A Clash of Gods - Chapter 164
Chapter 164 Xian’er
Suddenly, they heard sounds of gong and then a voice from the boat king. “Now I will announce that the result of the selected beauty queen and concubines has come out…”
It was silent around.
Most people didn’t know what happened in the two pleasure boats where Yang Ning and the heir of Duke of Huainan were, and they just felt surprised at why the result hadn’t been revealed. Hearing that they would announce it, all people held their breaths.
“The four concubines selected today are Zhuo Xian’er, Luo Ning, Dong Qiaoqiao and Wu Yin’er.” The voice was loud and spread far away. “The beauty queen is…”
Before that man spoke it out, countless voices around appeared in unison. “Shen Jiaonu!”
Many wealthy men including Jiang Suiyun from the East Sea had sent gifts, so even if Shen Jiaonu didn’t want to be the beauty queen, she couldn’t refuse.
“There are one beauty queen and four concubines. Thanks to all the benefactors who boosted them.” The voice continued. “Now I will announce each girl’s benefactor…”
That man announced all of them, and Zhu Yuchen certainly became the most generous benefactor of Shen Jiaonu beyond controversy. According to the rules on the Qinhuai River, Shen Jiaonu would serve Zhu Yuchen in the following three days, and he would be her first man.
It was surprising that although Zhuo Xian’er received nearly two thousand taels of gold, the most generous man was Jiang Cheng who had sent five hundred taels of gold.
As soon as the result had been announced, there was an uproar around. Some people cursed and some cheered.
Each of the eight beauties on the Qinhuai River had her benefactor. Since things had come to a close, most people left. Five brand-new pleasure boats had been prepared in advance on the Qinhuai River for the beauty queen and the four concubines. The boat king told people to send the five girls to the pleasure boats respectively first and then sent small boats decorated beautifully with flowers to welcome the benefactors.
The lights and wind were still the same, and two small boats with flowers had come near. A maid from each small boat got into Pearl’s pleasure boat to welcome the guests.
Seeing that it was midnight, Yang Ning was afraid that all people in his mansion would be worried about him, so he didn’t want to stay longer. Then he prepared to say goodbye and go back home first, but Zhu Yuchen and the others walked forward and cupped their hands. Zhu Yuchen said, “Marquis, I am lucky to win the beauty queen Shen Jiaonu. If you don’t mind, please watch Miss Shen dancing.”
Yang Ning was stunned yet soon understood. Zhu Yuchen meant to ask him to be the beauty queen’s first man.
He came here today because he wanted to ask Yuan Rong to repay one thousand taels of silver to him. It was beyond expectation that so many things had happened at night.
Although there was romance everywhere on the Qinhuai River and the beauties were fascinating, Yang Ning didn’t plan to stay on the river.
Yang Ning understood what Zhu Yuchen meant. To these wealthy young men, they had won Shen Jiaonu after spending a lot of money, and in their eyes, a virgin was a precious treasure undoubtedly. Yang Ning had helped them out of a predicament tonight, so they wanted to express their thanks to him in this way.
Shen Jiaonu was merely a gift.
Yang Ning laughed loudly. “The beauty queen on the Qinhuai River is widely known now. Not to mention that I have no interest in her, even if I do, I can’t go into her boat tonight.”
They looked at one another speechlessly and didn’t understand what Yang Ning meant.
After all, Yuan Rong was from a scholarly family. He walked forward and explained, “General passed away not long ago. Once Marquis gets into Miss Shen’s boat, a person in a high position is liable to be attacked, and the news will spread everywhere in the capital soon, which will greatly influence his prestige.”
“It’s my fault.” Zhu Yuchen was suddenly enlightened and felt guilty. “Marquis, we were thoughtless.”
Yang Ning laughed. “You did that out of kindness. How would I blame you? It’s difficult for you to come to the capital city. Just enjoy yourselves here tonight. I am off now.”
“Marquis, the beauty queen is eye-catching indeed,” Jiang Cheng suddenly said. “But the concubines are not so popular. When Zhuo Xian’er played zither, you seemed to be absorbed in it. It appeared that you appreciated her performance.” He raised his hand. “We don’t dare to make other requests. We just hope that you can listen to Miss Zhuo playing zither for one more tune.”
Yang Ning frowned slightly, and Yuan Rong advised, “Marquis, you will only listen to one tune, and it doesn’t matter much. If you refuse them again, I think that they will feel restless all the time.”
Zhu Yuchen echoed in a hurry, “Right. Marquis, although…we are merely businessmen, we…hope that you won’t refuse us.”
They looked at him with expectancy in their eyes.
Yang Ning knew that in their opinion, once he went into Zhuo Xian’er’s pleasure boat, it was not to see a girl but was a valuable gift. When they gave him a gift, yet he refused, it would naturally make them feel restless.
“Marquis, my lady is making preparations and waiting. Please go to see her.” The girl who came to welcome the benefactor smiled sweetly.
The long Qinhuai River was full of light shadows, and willow tips were close to each other as if expressing their love.
With romance and such an atmosphere, it was difficult for any man to refuse this invitation.
In fact, Yang Ning wanted to keep a good relationship with these people. If he refused repeatedly, it would show that he was affected, and it was nothing to listen to her playing zither, so after a moment of hesitation, he nodded slightly in the end.
