wife of Zongjia's main branch were still dressed cleanly and neatly even in a year of hardship. Although their clothes weren't particularly good quality, it was clear that their lives hadn't reached..."Stop laughing, you look so good when you laugh, I'm afraid after the auction ends there will be little fairies coming up to fawn over you and tempt you."

The smile on Zongyu's face immediately froze, and a visible trace of panic appeared between his brows.

He was just about to explain when Fang Jinshu burst into laughter.

"Fool, can't you tell I'm joking"

"However, I sort of understand AYu's feelings. You're so handsome and talented. If other women found out how great you are, I would be jealous."

Faced with his daughter-in-law's half-coquettish and soft vinegar declaration, Zong Yu's heart softened.

"No, in this world, only you think I am good."

A strange feeling flickered across Zong Yu's mind.

All he could think about were the villagers' evasive glances and fearful stares from when he was a child to now.

He scoffed at himself inwardly. Besides Jinxiu, who would find him, a hunter with such a sinister air and bloodstains, from a lowly background, appealing

Fu Ming waited in the room, left and right, watching as a pot of freshly brewed tea was almost finished by him, but he still did not see Fang Jinshu and his wife return.

He muttered in confusion, "Did I just disappear into the toilet"

"You won't fall into the pit, will you!"

A scene of Fang Jinshu falling into a pit of excrement immediately flashed in his mind, so appalling that it made him feel nauseous.

Fu Ming covered his mouth with one hand and stood up jokingly.

"Shen Li, let's go to the latrine and rescue someone!"

Fang Jinshi pushed the door open and stormed in, without a good word, she slapped Fu Ming on the head.

"What is Young Master Fu going to fish for in the latrine"

Fu Ming carefully took two steps back, covering his nose with his sleeve.

"Are you, are you alright"

Fang Jinshi really wanted to keep a blank face and ignore this sometimes-looking-like-his-head-was-squished-by-a-door kind of, probably-a-royal-heir young master.

But, she really couldn't ignore the disdain in Fu Ming's eyes, which he tried to conceal but couldn't.

A cold smile played at the corner of her lips, a testament to how well she'd maintained her composure.

"In the future, whenever Young Master Fu goes to the toilet, I will definitely hire a few more people to guard you both in front and behind, to prevent you from falling in, and we'll have to fish you out."

Fu Ming gave an awkward smile and immediately put his sleeves down, sitting properly again.

"Sister Jinxiu, you misunderstood. I'm worried about your health. It's not good to stay in the bathroom for too long."

Fang Jinxiu suppressed the urge to curse and abruptly steered the conversation back to the auction.

"Where are we in the auction now"

Fu immediately said, "The last one was a token of commitment from the assassin organization."

"I heard that getting this token allows you to order this assassin organization to kill someone for free, and quite a few people were bidding on it. In the end, it was sold for nearly 20,000 taels."

Fang Jinxiu wore an expression of disinterest.

"Anything and everything seems to be up for auction these days."

"What's next"

Fu Ming paused, watching Fang Jinshu suddenly smile with a profound meaning.

"It's something you are particularly interested in."

Fan Jinshu picked her eyebrows.

Fu Ming, however, started playing coy. As the auction progressed to this point, it was in the middle of a break. The auction house staff had invited lively musical and theatrical performances to liven up the atmosphere on stage.

The auction house maids weaved between the various seating arrangements, carrying trays laden with an assortment of teas and refreshments.

"Aren't you going to tell me what's happening later Are you dangling this information in front of me just to keep me on edge"

Fu Ming's silence wasn't intended to tantalize Fang Jinshui. He was simply too astonished to speak.

The auction in Muzhou City, although organized by a private, self-governing group, did a good job of keeping the items to be auctioned secret before the event began.

Both his and Wang Shu's uncles had difficulty obtaining the complete list of auction items.

How did Fong Kam-siu know that someone at this auction was bidding on large quantities of food

Fu Ming had also considered that this might be a coincidence, but after carefully recalling Fang Jinxiu's every move and behavior since she came to Muchouzhou, he overturned the idea of a coincidence.

She came to Muchu specifically for the grain reserves of Muchu. When he invited her to the auction, she didn't hesitate at all.

She had even done a lot of preparation beforehand, and she had sent over the auction items without him knowing.

The more Fu Mingyue thought about it, the more terrifying it became. It was horrifying that a woman could have such intricate thoughts and plans.

"I want to ask you a question."

"What" Fu Ming's expression was too serious now, making Fang Jinshu feel a little uncomfortable.

"How did you know that there would be a large amount of food being auctioned off at this auction"

Fang Jinxiu was shocked beyond measure.

There was only one sentence in my mind.

What kind of unbelievable bad luck hit hertely won't mistreat you. If you don't want to leave, stay as a concubine or something, Hu Yaotou would agree to that too.""After all, she's not as jealous and petty as you."Hu Ai-lan's expression falt...