Fan Li couldn’t think of a reason to refuse. After all, this was the Smoke and Waves Pleasure Barge. Would a normal guest refuse a courtesan’s personal visit?
If he acted abnormally, he would surely attract unwanted attention in the Great Ming.
Fan Li couldn’t believe that the famous courtesan would truly offer herself to him. His current identity was just the Fan Clan Trading Company’s representative in the Great Ming, essentially a manager.
“Mistress Xue, may I ask what brings you here?” Fan Li greeted her with a smile.
“I’ve come to thank Master Fan.”
The courtesan found a seat and gracefully sat down, and began studying Fan Li with her beautiful eyes
‘Strange. Are all the members of the Fan Clan Trading Company so extraordinary? Even with a courtesan visiting him, he’s so calm and composed?’
Fan Li hadn’t realized how unfazed he appeared.
He asked curiously, “Thank me?”
The courtesan smiled sweetly.
“The ‘Tao Te Ching,’ d by Master Fan on behalf of Duke Jin of the Great Chu, fetched the highest price at tonight’s auction. Therefore, Master Fan is the most benevolent individual here. I, Susu, on behalf of the countless widows of our fallen soldiers, had to personally come and express my gratitude.”
Fan Li nodded, about to offer some polite platitudes like “giving back to society” or “it was my duty,” when he suddenly heard Yan Shifan’s voice from the private room next door.
“What?! Grand Master Xue went to see Fan Zhe? Because that ‘Tao Te Ching’ sold for the highest price? I spent the most money tonight! Don’t you all know that?!”
Yan Shifan’s angry shouts, interspersed with the seductive giggles and pleas of countless pleasure barge beauties, finally subsided after an unknown number of women entered his room.
Fan Li looked at the beautiful woman who was smiling before him, and listened to the rhythmic sounds coming from next door.
‘What’s going on? Is everyone on the barge aware that Xue Susu is in my room?’
“I said I came to thank you. Naturally, I couldn’t come empty-handed.”
The courtesan ignored the sounds coming from next door and retrieved a scroll.
Fan Li thought to himself, ‘Was tonight a charity auction or a calligraphy society event?’
“What is this?” he asked, feigning curiosity.
“Hehe, I, Susu, also enjoy dabbling in the arts. I occasionally write and paint, and I’ve accumulated quite a few works. I saw that Master Fan collects Duke Jin of the Great Chu’s calligraphy. You must appreciate such things. Therefore, I dare to offer you one of my paintings as a small token of my appreciation.”
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So, she was giving him a painting?
Fan Li took the scroll, about to unroll it.
Xue Susu rose to her feet with a smile.
“I’ve intruded upon you for long enough. I should take my leave. It’s a long night. Master Fan, why not enjoy the painting after I’m gone?”
What kind of painting couldn’t be appreciated in her presence?
But she wanted to leave, and Fan Li couldn't force her to stay.
“Alright, thank you, Grand Master Xue, for the gift.”
Fan Li saw her out of the room and closed the door. He didn’t immediately examine the painting. Instead, he listened intently to the sounds coming from the room next door.
After eavesdropping for a while, Fan Li realized that Xue Susu hadn’t gone to see Yan Shifan.
Could it be that she had gone to Xu Fan?
Tonight, the Smoke and Waves was filled with distinguished guests. Surely the famous courtesan wouldn't spend the night alone?
Dismissing his gossipy thoughts, Fan Li finally turned his attention to the unfurled scroll.
“Xiang Ning is requesting a video call.”
Fan Li hesitated, setting aside the painting for now.
“Your Majesty, what is it?”
The video call connected. The other side was dark. He could only faintly discern Xiang Ning’s face.
“I can’t sleep… Ah, that’s not it. Many things have happened in the Great Ci Dynasty recently. I was afraid you wouldn’t know. I wanted to give you an update.”
Fan Li was exasperated. She had already revealed the truth. Why bother making up excuses?
“Fan Li, I’m not trying to criticize you, but your disguise is awful. You… Huh? Where are you?”
Fan Li touched his nose awkwardly. He decided to be honest.
“This subject is on the Smoke and Waves Pleasure Barge.”
“What’s a pleasure barge?”
Fan Li realized that the young Empress probably didn’t understand such things. He sighed with relief and said with a smile, “It’s just a boat. This subject is staying the night on the boat.”
Xiang Ning truly had no clue. She excitedly shared the information she had gathered.
“The Great Ci Dynasty has a new Sage Ruler. To be precise, a future Sage Ruler. Her name is Bai Rong. I don’t know where she came from. She’s so young, but she’s already at the first rank of the Unity Realm! As strong as that old geezer, Chen Gonggong!”
Fan Li frowned. The name Bai Rong immediately reminded him of Qing Yuan, the top scout in the Scout Battalion.
He had promised to avenge Qing Yuan and the Wuyang Sect. But Fan Li hadn't expected that Bai Rong would be at the first rank of the Unity Realm!
Qing Yuan had said that Bai Rong was incredibly talented, but even with her talent, to reach such a level at her age, it seemed impossible.
Could she also have a system?
Xiang Ning’s expression turned incredulous.
“The Sword Sage, Han Yue, for some reason, had a huge argument with Empress Yao Guang. Now, she’s been confined.”
Fan Li’s eyelid twitched. What was going on?
As far as he knew, Han Yue and Empress Yao Guang had a close relationship. They were like sisters!
And Han Yue, the younger sister, admired and even worshipped her elder sister, Yao Guang.
How could these two possibly have a conflict?
“Han Yue? Where is she confined?” Fan Li asked.
Xiang Ning vaguely sensed that he addressed Han Yue familiarly, as if they were close friends. But she was too preoccupied with gossiping to think too deeply about it.
She glanced around as if afraid of being overheard.
“The Sword Sage is confined on Mount Danxue, the site of the deceased Blood Phoenix’s legacy. I heard that Empress Yao Guang punished her by making her guard the tomb. Mount Danxue, for some reason, now has eight more empty graves.”
Some human hobbies were truly strange. Even Xiang Ning, a born Empress, when engrossed in gossip, forgot her own status as a captive.
The night should have been long and silent, but with Xiang Ning’s company, Fan Li found it surprisingly fulfilling. Before he knew it, dawn was approaching.
“Fan Li… I have to go cultivate now…”
The Empress sounded reluctant. After spending the entire night chatting, she still seemed eager to continue.
“Yes. Your Majesty, please take care.”
The call ended. Fan Li stretched and felt the barge shudder slightly. They had docked.
The system notification, accompanied by the first rays of sunlight, sounded promptly.
“Congratulations, Host. Mission ‘Pure as Jade’ completed. Mission Reward: Detailed information about Xue Susu.”
“Xue Susu, female, one hundred and twenty-nine years old.
Cultivation level: Sixth rank of the Great Vehicle Realm.
Identity: Grand Master Xue of the Smoke and Waves Pleasure Barge, also the Painting Sage of the Great Ci Dynasty.
Exclusive Secret Technique: ‘Immortal in the Painting,’ allowing her to conceal her cultivation within a painting and appear as a mortal…”