Chapter Sixty: The Only Daughter of a Reclusive Family

“Hurry, hurry, the First Tower’s auction is about to begin! I heard they’ve added five more private rooms this time, called VIP suites…”

“Young master, wait for me! You didn’t bring any money!”

“If your legs are short, can’t you walk a bit faster? Come on! I want to grab a suite!”

“Master, I heard the First Tower added suites. Should we try to get one?”

…

The ambitious from all regions gathered at the gates of the First Tower, waiting for the moment the doors would open.

Gu Hua had arranged an excellent room for herself—the best in the house.

Everything was ready. The doors opened, and the guests were admitted.

All the maids and attendants lined up in two neat rows, and as the doors swung open:

“Honored guests, welcome!”

Backstage, Tao Tao made a gesture to the manager, Gu Zhou, who immediately understood and, with his hands behind his back, walked to the main entrance.

“Thank you all for your patronage. Please, come in!”

A throng surged through the entrance, and in an instant, most of the seats the First Tower had prepared in advance were claimed.

Suddenly, a rousing melody played from the back—a transmission of Gu Hua’s spiritual power. Tao Tao had asked Gu Zhou to invite both a drummer and a zither player to perform with vigor.

As the music rose, Gu Zhou ascended the stage, holding in his hand a shell that amplified his voice.

“May I ask everyone to quiet down for a moment!”

Apart from the background music, the hall fell completely silent.

Gu Zhou brought the shell to his lips.

“As you can see, those five VIP suites over there offer the best views! Unlimited tea, complimentary fruits and pastries, a full range of services, and the rooms are designed so no one outside can see the guests within. If any of you prefer to remain mysterious, you are welcome to arrange payment backstage—one million per suite, only five available, first come, first served!”

“And one more thing—our auction will officially commence after one stick of incense burns!”

With Gu Zhou’s announcement, the hall returned to a cacophony. Most found the suites too expensive; they’d come to spend their money on treasures, not unnecessary luxuries.

Seeing that hardly anyone moved toward the back, Gu Zhou couldn’t help but sweat inwardly.

Miss Tao Tao, don’t let me down…

At the entrance, the attendants repeated their welcome—one of them was Jun Muxuan.

The figure behind him, though masked, carried an unmistakable air of nobility; it wasn’t hard to guess he was the elusive Crown Prince, Jun Mulin.

The two headed directly backstage.

At that moment, Gu Hua was still in the back, unaware that the man she’d been thinking of was walking toward her.

“Give His Highness a VIP suite. Will you settle the payment afterward or now?”

Jun Muxuan didn’t have Ning Xue’er at his side, and for a moment Gu Hua felt something was missing. “Now.”

As Gu Hua looked up, her gaze met Jun Mulin’s—the one she called Chongli. He had, indeed, come.

At that moment, an ill-timed voice piped up, “Hey! You’re the girl Ning Xue’er kept complaining to me about! What are you doing here? Don’t tell me you own the place!”

Just as Gu Hua was about to say, “And what if I do?” the voice continued, “Tch, my judgment must be off today. Judging by your outfit, you must be a newly hired musician. Let’s go, big brother, the auction’s about to start!”

With that, Jun Mulin was dragged away.

Though the distance grew, Gu Hua could just make out the arrogant Chongli quietly peeling Jun Muxuan’s wandering hand off his sleeve.

Seeing this, Gu Hua wanted nothing more than to shout: Beautifully done! Well played, Chongli!

Next came a young lord of a noble family, trailed by a breathless page.

“A VIP suite for me!”

“Money.” Gu Hua didn’t even look up.

“Moxiang, the money!”

A humble, panting voice answered, “Young master, the money is on its way…”

The young lord’s smile froze, his tone turning icy. “Moxiang…”

“Young master, we can wait a bit. The money will be here any second…”

“Hmph, fine. I’m in a good mood today, so I’ll wait.”

The page sighed in relief and plopped down on the floor behind him.

Soon after, someone dressed like the page arrived with a money pouch. “Young master, here are your funds for today!”

That person disappeared in a flash.

The lord opened the pouch and took out a gold card. “Here, swipe it!”

Gu Hua’s eyebrow arched. A wealthy one—a little lamb…

“All done.” Gu Hua returned the card.

Card secured, the two went to their suite.

Next came a representative of a major sect and an emissary from a hidden family—another two million in hand.

Gu Hua dusted off her hands. Suddenly, she realized that making money wasn’t so hard after all.

For the last suite, Gu Hua heard Tao Tao calling for her and left her station.

The remaining guest was received personally by the manager, and seemed to be from another clan as well.

Just like that, all five VIP suites were filled.

Ning Xue’er, accompanied by Qiu Yue, arrived just in time.

“Phew—Miss, we made it!”

“Let’s go.”

Ning Xue’er had no intention of spending a million on a suite. She had to be careful with her father’s money now.

They found seats at random; the First Tower’s tiered seating ensured everyone had a good view, with nothing blocking their sight.

Whoosh—all the lights went out at once. Gu Hua, backstage, used her spiritual power to shroud the hall in darkness.

Does it seem difficult?

In truth, it wasn’t. The technique was called “Veil of Heaven and Earth”—it could instantly cloak all sources of light. Xiao Jianjian had graciously provided it, and it required only a sliver of spiritual energy.

In the next moment, the hall was ablaze with light again.

A gentle breeze swept across the stage, lifting the veils. Tao Tao, guided by Gu Hua’s spiritual power, was sent gracefully onto the stage.

The audience dared not make a sound. In that instant, they seemed not to notice Tao Tao’s revealing attire at all.

Petals floated down from above. Gu Hua took out Nirvana, and this time she played “Phoenix’s Arrival.”

In the VIP suite, Jun Muxuan forgot all about his pastries, applauding Tao Tao with abandon.

The maids scattering petals worked tirelessly.

Gu Hua’s zither notes resonated in every heart, and together with Tao Tao’s dance, the whole audience was spellbound.

A dance to enchant a city, a second to enthrall a nation.

As Tao Tao’s dance ended, she stood upon the stage. Only then did Jun Muxuan in the suite and Ning Xue’er in the audience recognize her as the beggar girl from the other day.

Though they could hardly believe it, they had both just been mesmerized.

As Gu Hua played the final note of “Phoenix’s Arrival,” Tao Tao smiled—a smile more enchanting and breathtaking than any desert rose.

“If your purses are ready, the auction is about to begin—mmm-hmm-hmm~”

Tao Tao’s voice was perfectly pitched, nothing like her usual sweet and childlike tone. Instead, it carried a seductive power, like that of a peerless dancing queen.