Chapter 230: You Are Prince Kang, Right?

Chapter 230: You Are Prince Kang, Right?

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

With several beats of the drum, the surroundings fell deathly silent.

Ruo Xi Baby gazed at the throng of people, nervously smacking her lips. Her small hand fidgeted, a little worried.

She knew her royal father must have been drawn into the crowd as well.

But who had arranged this?

Old man Jing En wasn't around. If he were, she could have asked him to prepare more talismans and hand one out to everyone present. That way, their true forms would be revealed.

"Chirp! Chirp!"

The little ginseng poked its head out from the small pocket of Ruo Xi Baby’s clothes, whispering into Xiao Xi'er’s ear.

Ruo Xi Baby understood. Although the little ginseng couldn’t speak human language, its mental strength allowed it to communicate with the baby.

"Little Master, I can help. I’ll call upon the aquatic plants to assist us. Those plants are of the plant-type. If anyone causes trouble, I’ll have them deal with it!"

"Yes, make sure the plants are ready to handle both the troublemakers and rescue anyone who falls into the lake. If the townsfolk are thrown into the water, remember to have the plants form a net and save them!"

The conversation between Ruo Xi Baby and the little ginseng went unheard by Ci Xin. He was intently watching the pearl on the floating pavilion.

Xiaoyue twirled a teacup in her hand.

"Ci Xin, I want to go and take that pearl. You handle the aftermath," Xiaoyue said.

"Heh, from childhood until now, I’ve always helped you clean up the mess. This time, how about you help me with the aftermath?" Ci Xin replied.

"I’ll help you with the aftermath? How so? Are you planning to rob that pearl? Don’t you fear they’ll accuse you of plotting to usurp the throne when you return to the Southern Mingyue Kingdom?" Xiaoyue put down her teacup and smiled.

"Usurp the throne? There’s no harm in doing such a thing. I’ve even done it with the emperor!" Ci Xin looked into the crowd, then smacked his lips. "Look at your royal brother over there. Even if he tries to hide it, his imperial presence is unmistakable!"

Ruo Xi Baby also spotted her uncle in the crowd. She saw the guards around him, as well as assassins with dark auras and some strange individuals approaching her uncle.

However, with Eunuch Gao and Baiyu present, and seeing that Bian Xiuwen was also quite capable, Ruo Xi Baby wasn’t worried.

Iron Devourer perched on Xiaoyue’s shoulder, drooling while eyeing the pearl.

Iron Devourer was Ruo Xi Baby’s pet, but the baby was too young, and its shoulders were too small to support it. Besides, it feared becoming too heavy from overeating and being disliked by the baby.

So, under normal circumstances, it would stand on the shoulders of Xiaoyue and Ci Xin.

"Our Southern Mingyue Kingdom’s treasury has been strained lately, so this time we’ve come to the Great Wei to auction off our precious treasures," a man emerged from the floating pavilion, declaring. He had a face like a jade statue and a tall, graceful figure—truly a handsome man.

"Xier, you’re watching so intently. Who do you think is better-looking, him or me?" Ci Xin, holding Ruo Xi Baby, asked.

Ruo Xi Baby looked at Ci Xin. This enchanting man, with a look of resentment on his face, only added to his beauty.

"No one is as good-looking as you. You’re the best-looking, Little Heart!" Ruo Xi Baby, being an honest baby, spoke the truth.

Although the man was handsome, he couldn’t compare to the demon before her.

"Yes, that’s more like it." Ci Xin was pleased and looked back at the floating pavilion with a smile.

Meanwhile, on the pavilion, the man also looked over. His gaze swept across, finally landing elsewhere as he announced, "The Southern Mingyue Kingdom’s Purple Jade Pearl, starting bid: thirty million!"

"Too expensive! What's the point of buying something like that? We don't want it!"

"Exactly, it's only good for flaunting your wealth. Instead, why not bring some mermaid beauties from your Southern Mingyue Kingdom? That's something we'd actually like!"

"That's right! Even the dancing woman from earlier could be brought up for auction!"

Everyone was shouting, and even the ladies didn't seem interested in the massive pearl.

Thirty million bucks!

In the current situation, not many could afford to spend that much.

And even if someone dared to bid, they'd need the nerve to protect it afterward!

"Only someone as rich as Prince Ci Xin of the Southern Mingyue Kingdom could afford to buy such a pearl!"

"Oh, by the way, Prince Ci Xin is actually the Imperial Tutor of Great Wei now, so he's not really from the Southern Mingyue Kingdom anymore!"

"Haven't you heard? The Southern Mingyue Kingdom is in trouble and facing disaster. That's why they've reached the point of auctioning off their national treasure. Yet, this prince hasn't lifted a finger to help!"

「……」Princess Royal of Great Wei turned to look at Ci Xin, understanding dawning on her. "So, they're trying to force you to hand over the keys to the Southern Mingyue Kingdom's treasury!"

"Fat chance!" Ci Xin chuckled softly.

Princess Royal of Great Wei also thought they were being too optimistic. Ci Xin earned, swindled, or extorted all his money.

It wasn't given to him by the Southern Mingyue Kingdom. Even if the whole world knew he was rich, it was his own wealth.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I did bring a few mermaid women with me," the man said with a smile, clapping his hands. "But they're not worth much! Come now, a thousand gold pieces each!"

"Wait!"

At that moment, Princess Royal of Great Wei saw her mother stand up.

"This lady..." The man on the boat looked toward the shore and saw a woman of unparalleled beauty—someone who would leave a lasting impression on anyone who saw her.

Moreover, both Xiao Yue and this woman had met before.

"You are... Prince Kang?" Xiao Yue asked.

"Someone snickered."

"Ha ha ha ha, jerk!" someone laughed loudly.

"Princess Royal of Great Wei, you're a princess of a nation after all. How can you humiliate me so publicly?" The Southern Mingyue Kingdom's Prince Kang glared angrily at Xiao Yue, his fists clenched. "Hmph, my Southern Mingyue Kingdom values propriety, unlike your Great Wei..."

"What about Great Wei?" Ci Xin finally stood up, handing Little Xi'er to Xiao Yue.

"Hmph, just look at this! Aren't they a perfect match?" Prince Kang sneered coldly. "My Southern Mingyue Kingdom is in dire straits, suffering from storms and the people's hardships, yet here you are, flirting and romancing. This child is supposedly the child of Great Wei's general, but looking at her, she resembles you quite a bit!"

Princess Royal of Great Wei looked at the enchanting man and then at her small hands, which were starting to itch a little.

"A sharp rebuke rang out, and in the next moment, Ci Xin's figure flickered and he appeared on the boat."