Deadly Trap

Chapter 112 New Book Preview: "The Three Realms of the Imperial State" (Part 1)
The Three Layers of the Imperial State

[Cold-blooded capitalist tyrant × Sober, suave architect | A powerful couple who dote on each other]

"Mrs. Gu, you've risen to power through your bed, haven't you?" The socialites raised their glasses with smiles.

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Although first love is unforgettable, this chance encounter with his first love, Gan Yu, thirteen years later seemed to have no effect on Gu Mufeng. Su Li, on the other hand, instantly forgot all the feelings she had had that afternoon.

They had another mission that evening: the New York night was as smooth as an oil painting, and Su Li stepped out of the car and onto the red carpet, like a goddess stepping out of a painting and ruling over spring.

With the Gu family's wealth backing her, her long white silk dress trailed softly on the ground, the Suzhou-embroidered sky-blue veil accentuating her figure, and her emerald hair crown making her pale chestnut hair and beautiful face shine brilliantly. As he led her out of the carriage, Gu Mufeng became even more certain that he had absolutely not married the wrong person.

Hand in hand, their high heels clicking against the floor tiles of Sotheby's New York headquarters lobby, Su Li suddenly realized that this was her first time entering New York's social scene. She had been married to Gu Mufeng for two years, yet this fact had never crossed her mind, even before work and certification exams.

"who is she?"

Before they could even exchange pleasantries, Su Li overheard people talking. The frontrunners in the New York City mayoral race were already extending warm hands to them.

"Mr. Gu, Madam. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Behind Su Li: "This is the wife of that multinational tycoon. The wedding ring..."

On her fingers, Su Li always made a habit of wearing her jade wedding ring and emerald engagement ring together on formal occasions, so they could both sparkle. Gu Mufeng, who was beside her, nodded slightly, seemingly not listening, but the sharp edge of his phoenix eyes beneath Jiao Jin's hair was already half-pressed down.

Clearly, he has always been adept at both political rhetoric and social charm.

Clearly, he also heard the sarcastic remarks.

But Su Li's words didn't stop there: "He's so handsome, and he's married? The Gu family has never held a banquet. Is it because his wife got the position through sex and can't learn to be a hostess?"

The mayoral candidate's Indian wife was chatting warmly with Suri, asking her if she was comfortable after flying in from Chicago.

The woman sneered, "She probably doesn't. I heard that this rich woman works a job that pays her several thousand a month."

"Work?" came an uncontrollable explosion.

Su Li didn't even turn around. A slight smirk played on her lips; she found it rather amusing that someone kept a dog at Sotheby's. A barely perceptible ripple of emotion stirred within her, stirred by the comment, but it was quickly smoothed over by the calm in her eyes. The world was nothing to her.

But Gu Mufeng beside her had already taken half a step forward. As he listened to the councilor talk about the election, his cold, dark eyes narrowed dangerously. Su Li knew that look in his eyes all too well. She quickly tugged at Gu Mufeng's sleeve, beckoning him to submit.

Her warm breath gently brushed against his ear, and Su Li whispered, "My dear, my King Zhou."

"What? Mrs. Gu?"

The mayoral candidate's wife was clearly curious about the two whispering. The couple turned back as if nothing had happened; with Su Li holding his sleeve, Gu Mufeng gave a meaningful smile.

Finally, the conversation ended. Compared to the less culturally sophisticated scheming of Minzhou, New York's social circles are even more blatant and vulgar.

Su Lirou gently took Gu Mufeng's arm. At this moment, he finally returned to his brief silence, his veins clearly visible as he held a glass of ice water, coldly sipping it, as if plotting revenge against the rumors. It wasn't until wealthy businessmen, major investors, critics, and even great artists took turns approaching him, vying for a glimpse of Mrs. Gu, that his train of thought was interrupted.

Invitations to dinners and afternoon teas poured in, and as Su Li browsed, the auction quietly began. When Su Li noticed, they were still standing at the bar. The other guests were leisurely clinking glasses.

Su Li subtly raised an eyebrow: "Isn't it going to let me experience the thrill of holding up a sign since it's my first time here?"

After quietly admiring Su Li for who knows how long, Gu Mufeng finally answered softly, "One job isn't enough for you, you have to steal other people's jobs?"

"Huh?" Su Li didn't understand.

