The Pleasure Palace was the most elite Tea Pavilions of all the entertainment pleasure houses in Huangluo the Capital City of Great Bei, Empire of the East. It was visited by the richest and most influential names in the entire empire.Nobles,officials,rich foreign merchants, scholars, warriors and mystics visited the Pleasure Palace because of the large variety it offered. The pleasure palace rose like a mirage—domed ceilings painted with celestial scenes, walls inlaid with mother-of-pearl, and corridors that whispered secrets with every step.Golden chandeliers dripped with crystal, casting beautiful lights in the day and shimmering moonlight at night . Each room and hall was thick with imported incense—oud, myrrh, and crushed rose petals. At every hour there was a low hum of stringed instruments performing fine music in rooms. Every year on the Night of the Golden Phoenix, Pleasure Palace does an annual auction.The event was always attended by the rich,famous and powerful to collect rare, iconic and beautiful treasures, medicinal herbs and new technologies.This year there was an added item a Courtesan Auction where celestially beautiful,talented and extraordinary courtesans were to be auctioned. Tonight in the clandestine and opulently decorated grand hall was a curated gathering of the Empire's most powerful men and women. Tiered balconies lined in velvet and gold overlooked the central atrium. Each private box was enclosed by sheer curtains, allowing its occupant to see without being seen Each guest was attended by a silent valet, trained to anticipate needs before they were spoken. Discreet but ever-present, guards in tailored black stood at attention, their eyes scanning for the slightest breach of protocol. It was the beginning of the Courtesan Auction as each maiden came out and were sold off to new masters then the Auctioneer announced the last Courtesan of the night, as the saying goes the best for last At the stroke of midnight, the music shifted. A raised dais of black lacquer rose slowly from beneath the marble floor, revealing her seated on a throne of obsidian and silk, bathed in a single shaft of golden light She wore a gown spun from starlight—barely there, yet impossibly elegant. Jewels traced the curve of her collarbone like constellations. Her face half covered in an ethereal silver veil. Her eyes the color of emerald stones with streaks of blue. Her hair fell like water waves in a stunning new color platinum blonde with streaks of chestnut brown. She did not smile. She did not need to. Her gaze swept the room like a monarch surveying her court. Around her the Empire's Elite and nobles were instantly captivated. She was a foreign woman with such breathtaking beauty and celestial look like none seen before.Dressed in midnight blue, the auctioneer stood at a gilded podium, his voice smooth as aged wine. He was both master of ceremonies and keeper of secrets. There were no paddles. Bidders signaled with subtle gestures—a raised ringed finger, a tilt of the glass, a flick of the fan. The auctioneer saw all,he began the bid. “We begin at one silver yuanbao.” A fan flicked open in the eastern balcony. The first bid. “Two,” came the whisper from the north—no voice, just a servant’s nod. A gloved hand lifted a jade token. “Three.” The bidding climbed like a slow-burning fire. Four. Five. Six. Each gesture more subtle than the last. But the Elites were eccentric and no one was willing to back down it continued going and at Thirty silver yuanbao the bidding stopped there was tension in the atmosphere and the bidders were talking to aids and servants for what to do. In that span a voice like silk sounded from one of the VVIP Chambers. " Two gold yuanbao" It didn't need to be shouted the velvety voice cut through the event like lightening as heads turned and mouths dropped. The courtesans gaze that had been uncaring flickered and looked towards the direction of the voice. The voice continued "As for her own possession and dowry" " A vineyard in the southern hills for her lips" " A silk plantation in the east for her fair skin" " A stable of Rome's horses for her breasts" " A collection of Jade and precious stones for her fertility" " And a white peony for the day she chooses to forget me" he added lastly When the final bid was cast, the room fell silent. The auctioneer bowed. Everyone present was visibly shaken. Her price was equal to that of the current Empress and her price could build two luxurious estates.After a nod from the Auctioneer the female attendants led the courtesan like a precious jewel to the winner.She walked like a goddess and bowed at the chamber. A beautiful hand holding a red lacquer reached out towards her she kissed his jade ring and stepped inside the private chamber. She had been taught to never look at the master but curiosity was gnawing at her to take a look at the man who dared to spend such a fortune on a mere courtesan like her. She might be a maiden but still

"Do you know how to swim" he asked his voice dripping with malice and rage his cold dead eyes bore into the bloody man's eyes as the man scurried back he felt as if those black pools were looking into his very soul. He knelt properly at the imposing man's feet and shook his head begging him "No-no Sir I cannot swim please spare me. Forgive me sir" the man begged. He had been beaten black and blue and was barely able to mutter words.The man walked back and cradled the little lady in his arms as he whispered into her ears." Rabbit how about I feed your assailant to the sharks hmm" he asked smiling wickedly. The lady shook her head strongly "No I think he has been punished enough" she replied in her small voice that rippled the man's heart. The man looked at her cheek where there was a full handprint. His gaze darkened "Okay I wouldn't feed him to them because you said so but he will surely have to swim next time he wouldn't try to assault any woman most especially not my woman" with this he picked her up draping her on his shoulder and turned to his men. "Get the cage and put him over the cruise ship let him swim a little in the cold Atlantic Ocean" saying this he walked away with the woman on his shoulder back into the cabins. The man's wailing and begging remained behind them as the cage was wheeled out he was gonna go boungee jumping into the cold water for a short while.

Her footsteps echoed through the dense forest,her feet crushing down on the dry leaves she was alert and afraid, the sound of her own heart beating fast resounded in her ears. She ran for her life gasping for breath and stumbling over rocks and tree stumbs. A little behind her were four men chasing her she knew her life was on the line." Catch her you fools" a man growled.Hearing that evil voice made her run all the more. Just ahead of her was a person standing tall and mighty she didn't know what to do and wondered if the person was a friend or foe but ran towards the person intending to run past and avoid the unknown figure but just as she was about to pass by, the figure stepped back and grabbed her. And there she was held tight by a strong muscular arm, she raised her up and looked into the cloak to see who this person who despised her was.