The Double Ninth Festival, Golden East Gorge, dragon boat races.
The Yongfu squeezed among ships of various gangs large and small, drab and gray, completely inconspicuous. However, with Old Guan, Chouyu, and the others present, they naturally secured a good position with a clear view of both the starting point and the finish line.
Dozens of small boats painted bright red, each tied with colorful silk at one end, carved out a wide raceway on the calm river surface. Small boats, medium boats, and large boats layered outward on both sides of the raceway. However, the five large ships of the Ship Alliance stopped before the starting line. On the surface they appeared formidable, but Mo Zi thought that of the five ships, only the people on Fu Tian and Wang Kun’s boats seemed friendly. The other three gangs showed expressions of smugness, ruthlessness, and contempt, with a strong air of internal conflict. This Ship Alliance seemed to have many internal problems.
Between the Yongfu and the Ship Alliance’s large boats, Xu Jiu’s Cloud Leopard ship was entirely black. The iron leopard at the bow crouched ready to pounce. The gang members were uniformly dressed in black with red trim, standing with hands behind their backs on the deck in a chevron formation. No one looked around, no one chatted idly. Their expressions were confident and spirited—truly representing the ship gangs’ most outstanding emerging force, inspiring just to look at.
Mo Zi originally hadn’t wanted to come, but on the day of the dragon boat’s first water trial, Xu Jiu, Wang Kun, and others came to watch and laughed at it, leaving a stifled frustration in her heart. They could look down on her for anything else, but not shipbuilding—she wouldn’t allow it. She wanted to see in today’s dragon boat race who besides Weiyang could win!
Mo Zi came well-prepared today. She laid out three or four tables flat in the cabin and on deck, bought Double Ninth cakes, peanuts, and strong liquor, piling them on the tables, inviting everyone to sit around, eating, drinking, and watching the boat races.
This “everyone” included the three Chouyu brothers sitting in the cabin leaning against windows, Zan Jin and Cen Yi, Min Song and Wei Qing, Ding Xiu and Niu Gao, and she’d even brought Auntie Ding and the children along to join the excitement. Today, Hongyu Cove wasn’t working.
Standing behind Mo Zi were two expressionless young women in white—the people Yuan Cheng had sent. When asked their names, they simply requested she choose them. After much difficulty, she finally named one A’Hao and the other A’Yue. She even said she hoped the two could bring the three of them the auspiciousness of flowers blooming and moon full. Such painstaking effort only earned silent kowtows from the pair. However, since Yuan Cheng told her to keep her guard up, she didn’t necessarily need to follow through completely, but planned to wait and see. Therefore, she let A’Hao and A’Yue’s silence be.
Suddenly, commotion arose behind the Yongfu. Someone shouted, “Make way, make way! We’re the Wuyou Pavilion’s boat!”
“So what if it’s Wuyou Pavilion’s boat?” Cen Yi was there shelling melon seeds, shelling a pile, then scooping them all into his big mouth.
This head guard from Wangqiu Building, newly arrived, apparently hadn’t heard the name Wuyou Pavilion yet, nor was he clear what kind of place it was.
“A brothel.” Zan Jin fulfilled his brotherly duty to his buddy.
Cen Yi spat out a mouthful of melon seeds. Zan Jin, quick-eyed and fast-handed, grabbed a dish to block them.
“What? A brothel? I thought it was the emperor with how righteously they’re ordering people to make way.” Cen Yi cursed. “Truly at the emperor’s feet—all kinds of novel things happen.”
“Another day, have Brother Mo take you to see it. Though personally, I don’t think there’s anything interesting.” Zan Jin was a good boy.
“Not going, not going. Brothels everywhere are the same. Better to have a good fight with Brother Zan instead.” Cen Yi only loved wielding weapons, and though rough in character, was an extremely filial and good son and elder brother in the Cen family, also very loyal.
“Big brother, don’t speak carelessly about places you’ve never been.” A coquettish voice, sounding somewhat aged.
