing figures with immense regret. If he had not been greedy, one million taels could have already entered the National Treasury.

He approached the beautiful woman and whispered, "Miss, perhaps add a bit more? 510,000 taels is really too little..."

Phoenix looked at him helplessly and said, "But, that's all the money I have..."