Volume Two: Inheriting the Legacy, Brocade Robes Soaked in Blood Chapter 158: Splurging a Thousand Gold in a Single Throw

Yuan Rong smiled and said, "It turns out you gentlemen are planning to support Shen Jiaonu. All of you possess immense fortunes; to say nothing of four of you joining forces, even any one of you alone should find it effortless to push someone to the title of Flower Queen."

Chen Mucuan chuckled heartily, "Actually, I rather hope someone truly steps forward to contend with us. Winning too easily lacks any amusement."

Yuan Rong glanced around. At this moment, numerous painted pleasure boats surrounded the grand flagship. The guests aboard these vessels were without exception either exceedingly wealthy or noble. Although the river was wide, with all the boats clustered so closely together, navigating them now was extremely inconvenient.

Along the banks of the Qinhuai River, heads bobbed in a dense crowd amidst a blaze of bright lights.

While the selection of the Flower Queen was indeed an annual grand event in the romantic and picturesque world of Qinhuai, truly participating in it was restricted to only a minority. As someone once remarked, the contest for the Qinhuai Flower Queen was fundamentally not a competition among talented and beautiful maidens, but rather a contest among wealthy tycoons holding ten thousands of gold.

These men scattered gold like dirt, extravagant and luxurious, and the Qinhuai River was precisely the ideal stage to flaunt their wealth and status.

Standing by the ship's rail, Yang Ning looked at the gorgeous and opulent scene on the river, feeling quite a sense of emotion in his heart.

For most people, it seemed to matter very little who exactly sat upon the dragon throne; what mattered was simply their own daily lives. Even an emperor as relatively accomplished as the late Great Chu Emperor seemed to have been forgotten mere days after his passing, with few shedding any tears for his demise.

Just at that moment, thunderous applause and continuous cheers erupted across the Qinhuai River. It turned out that Wu Yin'er had finished her song, and the crowd's cheers refused to die down. Small boats were already weaving back and forth to deliver their monetary tips.

The numerous painted pleasure boats surrounding the flagship like stars orbiting the moon were all at some distance from the royal vessel. Every pleasure boat was equipped with a small skiff. According to the rules, once the Eight Beauties of Qinhuai finished their performances, the lavish patrons who wished to show support would make their offerings, and the small boats were the vehicles used to deliver these bounties. Naturally, whoever received the most bounties would be the undisputed Flower Queen, and based on the amount received, two Flower Consorts would also be selected.

Although the participating Eight Beauties of Qinhuai were all consummate in both beauty and skill, they still preserved their purity and were courtesans of the highest class.

After the ranking of the Eight Beauties was determined, a secondary competition among the patrons' generosity would follow.

For instance, if the ultimate Flower Queen had several patrons contributing to her support, whichever patron offered the most lavish sum would win the right to three consecutive days of her personal attendance. Whether she would be taken away afterward or remain on the Qinhuai River was a matter for another day.

As soon as Wu Yin'er's song concluded, patrons from several pleasure boats sent forth their rewards, and multiple skiffs wove back and forth between them.

"Is it Zhuo Xian'er's turn now?" Zhu Yuchen asked softly. At that moment, zither music began to play, and the previously somewhat noisy river surface instantly quieted down once again.

Upon the central flagship, an exquisitely peerless beauty was seated and playing the zither. The distance was a bit far, and Yang Ning could not clearly discern her features, but judging by her graceful posture and lithe figure, she was undoubtedly a stunning beauty of enchanting form.

Zhuo Xian'er lightly unfurled her jade wrists, and across the starlight-lit river surface, she plucked notes resembling celestial music.

The winter night was rather chilly, and as the zither notes drifted lazily, they carried a touch of desolate melancholy.

That melancholy filled the air, and the desolation penetrated to the bone. Even someone as relatively boorish as Chen Mucuan wore a trace of loneliness upon his face upon hearing the music.

After the splendor faded, desolation naturally followed. In this bustling world of red dust, wasn't debauchery and drunken revelry itself simply another form of loneliness?

That kind of wine-sobering awakening during the deep quiet of a sleepless night, that solitude chewed upon in the loneliness of long, drawn-out hours......

Even with eternal romance, even with galloping through the pleasure quarters, when waking from the dream of a golden millet pillow or Zhuang Zhou's butterfly trance, what remained was merely willow-shaded banks, dawn breezes, and declining moons.

As the zither notes staggered and mingled, even within Yang Ning's eyes, a trace of desolate sentiment lingered.

Just as everyone was immersed in this solitude, the zither tune suddenly shifted, turning heroic and passionate, stern and fierce. In an instant, it transported the audience into a realm of galloping through sword passes and washing weapons in the nocturnal rain.

Iron-clad horses and golden weapons, wind and rain like marching troops!

