My father is the main character, but the female leads want to kill me.

"The Holy Land of the Primordial Era..." Li Yuhan said softly, somewhat frightened.

"Do you think I believe that?" Princess Li Jinling angrily scolded, "I knew it! That's why the Hua family suddenly broke off the engagement. You actually used such methods. You could have done it once, but why did you do it again today, in front of so many high-ranking officials in the capital? Have you lost your mind?"

If the people from the Primordial Holy Land find out, how are we supposed to explain ourselves? That old bastard Hua Xiong has been... all day..."

Lin Ran, watching Li Jinling relentlessly lash out at Li Yuhan, found the elegant and beautiful woman acting like a shrew full of complaints, which made Lin Ran laugh out loud.

"Pfft!"

Hearing the laughter, both mother and daughter turned to look at Lin Ran. Li Jinling said angrily, "What are you laughing at? Do you know the consequences of helping her do such a crazy thing? You…"

Lin Ran also endured a barrage of insults. Only when Li Jinling was panting heavily did she sit back down, drink a few sips of water, and look at Lin Ran, saying, "What identity from the Primordial Holy Land are you using?"

"She is the disciple of Gu Qiumeng, the Holy Lord of the Primordial Holy Land. She is elusive and difficult to verify even if she has taken on a disciple!" Lin Ran explained.

"Gu Qiumeng? How do you know this person?" Li Jinling looked at Lin Ran in shock. She had only learned about this by chance from royal secrets. How could her daughter, who had just randomly picked someone, know this person?

Lin Ran couldn't very well say that she knew it from reading novels, so she could only make up an excuse and say, "I have met Gu Qiumeng before."

"Really?" Li Jinling was stunned for a moment, then continued to ask, "What exactly is your identity?"

Lin Ran smiled and shook her head, saying, "Just consider me an unknown nobody. Today's matter isn't as bad as you think, Madam."

We're still maintaining a rather mysterious identity, and they can't really verify it. If the follow-up actions are handled properly, the impact of this matter shouldn't be too significant.

"I hope so!" Li Jinling shook her head helplessly.

Li Jinling gave her some more instructions, then asked Li Yuhan to have someone send Lin Ran home, while she herself wanted to have a good chat with Li Yuhan and her daughter.

Only the mother and daughter remained in the palace. Li Jinling looked at her daughter, who had changed so much, even reaching the Dao Yuan Realm in strength, thus keeping up with the younger generation in the capital. She couldn't help but ask, "Was it because of that man you just met that you changed so much?"

Li Yuhan was about to deny it, but after thinking for a while, she nodded seriously and said firmly, "Without him, there would be no Li Yuhan today!"

"Am I not important? Without my belly, you wouldn't be here today!" Li Jinling said angrily.

Li Yuhan: ……

Li Yuhan was used to her mother's blunt remarks. Her mother had always been two-faced, one in public and another in private. Her true self was like this now, not like a noble and elegant princess, but like a shrew.

Looking at Li Yuhan's increasingly beautiful face, Li Jinling couldn't help but reach out and gently pinch Li Yuhan's cheek. She revealed a rare expression of genuine tenderness and pulled Li Yuhan into her arms, saying, "What happened back then was my fault. If I had been more forceful, I wouldn't have forced you into this engagement. I've made you unhappy all these years!"

"It's not your fault..." Li Yuhan nestled in her mother's arms, her eyes stinging. She could understand the pressure her mother faced in the royal family. The emperor only cared about cultivation and ignored state affairs, and the dynasty was fraught with danger. It was already difficult for her mother to maintain a balance. If she had great strength, why would her mother have to go through all this?

I must become stronger!

Li Yuhan secretly vowed in her heart that only with strength could she control her own destiny and truly do what she loved.

……

Chapter Sixty-Five: The Grand Auction

"By the way, can you tell me what exactly you're auctioning at that event?"

In Li Yuhan's study, where she works, Lin Ran asked curiously.

Several days have passed since the academy's selection competition ended, and the auction that Jinling Chamber of Commerce has been promoting with great effort is about to be held, but Lin Ran is still very curious about what will be auctioned.

Li Yuhan didn't even look up, burying her head in her work and writing furiously, casually saying, "You'll find out when the time comes!"

Lin Ran:......

Li Yuhan has changed; she's become more independent. She used to be a timid, dependent woman, but now that she's stronger, she's started to stand up for herself.

Bored, Lin Ran could only pass the time by eating fruit and looking at boring ancient books.

After finishing her work, Li Yuhan breathed a sigh of relief. She thought that if she could get rid of the things she was doing now, and even the things to come, she could spend more time with Lin Ran.

"Will he be unhappy if I ignore him like this?" Li Yuhan felt a little worried and anxious.

