Chapter 71 – Aren’t You Shameful?

At the third quarter of the shen hour, the Hundred Flowers Banquet officially began.

Amidst the roaring cheers of the crowd, the top courtesans of each brothel stepped gracefully into view, each taking turns to showcase their talents.

Those performing would walk a full circle on the long stage built over the lake in front of the Viewing Pavilion. Guests aboard the boats surrounding the lake could clearly see their faces before they began dancing elegantly on the platform.

The Emperor, who was long accustomed to watching palace songstresses perform, quickly grew bored. If not for the lively atmosphere keeping him distracted, he might have left early.

After several performances, they finally heard someone call out, “Yixin Courtyard!”

At once, everyone straightened in their seats, eyes gleaming with anticipation.

A crisp zither note suddenly rang through the air.

All heads turned upward, toward the rooftop of the Viewing Pavilion.

There, a woman dressed in pure white stood in midair, descending one graceful step at a time without any visible support. Each step she took conjured a glowing golden lotus beneath her feet.

Bathed in the warm rays of the setting sun, the woman’s white robes shimmered faintly with gold. To the crowd, she seemed like a celestial maiden descending from the heavens, so breathtaking that no one dared even to blink.

“S-Spirit… a celestial maiden!” someone gasped in awe.

When the white-robed woman floated about two zhang above the long stage, she stopped in midair and began to dance. With each movement of her limbs, countless golden butterflies fluttered out from her body, lighting up the dusk sky. The audience was utterly stunned, their eyes completely captured by her dazzling grace. A thunderous cheer erupted.

The madam of Yixin Courtyard turned to Mu Nanjin with a face full of excitement.

“Miss, you’re incredible! To have Xijin appear like a celestial maiden, tonight’s courtesan queen will surely be none other than her!”

Truth be told, even without the “Celestial Dance,” Xijin already had a ninety percent chance of winning.

But with such an ethereal performance, not only would her victory be guaranteed, her price would soar beyond imagination. Tonight, she would surely drain the pockets of every wealthy man present.

The Emperor instantly recognized the white-robed woman. She was none other than the Princess of Great Chen.

He murmured regretfully, “I truly regret it now.”

Regret for handing the Princess of Great Chen over to Mu Nanjin. Had he kept her, she would have belonged to him alone.

The Left Minister tried to console him. “Your Majesty, beauties bring calamity. They are not to be kept.”

Before arriving, the National Preceptor had already given them a talisman to guard against the Princess’s bewitching charm.

Of course, the Emperor understood that. But how could his heart not ache, knowing that something so beautiful, once his, now belonged to another?

When the dance finally ended, Xijin descended gracefully onto the long stage, bowed elegantly to the crowd, and returned to the lineup of courtesans.

“That was incredible!” someone shouted.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Applause burst forth. One person started, and soon the entire lakeshore echoed with it.

Xijin bowed again, her every move brimming with poise.

The other courtesans looked at her with envy. She hadn’t even unveiled her face yet, and already she had captured everyone’s hearts. If she removed her veil, wouldn’t the men go mad?

Once the talent performances ended, it was time for the Golden Flower Vote. Each brothel’s procurer carried a large bamboo basket around to collect golden flowers.

Guests on the boats eagerly purchased flowers from the brokers to vote for their favorite courtesans.

“I’ll buy a hundred golden flowers for Miss Xijin!”

“I’ll buy five hundred!”

“I’ll buy a thousand!”

The brokers laughed so hard their eyes nearly disappeared into slits.

Meanwhile, the madams of other brothels fumed. All their regular patrons, and even the guests they had invited, were throwing every last golden flower toward Yixin Courtyard’s Xijin.

Before the banquet was even over, the others already knew they had lost completely.

Seeing the frenzy, the Emperor, too, raised his hand, ready to join in.

But before he could speak, the Left Minister pressed his hand down.

The Emperor scowled. “What are you doing?”

“Your Majesty,” said the Left Minister sternly, “please consider the state treasury.”

“…I have a private treasury,” the Emperor muttered.

The Right Minister added, “Which Your Majesty uses to reward the palace consorts.”

The Emperor was speechless. “Can’t you let me have some fun for once?”