"Bidding is a respectable profession," Gu Mufeng said casually, pointing to the suited men raising their paddles below. "The old man's desired items are communicated to the group in advance, and there are dedicated personnel in charge. I'm just here to supervise the final process. Most major auctioneers do the same." This was far from the exhilarating bidding and extravagant spending that Su Li had imagined. She rested her chin on her hand, casually playing with the pearls on her chest; "boredom" and "why did they make me come here tonight?" were clearly written on her face.

Seeing the slight panic in Leng Mou's eyes, Gu Mufeng quickly coaxed, "If you want to experience it, we can come back next time to buy a bowl and plate separately. Anyway, there are so many bids, it's like buying groceries. Is that okay?"

Su Li slightly raised her peach blossom eyes, testing the sincerity of the handsome face in front of her that was both close and calm.

But then came the cacophony around me. Like a stone thrown into still water, it created ripples all around.

"We are very sorry, but tonight's special item has been withdrawn from the auction. An anonymous buyer has just made an indisputable offer and purchased it. We apologize for the inconvenience."

The room buzzed with discussion. Professional bidders and VIPs alike scrutinized the catalogues with serious expressions, exchanging opinions and speculations in hushed tones. Every now and then, whispers of international politics and intrigue would escape their lips.

"Special auction item?" Su Li gently asked Gu Mufeng beside her.

Gu Mufeng's eyes narrowed slightly. His innate, exceptional visual memory allowed him to recall the picture book and Gu Zhipei's list instantly. A sharp glint flashed in his phoenix eyes, and he pressed his hand to his lips. Clearly, while browsing through the mental library, he had already keenly sensed something was amiss.

"What happened?" Su Li asked, observing everyone's expressions. "Why is everyone so serious?"

“It’s nothing.” Gu Mufeng’s expression turned indifferent in an instant. “It’s very rare. An ‘undisputed bid’ means that the auction house will only relent if the bid is at least that much higher than the highest estimate.”

Under the table, he hastily gestured a number, startling the well-informed Su Li. None of the items up for auction tonight were worth less than a million US dollars.

"Moreover," Gu Mufeng's gaze sharpened, and a long-lost, almost pre-battle-ready, excited smile slowly spread across his lips:

"A telephone auction, and this person is not only anonymous but also a seasoned veteran—quite unusual. Doesn't it make one very curious about what special item it is?"

Before the post-auction reception began, Gu Mufeng unusually disappeared for a short period. Knowing he was going to negotiate with Gu Zhipei, which would likely cause trouble, Su Li didn't participate. However, when Gu Mufeng returned, his expression was far from "satisfied."

"What?" Amidst the clinking of glasses at the party, Su Li leaned forward and asked. The natural advantage of her bilingualism was on full display at this moment: "What did Grandpa say?"

Gu Mufeng sneered: "He said the telephone auction has nothing to do with him. He told me to stop worrying about it."

Almost cold-blooded, he snorted. Turning around, deliberately avoiding the champagne offered by the waiter, Gu Mufeng picked up the red wine glass that Su Li preferred and handed it to her.

The party officially began. The annual social season had arrived, a gathering of New York's elite.

"A giant like Millennium Power was listed on the NYSE thirty years ago. If it weren't for the current political situation..."

"But ultimately it's foreign capital, which is incompatible with local old money, right?"

Despite the constant chatter around him, these people insisted on striking up a conversation with him. Gu Mufeng remained completely unfazed.

Whether high-class or low-class, he only follows his own path; new money or old money, none can compare to his own methods. He still firmly grasps the trends of Wall Street, just as he still habitually taps the pulse of others with the calluses of his gun when shaking hands.

But while elegantly holding her wine glass, Su Li was extremely displeased.

Countless times tonight, the title "Mr. Gu" was always followed by "Mrs. Gu." Every time she heard it, she forced herself to roll her eyes, feeling unbearably annoyed.

In Minzhou, wives do not take their husbands' surnames. Which one of you here is "Mrs. Gu"? I've never heard of her.
Marriage. She, Su Li, isn't just an accessory to the Gu family and Gu Mufeng.

Su Li took a deep breath, suppressing the displeasure in her eyes, but finally couldn't help but pull Gu Mufeng, who was expressionless and listening to someone talking about cryptocurrency, over: "Come with me to the art gallery."

This chapter is a preview of the new book. The official content may be modified and changed. Please refer to the final release for the final version.