Chapter 332.3: Giving a Gift, Exquisite
Just, using a malicious gaze to look towards Li Hong Yuan in hatred, as one can well assume, absolutely won’t end well. Under the light muslin, those various bruises and scars were just the best evidence. That’s why she would bitterly detest Li Hong Yuan for ‘not saving her’. Just right now, she didn’t dare to reveal, and can’t even attract the other party’s attention.
What kind of personality Salt Boss Tie had, she also knew, casting him a glance, slightly relaxing a breath. If he were to notice her abnormality, afraid she’ll definitely suffer.
Li Hong Yuan appear to be admiring that thing, but in reality, there wasn’t the slightest stirring. Qi Yuan’s territory, how could it just be this bit. In his past life, he had Qi Yuan’s territory expanded by more than double. In this life, it will only surpass and not fall short.
His wife was still upstairs, so the irrelevant people naturally needed to be sent off. Putting on the lid, “Store it away.”
He relaxed his body, preparing to continue admiring the dance.
Yu Zhong Qing said something in a low voice.
Li Hong Yuan turned around, “Still not leaving?”
Salt Boss Tie also knew that a qinwang of the imperial court was different from the regional officials, and was already prepared to lower his stance. But even so, when truly getting looked down upon to this degree, he still couldn’t help but get angry, yet he was unable to reveal in the slightest. He did his best to let himself remain calm, “This commoner will take one’s leave right away. If there’s an opportunity, this commoner will pay a formal visit to wangye again.”
Li Hong Yuan very much half-heartedly waved his hand.
Salt Boss Tie clenched his teeth and endured. Right now, the entire Jiangnan region all wasn’t peaceful. Perhaps, even he will also be implicated within. That’s why, if able to make a connection with Jin Qinwang, not only can it get rid of the possible dangers, perhaps might even be able to use this to reach the heavens in one step. Closing his eyes, he suppressed the negative emotions inside. In his plans, he also didn’t count on being able to reach his goals today. The situation right now was merely just that tiny bit worse than predicted. In the past, whenever he schemed something, using several years worth of time all wasn’t a problem. He just didn’t succeed the first time, that’s all. This really wasn’t anything.
Seeing Salt Boss Tie run into a wall, a certain Su-shi naturally was pleased inside. However, her hatred inside also grew stronger. If she had been able to stay by Jin Qinwang’s side, for what reason would she have to endure this pig-like man’s humiliation every day. She was constantly thinking of taking revenge, thinking of escaping, but unfortunately, she was unable to, because she didn’t want to die!
Not long after Salt Boss Tie’s pleasure boat left, Jing Wan just came down from the pleasure boat’s upper floor, sitting down by Li Hong Yuan’s side. “I saw Su Wan Ting.”
“Su Wan Ting?” Li Hong Yuan seemingly thought for a moment before finally recalling who, “Merely just an object sold by her own father, what are you paying attention to her for?”
In Kaiming Fu, Su Wan Ting said she was at the end of her rope. Looking at it now, her words at the time really weren’t completely false. However, even so, Jing Wan also didn’t feel her decision was wrong, “Naturally needless to care about her, I’m talking about her father……….”
“Don’t worry, I have a plan in mind.”
Jing Wan nodded, no longer questioning. She was just thinking that her husband might not have noticed, thus reminded him, that’s all.
Just like this, lightly and leisurely swaying along, unknowingly, two hours had already gone by. Mei Yi hesitated for a moment, going forward, “Wangye, young gentleman, it’s almost time, how about heading to the Thousand Flower Stage now?”
“In that case, just go then.” Jing Wan nodded.
The Thousand Flower Stage was situated in that area where the Linchuan River approached the red-light district. More than half of it was built on top the water. When seeing for the first time, it was just a three four story tall giant lantern, unique and exquisite. Their pleasure boat stopped directly in front on top the water surface that was relatively far away. Mei Yi invited them to the pleasure boat’s third floor. In the place where Jing Wan had guessed was a fake layer, there really was a third floor. The sparrow although small, possessed all its organs. The decorations inside perhaps weren’t valuable, but they were quite elaborate.
The giant window was opened, and the ‘giant lantern’ was entirely taken in.
(T/N: Colored lanterns are pretty varied in shape and design.)
Jing Wan had asked Mei Yi the origins of this ‘lantern’, and what it was used for, yet turns out, it was built thirty years ago, by the former number one wealthiest man of Jiangnan for a young woman of the brothels, consuming immense financial resources, manpower, and physical resources, having the sense of ‘a golden house to keep one’s mistress’. Just, afterwards, misfortune occurred. The wealthiest man became destitute and ruined, and that girl seemingly fell into someone else’s hand. This Thousand Flower Stage afterwards became the place that the various brothels and pleasure boats use for their ranking battle. And this ranking battle naturally was the girls of the various brothels and various pleasure boats competing in talent, letting various parties vote.