“Your Majesty, you’ve already had plenty of fun,” said the Left Minister dryly. “Besides, half the silver spent on golden flowers goes to the national treasury. You should be pleased.”

“…”

If he had known they would ruin his fun, he never would have brought them along.

Still, he comforted himself. Half of the money used to buy those flowers would end up in his coffers anyway.

About half an hour later, the voting ended.

The result was obvious. The mountain of golden flowers piled before Xijin made it clear she was the courtesan queen of the year.

The host announced loudly, “This year’s Courtesan Queen, Yixin Courtyard’s Xijin! Everyone, congratulate her!”

The men roared, their excitement verging on madness.

“Xijin! Xijin!”

Some even tried to rush the stage, frightening the other courtesans into retreating inside the Viewing Pavilion.

The host continued, “Next comes the chance of the evening, the bidding for the honor of sharing tea and moonlight with the courtesan queen. As always, the starting bid is one thousand taels of gold, and each raise must be no less than one tael.”

No sooner had he spoken than someone shouted from the third row of boats, “One thousand and ten taels!”

Another mocked from the next boat, “Only ten more? Don’t embarrass yourself! I’ll bid two thousand!”

A voice from the first row, top deck, called, “Five thousand taels!”

That sum silenced the others instantly.

Then, from the second row came, “Seven thousand taels!”

【Only seven thousand?】

Mu Nanjin’s gaze shifted toward the Emperor’s luxurious boat in the front row.

【Your turn, old Emperor. Bid big, don’t hold back.】

The Emperor straightened his robes and told the two ministers beside him, “She’s making me bid.”

The Left and Right Ministers: “…”

The Emperor called out, “Ten thousand taels of gold!”

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

The ministers both thought the same thing. Ten thousand taels could buy an immortal pill.

Someone countered, “Twelve thousand!”

The Emperor snorted. How dare he compete with me?

“Fifteen thousand!”

“Twenty thousand!” came the reply.

The Emperor turned to his ministers. “Since when are my people this rich?”

“Not your people, Your Majesty, just a few very rich ones,” replied the Left Minister grimly. “Most of Great Qian can’t even afford a meal.”

“Twenty-five thousand!” the Emperor called again.

At last, the other bidder hesitated.

The ministers looked nervous, afraid no one would raise the bid further.

“Twenty-five thousand taels!” the host shouted. “Any higher?”

Silence.

That’s twenty-five thousand taels of gold!

Finally, someone from the first row gritted his teeth. “Thirty thousand taels!”

Every madam and courtesan in the area widened their eyes in shock.

In previous years, two thousand taels had been the ceiling.

Now, thirty thousand!

And this wasn’t even for the courtesan’s first night, just an evening of tea and conversation. Madness!

【Thirty thousand is his limit, old Emperor. Don’t you dare raise it again, or you’ll bleed dry.】

【If you actually win Xijin tonight, that’ll only prove how shameful you are.】

The Emperor’s beard nearly bristled with rage.

How was he shameful?

【She could’ve become your concubine for free, yet you’re throwing mountains of gold just to talk to her. Tell me, aren’t you shameful?】

The Emperor: “…”

The bidder from the first boat sneered. “Third boat, are you giving up? If you don’t raise again, the courtesan queen is mine!”

“Bullshit!” the Emperor barked furiously. “She’s mine! How dare, mmmph!”

Before he could finish, the Left and Right Ministers clamped their hands over his mouth.

“Mmmph, mmmph!”

The Emperor glared daggers at them.

“Forgive us, Your Majesty,” they said in unison.

The Imperial Guards pretended not to see a thing.

“Thirty thousand once!”

“Thirty thousand twice!”

“Any higher?” the host called. “No? Then, sold! Thirty thousand taels of gold to the honored guest in the first boat!”

The winner’s entourage erupted in cheers.

The ministers finally released the Emperor.

“You, you two…” he sputtered, then stormed off the deck in fury, his robes billowing behind him.

The two ministers hastened after him.

Meanwhile, on another boat, Superintendent Ji hesitated for a moment before disembarking and heading toward Yixin Courtyard’s madam.

“Madam, where’s Miss Fushan?”

Recognizing him, the madam’s eyes brightened. “Oh, Young Master Ji! You came for the banquet too? What a pity, Fushan isn’t competing this year.”

