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As he spoke, Li Jiancheng reached out to place his hand on Dan Bingbing's shoulder. He was curious to see what this woman was really about.
Seeing this, Dan Bingbing immediately dodged away, her expression slightly annoyed. "Young Master Wang, please have some decorum. I am Qing Guanyin, here to entertain, not to sell myself!"
"Apologies, it's just a habit," Li Jiancheng said, retracting his hand with a sigh.
"Why the sigh, Young Master Wang?" Dan Bingbing asked, puzzled.
Li Jiancheng gazed intently at her and replied earnestly, "It's truly painful to see something you can't have! I've told you before, I'm an impatient and lustful man! To be honest, I really crave your body..."
Crave her body?
At his blunt words, a blush spread across Dan Bingbing's face, leaving Li Jiancheng momentarily stunned.
What the hell! Is he serious?
No matter how much of a Qing Guanyin she claimed to be, she was still in the business of pleasure. How could she blush at such a statement? Was she an oiran or just an innocent girl next door?
"Young Master Wang, please don't jest," Dan Bingbing said, looking at him with a mix of shyness and annoyance.
Li Jiancheng shook his head and maintained a serious demeanor. "I'm not joking. How much silver do you need to buy your freedom? If you want, I can help you."
Dan Bingbing hesitated for a moment before shaking her head. "We are merely strangers who met by chance; how could I allow Young Master Wang to help me buy my freedom?"
Li Jiancheng tilted his head. "Didn't I just say? I'm craving your body!"
Dan Bingbing bit her lip and shook her head again. "I am not worthy of such luxury."
Li Jiancheng replied earnestly, "Then I must help you even more. I can't stand seeing beautiful women suffer. Being with me is surely better than staying in a place like Qunfang Garden."
What followed was a tug-of-war over the issue of her freedom. Li Jiancheng insisted on helping her buy it back, but Dan Bingbing was equally adamant in refusing.
After some back and forth, it was Li Jiancheng who ultimately gave in. However, he was convinced that there was something off about this woman! Any normal person would jump at the chance to escape from such a place if someone offered to help them.
Yet he couldn't quite understand her motives. She wasn't trying to seduce him or fish for rich men; instead, she had invited him for a conversation. Even after he admitted that those poems were copied, she still wanted to continue talking with him.
He truly could not understand this woman's intentions anymore. Perhaps Li Yuanji had already sensed something was amiss and had brought him here for a reason!
Dan Bingbing did not want to get entangled in this matter with him any longer, so she changed the subject. "Young Master Wang, you mentioned that your poems are all copied. I wonder whose poems you have been copying?"
Li Jiancheng had already prepared his response: "They were written by one of my Concubines. Her father, my father-in-law, went to war against Goguryeo with the previous dynasty's army ten years ago and unfortunately died in battle. My Concubine misses her father and has written many poems about warfare and heroism..."
Dan Bingbing exclaimed in wonder, "Is that so? If I have the chance, I would really like to meet this remarkable woman."
"There should be an opportunity," Li Jiancheng replied casually.
"I hope so," Dan Bingbing nodded slightly and then said, "Young Master Wang, why don't you teach me how to play Mahjong?"
"Alright!" Li Jiancheng was too lazy to probe her further and began teaching her how to play Mahjong.
Dan Bingbing showed great interest in Mahjong and demonstrated a natural talent for the game. In no time at all, she had learned quite a bit.
Just as Dan Bingbing was getting into it, Liang Jing approached. "Miss, the parade has begun."
"I know, I'll be there shortly," she replied with a slight nod before turning back to Li Jiancheng. "Young Master Wang, would you like to go outside and take a look?"
"Sure!" Li Jiancheng readily agreed.
Before stepping outside, Dan Bingbing put her veil back on.
Soon, they arrived at the platform atop the flower boat. The Flower Boat Parade had already started, with various brothels showcasing their beauty and talent.
As the flower boat glided close to the shore, although it was darkening outside, the boat was brightly lit so that those watching from the riverbanks could see clearly.
Dan Bingbing instructed someone to prepare some food and drinks for Li Jiancheng before beginning to dance gracefully.
Compared to Dan Bingbing, the other women from the brothels were mostly dressed provocatively, their curvaceous figures partially visible, which made Li Jiancheng feel a stir of excitement.
Dan Bingbing's dance was enchanting; sometimes soft and gentle, other times strong and vigorous, drawing applause from the onlookers on the shore.
Li Jiancheng glanced around to distract himself and called Ma Qiang over, whispering instructions: "Later, send someone to investigate this Dan Bingbing."
"Understood!" Ma Qiang nodded lightly.
The flower boat continued along the waterway as people on both banks followed along excitedly, resembling modern-day fans chasing after stars.
After about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, each of the flower boats gradually came to a stop. The women aboard began interacting with those onshore from afar.
Some courtesans on the pleasure boat took out the Mahjong that Li Yuanji had gifted and began to play. The courtesans from Qunfang Garden set up a table on the platform and started playing Mahjong. They found it quite amusing; whoever lost had to throw their personal garments to the people on the shore. This action immediately drew cheers from the crowd of onlookers.
Soon, many people gathered along the shore near their boat. Other boats, seeing this, followed suit and began playing as well. Those courtesans who did not receive Mahjong from Li Yuanji could only watch anxiously.
Li Jiancheng observed this scene and couldn't help but think, even as a modern person, that they really knew how to have fun. Dan Bingbing, known as Qing Guanyin, did not participate in the game but danced nearby to liven up the atmosphere.
When Dan Bingbing took a break, Li Jiancheng approached her and nodded toward the Mahjong table, quietly asking, "Was this idea suggested by Zhang Meng?"
Dan Bingbing smiled slightly, "Yes! Young Master Zhang is quite clever."
Indeed clever! It was unexpected that the fourth brother had a knack for business. Li Jiancheng chuckled and teased, "I've passed on all my Mahjong skills to you today. If you win some silver with them in the future, remember to share some with me."
Dan Bingbing paused slightly, unable to help but laugh as she replied, "Young Master Wang, you are the first person I've met who has asked a courtesan for money!"
"I'm not asking for money," Li Jiancheng gently shook his head.
"Then what do you call it?" Dan Bingbing blinked her eyes and asked with interest.
"Profit sharing!"
Dan Bingbing seemed unsure if she understood those words, but she burst into a peal of laughter like silver bells. In that moment, Li Jiancheng felt many envious eyes upon him. Perhaps they were jealous that he could make Dan Bingbing so happy!
"You really are an interesting person, Young Master Wang," Dan Bingbing laughed continuously and then asked, "By the way, I haven't asked for your full name yet."
"Wang Sanwu!" Li Jiancheng answered without hesitation.
"……"
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