But when she looked up and saw Lin Ran asleep in the recliner, the lingering melancholy turned into a smile. She quietly sat down in the recliner next to Lin Ran, tilting her head to look at Lin Ran quietly.

Summer sunlight streamed through the window, creating dappled patterns on the study floor, while a gentle breeze brought a touch of summer heat.

In the study, Li Yuhan savored this moment of tranquility, looking at Lin Ran, who brought her both joy and sorrow, and felt a pang of reluctance. She wished there could be more days like this.

But she herself was also very clear that Lin Ran would be leaving the Li Dynasty and even Liezhou afterward.

Who knows how many years it will be before she returns? If she still has such low strength, she might not look as beautiful as she does now, and might have become a frail old woman.

When Lin Ran returns, she hopes that Lin Ran will still see her as beautiful and charming as before.

Looking at Lin Ran's drooling lips, Li Yuhan couldn't help but gently wipe it away with her slender, white fingers. Her eyes sparkled with a captivating light as she murmured, "How wonderful it would be if you could always stay with me like this~"

After saying that, Li Yuhan shook her head with a laugh, inwardly scolding herself: "Why is a nobody like me thinking about all this..."

……

The auction held by Jinling Chamber of Commerce this time was set up in the Royal Palace, a venue that was so spacious it was almost absurd. Even so, the auction's appeal was still somewhat unexpected.

Fortunately, the Jinling Chamber of Commerce reacted quickly, adding seats outside the auction venue. High-ranking officials and dignitaries in the capital could enter the inner venue through the VIP passage, and those of noble status could directly enter private boxes.

But Lin Ran and Li Yuhan were still a little startled when they arrived at the auction venue.

Looking at the seemingly endless, dense crowd, Lin Ran was a little astonished. She looked at Li Yuhan beside her and said, "Your publicity this time is really powerful. The number of people is insane."

"With the lowered entry requirements, the numerous mysterious auction items, and the added prestige of the academy's selection competition, this can be considered the grandest auction ever held by our Jinling Chamber of Commerce," Li Yuhan said confidently. She had been in charge of most of the auction, which was also a test for her to become the president of the Jinling Chamber of Commerce. If she succeeded, her position would be secure.

This auction even mobilized the royal army to maintain order and safeguard the safety and order of the auction. Li Yuhan led Lin Ran to the special VIP passage.

Near this passage, there were many people wearing armor and holding sharp swords and spears that gleamed coldly. Anyone who trespassed into this area was politely sent back, while those who were particularly arrogant and outrageous were subdued on the spot and sent to the capital's prison.

With these guards there to keep things in check, from a high vantage point, they effectively separated the dense crowd into a large space.

Lin Ran glanced at the guards and couldn't help but use her spiritual power to transmit her voice to Li Yuhan, asking, "Are these guards from your royal family? There are so many people at the Spirit Transformation Realm guarding here, it's a bit scary. And that tall, strong man is even very close to the Spirit Core Realm."

The men stood there, their powerful, bloody aura emanating from them creating a sense of oppression in those around them.

"They are the palace guards. I had my mother select a portion of them. The one you mentioned who is almost at the Spirit Core Realm is the captain of this guard. The ones maintaining order outside the auction are the regular enforcement teams from the capital." Li Yuhan explained to Lin Ran via telepathy. She had put a lot of effort into this auction, and security was definitely a top priority.

This dedicated passage is staffed with highly trained hostesses who verify the credentials of anyone entering and then respectfully invite them inside.

Because the area wasn't completely sealed off, many people could see dignitaries entering through the passage, and would occasionally gasp in surprise.

After all, there are many powerful figures and forces that are very famous in the capital. Some of these big shots are truly rare to see for most ordinary people.

Li Yuhan led Lin Ran into the passage. The burly man that Lin Ran had previously commented on came up to Li Yuhan and said respectfully, "Miss Li, are you here for an inspection? We haven't found any problems so far. We also have tight security at the warehouse, with regular shifts for inspections!"

"Captain Gu, I have great confidence in your abilities. If the auction goes smoothly, I'll definitely treat you and your brothers to a good meal!" Li Yuhan replied with a smile.

Hearing Li Yuhan's words, Captain Gu seemed even more motivated. After bowing to Li Yuhan, he continued his patrol.

Lin Ran and Li Yuhan walked into the passage. Lin Ran glanced at Captain Gu's back and asked curiously, "Does your statement have a built-in buff, or even a boost of energy?"

Although she didn't quite understand the strange words in Lin Ran's words, Li Yuhan could still understand the rest. She explained softly, "No matter how much you say, it's not as useful as money. I paid a lot of money to hire them. I promised them a lot of money, plus I took care of their families and gave them good jobs to make a living. I'll need their help in the future!"

