The evening’s performances were interspersed with rounds of charity auctions, featuring items ranging from the precious to the affordable. What enticed the merchants most, however, were three slips of paper stamped with the Eastern Palace seal. These slips could be used at "A Handful of Snow," the general store "Juquan," or any other shop under the Crown Princess’s name to receive a fifty-percent discount. Given that "A Handful of Snow" had been forced to raise its prices under official pressure and refused to grant favors to anyone, these slips were a golden opportunity—a single large transaction could save a merchant a fortune.
Merchants who had bled cash during the charity auction found a strange, masochistic comfort in receiving the public’s attention as they shouted out their bids. Yet, when the reality of the money they would soon have to pay set in, they suffered from both toothaches and heartache. They had to find a way to recoup their losses, and "A Handful of Snow" and "Juquan" were currently two of the most profitable establishments in the Capital. However, none of the merchants with designs on making money managed to outbid the Third Prince.
When the performance ended and guests began to depart, those who had failed to secure imperial treasures and the officials who had been slow to catch on were clearly reluctant to leave. It wasn't until the Prince’s estate steward arrived with a group of servants to see them off that he smiled and said, "Over the next two day…
Chapter 221