After the Black Moonlight’s "Death Escape" Failed [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 18

Chapter 18: The Wolf and the Whip-Wielder

◎ Fifteen people aren’t enough to satisfy her anymore? ◎

Jiao Qingyin was led to another room. The decor here wasn’t as extravagant as the original owner’s private suite, but it leaned more toward Jiao Qingyin’s personal tastes.

After seating herself casually in the seat of honor, Jiao Qingyin looked up to see a crowd of people following behind Liz, hovering timidly at the doorway, looking as if they wanted to enter but were too afraid to do so.

Their blonde hair shimmered brightly; their identities were self-evident.

Liz bowed to Jiao Qingyin and asked, “Your Highness, do you wish to keep these people?”

Jiao Qingyin did a quick tally: two slaves sent over by Loddin before she entered, eight attendants assigned after she arrived in the room, and four dancers brought in by Loddin in a panic after news of her fury leaked out…

No wonder there’s a traffic jam in the hallway… Jiao Qingyin felt a headache coming on. She spoke up: “Keep them all. I’ll take them back to the castle later… and keep the one who led the way, too.”

Liz: “…”

Even after serving Jiao Qingyin for years, Liz felt a jolt of shock at this moment.

Fifteen people at once… Her Highness’s body… can she really handle that?

Jiao Qingyin had no idea her physical stamina was being questioned. She had simply considered that these people had witnessed Loddin’s humiliating moment today; if they stayed at the auction house, he would undoubtedly take his revenge on them. That was why she wanted to take them away.

In the future plot, Loddin—as the auction house manager—still needed to make an appearance, so she couldn’t get rid of him yet. Her only option was to bring these innocent people back to the castle first.

No one else knew Jiao Qingyin’s true thoughts. When they heard her say she would keep everyone, they all showed varying degrees of lost composure. However, the one with the strongest reaction was Nameless, who had been leisurely wagging her tail just moments ago.

—Fifteen people?!

She actually dared to say that!!

Nameless stopped wagging her tail. Her ears stopped twitching. Jiao Qingyin’s words reminded her of something she had previously ignored—or perhaps intentionally overlooked. For example: just how many people had occupied that woman’s bed!

Recalling that she herself had woken up next to the woman’s pillow early this morning, Nameless felt her fur stand on end.

Thus, when Jiao Qingyin looked down, she found herself holding a “marshmallow” that was significantly more puffed up than usual. She frowned instinctively, glanced around to see that no one dared meet her eyes, and then whispered to the little wolf cub:

“Al, what’s wrong?”

Jiao Qingyin’s concerned gaze was like a bucket of ice water poured over Nameless’s head, instantly cooling her down. Thinking carefully, she had been sleeping in Jiao Qingyin’s room lately and had occupied most of the woman’s daytime hours, yet she had never seen her have intimate contact with anyone. If she had to name the closest person, it would be…

Nameless remembered a morning when the maid named Floda was helping Jiao Qingyin dress; as they changed, the two had ended up in an embrace.

“…” For reasons she couldn’t explain, Nameless felt angry again. She couldn’t understand herself right now, so she simply buried her head in her fur, hiding away.

Jiao Qingyin wanted to check on the cub further, but the auction began at that moment.

Loddin was the manager of this branch of the Iris Auction House, but his primary role was sourcing “goods” and overall coordination. His temporary absence did not hinder the auction’s progress.

The curtains rose, and the host began with the usual introduction of the Iris Auction House. He emphasized how much the nobility favored and protected Iris. Initially, Jiao Qingyin thought it sounded normal, but she didn’t expect the host to suddenly announce with high-spirited energy at the end:

“Today is Harvest Day, and our esteemed Prince has graced us with her presence! Her Highness has always been close to the people and, as usual, wishes to say hello to everyone—”

Jiao Qingyin froze, remembering that the original owner indeed loved this kind of thing. She thrived on being the center of attention and being worshipped. Iris played into this trait, always setting aside time before the start for the original owner to show off her prestige.

However, this time, the entire audience waited in silence for a long while. Hands prepared for applause grew numb, but the Princess did not emerge from her room.

The Princess in question had her feet propped up on a low stool, watching the “silent play” through a magical projection device, with absolutely no intention of participating.

After two more minutes, seeing the atmosphere stagnate, the host hurriedly tried to smooth things over. “It seems Her Highness is… busy…”

He intentionally drew out the words with an ambiguous, suggestive tone. Led by his hint, the audience members all thought of the same thing and burst into knowing, slightly envious laughter.

Jiao Qingyin: “…” Admittedly, that is a guess that perfectly fits the original owner’s character.

Wiping away sweat, the host skipped the topic and signaled for the first auction item to be brought onto the stage.

As a brilliant, sparkling gemstone appeared, it drew small gasps of awe. Jiao Qingyin looked over, only to be caught off guard again as the golden light blinded her eyes. Well, it didn’t take a genius to know this item was prepared specifically for the original owner.

Not only did Jiao Qingyin think so, but most participants knew the Princess’s tastes. Seeing this gemstone as the first item—and seeing it was… excessively bright—everyone understood this was not the time for them to bid.

Consequently, aside from a few “atmosphere-building” shills who raised their paddles, everyone else waited quietly for Jiao Qingyin to buy it. Jiao Qingyin looked away in disdain, having zero interest in a gemstone that looked like a lump of gold.

Thus, after three strikes of the gavel, “Atmosphere Shill Number One” ended up winning a priceless gemstone at an incredibly low price. She remained in a dazed state even after the stone was marked with her number. Was this a test from the Princess? Should I send the gem to her as soon as the auction ends? Or is there some other hidden message… am I about to be unlucky, or have I found a chance to climb the social ladder?!

Harvest Day auctions were supposed to be the most grand, but after two consecutive “accidents,” the atmosphere became quite strange. People became very polite in their bidding; hearing two rivals amiably negotiate to split a batch of raw ore, the host felt as if he were dreaming.

Jiao Qingyin hadn’t seen anything that interested her. Plus, since she couldn’t pet the dog too brazenly, she began to feel drowsy after a while.

However, it wasn’t as if she bought nothing—

Every slave that appeared on the stage—regardless of race, gender, or age—was purchased by Jiao Qingyin. Every time she raised her paddle, she would bid triple the current highest price. No one could compete with her; they could only stare blankly as she bought slave after slave.

Anyway, it’s not my money, Jiao Qingyin thought leisurely. She wasn’t worried about Iris making a profit; according to the protagonist’s character, this place would soon be leveled by her when she came back for revenge. These funds could just be considered an early “investment” in the protagonist.

A certain wolf cub, unaware she was being “invested” in: “…”

She watched as Jiao Qingyin nonchalantly bought another slave. As her eyes caught the pale golden hair of the person on stage, the anger she had just barely suppressed flared up again.

—Are fifteen people really not enough to satisfy her anymore?!