kvmb Chapter 476 Morning of Flowers
Chapter 476 Morning of Flowers
"Ah~~" Shen Xu yawned and rubbed his eyes. He hadn't slept so comfortably in a long time.
The gentle swaying of the Tingtao Residence at night, accompanied by the undulating waves, allowed him to sleep soundly.
"Young Master Shen, you're awake. Have some water."
Qing Ning, who was wiping the items inside the boat, handed him the spring water that she had prepared beforehand.
The cool spring water, with its unique crispness from the snow-capped mountains, instantly invigorated him.
"What a wicked feudal life, but I like it. I wonder what kind of life I lived before." Shen Xu sighed softly.
"My sister is in deep thought, so please do not disturb her, young master!"
"Quiet contemplation?"
Shen Xu passed through a low-hanging bamboo curtain and entered the deeper part of the flower boat.
The ceiling here is higher, and the top is designed with an operable skylight.
At the center is a small copper charcoal stove, with several plain-colored cushions scattered around it.
One side of the wall is a row of built-in ebony bookshelves, filled with all kinds of books and scrolls.
On the other side against the wall is a low zither stand, on which sits a paulownia wood zither, with the incense burner beside it still burning.
In an open area, there is a shallow stone-built water mirror. The surface of the water is as calm as black jade, reflecting the light and shadow of the lanterns and the swaying flowers above. Several koi carp with simple colors swim slowly, creating tiny ripples.
Further inside, a movable white gauze screen separated a more private space, where, if he wasn't mistaken, Li Linghui should be meditating.
Shen Xu picked up a book at random and sat down by the stove to read quietly.
"Did you sleep well last night, Young Master Shen?" Li Linghui had appeared beside him without him noticing.
"Very good! But don't you provide meals here?"
Although he wouldn't starve even if he didn't eat, he still has basic human needs, and the desire for food and sex is one of his few remaining desires.
“Young master, there’s no need to rush. Most of the ingredients currently available at Tingtao Residence are quite ordinary. Since you want to experience the unique features of Baihua City, I naturally can’t fool you with ordinary ingredients,” Li Linghui said with a smile.
"Here, take this. Freeloading isn't my style." Shen Xu handed a silver pill note to Li Linghui.
Li Linghui did not refuse, but silently accepted the token.
"If I want to find people from the four major families, where would be a suitable place to go?"
"The shadows of the four great families are behind the ten most famous pleasure boats. I think you will gain something from visiting them, young master."
“Miss Li, you are not like an ordinary envoy.”
"Young master doesn't seem like an ordinary tourist either."
“Indeed!” Shen Xu chuckled.
……
Even a small pleasure boat is not something that Li Linghui and Qing Ning can operate, nor is it just occupied by the two of them. It's just that usually only the two of them live in Tingtao Residence.
Most of the others were people carefully selected by Li Linghui, numbering about a dozen, covering all sorts of people. Most of these people had cooperative relationships with Tingtao Residence and were responsible for handling various miscellaneous affairs of Tingtao Residence.
Shen Xu learned from them that Li Linghui was originally the True Flower Envoy of the "Moon-Viewing Boat," one of the Ten Great Flower Boats, a position above the Flower Envoy.
She could be the top courtesan in almost any medium-sized pleasure boat.
There were even rumors that Lan Yue Fang intended to nominate her as the most beautiful courtesan in Lan Yue Fang.
However, for some reason, she chose to give up her thriving career and instead opened a small pleasure boat downstream.
Even after leaving Lan Yue Fang, her reputation was not damaged in any way, and many dignitaries still came to Ting Tao Ju every day.
Savoring the flower tea she brewed herself, having some snacks, and listening to the music would probably be quite pleasant.
But Shen Xu guessed that most of the customers came just to see her face.
As the golden rays of dawn pierce the thin mist shrouding Goddess Peak and spill over into Hundred Flowers City, the Jade Belt River, which had been bustling all night, finally reveals the splendor and hidden tension that it had accumulated during the day.
