Chapter 93: Grapes

Yun Mu sat upright in the seat of Room One.

There were no more questions about this and that, only his mouth constantly chewing and chewing.

Ever since just now, whenever he wanted to ask Yinger something, Tu Shan Huaizhi would, at the very moment he opened his mouth, pop a peeled grape into it.

The young man, who had been taught since childhood not to speak while eating, would always obediently swallow back the words on the tip of his tongue and focus wholeheartedly on the task in his mouth.

Honestly speaking, he had never eaten grapes this sweet before.

He still remembered that when he was little, his father would occasionally bring home some grapes grown by other villagers.

But honestly, those didn’t taste very good, mostly the sour kind.

He also remembered that back then, in his naive way, he once complained, saying something like, “Grapes aren’t really that tasty.”

Because of that one sentence, his father’s competitive spirit was mysteriously ignited.

Shouting about how “he must let his son eat delicious grapes and not let the name of grapes be sullied,” he deliberately borrowed a grapevine from someone else, cut some bamboo to make a trellis, and planted it in the yard.

Unfortunately, before the peaches and grapes could grow, everything was buried under the sigh of Shijiaye’s heavy snow.

Later, after coming to the Shangguan Family, Lin Xizhi would often prepare some grapes for him as a reward after afternoon training.

Shangguan Qiu Yue would also eat fruit with him from time to time, and among them, the grapes were considered very, very sweet.

The occasional sour one became just a harmless little flaw.

So, as he ate, a new question arose in his heart—why were these grapes all so sweet?

Was there some special cultivation method for picking grapes?

Or was there some secret technique in growing them?

He didn’t know.

When Huaizhi was free, he’d ask Yinger about it.

Something this delicious—if he could learn how to grow it, he could let Shiyi Master and the Empress try some too.

Maybe, just maybe, even Master could get a taste…

So, he planned to ask.

Lost in his thoughts, Yun Mu subconsciously opened his mouth to receive another grape, only to comically bite into thin air.

Not understanding why, he heard a girl’s voice filled with genuine amazement.

“This dress… it’s so beautiful…”

Suddenly, the space around him seemed to freeze.

Then, as if deliberately arranged, the moment he extended his senses outside the window, a few powerful voices rang in his ears.

“Welcome, everyone, to Wanbao Pavilion for our annual Auction. I am Ripple, Pavilion Master of this Wanbao Pavilion.”

Beneath the pavilions, atop the high platform, Ripple had already changed out of her previous qipao and into a flowing immortal gown with wide sleeves, the main color being frost white.

The skirt swayed lightly as she moved, like willow catkins drifting gently on the river breeze.

If one listened closely, they could hear the silver bells at her waist jingling softly with each step, accompanied by the faint sound of a plain silver hairpin swaying gently in her hair.

If Yun Mu could actually see this scene, he’d probably praise the beauty of the dress without thinking, saying something like—

“The dress is like swirling clouds, white as the first snow’s frost.”

Unfortunately, he could only sense the outline, unable to see the details.

“Ripple knows that before the opening, some old friends may find my words a bit tedious, but not every time are we only among old friends. As long as there are new guests, before the first treasure is brought to the stage, I must emphasize it once again.”

“In Wanbao Pavilion, one must abide by Wanbao Pavilion’s rules. If you join the Auction, you must understand its laws. Don’t let personal impulse ruin everyone’s joy—otherwise, bear the consequences yourself.”

After her words, the space fell silent for a moment.

Then came the sound of two crisp claps, followed by a thunderous round of applause echoing throughout the building.

Even Yun Mu and Tu Shan Huaizhi were affected by the atmosphere, belatedly joining in the applause.

“Well, since you all have responded to Ripple’s words, then next…”

Her voice instantly dropped, and the roaring applause ceased at once.

The inner hall fell into silence, and the brightly lit hall was plunged into darkness.

Only a small circle of light from the Sea Crystal Lamp illuminated the center of the auction stage.

To Ripple’s left, on a wooden platform pushed in at some unknown time, a rusted Broken Sword lay quietly.

Though it was covered by a shield made of Xuanyi, which could block any aura, a faint, savage bloodlust like that of an ancient beast still seeped from the sword.

“This Broken Sword was entrusted to Wanbao Pavilion by a Guest for auction. She didn’t explain much, just reminded after appraisal that this is a sword of slaughter—not something ordinary people can handle. It should only be sold to someone fated.”

“The starting bid is just 1 Upper-grade Spirit Stone, with each bid to be raised by no less than 1 Lower-grade Spirit Stone.”

At these words, the whole audience was in an uproar, and the auction calls rang out continuously.

But most were just joking and teasing.

“Room Forty-Two, one Upper-grade Spirit Stone. Isn’t this the lowest starting bid? When did Wanbao Pavilion start auctioning off such shabby stuff? Interesting, I’ll buy it and see what it is.”

“Room Thirty-Five, one Upper-grade Spirit Stone plus one Lower-grade Spirit Stone. Although it seems pretty powerful, Broken Swords always tend to be problematic. I’ll reluctantly buy it and throw it into my Waste Storage Warehouse.”

“Oh? Then I’ll add another Lower-grade Spirit Stone! It’s an auction after all, it wouldn’t be any fun without raising the price.”

“I’ll throw in a Lower-grade Spirit Stone too, just for fun!”

“Same here…”

Just like that, whether it was all in jest or something else, everyone seemed to have agreed in advance.

Each time, the price was raised by one Lower-grade Spirit Stone, and even after more than thirty increases, it still didn’t stop.

For a while, Yun Mu and Tu Shan Huaizhi were both left rather bewildered.

Honestly, this was a little different from the Auction they had imagined.

“Um, Yun Mu-ge, why does this Auction feel a bit too dull to me? Shouldn’t everyone be fighting fiercely to outbid each other?”

“I’m not sure. Maybe no one else thinks much of this Broken Sword? Although you can sense the murderous intent coming from the blade, just listening to the introduction… it all feels a bit, uh… contrived?”

At his words, the young girl glanced over at the not-so-impressive-looking Broken Sword, frowning, and finally looked over at Yinger, who had been waiting by her side, and cleared her throat.

“Well, um, Miss Yinger, please don’t mind what I just said, b-but, could you please explain a little?”

“Of course.”

Without any unnecessary words, she began to explain:

“Since this is the first time you two have attended Wanbao Pavilion’s Auction, you might not know, but what’s happening now is our tradition—the Appetizer.”

“Appetizer? Does that mean these things aren’t actually good stuff?”