They finally sighed with relief.
The election of the beauty queen was over, and the onlookers on the river bank had left. It was midnight, and many pleasure boats had scattered and moved away. As the performances finished, people went away. The lights on the prosperous Qinhuai River were like stars, yet it looked cheerless.
Yang Ning followed the girl into the boat with flowers, and Duan Canghai didn’t leave but followed him all the time. The boat moved, causing ripples. In a short while, they saw a pleasure boat under the lights in the front, with a green handrail, a red roof and cover. Some lights shone the navy-blue cabin. There was less cosmetic’s decadence but more largeness of mind and generosity.
When the small boat moved next to the pleasure boat, Yang Ning had sharp eyes and saw a beauty standing by the window with carved checked patterns under bright lights in the cabin. Seeing that Yang Ning looked at her, the window was closed instantly.
After they went into the pleasure boat, the girl who led the way took Yang Ning to the cabin and lifted the curtain made of mottled bamboo, saying politely, “Marquis, Lady Xian’er is waiting inside.”
This girl didn’t know Yang Ning, but when she heard Zhu Yuchen and the others call him Marquis, she knew that this young man had extraordinary status, yet all the benefactors on the Qinhuai River were wealthy or noble, so the girl was used to it and didn’t feel surprised.
Two silk lamps with screening curtains embroidered with figures hung in front of the cabin door, but Yang Ning just glanced at it casually and then entered the cabin, while Duan Canghai stayed on the deck sensibly.
The mottled bamboo was cold, while the beautiful and dreamy cabin was full of gentle aroma.
Fascinating incense was burning in the burner made of copper with a flying phenix carved, and there was sweet smell everywhere, which added a lazy and intoxicated style to the dreamy pleasure boat.
Several red candles were burning in the cabin, and they were as thick as a kid’s arm. It seemed that they wouldn’t burn out even after one night.
The curtain was tied and hung to one side with a golden frame at the bottom, and the incense burner was burning, releasing thick aroma, making people feel fresh after smelling it. There was an ancient zither on the table, but he didn’t know if it was the zither that she had played earlier.
Yang Ning looked around and didn’t see Zhuo Xian’er. Suddenly, he heard gentle footsteps, and a graceful figure walked out from behind a screen opposite to him, on which there was a beautiful lady with a graceful manner, yet compared with this beauty walking out, the lady on the picture was outshone.
The figure was an extremely beautiful girl, and she seemed to have just had a bath. With her attractive hair hanging, her face was ruddy, and there was a smile in her fascinating eyes and faint fragrance of jasmine from her body. She dressed up simply, but it made her specially nice-looking.
She raised her head slightly and looked at Yang Ning. As her bright eyes rolled gently, Yang Ning seemed to be shot by an arrow with amazement.
She was so gorgeous that even Yang Ning felt surprised.
Yang Ning had lived twice and experienced feasting and revelry. He had seen many beauties and some girls who had more gorgeous facial features than this one, yet her beauty as a whole was rare.
Not to mention the previous life, only in this life, he had seen some great beauties.
In fact, the demon girl Nao’s face was quite beautiful, but compared with this lady, Nao was like a kid. Gu Qinghan was charming with outstanding graceful bearing, and she was a rare beauty, while she was too mature with vicissitudes. She had flirtatious expressions and could turn on men, yet this lady could make people abandon themselves and forget everything only depending on her amazing and clear eyes without any flirtatious expressions.
The girl smiled softly and didn’t look seductive. Perhaps because she had just made a living in this field, and she hadn’t been stained by the filthy atmosphere, her smile was pure.
Yang Ning noticed it but sighed with emotion. He thought that it was a pity that such a beautiful lady was reduced to a prostitute.
On second thought, he believed that it was normal. The Qinhuai River was a treasure place for romance in the Chu State. Since she could join the election of the beauty queen, she certainly wasn’t a commonplace woman.
“Marquis, nice to see you. I am Xian’er.” The girl walked forward and bowed gracefully with a faint smile. “It’s my honor to serve you as my first man.”
It was warm in the cabin, and Zhuo Xian’er didn’t wear many clothes. She walked over and bolted the door. With the light of the red candles, her fair skin and nice figure were shown.
Even though Yang Ning wasn’t an old hand in brothels, he was not a green hand in romantic relationships. However, in an atmosphere with an ancient style, he faced a virgin who started to become a prostitute, and he had never experienced such a feeling. He walked to the zither and reached out a finger to press it gently. Then a sound could be heard.
“Marquis, do you like to play zither, too?” Zhuo Xian’er walked to Yang Ning’s back and said softly, “I will help you take off your coat first.”
Yang Ning hesitated for a moment and then responded, “Hmm.” Zhuo Xian’er took off his coat and folded it carefully before putting it aside. She was considerate.
“Marquis, do you want to listen to me playing zither? And you can give me instructions.” Zhuo Xian’er walked to the zither and sat down slowly.
Yang Ning smiled. “Xian’er, don’t stand on ceremony. I don’t know the tonality, let alone give you instructions.”
Zhuo Xian’er had a blush on her fair-skinned face in an instant. Under the light of the red candles, she looked more charming. She put her hands on the table and gritted her teeth gently. Then she lowered her head and said in a low voice, “So…you plan to go to bed?” While speaking, she breathed quickly, which was alluring.