Chapter 546: To the highest bidder!
轉碼失敗！請您使用右上換源切換源站閱讀或者直接前往源網站進行閱讀！The guards were not polite, and there was no need to save face for the royal family. One of them directly stated: "These people are from the royal family. They snuck over last night to cause trouble and were caught by us."
Everyone gasped and instantly, gossip spread like wildfire.
What did they do wrong Come on, tell us. We live nearby too, so it's good to be prepared.
"That's right, that's right! It's a sickle again, and scissors again. It looks pretty scary!"
A chorus of voices urged the guards on, who continued, “These people came in the middle of the night and wanted to jump into the courtyard to ruin all the beautiful flowers inside!”
"You know those famous flowers were supposed to be sold or traded for food, and sent to the relief agency to help the elderly, weak, sick and disabled. They almost ruined them!"
"Luckily, my brothers and I stayed up all night and caught them. The Wang family too, even if they dislike the Hundred Gardens, they can't take it out on the flowers!"
"What, are you going to destroy the prized flower How despicable! Who is it hindering when it's blooming!"
“That's right, the wall is covered with them. Everyone’s too reluctant to pluck even a single one.”
“Are we selling flowers at this hundred gardens to exchange for food to save people What benevolence! Those at the Relief Agency are truly saved! A few days ago, I passed by and saw children and the elderly inside crying their hearts out. It was pitiful…”
People pointed at the men in black, Wang Zechen couldn't stand it anymore. He didn't care about the several men in black and got into the carriage and left.
The men in black helped each other, scrambling and tumbling after him, soon disappearing without a trace.
"At this time, someone leisurely asked, "Big brother, since you caught them doing bad things, why don't you send them to the authorities"
The guard replied, "That man just now was a grand master from the royal family. He said these people were sent by the mad three masters, and he had no idea about it. Our lord didn't want to spoil the mood of those distinguished guests enjoying the flowers, so he let them go."
"Humph, everyone here has bright eyes and knows what's going on, don't they"
"Yes, yes!"
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Someone whispered, "The Wang family used to have some standing. How come they're acting more and more dishonorable They do bad things and refuse to admit it, even lacking the courage to face consequences. It's truly disgraceful!"
"Yeah, I used to think the Wang family was alright, but their reputation has really gone downhill these past two years!" The bystanders agreed.
"Which Wang family are you talking about What's going on" A newcomer, perhaps from out of town, asked curiously.
Then, everyone explained to him again about Wang Jiaqiang's incident of robbing a scholar to marry into the Li family. All in all, the feuds between the Wang and Li families were enough material for a play.
Let's not talk about what's happening outside the courtyard, because the guards' intervention has already sparked a public opinion war against the royal family.
Only when they got back to the main house and the west wing did Li Lao Tai, Tao Hongying, and Jia Yin learn about the danger the Hundred Garden had gone through last night. They were all scared after hearing about it.
Fortunately, Li Lao'er had prepared in advance. Otherwise, it wouldn't be a big deal to lose a few pots of flowers, but what if Li Lao'er and Mr. Wen were hurt
Li Laotai couldn't help but chide, "The second son is getting bolder and bolder. He didn't even tell the family about this!"
Tao Hongying advised, “Mother, Second Brother is a trusted guard of the Hou Mansion. You shouldn't be angry. After returning, just remind Second Brother to not take unnecessary risks in the future.”
"Lao Li sighed, "That's all I can do. All four of her brothers are grown up now and have their own minds. As a farmer's wife, I can't help them and don't dare to give unsolicited advice. I might even cause more trouble."
Jiayin felt sorry for her grandma and quickly snuggled into her grandma's arms, saying with a smile, "Grandma, I'm still young. I listen to you. From now on, you give me advice!"
Li Laotai couldn't help but smile and cry, rubbing her granddaughter's soft hair, her mood improved.
In the courtyard, Li Laoer had already had the guests' tea replaced and brought out some sliced emerald gourds.
After the feast and merriment, the earlier frenzy had subsided somewhat.
Then Li Laoer said, "Dear guests, the blooming period of the Golden Lotus here lasts for two hundred days. All the flower buds will bloom layer by layer, which is indeed magical and rare."
“I plan to use this Golden Lotus to exchange for food and essential medicines, as the first batch of supplies donated to the relief agency. Of course, if anyone in your family has a doctor, you could lend them to the relief agency for a month or so to treat the elderly and children. That would be even better.”
"As for me, I'm starting the bid at five hundred dan of grain plus a cartload of medicinal herbs. I'll have paper and pens distributed shortly. You can all increase the bid and sign your names. Finally, the highest bidder wins."
"As for the second and third highest bidders, they can have priority in choosing from the remaining flowers. What do you think"
Everyone quickly calculated in their hearts and felt that this method was good, very fair.
And the lotus of golden light, originally a Buddhist sacred flower, appeared and used itself to exchange for food to save people from suffering. This story is also a good one...
Soon, everyone received paper and pens, and successively wrote down notes, putting them into a small bamboo tube.
Finally, Director Zhou and two well-known flower lovers personally inspected the comparison. Even Li Lao Er stood aside to avoid suspicion.
A moment later, the results were in.
A Mr. Feng won the first prize!
His mother has been a vegetarian and Buddhist for many years, but her health hasn't been good lately.
He spared no expense this time. Not only did he write on the note 800 carts of grain and six carriages of medicine, but he also arranged for a doctor to be on call for three months!
The onlookers were astonished by the Feng family's wealth and power, and they admired his filial piety. They all bowed to him and offered their congratulations.
Li Laoer personally presented the golden lotus to Feng Da Ren, smiling and saying: "Feng Da Ren can first take the golden lotus back to show to Madam. With the protection of the golden lotus, Madam will definitely recover soon. As for food and medicine, it's not too late to deliver them in a few days."
Feng DaRen was touched by this, after all, cash on delivery is the norm. The Li family giving Jin Lian first showed their trust in him.
He repeatedly expressed his gratitude, accepting the golden lotus and thanking everyone else.
For a time, the atmosphere in the courtyard was exceptionally harmonious.
The second highest bidder was Old Master Liu, who used his right of first choice to secure the lotus plant. The third highest bidder chose the golden phoenix.
Thus, all three famous flowers found their homes.
Of the rest, Li Er originally wanted to keep some, but as the two climax peonies hadn't been brought out yet, he decided not to keep any.
Our esteemed guests, having negotiated a fair deal, "divvied up" the remaining flowers and assured us that they will be delivered tomorrow.
Finally, the grain added up to over a thousand carts, medicinal herbs dozens of carts, and even silver was nearly a thousand taels!
The opening day of the Hundred Flowers Garden was a huge success!
Li Laoer beamed with a smile and addressed the crowd, saying: “Distinguished guests, please take these flowers home. If anything happens to them in the future, just send them back to Baihua Garden. Our gardeners will help diagnose and treat them free of charge.”
In addition, there are two pots of premium peonies that will bloom in three or five days. When you have time, come over and enjoy the flowers and tea.
Everyone was delighted to hear this, Baihuayuan's after-sales service is truly top-notch.
However, there are still two pots of famous peonies. What kind of famous peonies are they
When asked, Li La Er just smiled mysteriously and kept everyone in suspense...."Butler, I think my stepfather is exhausted. He must not have slept in two or three days.""So, I put a bit of powdered medicine in his tea just now. It should make him sleep soundly for an hour. You...