The small boats nearby all moved aside. Wuyou Pavilion’s exquisite painted pleasure boat slowly drew parallel to the Yongfu. At the bow stood a beauty, about twenty-three or twenty-four, with hair swept into a purple bauhinia bun, peacock feathers adorning it. She wore a霞-colored high-waisted, sleeveless, collarless floor-length gown with a transparent gauze shawl in pale pink, gently waving a small painted screen fan—incredibly sensuous.
Seeing this woman, Mo Zi thought that Wuyou Pavilion’s fame throughout the capital was definitely not undeserved. She’d already seen several breathtakingly beautiful women, and the first beauty Mo Chou hadn’t even shown her face yet. This was why Wangqiu Building could only compete with Wuyou Pavilion for some beverage business. To men, Ge Qiuniang wasn’t alluring or seductive enough, and couldn’t be casually approached. Dining while appreciating talent was refined—once or twice was also interesting. However, lustful men who loved to dally were as numerous as stars in the sky. In the end, only the girls at Wuyou Pavilion could satisfy them.
“Besides, when we ask people to make way, they make way—it’s not forced. Just like your—” The words “broken boat” stuck at her lips. The woman laughed coquettishly and covered her mouth with a handkerchief. “You just didn’t make way, did you?”
Wei Qing glanced at her sideways, completely unmoved by such bone-deep seductiveness in her smile and voice. “It’s broad daylight, not evening. Miss, there’s no need to put on airs when speaking.”
Min Song raised an eyebrow, sipping from his small cup. “Speaking of whose boat is broken—yours should be careful. It looks good but isn’t useful. One gust of wind will scatter it.”
Cen Yi laughed heartily. “Even if Wuyou Pavilion’s girls fall in the water, no worries. Anyway, if they cry for help, half the river of people will jump in, just like making way for boats.”
Having been rebuked repeatedly by men, quite unexpectedly, the woman’s willow eyebrows shot up. She put her hands on her hips, about to curse.
“Sister Xiu, they’re our own people—don’t hurt feelings.” Wuyou walked out, still dressed elegantly and brightly. “I told you, the most delicate one in the middle is Brother Mo.” Having said this, she smiled intimately at Mo Zi.
Sister Xiu’s mood was still sour. The eyes looking over were somewhat sharp. “A bunch of ill-mannered boys, every one sly and crafty, not knowing how to cherish and protect the fairer sex—which one is the most delicate?”
Wuyou patted her hand lightly. “Enough, don’t be petty. I told you to keep your voice down outside, but you love making a fuss, thinking everyone will indulge you. Well? Hit a snag, didn’t you? Brother Mo is no simple person—how could the brothers under him be simple?”
Mo Zi stood and moved forward. “Sister, that’s too generous. I was just staring at Sister Xiu in fascination, thinking Wuyou Pavilion produces only extraordinary beauties. Not expecting these brothers to offend Sister Xiu—please forgive them. It’s been some days since we met. How have you been lately, Sister?”
“Thanks for asking, better than before.” Wuyou smiled and extended her hand. “Want to come sit on my boat? Last time I asked you to often visit me for chat, but thinking you’re too busy with no leisure time, I didn’t want to send invitations to disturb you. Today, a chance meeting is better than an invitation—let’s have a good talk.”
With Wuyou being so courteous, even if Mo Zi wanted to decline, she felt too embarrassed. She could only give Zan Jin and the others a few instructions before boarding Wuyou’s boat.
“Haven’t seen you in half a month, and little sister has two more capable people at her side.” Wuyou glanced at A’Hao and A’Yue following behind Mo Zi. “But this time it’s good—they’re young ladies, suitable for little sister’s use.”
Mo Zi smiled without saying much. Following Wuyou into the pleasure boat, she saw over ten women either standing or sitting, each with distinctive features, yet sharing one common trait—beauty. When these women saw Wuyou and Sister Xiu enter, they all called out “Mama” and “Second Mama,” respectfully.