"That's a brilliant tactic!" Lin Ran couldn't help but laugh.

Li Yuhan has made a lot of progress since she was in Linshan City. She has grown a lot in both her work and personal development.

After walking through the passage for a few minutes, the view ahead suddenly opened up like a paradise. A huge auction hall appeared before Lin Ran's eyes, with seats densely packed throughout the hall. This was the first time Lin Ran had ever seen an auction of this scale. Compared to the auction in Linshan City, this one was truly insignificant.

The auction hall was quite noisy because many people had already come in and taken their seats. To one side was a beautiful young woman wearing a red cheongsam, showing off her exquisite and graceful curves. In particular, her magnificent, snow-white breasts were so captivating that it was hard to look away.

The woman walked up to Lin Ran and began to speak, "Sir, may I ask who you are...?"

"what!"

When the woman saw Li Yuhan peeking out from the side, she quickly and respectfully said, "Hello, President!"

"Go do other things!" Li Yuhan said, waving her hand with a hint of annoyance in her voice.

After receiving the order, the young woman quickly withdrew.

Seeing Lin Ran still lingering on the woman's back, Li Yuhan couldn't help but snort and said coldly, "Still looking? If you like it so much, should I send it to your bed, young master?"

Lin Ran glanced away awkwardly, put her fist to her mouth, coughed, and said, "Do you have any private rooms? It's a bit noisy here!"

"Follow me!" Li Yuhan snorted and turned into another passage.

Seeing this, Lin Ran quickly followed. Whether it was to be serious or not, Li Yuhan walked a few steps faster, always walking in front of Lin Ran. Her swaying waist was slightly larger, as if she wanted to attract Lin Ran's attention.

This made Lin Ran a little aroused. Wouldn't he go crazy from holding it in for so long?

The location of the auction box is quite interesting. It is situated high up, but not too far from the auction stage, just at a distance where it can be clearly seen.

The interior of the private room was exquisitely designed and exceptionally luxurious. Once inside, the noise from outside was completely shut out. Standing by the bed and looking down, one could clearly see many details of the auction stage and the auction hall.

Li Yuhan led Lin Ran into the private room, pointed to the corner and some button-like things next to the soft, luxurious chair, and said with a hint of pride, "I heard you mention some of this before. The soundproofing in these private rooms is very good, and that little square thing in the corner can clearly transmit the sound from the auction stage into the private room."

With just a press of the button on that chair, you can amplify your voice so that the whole room can hear it.

But these things all cost a lot of money, so our commission for this auction will be much higher, and the commission for the private boxes will definitely be even higher.

As Lin Ran listened to Li Yuhan's explanation, he suddenly felt something was wrong. He subconsciously went to the window and looked at the other private rooms. Ever since he was cleansed by Hua Qianqian, the sect leader of the Flower Sect, his soul was now very sharp. It seemed that his soul had been enhanced. He could feel that someone had scanned him with their soul power.

If you scan the auction house with your soul power, excluding those who are just bored, then they must be coveting some of the auction items, either to steal them or to wait for someone else to bid on them and then snatch them.

"As expected, the bigger the tree, the more the wind blows, and it has attracted some malicious people as well," Lin Ran thought to herself.

.....

Chapter Sixty-Six: The Mysterious Items at the Auction

"Yuhan, did you take precautions at the auction stage?" Lin Ran couldn't help but ask.

"Auction platform? Does the auction platform need to be protected?" Li Yuhan was stunned, and for a moment she was a little confused, because in her opinion, anyone who dared to make a move against the auction items of the Jinling Chamber of Commerce in the capital of the Li Dynasty must have a death wish.

“I sensed someone using their soul power to investigate this auction house, which is why I asked you if you had taken any precautions to protect the auction stage.”

"It's too late to do it now, but you have to keep a close eye on the items at the auction, or bring them here directly. With me here, we should be able to keep those guys at bay," Lin Ran said earnestly.

He knew that this auction was crucial to Li Yuhan's future and destiny. If it succeeded, she would be the firmly established president of the Jinling Chamber of Commerce. But if it failed, he couldn't even imagine the consequences.

"You come with me!"

Li Yuhan immediately understood the gravity of the situation and led Lin Ran out of the private room, heading towards the warehouse where the auction items were stored.

After circling around the huge auction hall several times, they finally arrived at the warehouse entrance, which was heavily guarded by Li Yuhan. Captain Gu of the guard team was also on guard at the entrance. Upon seeing Li Yuhan approaching, Captain Gu came up to her and respectfully said, "Miss Li!"

"I need to check if there are any problems with the auction items in the warehouse!" Li Yuhan said bluntly.