All Heavens: From Joy of Life to The Great Feng Night Watchman

Li Chang'an nodded in satisfaction, noticing that Qingwen's body trembled at the same time, and her face flushed.

It seems the twins have a strong telepathic connection; they've really struck gold!

The day before the auction opened, Li Chang'an's calligraphy and paintings were delivered to Guangxin Palace.

The lady-in-waiting excitedly held the scroll high, "Your Highness, Prince Yong's calligraphy has arrived!"

"He sent word that this painting was specially made for the princess, and that it would surely capture the princess's madness and beauty. He asked the princess to open it and view it herself."

Li Yunrui took the scroll, his face full of bewilderment. "Are you kidding me? Is Li Chang'an really that obedient and sensible?"

If the Crown Prince had said these words, Li Yunrui would have believed him, but Li Chang'an would never have been so compliant.

The princess's curiosity had been completely ignited, and she couldn't wait to unroll the scroll.

When the objects in the painting came into view, Li Yunrui suddenly fell into a long silence, and then gradually revealed a maniacal smile.

"Hehehe... Hahaha... I'm dying of laughter!"

"As expected, my little brother never disappoints me. He is always so audacious and unscrupulous. I really like him."

Then, she examined the painting repeatedly and gently stroked it, saying, "You know what, those eyes are so bright and lively, the painting is quite lifelike."

"And this elegant handwriting, could it be the legendary 'Slender Gold' style? It's hilarious, hehehe..."

After she finished her outburst, she slowly turned to the bewildered female official and said, "Go, you must get a picture of His Highness Prince Yong no matter what."

“Their words are worth a thousand pieces of gold. I was being presumptuous, but this kid also needs to be taught a lesson.”

"Make arrangements to replace all the eunuchs and maids that Consort Liu is familiar with in her palace."

The auction opened as scheduled, and Li Chang'an led Zhao Gao into the Sanyong Pavilion.

The third floor of San Yong Ge was packed with over 500 people; many wanted to attend, but space was limited.

The head managers and major collectors all left their entourages on the first floor and came upstairs alone.

Looking around, Li Chang'an saw dozens of experts of the seventh or eighth rank!

In places teeming with powerful and wealthy individuals, the Censorate, Kyoto Prefecture, and Kyoto Garrison Command would likely all need to send personnel to protect them.

At this moment, the crowd was anything but quiet; they were all discussing the important figures present.

"This is a major event for the literary world of Daqing; even Minister Guo of the Ministry of Rites has come in person!"

"Even the reclusive Prince Jing has come, along with the Duke of Liu, the Duke of Hong, and the Duke of Cheng..."

"The owners of Yishiju, Zuixianju, and Miaoyinfang..."

The wealthy people of Kyoto have all come here. If they take a piece of Li Chang'an's calligraphy back with them, their shops will surely become much more famous.

Even the wealthy and powerful who appreciate calligraphy and painting came; even if they couldn't afford to buy anything, they still wanted to witness this grand event.

Ten-year-old Li Chang'an greeted acquaintances with a cupped-hand salute, just like an adult.

"Second brother, it's been a long time! How's the flower planting going?"

"My uncle is here too, thank you for coming... It's best if you can't afford it, please don't buy it, it's ridiculously expensive..."

"Manager Hong, I promised you, my first time visiting a brothel would be at Zuixianju, and I will never go back on my word..."

"Lord Guo, where is your son... He hit his head, it sounds painful..."

"Minister Fan, Ruoruo, please sit in the front. We've arranged some elegant seats for you in the front row..."

Shortly after Li Chang'an sat down, the crowd suddenly became active again.

"The Crown Prince is here!"

"The Second Prince has arrived too!"

The young prince walked with an air of authority, seemingly unaware of his own family, and appeared quite dignified. Upon seeing Li Chang'an, he also showed great excitement.

“Uncle Yong, I have studied the art of painting for many years, and although I have made some progress, I have also reached a bottleneck.”

"I must take a picture of one of your calligraphic works today so I can take it back and study it!"

Li Chengze greeted Li Chang'an, then sat down and took off his shoes and socks.

He picked up the socks, smelled them, then threw them on the ground in disgust and went barefoot.

"Uncle Yong, I am skilled in poetry, calligraphy, and painting, but I have no money. I've just come to watch the fun today!"

Chapter 23 I am the Crown Prince! You are all bullying me!