Sister Xiu frowned and asked, “Where’s Mo Chou?”
Hearing this, Mo Zi became interested. She’d heard this name repeatedly until thoroughly familiar with it, yet never had a chance to see the person. She could only sketch the portrait of the first beauty in her mind.
“Miss said she wasn’t feeling well and went upstairs to lie down.” A young maid guarding the stairway quickly replied.
“Wuyou, you indulge her too much. What ‘not feeling well’—just an excuse. Does she think she’s some noble young lady? A’Min, go call her down for me. Tell her the dragon boat race is about to start—don’t throw a tantrum at a time like this.” Sister Xiu sternly instructed the young maid while forcing half a smile at Mo Zi—this counted as burying the hatchet.
“Push her too hard and she’ll go out with a long face, making people unhappy to look at.” Though Wuyou said this, her expression was bland as she pulled Mo Zi to sit by the window.
Seeing Mo Zi’s face full of questions, she explained, “Mo Chou has reached the age to be given to someone, but she still has some unresolved feelings, so I brought her out to join the excitement and incidentally find someone suitable. In these matters, mutual attraction is best—I don’t want to do anything like ‘highest bidder wins.'”
This “giving to someone” didn’t mean betrothal in marriage. Mo Zi understood clearly and felt sympathy for Mo Chou. The fate of brothel women seemed to all pass through this threshold. Selling art but not body couldn’t last a lifetime. A madam like Wuyou was actually quite good—still helping to preserve some dignity.
Perhaps her smile wasn’t quite natural. Wuyou saw it. “Are you thinking I’m very bad?”
Before Mo Zi could shake her head, Wuyou continued, “Mo Chou suggested it herself. Ah—she suffered a blow and can’t think clearly all at once. Actually, she’s still young. Some people are beyond our expectations for a lifetime, yet she had hopes. Now, I just hope she can meet someone who cherishes her a little, at least won’t make her future too difficult.”
Mo Zi felt extremely awkward, never expecting to hear someone discuss such topics one day.
“Look at me, why am I talking about these things with an unmarried young lady? You can always control your own fate—you’re so much stronger than me.” Wuyou gestured for the maids to brew and serve tea.
Hearing footsteps on the stairs, Mo Zi glanced sideways and saw Mo Chou being helped down by a young maid.
Without powder or rouge, skin like snow. Eyes full of spring, lips like cherries. A palm-sized small face, sorrowfully dazed, pale and thin. A willow-like figure with a fragile waist that couldn’t withstand a single bend.
So the world’s first beauty turned out to be a pitiable, water-like delicate appearance.
Though saying this might be somewhat unkind, it once again proved that so-called “first beauty” or “first talented woman” titles from anywhere were always exaggerated.
Mo Chou was beautiful, very beautiful. In terms of appearance, she was indeed the most outstanding one here. But Xiao Mingrou was also beautiful—magnificently beautiful, splendidly beautiful. Qiu Sanniang was also beautiful—gorgeously beautiful, languidly beautiful. Her sister Dou Lu was even more beautiful—ethereally beautiful, touchingly beautiful.
“First” was a ranking in the hearts of those men who loved to philander. They hadn’t seen other beauties, so Mo Chou was the most beautiful.
Sister Xiu began directing maids and servants to move tables and chairs. Before long, tea and snacks were arranged outside, and the girls were called out to sit.
Mo Chou didn’t say a single word, listlessly being helped along.
Mo Zi and Wuyou walked out last and saw over ten dragon boats already ahead, ready to cleave through the water.
“Having long heard that the ship gangs’ Double Ninth dragon boat race is wonderfully exciting, it’s rare to have it in the capital’s waters. Xiao and his water stronghold brothers have come to open our eyes—don’t blame us for being presumptuous.” A warship rapidly approaching, a figure standing proudly in silver battle robes.
Xiao Wei appeared suddenly!