"Yo, yo, yo! Isn't this… Prince Xue Xing?"
"What a display of power!"
At that moment, a voice filled with flippancy, disdain, and mockery suddenly rang out.
"Who is it?! Step out!"
Xue Xing's expression changed abruptly, anger surging as he was openly mocked.
He was a Prince of the nation—how could he tolerate such humiliation?
"The lovely little kitten naturally belongs to whoever has the most wealth. Old Prince Xue Xing, you really are quite impressive!"
Bai Mu stood up with a smile and waved casually toward Prince Xue Xing.
"Bai Mu!?"
Prince Xue Xing's pupils shrank. The arrogance on his face froze instantly, replaced by unease.
He had never expected that the one competing with him would be Bai Mu.
Setting aside strength, background alone was enough to make him wary. At present, this man was Ning Fengzhi's favored candidate, the most ideal son-in-law in his eyes.
"Yes, it's me."
Bai Mu leaned lazily against the back of his chair.
"In an auction house, money decides everything. Your Highness, wouldn't you agree?"
He paused, his tone turning solemn.
"I've always respected you as a senior—and as the Vice Dean of the academy. But today, your outburst over a mere slave truly chills my heart."
"Prince, every word and action of yours represents the dignity of the Empire."
"To openly bid like this is one thing. But trying to use influence to suppress others because you're unwilling to pay more—that damages the royal reputation."
"With such reckless behavior, how will the public view the Heaven Dou Royal Academy? His Majesty? The Heaven Dou Empire itself?"
"You—stop spouting nonsense!"
Prince Xue Xing roared, fists clenched.
His knuckles turned white as rage twisted his expression. Bai Mu's words were stripping him of all dignity in public.
Yet he could do nothing.
Ning Fengzhi's regard for Bai Mu was no secret. There were even rumors that Ning Fengzhi had once personally approached Emperor Xue Ye about arranging a royal marriage—an idea outrageous enough to demonstrate Bai Mu's standing.
"Reasons?"
Bai Mu looked genuinely puzzled.
"Surely, Your Highness wouldn't act so rashly over something so trivial. Unless…"
He lowered his voice slightly.
"Someone is forcing you from behind the scenes?"
"Rest assured, Prince. With the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School here, no external force—Spirit Hall or Star Luo—would dare harm you."
"Just say the word. I'll protect you."
Prince Xue Xing's face darkened.
"Are you implying I've been bought off by an enemy state?"
"How could that be?" Bai Mu replied calmly.
"I simply refuse to believe a Prince would disgrace the royal family without cause."
Prince Xue Xing's face flushed, but in the end, he could only swallow the humiliation. Unable to compete financially and unwilling to provoke Bai Mu further, he turned and left in fury.
Whispers immediately spread throughout the auction hall.
"Who is that young man?"
"You don't know him? That's Bai Mu!"
"The Vice Dean of Order Academy?"
"And he's sitting next to the Crown Prince!"
Shock and awe filled countless gazes.
Bai Mu ignored the murmurs, casting a cold glance in the direction Prince Xue Xing had departed before calmly sitting back down.
He casually raised the bid by another five hundred thousand.
"Two million! This esteemed guest bids two million!" the host shouted, reigniting the atmosphere.
No one else dared compete.
"Two million—sold!"
The auction concluded amid thunderous excitement.
Bai Mu, however, merely turned his head toward Qian Renxue.
"Brother Xue'er," he said lightly, "you're not getting any younger. Have you considered ascending the throne sooner?"
Qian Renxue's body stiffened.
"What do you mean by that?"
She had planned for this moment for years, yet she also knew such matters could not be rushed.
"Do you have an idea?" she asked quietly.
"No concrete plan," Bai Mu replied with a faint smile.
"I only heard that a certain dessert shop in Heaven Dou City sells a specialty called 'Yearning.' Perhaps it would be worth serving at the next court banquet."
Qian Renxue frowned. "And this helps my ascension… how?"
"You'll understand when the time comes."
Bai Mu's tone was calm, his meaning left deliberately unspoken.
"When conditions are right, obstacles will naturally resolve themselves."
Qian Renxue studied him carefully. She knew full well that Bai Mu never acted without purpose.
"This isn't free help," she said slowly.
Bai Mu smiled. "Naturally. Everything has a price."
Silence fell between them.
After a long moment, Qian Renxue exhaled softly.
"I need time to consider."
To seize Heaven Dou, she had endured far too long already. If there truly was a path that could hasten the process, she could not afford to ignore it.
For the sake of the grand plan…
She was prepared to make sacrifices.
Everything was for the grand plan.