Tingtao Residence slowly began to move, and the buildings along the riverbank gradually receded into the distance.
Shen Xu leaned against the window, quietly admiring the beautiful scenery along the way.
The river water is crystal clear, reflecting the lush trees and flowers on both banks, the carved and painted pavilions, the clouds in the sky, and the flower boats on the water.
A few petals drifted onto the river's surface, creating ripples that gently stirred this exquisite scene.
Although the other ladies-in-waiting in the flower boat were somewhat curious about him, they dared not disturb him without Li Linghui's permission.
As the pleasure boat slowly sailed from the tributary into the Jade Belt River, Shen Xu's vision suddenly opened up.
Although the sun was just rising, the entire Jade Belt River had already woken up long ago.
It can be said that the Jade Belt River has completely different styles at night and during the day.
Hundreds of flower boats of different styles are quietly moored or slowly sailing on the wide river, like floating water gardens.
The flowing river of light from last night has been extinguished, and the flower boat, like a beautiful woman removing her heavy makeup, reveals its true charm.
Without the concealment of the magical lamp array, the materials, carvings, and decorative details of each ship's hull were clearly visible.
The exotic flowers and plants entwined on the hull exuded a misty, ethereal aura under the spring sun, and their graceful silhouettes, faintly visible, added to its deadly allure.
On the pleasure boat, the sounds of string and wind instruments drifted faintly, mixed with the clear laughter of women and the faint singing, blending with the hustle and bustle of the teahouses and taverns on both banks, and the shouts of vendors, creating a lively and bustling symphony of the marketplace.
But amidst this intense atmosphere, Shen Xu sensed a near-boiling anticipation and tension.
The entire city was now immersed in a powerful sense of impending doom.
The number of people in Hundred Flowers City has increased several times compared to usual. Cultivators from all directions are like bees and butterflies attracted by nectar, forming a surging tide that rushes to both sides of the Jade Belt River.
Their gazes burned as they looked at the ornately decorated pleasure boats, the air thick with the fervent anticipation and restless excitement for the upcoming ranking battle.
In the distance, the powerful array of spiritual light on the city wall faintly rose, and powerful streaks of light occasionally swept across the sky.
The number of guards dressed in uniform cyan outfits with Chiyuan Sect patterns embroidered on their chests had increased significantly. They scanned the crowd with sharp eyes, maintaining a semblance of order.
From the direction of Flower Goddess Mountain, powerful divine sense fluctuations faintly emanated, deterring the villains.
An invisible pressure filled everyone's heart, forcibly suppressing this already boiling sea of desire.
Shen Xu frowned.
The rain is coming and the wind is all over the building.
He keenly sensed the danger Hundred Flowers City was in at this moment. If a demonic cultivator skilled in manipulating emotions were to incite them, the entire Hundred Flowers City would be beyond control.
"Qingning, do you know which direction the Hundred Herbs Pavilion is in?"
"Hyakucho-fu, is that where Lord Aoki learned about medicinal cuisine?"
"Yes, I want to try it."
“Young master, you really like to eat, but their medicinal cuisine is just so-so and overpriced. You might be disappointed if you go.”
"It's alright, I'll go take a look."
"Alright! Let Xiao Hu take you there. Remember to come back tonight, young master!" Qing Ning said with some concern.
"Don't worry, I paid for it." Shen Xu smiled.
Following a chubby-faced young man on the boat, Shen Xu boarded the Tingtao Residence's cabin and slowly sailed towards the middle reaches of the river.
"Isn't Baicaofang downstream?"
"It used to be there, but ever since Lord Aoki received his title."
Baicaofang gained immense popularity thanks to its medicinal cuisine, and after being upgraded to a larger boat, it's estimated that it will be rated as a mid-level pleasure boat in this year's evaluation.
"When one attains enlightenment, even his chickens and dogs ascend to heaven!" Shen Xu sighed inwardly.