The auction quickly got down to business.

The first item auctioned was "Ode to the Goose," depicting a large white goose floating in a pond with its neck pointing upwards and ripples spreading across the water.

The painting is on the left and the poem on the right. The blank space on the right is a poem about geese written by Li Chang'an in the elegant and unrestrained style of the "Slender Gold" calligraphy, and it is stamped with the red seal of Mr. Sanyong.

Although everyone present had seen the painting before, they were still filled with emotion when they saw it again.

"I have practiced diligently for decades, yet I am still no match for Prince Yong's calligraphy and painting at the age of ten!"

"Your Highness's calligraphy is already showing signs of surpassing Master Zhuang Mohan's!"

"The goose is so lifelike, and paired with this poem, it's so meaningful!"

Fan Ruoruo, standing next to Li Chang'an, stared blankly at the painting with her mouth agape. This poem was a gift from Li Chang'an to her years ago!

But she knew that her family simply couldn't afford the painting; it cost at least ten thousand taels of silver, which was far too expensive.

"When you grow up, I'll give you another one, I promise it will be better than this one."

Fan Ruoruo, who was feeling disappointed, heard Li Chang'an's words and her big eyes practically sparkled with joy.

"Thank you, Your Highness. I will study calligraphy and painting diligently and repay you by selling my works in the future!"

Li Chang'an smiled and said, "No need, it's enough that you have the thought."

Fan Sizhe said impatiently, "Okay, okay... bride price... um!"

He had barely opened his mouth when Fan Jian covered it with his own.

Fan Jian hesitated for a long time but still did not refuse. That was a painting and calligraphy worth ten thousand taels of silver!

Although court officials are not allowed to associate with vassal kings, Prince Yong only made the remarks and did not actually send any gifts.

Why rush to refuse? Wait until it's actually given away! While he was thinking this, the auction had already begun.

"I'll offer twenty thousand taels!"

Manager Hong of Zuixianju spoke up very urgently.

He was in a hurry because if the high-ranking officials and nobles spoke up, it would be difficult for him to seize the opportunity.

The fact that so many powerful and influential people have come shows that Li Chang'an's three paintings and calligraphies could no longer fall into the hands of ordinary people.

For example, if His Highness the Crown Prince likes one of the paintings, and the price is about the same, who would dare to compete with him?

Boss Hong doubled the price, hoping to prevent the important people from bidding, thus avoiding offending anyone.

Twenty thousand taels of silver is no small sum; even ordinary nobles and powerful figures probably couldn't afford it.

"Twenty-five thousand taels!"

It was Prince Jing, Li Zhi, who spoke up. This prince, who had been a prince for more than ten years, had plenty of money to spare.

Li Chang'an said to Li Zhi, "Thank you for your support, Second Brother!"

Li Zhi glared at him and said, "I watched you compose this poem; who dares to take it from me!"

Fan Jian, who is considered wealthy in Kyoto but poor here, looked even darker. This poem was actually for my daughter!

"Thirty thousand taels!"

It was a eunuch from the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace who spoke; the Crown Prince had indeed stepped in!

Li Chengqian was born as the crown prince, receiving an annual salary of ten thousand taels of silver, and Emperor Qing would also bestow large sums of rewards upon him during festivals.

Therefore, although it would be painful for him to spend tens of thousands of taels of silver, he could easily do it.

Others may fear the Crown Prince, but Prince Jing is not. "Thirty-five thousand taels!"

Without hesitation, the Crown Prince's official replied, "Forty thousand taels!"

Before long, the first painting was unsurprisingly priced at 50,000 taels!

The owner of Zuixianju was dumbfounded; he had greatly underestimated the determination of the powerful and wealthy to buy the painting.

Fan Sizhe was already dumbfounded. He couldn't understand calligraphy and painting, but he could understand the amount of silver!

"It's so exciting!"

"Is this insane?! Fifty thousand taels of silver!"

"I would have to save for several lifetimes to have this much money!"

When the price reached 50,000 taels, the crown prince was already feeling the pinch; this was already one-tenth of his entire fortune.

Neither the current Crown Prince nor the Second Prince possesses significant power or assets, and they are far from being able to spend tens of thousands of taels of silver lavishly.

"Sixty thousand taels of silver!"

Li Zhi has lived a secluded life in recent years, and he doesn't care about appearances; he simply sets the price himself.