Chapter 100: An Unavoidable Taste~

The small boat had drifted on the water for many days and had now entered a tributary of the Qianling River, drawing close to Xingyuan Prefecture...

Xu Boqing, rarely enjoying solitude, bought some wine and food seasonings from passing fishermen and leisurely floated along the river.

He fished, read books, ate fresh river delicacies, drank the fishermen’s coarse wine, and, when tired, wrapped himself in his clothes and slept.

Except for the occasional thoughts stirred by passing pleasure boats—reminding him of Empress Dowager Chen’s grace, Concubine Liu’s wildness, and Zhu Sisi’s fierceness—his time was rather peaceful and carefree…

Though located inland, Xingyuan Prefecture thrived commercially due to its geography and climate, which favored mulberry cultivation and sericulture, as well as other valuable crops.

Commerce stimulated the economy…

With wealth came indulgence…

Theaters, spring houses, pleasure boats, and similar establishments abounded.

Among these, spring houses and pleasure boats were both venues for leisure and merriment, similar in nature yet subtly different.

Spring houses, though featuring sleeve dances and performances, focused on direct, vigorous entertainment and mostly catered to the lower and middle classes;

Pleasure boats, on the other hand, showcased talents in qin music, chess, calligraphy, poetry, and singing, emphasizing subtlety and refinement, attracting officials and wealthy families.

Some affluent households even maintained private pleasure boats to host business associates or distinguished guests.

In such an environment, the tributary near Xingyuan Prefecture was naturally lively. Every evening, brightly lit pleasure boats would drift by.

There were lingering melodies, laughter of women, loud songs, and gentle whispers—a truly bustling scene.

Xu Boqing, reflecting on the profound meanings in his daytime readings, drank some wine, leaned against the boat’s plank, and dozed off as if wandering beyond the heavens. He was awakened by crisp qin music only to find the moon high and stars few.

Gazing upon the scene, rubbing his sleepy eyes, he stretched lazily and sighed, “Drunk, unaware that the sky lies in the water, the boat full of clear dreams pressing upon the starry river~”

“Beautiful poem! Wonderful line!!”

From a nearby pleasure boat, a young man with a dark complexion applauded from the deck…

Xu Boqing turned and noticed the drifting pleasure boat and the young man not far away.

Unexpectedly, though the young man appeared ordinary, under the scrutiny of the Heavenly Eye Technique, his aura was deep and enduring—he was a master at the innate stage of martial arts!

From the pleasure boat came the lingering qin music that had just roused him.

The young man saw Xu Boqing’s gaze and bowed with a smile, “The ladies aboard this pleasure boat delight in playing the qin and entertaining guests. I hope their music did not disturb your beautiful dream…”

“No trouble at all…”

Xu Boqing waved his hand and, as if recalling something, casually asked, “Brother, do you know where we are now?”

“This is the Huansha River within the jurisdiction of Xingyuan Prefecture…”

The young man answered, then eyed Xu Boqing’s attire with some suspicion. “Brother is here for pleasure on a boat? Surely you are not a local?”

“I came from Jiangling Prefecture by boat, drifting on the rivers for many days. I woke to nightfall without knowing where I had arrived. Please forgive my ignorance…”

“From Jiangling Prefecture by boat…”

The young man murmured in surprise. “Jiangling Prefecture is thousands of miles from Xingyuan Prefecture. Brother crossing the river alone in a single boat truly shows the demeanor of a distinguished gentleman…”

Xu Boqing shook his head. “I was simply bored.”

“Brother, I am Zhao Xuanlang of the Zhao Family Trading Company, subjects of the Great Zhou. This pleasure boat is built by our Xingyuan branch of the Zhao Family Trading Company. The ladies aboard were raised by us, their backgrounds pure…”

The young man bowed invitingly, “I am fond of making friends with refined gentlemen. As night falls and the river darkens, would you honor us with your company for a while?”

“Zhao Family Trading Company, Great Zhou…”

Xu Boqing’s curiosity peaked as he noticed a copper coin-shaped banner on the boat, bearing the character ‘Zhao’ in its center.

