247 ‘Great Auctioneer’ Tang Yuan’s Interpretation of Aristocracy (1/2)

A faint music floated from upstairs, and echoed down in the hall. The musical composition wasn't a rare masterpiece, but no one could see the people who were playing it. Somehow, this added a touch of elegance to this mediocre musical composition.

On the floor was a unique green-blue carpet; it was abnormally thick. The people walking on it felt a sense of warmth and luxury even though its color wasn't glamorous in particular!

Every table had a postcard with a name on it. The first row was naturally reserved for the Royal Family; they were the cranes in this flock of chicken. Four of the tables were designated for their seating.

Everyone thought, [this Aristocratic Hall is truly great; even the Royal Family hasn't been given a private area… ]

Moreover, people inside this hall felt that they themselves had truly risen in the society. They started to believe that they were in the ranks of genuine nobles since they weren't too far removed from the Imperial Family. [Isn't this what aristocracy means?]

Everyone except for the members of the royal family felt very cheerful because of this.

The second row was for the major families. There was no division in accordance with their ranks. The third row was for the descendants of officials, as well as rich noblemen. And the fourth was reserved for the other rich and powerful of the Tian Xiang City.

Separating each row was a curtain of pearls hanging from above. This screen hazily covered a part of a person's head sitting ahead, which made it difficult for people to see the person sitting in the row in front of theirs…

Every nook and corner stationed a 'red-crowned crane incense burner'. It seemed like these cranes were blowing blue smoke. The smoke was rising spirally in the air, and this wafting smoke made the atmosphere seem more peaceful.

Some people had arrived early, and had been waiting for half-a-day. However, they didn't seem one bit impatient; in fact, they seemed to be brimming with vigor and excitement.

Dozens of young women wearing light-yellow clothes were serving tea in small cups. Their clothes and graceful disposition made them look like butterflies. They looked quite pretty as they moved around easy-mannered, yet with a sense of propriety.

There was a milky-white tapestry in front of the first row which looked like it had dropped from the sky. The tapestry completely covered what was behind it; it looked like an unusually thick wall.

The sound of music stopped.

Everyone's spirit rose, [finally the opening gong of this show has been rung.]

The tapestry in front of the first row was raised noiselessly, exposing the snow white platform. Then there was a sudden inflow of bright glittering lights. These lights were refracting from gems mounted in the different positions covering a small perimeter of the platform.

There was desk stationed in the middle.

On top of the desk, was a hammer; the hammer which would mark the final decision.

This arrangement was simply fantastic. In fact, it was such a stark contrast to the Magnificent Jewel Hall's set-up — which was wide known as the best auction house in the entire City — that it seemed as if a pheasant had run into a golden phoenix… or a beggar into a prince…

Suddenly, an echo of footsteps drew everyone's attention. The sound of these footsteps made everyone curious, [what kind of colossal person could be behind such footsteps?]

The lights turned off.

A mountainous fat pile of meat walked in, looking around proudly; every step he took looked dignified. The fair skin under his black gown made him appear similar to boiled pork in-between sprouted bread. This entity bounced-about in a lively and a rhythmic manner, taking one step at a time.

”Since everyone here has received the invitation from our hall, all of you are the real aristocrats of the Tian Xiang City. And thus, our honored guests! I, Tang Yuan, am the chief auctioneer of the Aristocratic Hall. On behalf of this hall, I shall represent the three families comprised of the Prince Equivalent, the Jun Family and the Tang Family. I am here to greet the aristocrats on behalf of these families, and extend a very warm welcome to all!” Tang Yuan loudly orated what he had memorized by heart. Then, surprisingly, he bowed after he finished speaking.

Fatty Tang was in-fact still repeating what he had been taught earlier. He was speaking off the speech written on a piece of paper by the Young Master Jun. This voluminous write-up was scripted to create a civilized yet materialistic environment.

There was a warm and enthusiastic round of applause from the audience — not for anything else, but just the line ”Tian Xiang City's Aristocrats”. It did not matter if this praise was genuine or not, because from now on these families could use this title against the people they previously weren't able to stand up to.