Chapter 141: Lord Cui Is About to Be Angered to Death

The sudden bid caused everyone present to instinctively glance toward the first room on the third floor.

Even Youlan, who had kept her head down, was no exception.

Others don't know who's inside, but as someone invited by Chen Yan, she surely knows, right?

To her surprise, Chen Yan also participated in the bidding.

Isn't this the thing you took out to sell?

Li Shimin and his family of three also shared the same doubt.

They originally thought this glazed black tortoise would end up in the Cui clan's hands, but they didn't expect Chen Yan to place a bid.

Li Lizhi anxiously tugged his sleeve, "What are you doing? Weren't we supposed to sell the glazed black tortoise to the aristocratic families?"

"If you do this, what if you end up breaking it in your hands?"

"Don't worry, I won't break it; I have a sense of proportion." Chen Yan whispered reassuringly, then snorted coldly:

"Who let this guy threaten people on my turf? Otherwise, this price might be even higher."

"How could I let him just take this glazed black tortoise away so easily?"

"Without spitting out a bit more blood, you definitely won't be able to take this away today."

Li Shimin and his wife exchanged a strange glance, then said nothing.

Anyway, this plan was Chen Yan's idea, and the venue was set up by him, so they might as well just be silent spectators.

Li Lizhi was about to say more when Cui Minggan's voice, strained with suppressed anger, came through first.

"Who are you, daring to interfere in our affairs?"

Chen Yan slightly altered his tone and shouted toward the outside: "Oh, I am surnamed Wo, named Nendie."

"Just call me Wo Die."

"As for daring to meddle in your affairs... heh, this is an auction, after all, so we have to speak with strength."

After saying that, he paused, his tone carrying a hint of amusement: "Lord Cui, whose official prestige is great, I wonder... how strong are you?"

"Wo... Wo Nendie? Die... hmm!!!" Cui Minggan felt the name was strange, muttering it unconsciously a few times.

Then he reacted, slamming the table in fury and jumping up, "You wretched thing, how dare you insult me like this?!"

At this point, many present understood Chen Yan's meaning, but because Cui Minggan was there, they dared not laugh out loud, so they could only struggle to suppress their laughter.

Chen Yan cheerfully said, "Lord Cui, what do you mean by this?"

"Earlier you asked who I am, didn't I honestly tell you?"

"Where have I insulted you?"

"You......" Cui Minggan trembled with rage, unable to utter a word.

He simply couldn't say that the other person was calling himself his father, could he?

If he actually pointed it out, from today onward he might become the laughingstock of all Chang'an.

Cui Minggan's forehead veins bulged as he snapped, "What a brat who relies on verbal tricks!"

"I want to see how much money you can come up with."

"Three hundred twenty thousand strings!"

He didn't doubt the other's financial resources at all.

After all, from the moment he entered, he noticed the auction hall's seating had strict tiers; those who could sit on the third floor certainly weren't ordinary.

Chen Yan fixed his gaze on the strange looks of Li Shimin's family of three in the room and teased, "Tsk tsk, Lord Cui, this doesn't match your style. I thought you'd at least bid up to three hundred fifty thousand strings."

"Really disappointing."

His words were full of regret, and then he said again, "Since Lord Cui isn't bidding, I'll do it."

"Three hundred sixty thousand strings."

Mockery—this was blatant mockery.

Cui Minggan gritted his teeth so hard his eyes began to redden.

"Good, very good."

"I've lived so many years, yet this is the first time I've seen someone dare to provoke me like this."

"Kid, you're really something!"

"From today onward, no matter what background you have, prepare to withstand the wrath of my Cui clan!"

Having said that, he strode forward, yanking down the white silk curtain, and squeezed out a few words through clenched teeth.

"Four hundred thousand strings!"

Chen Yan was overjoyed.

This number far exceeded his expectations, so he immediately continued.

"Oh dear, Lord Cui's official prestige is indeed formidable—it scared me to death!"

"Is it still timely for me to apologize to Lord Cui now?"

He raised an eyebrow, lazily drawling, "But Lord Cui, wanting to take away this glazed black tortoise today won't be so easy."

"Four hundred fifty thousand strings!"

As his words fell, the expressions of many wealthy merchants, nobles, and aristocratic families present turned solemn.

Just who is this person, and why does he dare to provoke Cui Minggan again and again?

Could it be that he truly isn't afraid of the Cui clan?

Moreover, four hundred fifty thousand strings isn't something an ordinary person can produce.

During last year's drought, when the court dispatched relief, that amount was roughly the same.

Of course, that figure doesn't even include grain.

"......"

After Chen Yan quoted the price, the angry Cui Minggan calmed slightly.

It wasn't because he had recovered his spirit, but because the figure of 450,000 strings had already exceeded his budget, bringing him great pressure.

This was almost ninety percent of the Cui family's money in Chang'an City.

If they kept raising the bid, not to say they might not secure it, but even if they truly secured it, the Cui family would have to tighten their waist belts for a while in Chang'an City.

Cui Minggan clutched the window edge tightly, his fingers turning white.

Below, You Lan had already called the second time and was about to call the third.

In the end, Cui Minggan decided to try one last time.

If it didn't work…

A hint of murderous intent flashed in his eyes.

"460,000 strings!"

"Oh dear." Chen Yan's voice immediately came back, "Lord Cui's strength is indeed formidable; I am humbled."

"I'll give you this Glazed Black Tortoise."

Cui Minggan suddenly widened his eyes, as if he had figured something out, a surge of anger lodged in his chest, neither here nor there.

You...... you......

He trembled, pointing at the room where Chen Yan was, spitting out a mouthful of old blood.

Chen Yan sincerely said, "Lord Cui, congratulations, you finally got your wish."

"I believe that with this Glazed Black Tortoise, your Cui family will surely rise to a higher level."

The many guests present, hearing this, could not possibly not understand.

The person in Room No. 1 never intended to fight for the Glazed Black Tortoise; he simply wanted to provoke Cui Minggan.

To make the other side spend more money.

Clearly, the other's goal was achieved.

Compared to before, Cui Minggan spent an extra 160,000 strings to obtain this Glazed Black Tortoise.

"Sss~"

How ruthless!

This was everyone's shared thought.

No wonder this person isn't afraid to offend Cui Minggan, to offend the Cui family.

By this method, this person likely holds a mortal enmity with Cui Minggan or the Cui family.

If they were Cui Minggan, they'd probably be furious to death.

"......"

In Room No. 1, Chen Yan was grinning at Li Shimin, "His Majesty, look, I've earned you an extra 160,000 strings."

Li Shimin felt a bad premonition but said calmly, "Hmm, Zi An did a great job."

"I am very satisfied."

Chen Yan: "Since His Majesty is satisfied, I have a small request… not too much, right?"

"......"