The alluring Qinhuai River was unexpectedly infected by this melody. The Qinhuai River—which should have been filled with the singing of orioles, the dancing of swallows, and boundless romantic breezes—now possessed the heroic and stirring sentiment of the cold western wind, desolate and biting, and the ancient imperial tombs of the Han dynasty. This completely contrasting emotional resonance, linked together within a single tune, felt utterly seamless and natural, long since leaving people intoxicated, moved to the point of song and tears.

The hearts of the audience followed the zither's movements, shifting from desolate to passionate, plunging into cold winter snow one moment and soaring into warm spring willow catkins the next, embracing the grandeur of armored cavalry one moment and holding the autumn moon of Jiangnan in their hearts the other. Through countless twists and turns, overflowing with sentiment and emotion, woven tightly with sorrow, lay the frost and wind of millennia.

When the piece finally ended, there was an eerie absence of cheers across the Qinhuai River. Yet this was precisely the greatest praise and commendation; the crowd was clearly still immersed in the enchanting strains of the melody. After a long while, someone finally initiated a wave of applauding cheers that rose like a tide, and the small boats shuttling back and forth were noticeably more numerous than those for Wu Yin'er earlier.

Jiang Cheng, the young master of the Songjiang Tea Manor, clapped in admiration and said, "For this single tune alone, this trip has not been made in vain. This Zhuo Xian'er truly possesses supreme zither skills; even if she fails to become the Flower Queen today, she will surely secure the position of Flower Consort."

Chen Mucuan laughed heartily and said, "Brother Jiang, it seems you harbor quite a fondness for this Zhuo Xian'er. While we are bound to crown our choice as Flower Queen, that doesn't mean we cannot also support a Flower Consort. Why doesn't Brother Jiang lend your support to Zhuo Xian'er? You might even become her favored guest of honor."

Jiang Cheng smiled faintly, and calling out toward a small skiff below, he said, "Deliver that set of Neon Cloud Robes to Zhuo Xian'er!"

The skiff immediately set off. Zhu Yuchen clapped and laughed, "Brother Jiang doesn't act unless he means it, but once he does, it's a grand gesture. I heard someone offered five hundred pieces of gold to purchase those Neon Cloud Robes, and Brother Jiang refused without batting an eye."

Yang Ning was rather startled inwardly, thinking that these fellows were indeed wealthy and arrogant. He had originally supposed it was merely a piece of clothing—how much silver could it possibly be worth? He never expected it to be worth five hundred gold, which was an astronomical sum.

The dignified Marquis of Brocade's Mansion had previously been vexed over a few thousand taels of silver, yet Jiang Cheng could casually toss out five hundred gold at a whim. The merchants of Great Chu truly possessed the grand style of scattering gold like dust.

Soon, a voice was heard echoing from the central flagship: "Young Master Jiang, the young master of the Songjiang Tea Manor, bestows upon Zhuo Xian'er one set of Neon Cloud Robes, valued at five hundred gold!"

Immediately, many people looked over in this direction. Clearly, Jiang Cheng's generosity had shocked quite a few.

Although those present were either wealthy or noble, five hundred gold was truly no small amount. They saw Zhuo Xian'er walk to the ship's rail and offer a slight bow in this direction. Jiang Cheng raised a hand in acknowledgment and said nothing.

Yang Ning glanced back and caught sight of Duan Canghai standing in a corner near the edge of the deck. Ever since following Yang Ning aboard, he had remained stationed there in absolute silence; without careful observation, one might not even have noticed his presence.

Yang Ning knew very well that although he usually treated people affably and maintained very harmonious relationships with Duan Canghai and the others, occasionally even joking around, now that he had inherited his title and was traveling outside, Duan Canghai was strictly an accompanying guard. Unless danger arose, he would never interfere with Yang Ning's actions.

Earlier, when a few thugs from the Rising Sun Escort Agency came up, Yang Ning had struck first; otherwise, Duan Canghai would have already made his move. Duan Canghai had a military background, possessing ample patience and extraordinary self-control.

Yang Ning glanced again and saw that Zhenzhu was not standing by the ship's rail, but instead sat at the wine table, gazing up at the desolate dome of the night sky with a gloomy expression. Her attention clearly was not placed on the selection of the Flower Queen.

*We only hear the new laughs, who hears the old tears?*

Years ago, when Zhenzhu was selected as Flower Queen under the patronage of Young Master Xue, she too had enjoyed a period of glorious splendor. Yet in just a few short years, no one paid any more attention to this former Flower Queen.

Tonight's Eight Beauties of Qinhuai would naturally produce a new Flower Queen, but who knew what kind of plight tonight's Flower Queen would face two years from now? Perhaps she would end up just like Zhenzhu today—history was merely repeating itself in an endless cycle.

Yang Ning suddenly felt that these brightly dressed and gorgeously adorned maidens were truly pitiful. Perhaps they had never truly lived for themselves; from beginning to end, they were merely playthings for those high-ranking officials and nobles.

The Eight Beauties of Qinhuai took turns performing their skills. The Qinhuai River alternated between bustling liveliness and quiet stillness.

