After a refreshing nap in the horse carriage, Anji was bursting with excitement to explore Silver Water Town. The delicious snacks from their cook in the Celestial Dragon Sect had kept her hunger at bay. As soon as they dropped off their bags in the lodging, she eagerly tugged on her older brother’s sleeve, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
"Are we going to see the Silver River first?"
Minshen smiled. He had already anticipated this. The Silver River Tour was one of the tourism highlights of this little town. Hong Nian Niang had a great marketing strategy and was raking in profits like no tomorrow from the boatman arrangement. In name, the river tour agency and the guest house were two separate legal entities. However, it was a secret monopoly. Zhang Mou was an extremely talented financial adviser, so they had no issues with the local government.
While the siblings were occupied, Gu Ying checked the rooms for security arrangements. Although this guest house was managed by the Gentleman Club, it did not hurt to be cautious.
Mingshen patted his sister’s head and nodded. They would set off as soon as the steward returned with proper arrangements. In the meantime, Anji examined the talismans hidden inside the walls. They were very well-connected, and she had no complaints. She could not hear the shopkeepers hollering from the streets below, even if she could see them. Too bad not many people could afford these convenient talismans. If Anji had her way, she would design them in a way that common folks could afford them without needing any cultivation. The servants of the Celestial Dragon Sect had benefited a lot from Anji’s creations. She wanted to spread that joy with as many people as she could.
In less than fifteen minutes, the steward returned.
"Esteemed guests, the river tour arrangements have been made. Shall I lead you to where the boatman is waiting?"
Hearing that it was time to depart, Anji bounced over, and Mingshen gave the man a generous tip for his quick services. The boat ferry service he requested was one of the more expensive ones because he did not want to experience seasickness again. Just in case, he had Anji consume some motion sickness medicine before they left the room.
It only took ten minutes on foot from the Seven Star River View hotel to reach the pick-up point on the river dock. The only downside was the hot and humid weather. Even with the umbrella Gu Ying held over her head, Anji was covered in sweat even if it was still spring. According to Mingshen, the water reflected the sun off the surface, making it easier for people to become tan.
"It’s the reason why the anti-sun creams make a huge profit here," he smiled from behind his fan and pointed at a cosmetic shop with a long queue. Fresh chapters posted on novel•fire.net
Anji immediately noticed the emblem of that cosmetic store. It was the same emblem that was on all the gifts she received from Hong Nian Niang. Questioningly, she looked at her brother, who only put a finger on his lips with a sly smile. Ever since leaving the sect, Anji felt like her brother had grown more secretive. Pouting slightly, she wanted to probe further, but the sight of a beautifully decorated boat made her forget everything.
Personally, Mingshen still felt that Hong Nian Niang’s aesthetic tastes were very dramatic. Unlike regular passenger boats, everyone in town knew which agency these tourist ferries belonged to from afar. Most people would not bother painting and decorating their vessels because it required extensive maintenance. That only ate into profit margins, and nobody was willing to invest in meaningless endeavours. However, the owner of the Vermillion Bird Sect was a shrewd businesswoman who owned several chains of highly successful brothels. She ran her business differently from others and stood above the crowd.
Red wasn’t Anji’s favourite colour. However, it suited Hong Nian Niang perfectly. From her passionate feelings to her fiery personality, the eye-catching colour matched her brand perfectly. The river tour ferry was painted in bright red, which reminded everyone of a prosperous new year. It was lined with many red lanterns at the side that would be lit after sunset. More importantly, the unique fanned-out sails resembled a bird’s wings. The design of this double-sailed junk boat ferry was partially why tourism in Silver Water Town boomed.
"Welcome aboard the Crimson Butterfly Boat Tour. I’m Zhou Fu, your guide. How many passengers are boarding?"
Anji studied the boatman. He was nothing like she had imagined. Like the flamboyant junk boat, the boatman was a good-looking young man who was nicely dressed in a red Chang Shan uniform. Looking at the other ferries from the same tour agency, Anji realised the other half of the reason why Hong Nian Niang’s business ventures were always successful. Although she was young, she knew what the flesh business was. Other bigger ferries with dining options provided pretty girls to serve customers during the tour. What could be better than admiring beautiful scenery with a beauty pouring quality wine?
"Three passengers," the steward replied, glancing at Mingshen, who eyed their boatman with an unreadable look. "It is the young lady’s first time, so she might be seasick. The young master was previously seasick while riding on a boat, so I suggest taking it slow if they’re not in a hurry to return."
Taking the hint, the boatman nodded and offered his hand to help the passengers board the boat but was embarrassed when both ladies ignored his outstretched hand. Instead, Gu Ying carried Anji in her arms and steadily boarded the boat. Mingshen frowned at the ferry with scepticism but held onto the boatman’s hand to board it.
Seeing that all three distinguished customers had safely boarded the ferry, the steward bowed until the boat left its dock. With a smile plastered to his face, he could only pray his patrons did not become too seasick. Unlike the ladies, the young master seemed more frail than them, with his obvious disdain for water.
As they departed, Mingshen quickly sat down and covered his mouth with a hand. The ferry’s movement on the water was making him dizzy, even if their boatman took extra care not to rock it as much.
"Brother, are you alright?" Anji blinked in concern when he leaned against the side of the table for support with a frown.
It had only been five minutes since they left the land. However, her brother was looking pale even before the actual tour started. The little herbalist thought Gu Ying might suffer more since she was raised in the grassland. Her brother should have some travelling experience that involves water. He mentioned so earlier. Not to mention, they ate motion sickness medicine before boarding it. However, Gu Ying, who was sitting at the head of the vessel, was enjoying the breeze while her brother was suffering in the shade of the cabin. Concerned, she reached for his wrist and took his pulse, surprising the boatman behind them, who observed with keen interest at the odd company.