The original owner’s family was a merchant clan in Jianyang, so he had heard of the Great Zhou’s Zhao Family Trading Company.

It was said the Zhao Family prospered enormously, wealthy enough to rival nations, their trade spanning neighboring countries. Even the Great Zhou court had borrowed funds from them to enact reforms and succeed.

Their company had an excellent reputation, and among the people of Great Zhou, the saying “don’t trust the government, but trust the Zhao Family” was widely known—even in distant lands.

He glanced at the night and then the pleasure boat. Whether he disembarked to find an inn in Xingyuan Prefecture or stayed aboard, it made little difference.

He nodded slightly and clasped his hands in reply, “The Zhao Family of Great Zhou is renowned far and wide. A humble countryman is honored to accept young Master Zhao’s invitation—how could I refuse?”

With that, he leapt lightly onto the pleasure boat’s deck.

But as soon as he steadied himself, several martial artists suddenly emerged from the boat, led by a middle-aged man dressed as a steward, who stepped forward to shield Zhao Xuanlang.

“…”

Zhao Xuanlang was momentarily stunned, then quickly explained, “Uncle Zheng, please don’t be anxious. This brother came at my invitation and is no enemy…”

Upon hearing this, Uncle Zheng relaxed, waving away the martial artists nearby.

He then followed Zhao Xuanlang and bowed sincerely to Xu Boqing, “I am Zheng. I was overly protective of my master, causing this misunderstanding. I hope you, sir, will forgive me.”

“No trouble…”

Xu Boqing looked at the middle-aged man with some surprise, sensing the same powerful aura—he was clearly also a master at the innate stage of martial arts!

Such a master in Daliang would be a leading figure establishing a sect. First Zhao Xuanlang, then this steward from the Zhao Family—both innate masters…

But it made sense.

With the Zhao Family’s wealth and years of traveling, they could afford to cultivate several innate martial artists through sheer expenditure.

Seeing their courteous and sincere apologies, Xu Boqing also bowed and smiled, “I am usually idle and carefree. I came directly to your pleasure boat without prior notice. Please forgive any rudeness.”

“Hahaha…”

Zhao Xuanlang laughed heartily, stepping forward to bow, “I must blame myself for being shortsighted. I saw your elegant bearing and literary talent but did not expect you to be a martial arts master as well. Such a misunderstanding is well deserved—punishment is due!”

He then called into the boat, “Madam Liu, prepare the ladies. I am hosting an honored guest…”

“Yes…”

Seeing the woman inside understand and withdraw, Zhao Xuanlang turned back and smiled, “Brother’s surname is Xu?”

“Xu Boqing.”

“Hahaha, Brother Xu…”

Zhao Xuanlang bowed again with a meaningful look, “Since Brother Xu graces the Zhao Family’s pleasure boat as a guest, would it not be a pity to miss the charms of the Great Zhou ladies?”

“Oh?”

Xu Boqing’s heart stirred with curiosity, “Forgive my limited experience. They are all young women—what difference is there between the ladies of Daliang and Great Zhou?”

“Of course there is a difference!”

Zhao Xuanlang smiled, “The young women of Daliang are mostly fiery and passionate; those of Great Zhou are more reserved and gentle, like delicate birds clinging to their companions. This temperament is especially evident among the ladies in my Zhao Family’s pleasure house.”

He paused, winking with a knowing gesture, “Moreover, the Zhao Family has traveled far and wide, bringing back many foreign beauties. Their exotic charm is quite unique. Brother Xu must sample this for yourself~”

“This…”

Xu Boqing’s heart twitched slightly when he heard of exotic charms, as if a soft spot had been touched. He clasped his hands and smiled, “I have seen much of the Daliang ladies’ passion… but the gentleness of Great Zhou ladies and the exotic charms of foreign beauties—those I have yet to experience. I must try them without fail~”

“Hahaha, Brother Xu, please~”

“Brother Zhao, please~”