As Yang Ning was lost in thought, he heard Zhu Yuchen exclaim loudly, "Shen Jiaonu is coming out!"

Having previously heard these fellows express their intention to support Shen Jiaonu, Yang Ning raised his eyes and saw a woman atop the canopy of the flagship, looking like a fairy descending from the clouds, about to tread upon the waves. Although they were some distance apart, under the brilliant illumination, anyone could see her graceful dance posture, as fluid as drifting clouds.

Around the flagship, absolute silence reigned.

A melodious and delicate singing voice arose, subtle and winding, resembling sorrow and sighs.

"The vault of heaven's bright moon is vast and wordless,
The flute's melody wraps around this lowly maid's soul like a ghost,
Enchanting shadows flash across the rippling water.
The immortal glow's radiance fills the mountain peaks,
Who pities the resurrection's hidden ghost-grass?
The sword's soul awaits for a thousand years.
How many red daylily leaves remain unplucked by lonely hands?
Drifting catkins stain wild flower stamens as they hide in the wind.
The far foothills of the Suowei sent from border towns,
Lapis lazuli shatters, the Konghou's strings snap.
Vermilion dots the brows, water chestnut blossoms dim as fair faces fade.
A soft sigh over severed karma, a fading beauty in green sleeves, forms flying like freedom hard to untangle."

That singing voice drifted leisurely and wandered across the river surface like a grievance-filled maiden from a secluded courtyard, brimming with sorrow, bearing an even greater flavor of something deserving pity.

Those who heard this singing were utterly infatuated, mistakenly believing this song was sung by Shen Jiaonu for them alone.

Just as the singing ended, someone among the crowd took the lead in shouting out praise, and cheers immediately poured forth like a collapsing mountain or a roaring tide, proving to be a good thirty percent louder than the applause for Zhuo Xian'er just moments before.

Yuan Rong smiled and said, "Brother Jiang, it seems great minds think alike. It looks like many people are interested in Shen Jiaonu."

Zhu Yuchen frowned and said, "It appears this Shen Jiaonu is truly exceptional. Listening to these cheers, it seems quite a few want to support her. I'm afraid she might be somewhat difficult to deal with."

Chen Mucuan immediately said, "We haven't even made our move yet; how do we know she's difficult? Brother Zhu, you mustn't lose your nerve."

Zhu Yuchen laughed heartily and said, "Brother Chen worries too much. Since the brothers are here to enjoy ourselves, I will certainly accompany you gentlemen to the end." He called out toward below, "Send up three hundred gold first!"

Chen Mucuan laughed, "Now that sounds like the eldest young master of the Zhu Family's Cloth Shop." He also called out, "Help me send three hundred gold as well." Turning to look at Qiu Fang, he asked, "How much is Brother Qiu planning to offer?"

Qiu Fang kept his hands clasped behind his back and smiled lightly, "Since we are joining in the fun, I will also start with three hundred gold."

Jiang Cheng sighed, "Since several brothers have made their moves, I can only match it with three hundred gold."

In just a few words, these wealthy young masters had already given away twelve hundred gold. Although Yuan Rong came from a wealthy and noble household, he still showed a trace of shock.

Yang Ning already knew that this group was extravagant and generous; in reality, these few hundred gold were undoubtedly just a drop in the ocean to them. These few were true tycoons.

At this moment, the shuttling skiffs were like carp crossing a river. Just looking at the scene, one could tell that numerous people were supporting Shen Jiaonu, and to whom the title of Flower Queen would ultimately fall seemed already decided.

"According to past Flower Queens of my knowledge, Lady Yaoyue from seven years ago held the record for the most, totaling four thousand gold in bounties," Yuan Rong sighed. "The highest single bid was two thousand gold. Judging by today's momentum, this Shen Jiaonu seems poised to break Yaoyue's record."

Calls from the flagship rang out continuously in succession.

"The eldest young master of the Chen Family's Cloth Shop bestows three hundred gold!"
"Young Master Chen of the Weitang Porcelain bestows three hundred gold!"
......
"Young Master Bai of the Bai Family's Pharmacy bestows three hundred gold!"
"Eldest Young Master Gu of the Tianhe Horse Ranch bestows a golden Buddha, valued at three hundred and fifty gold!"
......
"Eldest Young Master Jiang of East China Sea bestows a generation of pearls, one luminous night pearl, and eight golden leaves, valued at fifteen hundred gold!"

The surrounding area instantly fell silent.

Yang Ning clearly noticed that the expressions of Zhu Yuchen and the others changed slightly.

Although there were numerous people bestowing gold, that Young Master Jiang from the East China Sea made a bid that instantly crowned the entire venue, completely overshadowing everyone else's momentum.

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PS: There is a Jiangnan scholar named Desert who wishes to run for Flower Emperor. Everyone can send bounties to support me and help me fulfill my wish. The highest bidder will receive my personal attendance for three days!