“She’s not? Will she still remain a top courtesan?”

The madam shook her head, smiling. “No, she’s stepping down. She’s saved enough to redeem herself. In a few days, she’ll leave the trade and live as a proper woman.”

“Truly?”

That meant she could remove her slave status.

Joy flickered in Superintendent Ji’s eyes, but only briefly before fading into worry.

It was never easy for a courtesan to be freed. Unless someone powerful helped her, or married her, she would always be vulnerable. And whoever helped her was almost certainly after something.

“It’s true,” the madam said cheerfully. “If you don’t believe me, ask her yourself. She’s upstairs with Xijin.”

Superintendent Ji made his way toward the pavilion.

Inside, Fushan was chatting happily with Xijin, laughter bubbling between them.

Xijin soon noticed his presence. “Fushan, do you know that man?”

Fushan turned, and her eyes lit up with delight, as though seeing her beloved. “It’s Young Master Ji! Sister Jin, I’ll be right back.”

Watching her leave, Xijin couldn’t help but sigh with envy.

“Young Master Ji,” Fushan greeted him sweetly.

Superintendent Ji smiled in return. “The madam said you were here, so I came to see you.”

Hearing that, Fushan’s smile grew even brighter.

“I also heard…” Superintendent Ji hesitated. “That you’re planning to leave the trade?”

Fushan nodded eagerly. “Yes! I can finally live as a proper citizen.”

“Congratulations,” he said softly, masking the ache in his chest. “May I ask, who’s the one marrying you?”

“Huh? Marrying me?” Fushan blinked. “I’m not getting married.”

A spark of hope lit in Superintendent Ji’s eyes. “Then how will you leave the registry?”

“Our new owner said that any girl who saves enough silver to redeem herself can have her status changed,” Fushan said happily.

“There’s such a thing?” Superintendent Ji frowned. It sounded too good to be true. Perhaps her new owner was scheming something.

But Fushan nodded firmly. “Our new boss is very kind.”

“And who is this boss of yours,”

Before he could finish, Mu Nanjin’s voice echoed in his mind.

【Talking to my top courtesan costs money, one tael per sentence. Let’s see… you’ve spoken quite a few sentences, haven’t you, Superintendent Ji? Never mind, I’ll charge fifty taels.】

【Ah, such a pity. With Fushan leaving the trade, Yixin Courtyard will lose another beauty. I’ll have to find a replacement. Who should it be?】

【Princess Rongyue would be a fine choice. But if I actually brought her here, the Emperor would storm in with a hundred thousand troops. Not worth it.】

Superintendent Ji: “…”

So Mu Nanjin was the owner of Yixin Courtyard?

No wonder she held Fushan’s deed of sale.

“Madam calls her Miss Mu,” Fushan said, “but no one knows her true identity.”

Superintendent Ji smiled faintly. “You’ve chosen well, Fushan. With her as your patron, your future will be bright.”

Indeed, with Mu Nanjin’s influence, no official would dare obstruct her redemption.

“Do you know our boss, Young Master Ji?” Fushan asked curiously.

Superintendent Ji nodded. “Yes. She’s the one who invited me tonight.”

“Then… you and Miss Mu,” Fushan twisted her handkerchief nervously, uncertain whether to ask.

Superintendent Ji quickly clarified, “We’re colleagues, nothing more.”

Her eyes widened. “You’re an official too? And Miss Mu… is she the empire’s only female official?”

“Yes,” he replied. “But that’s all I can say here.”

Fushan nodded obediently.

【All that talk, and it’s nothing but nonsense.】

Superintendent Ji: “…”

【Get to the point already! If you like her, confess before someone else does. Ugh, watching this is making me anxious.】

Superintendent Ji: “…”

He wanted to confess, but not in public, and certainly not with Mu Nanjin eavesdropping.

【So indecisive… exhausting to watch. I’m done.】

The next morning, Superintendent Ji arrived at his office to find a delivery from Yixin Courtyard, an invoice.

For chatting with Fushan for two quarters of an hour, he was charged two hundred taels of silver.

Superintendent Ji couldn’t help but laugh and sigh.

“This is daylight robbery.”