Every year, the top twelve have usage rights. First place has four times, second place three times, third place two times, and the rest one time. As for what it was used for, that was just the various establishments’ business.
What Mei Yi didn’t say was Fu Xiao’s boudoir leaving ceremony that was originally for today was also inside here.
Suddenly, from inside the ‘lantern’ came the sound of drums, very much having tempe, and also very much having rhythm.
As time elapsed, the lantern, the side directly facing the pleasure boat, starting from the highest point, the walls opened from the middle towards the two sides, slowly, just like the flower petals blossoming.
Never mind Jing Wan, even Li Hong Yuan was rather astonished at the sight. This design really was quite elaborate.
After thoroughly opening, that was just a giant lotus flower shaped stage. The two ‘flower petals’ directly in front, the one facing downward submerged into the water, and the one facing upwards was slightly curled upwards. And the tallest place inside extended up to three stories. It can be said to be layer upon layers. The other places in the middle that were facing upwards were all hollow, the craftsmanship quite exquisite.
At this very moment, twelve large drums were scattered all over the entire space, either up or down, either inside or outside. And on top the drum, all stood a woman dancing, not long graceful dance steps, but rather carrying a relatively strong rhythm.
And also that attire, the appearing simple yet heavy head ornaments covered the head like a net, also having a gemstone hanging between the brows. On the upper body there was just a completely close-fitting dudou, and on the lower body was bloomers.
The wrist and slender waist all had gold ornaments, gorgeous and enticing.
Jing Wan saw from within a bit of elements from certain civilizations of her past life, and can be said to be quite amazed, and in turn, her interest also growing stronger.
“It’s very marvelous. Presumably, owner spent quite a bit of the effort.” Jing Wan sincerely praised.
Mei Yi was somewhat overwhelmed by the sudden favor, “Young gentleman overpraises.” And on the inside, she also relaxed a breath. This kind of dance, men naturally can accept, but ninety-nine percent of women certainly won’t be able to accept. To be going along according to the original plan, Mei Yi’s heart has been drumming this whole time, fortunately…………….
The entire dance can be said to be both enticing and passionate. In the middle, there was a drum sequence that was practically just like stepping on a person’s heart, intense and thrilling.
One dance ended, yet it made one wish to continue.
The speed in which the large drums were cleared away was also very fast, and wasn’t as difficult as Jing Wan had predicted.
Afterwards, numerous women entered from different directions, with tightened waist and muslin dress, the outer layer covered in a net of pearls, hanging with tassels below. The long flowing sleeves were either on the flower petals, or disappearing among the stairs behind the flower petals. The figure was elegant, the dance graceful, the whole dividing into twelve sections, occasionally coming together, yet it didn’t appear chaotic in the slightest either. Clearly, it should be the same song, but twelve different kinds of choreography. Jing Wan guessed that it was probably because of the twelve establishments temporarily fusing together, yet to be able to accomplish this was truly rare.
And what appeared on stage afterwards also brought quite the pleasant surprise. The flower petal directly in front divided into two, revealing a flight of stairs from the peak to the bottom, and in the middle a very small platform.
A woman appeared in the highest position, and following along the stairs, descended while dancing, stopping after several steps, sounding a clear and pleasant singing voice. Afterwards, a second woman appeared…………then a third, fourth, and in the end, a total of six people, all women that were previously ‘keeping company’ on the pleasure boat.
To be able to be known as the head courtesan, they naturally weren’t lacking in the slightest.
And what truly made Jing Wan amazed was that the inside apparently was able to amplify sound. Else, with this kind of distance, one shouldn’t be able to hear this clearly.
As this Thousand Flower Stage ‘rose’, it naturally just attracted more and more people. And for those that wanted to admire the Thousand Flower Stage’s performance, they naturally can only reside on top the water, but the most optimal position, they didn’t dare to occupy, because ten feet beyond the three pleasure boats’ two sides were various boats endlessly linked together. For the sake of occupying the best position as possible, there naturally would be situations where one used power to suppress others appearing. However, among these people, when a blade carrying black clad guard suddenly appeared, each and every one immediately went silent.
At a certain time, melodious and touching music came from the two sides, faintly hearing someone say the hundred boat parade has started.
One after another, small flower boats of various shapes appeared, both delicate and beautiful.
The flower boat moved along the water surface in various ways, yet one was unable to see the person moving the boat. Turns out, they were all hidden in the water.
Li Hong Yuan’s gaze landed on the water below for the majority of the time, yet don’t know whether or not the other party brought along enough people, whether or not it was enough to have this water dyed red.
T/N: I kinda like this juxtaposition towards the end, with this beautiful performance going on and an assassination plot about to carry out in the dark.
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