SWDnovel Chapter 260 - The Charity Auction
Chapter 260 - The Charity Auction
The following day, as evening approached, dozens of carriages lined the streets near the river docks. Inside sat the distinguished guests invited to the charity auction.The guests were surprised to discover that the Qinhuai River, which should have been frozen solid in winter, was flowing freely. The ice and snow had vanished.
“What’s going on?”
“Wasn’t the Qinhuai River frozen solid? Where’s the Smoke and Waves Pleasure Barge? Grand Master Xue is hosting a charity auction on the barge. Who dared to sail it away?!”
The crowd on the docks buzzed with speculation.
Fan Li sat in his carriage, accompanied only by Jing Wudi, who served as his coachman and bodyguard.
“Nephew, in this humble one’s opinion, only a Unity Realm cultivator or higher could have melted the ice on the Qinhuai River.”
Fan Li nodded. A Unity Realm expert did possess such power. However, individuals at that level held high status and authority, even in the Great Ming Dynasty.
Melting the ice for a pleasure barge? It seemed strange.
Fan Li glanced at Jing Wudi, who was disguised as a coachman. Well, wasn’t this Unity Realm assassin also driving a carriage?
“It’s here! It’s here! The Smoke and Waves Pleasure Barge has arrived!”
The crowd suddenly erupted in excitement.
In the distance, mist rose from the river. Through the hazy fog, a massive ship slowly emerged. It was enormous, as tall as a multi-story building. A thousand lanterns illuminated its decks, as if trying to light up the entire Qinhuai River!
As the Smoke and Waves drew closer, the crowd heard the sounds of string and wind instruments, bells, and chimes – a melodious and calming symphony.
“Impressive,” Fan Li said. “To have such bright lights on a cold winter night, they must be using spirit-grade fuel. And those musicians, playing such captivating music, they must be professional sound cultivators.”
“You’re right, Nephew,” Jing Wudi replied. “A hundred musicians, the weakest among them is at the ninth rank of the Foundation Building Realm.”
Fan Li touched his nose awkwardly. So, he was at the same level as the pleasure barge’s musicians?
The barge slowly docked.
The invited guests had been waiting in the snow and wind for a long time. Some, with short tempers, began to grumble, even cursing the Smoke and Waves.
Suddenly, a group of beautiful women, dressed in colorful yet elegant attire, appeared on deck, lining up gracefully.
They curtsied towards the shore and spoke in unison, “Honored guests, we thank you for braving the cold and snow to attend this charity auction. Your generosity will provide relief to the widows of our Great Ming soldiers. On behalf of the recipients, we, the Smoke and Waves Pleasure Barge, express our deepest gratitude!”
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As they spoke, the women knelt on deck with their alluring figures and formed a line. The scene was touching, yet also exuded an undeniable charm.
The guests on the docks looked up. From this angle, the women’s slender waists and ample hips were perfectly showcased!
Many men couldn’t help but fantasize. They wished they could stay the night on the Smoke and Waves! Their earlier complaints vanished without a trace.
“Bravo!!!”
Applause erupted from the crowd. The men cheered and shouted, as if responding to the Smoke and Waves’ charitable act, but also as if releasing their pent-up desire!
Even Fan Li couldn’t help but swallow hard. ‘Every profession has its masters. The Great Ming’s premier brothel has truly mastered the art of understanding men!’
The Smoke and Waves was now securely docked. Servants on board set up a boarding ramp and shouted, “Welcome, honored guests!”
The guests boarded the barge one after another.
Jing Wudi frowned. “Nephew, it seems servants aren’t allowed on board.”
Several guests’ servants had been stopped by the barge’s staff. Those who had successfully boarded were all unaccompanied.
Fan Li nodded. “There are too many guests. If everyone brought several servants, the barge might sink. Wudi, wait for me on the docks. I won’t be in any danger tonight.”housand bolts of cloth.”
As her words faded, a guest immediately shouted his approval. Applause thundered through the hall.
Fan Li nodded, thinking, ‘She’s a clever woman.’
If she only called on others to donate without contributing anything herself, it would be too hypocritical. With her status as the most famous courtesan, Xue Susu had the means to make a substantial donation.
But donating too little wouldn’t be appropriate, while donating too much would invite criticism.
Her personal donation, worth no more than a hundred thousand taels of silver, was just right.
“Also…” The woman on stage spoke again. “I, Susu, must also thank Young Master Yan for tonight’s auction. Thanks to his generosity, a master was hired to melt the ice on the Qinhuai River, allowing the barge to sail tonight, adding to the splendor of the event.”
As soon as Xue Susu finished speaking, Fan Li heard a burst of laughter from the private room next door.
“It was a minor matter, Grand Master Xue. Please don’t mention it. For you, Grand Master Xue, I’d even stop the snow and wind, let alone melt the ice on the Qinhuai River!”