Starting with choosing a wife, creating the most powerful Xia

After this minor commotion, the auction proceeded quite smoothly.

The popularity of the perfume far exceeded Cheng Han and others' expectations.

It's hard to imagine that a bottle of perfume that looks about the size of a fist could be fought over by countless noble families and literary figures.

At the height of the excitement, the two self-proclaimed refined scholars almost came to blows in front of everyone. If it weren't for the people in the courtyard protecting them and stopping them in time, it would have become a huge laughing stock.

A total of six bottles of perfume were auctioned this time, with the highest price paid by a young lady from the Zhen family of Jiyang.

The Zhen family of Jiyang was not an official family, but they had been merchants for generations. Many princes and ministers had their financial support behind them, making them extremely wealthy and powerful.

So much so that Miss Zhen spent a whopping 6,800 taels of silver just for a bottle of perfume, simply to have some fun.

Although the remaining bottles were not as numerous, the total value of all of them sold was still over ten thousand taels of silver.

Such a violent method of accumulating wealth is unprecedented and unparalleled in the Great Xia Dynasty.

Of course, Chu Xuan was also the focus of this auction.

After the event ended, as soon as he stepped out of the small pavilion, he was surrounded by a large group of people who began to chat with him.

Many people from prominent families were also envious. If it weren't for A Leng accompanying him, those people from those powerful families would probably have been eager to promote their daughters to him, even if they couldn't bring themselves to marry them off as concubines.

Having finally managed to fool them, Chu Xuan was about to leave when he was suddenly stopped by a woman dressed in a pale yellow dress.

Although the woman wore a veil, her beautiful and graceful figure still drew attention.

Beyond the veil, a pair of captivating, alluring eyes were like poison; one glance was enough to make one unable to look away.

Chu Xuan recognized her; the most expensive bottle of perfume she sold was priced by the maidservant beside her.

Zhen Mi was the third daughter of the Zhen family in Jiyang.

Chu Xuan glanced at her discreetly. Zhen Mi was probably only fifteen or sixteen years old, but her figure was already extremely graceful. She looked like a delicate porcelain doll. So he teased her.

“Miss Zhen, if you think the perfume was too expensive, you should talk to Magistrate Cheng about it, but he probably won’t give you a refund.”

This made the little girl giggle.

"Young Master Chu is joking. A mere six thousand taels of silver is nothing to the Zhen family. Zhen Mi came here this time because she heard that Young Master Chu liked this item, so she came to see what kind of perfume could be favored by the Poet Immortal. However, she did not expect that Young Master Chu is not as rumored."

What are the rumors about me?

"Ethereal and serene, tranquil and far-reaching, unlike any other person in the world, yet unexpectedly, Young Master Chu is also a person who is good at joking and teasing people."

Zhen Mi blinked, seemingly trying to see clearly which one was the real Chu Xuan.

Upon hearing this, Chu Xuan simply smiled.

"That would be a mistake. Today I am who I am, but was yesterday not? The one who is laughing and joking is me, and the one who is drinking in silence can also be me."

After he finished speaking, the beautiful woman smiled sweetly again.

"Young master, you truly deserve to be called the world-renowned Poet Immortal. These words may seem puzzling at first glance, but upon closer examination, they are extremely profound, as if they contain some Zen-like wisdom. Could it be that you, young master, also believe in Buddhism?"

"Well..."

With nothing else to do at the moment, Chu Xuan was happy to chat with Zhen Mi.

Coincidentally.

The Zhen family's wealth is renowned throughout the Great Xia Dynasty, and there are almost no people who can surpass them in this respect.

Chu Xuan had also thought of this.

When he later started his rebellion, military strategists prioritized supplies, but Wumingshan was mountainous and unsuitable for farming, so he had to purchase supplies from outside.

Such a large quantity requires not only a large sum of money, but also a stable channel.

If Chu Xuan were to do it himself, there would be many difficulties, which is why he set his sights on the Zhen family.

The Zhen family has been cultivating the business world for many years, with a wide range of interests and immense wealth. If we can use Zhen Mi as a connection to get in touch with the head of the Zhen family and gain their support, the development speed of Wuming Mountain will leap to a new level.

After that, all the difficulties were easily resolved.

This is the key reason why Chu Xuan was willing to chat with Zhen Mi.

But Ah Leng probably didn't understand this. Seeing her husband chatting so happily with a strange woman, she was immediately filled with jealousy. She pouted and looked at Chu Xuan with a wronged expression.

Suddenly, she reached out and took his arm, staring wide-eyed at Zhen Mi, as if asserting her dominance.

Chu Xuan found her girlish temperament somewhat amusing, but he didn't stop her and let her do as she pleased.

After talking for a while, Zhen Mi noticed A Leng's actions and a slight smile appeared on her lips.

"I apologize, Zhen Mi has long admired Young Master Chu's talent, and upon meeting him, I have lost my composure and have not yet asked who this gentleman is..."

"this is mine……"

"I am the husband's wife."

Before Chu Xuan could answer, A Leng replied like a little animal guarding its food.

"So it's Madam Chu. I apologize for my rudeness."

Zhen Mi bowed slightly, then looked at Chu Xuan and said, "Young Master Chu is truly blessed to have married such a beautiful and talented woman. I wonder how many people would envy that."

"That's true."

Chu Xuan nodded slightly and smiled, taking Ah Leng's small hand in his hand and gently stroking it: "Indeed, you are blessed with good fortune."

"Heh... Zhen Mi came here specifically to see you, young master. Now that we've met, I'm already very satisfied. If I continue, I don't know how many people will be envious. So I'll take my leave now. If you have time in the future, young master, you'd be very happy to visit the Zhen family. I'm sure my father would be extremely welcoming."

"It just so happens that I was also planning to do that. In the future, I'll trouble you to introduce me to others and put in a good word for me with your father."

"That's natural."

After exchanging a few words, Chu Xuan took his leave with A Leng.

Zhen Mi was left standing there, watching the two figures gradually disappear into the crowd.

The maid beside him rolled her eyes and coughed lightly.

“Miss, the person has already gone far away. You’re standing here like a statue waiting for your husband. Aren’t you afraid people will laugh at you?”

Upon hearing this, Zhen Mi blushed under her veil and playfully patted her arm.

"What are you talking about?"

"To be honest, Miss, Young Master Chu is a very good person, but he is not suitable for you. Master will absolutely not agree to let a woman from the Zhen family become someone's concubine."

The maid spoke in a deep voice. She had grown up with Zhen Mi since childhood. Although she was nominally a maid, she was no different from a sister. Naturally, she could see through Zhen Mi's youngest daughter's thoughts at a glance.

But one can't help but feel pessimistic.

“We need to go back as soon as possible. You sneaked out this time, and who knows how angry the master will be when we get back.”

"Hmph, Father would never bear to punish me."

Zhen Mi gave a soft snort, then a smile appeared on her lips.

The Zhen family women do not become concubines, but that depends on the prospective husband. If one of the three most powerful men in the court were to ask, she doesn't believe her father would dare to refuse.

This girl seems to have a strange trust in Chu Xuan.

After taking a quick look from afar and confirming that Chu Xuan and his companion had already disappeared, she turned and left with her maid.

"What is love in this world that makes people willing to die for it? How could any man in this world write such words?"

"Young Master Chu, we will meet again soon."