Four Seasons Brocade – CH 237

Chapter 237 ☆、

Ah Wu felt that every time Prince Qi supposedly rewarded her, it was probably just him rewarding himself, leaving her exhausted.

Chu Mao and Ah Wu’s lodging in Huai’an was a beautifully appointed Jiangnan garden—Jiyu Garden—arranged for them by Wang Yongcheng, the Grand Canal Transport Commissioner. These days, Chu Mao was busy entertaining Wang Yongcheng, while Ah Wu, utterly captivated by Jiyu Garden, could not resist spreading out Xuan paper, dipping her brush in ink, and sketching the garden’s scenery, to be used for future recollections.

Although the position of Grand Canal Transport Commissioner seemed lucrative, the Grand Canal was clogged with silt to the point that large ships could not pass through the narrow sections. Yet, the annual grain and silver tribute had to be transported to the capital in full. In years of war, when the court diverted grain and supplies from Jiangnan, the canal’s water capacity was even more strained. Wang Yongcheng was so worried that his forehead was now half-bald; thankfully, his official hat concealed it, otherwise he truly could not leave the house.

But the court had no one with the time to manage the canal transport system; all they cared about was results. Chu Mao’s visit to Huai’an for flood control surprised Wang Yongcheng, yet he could not help but be pleased. Not only could he take this opportunity to discuss the difficulties of the canal transport, but he could also get closer to the Fourth Prince. Although Wang Yongcheng was far away in Huai’an, he was well aware of the political changes in the capital.

This Fourth Prince might very well be the one in the future.

Therefore, for Wang Yongcheng, not only could he not show the Fourth Prince any disrespect, but he also had to treat even the Fourth Prince’s cats and dogs with utmost care, not to mention the Fourth Prince’s favored concubines.

During her stay at Jiyu Garden, Ah Wu had received several gifts from Wang Yongcheng, ranging from rouge and face powder from Runmei Studio in Jiangnan to floral perfumes from the West, from the latest summer and autumn silks of Jiangnan to the three-loom cloth of Songjiang—virtually everything a woman could need for adornment. Even Ah Wu had to admit that Wang Yongcheng was very good at pleasing people.

On this particular day, Wang Yongcheng, who would be accompanying Chu Mao to Shanghai, was thinking of taking Prince Qi to the bustling entertainment district to make his trip worthwhile. Compared to the infamous Qinhuai River, Wang Yongcheng, a seasoned patron of the red-light district, found the alleyways of Shanghai more charming and the small businesses there more unique.

Although Wang Yongcheng had arranged this for Chu Mao, he did not want to offend Ah Wu, his “favored concubine,” so he wanted his wife to take their daughter to Jiyu Garden as guests, but in reality, it was to accompany Prince Qi’s concubine. Once they were more familiar with each other, they could go to the theater together to listen to some folk songs, hoping to please the lady and perhaps get her to put in a good word for him.

Wang Yongcheng’s intentions were clearly well-intentioned, but his wife flatly refused. Wang Yongcheng’s wife, Lady Huang, came from a scholarly family in Jiangnan and would never stoop to associating with a concubine.

“I’ve heard she’s Prince Qi’s most favored concubine. She was brought all the way from the capital, and she’s the only one serving him. Several times, Prince Qi has even turned down evening invitations just to have dinner with her. Madam, as the sages say, women and petty men are the most difficult to deal with. We cannot afford to offend someone like that,” Wang Yongcheng said, wiping the oily beads of sweat from his thick cheeks as he tried to appease his wife.

“I am not going,” Lady Huang sneered. “Since you, sir, dare not offend her, why did you arrange such a banquet for Prince Qi?”

The banquet hosted by Young Lady Dong, the most famous courtesan in Jiangnan, in Mao’er Alley of Shanghai, was not easy to arrange. It had to be booked days in advance. Lady Huang was always shrewd and knew Wang Yongcheng’s every move intimately; she knew his social niceties by heart.

Wang Yongcheng smiled ingratiatingly. “Madam knows best the difficulties our canal transport faces. Every year, we struggle to maintain it, and it’s only now that Prince Qi has come to inquire about this matter. Besides, now that the higher-ups…” Wang Yongcheng pointed to the sky. “…we do not know what will happen, but it’s never a bad thing for us to flatter him.”

Lady Huang sneered, “Flattering him is fine, but asking me to flatter a concubine of unknown origin is beyond my ability, sir. I think the one you keep in Huai Garden would be quite suitable.”

Seeing that he could not persuade Lady Huang, Wang Yongcheng had no choice but to turn and go to Huai Garden. In Huai Garden lived Wang Yongcheng’s mistress, a woman who, before being redeemed, was no less popular than Dong Rumei. Wang Yongcheng had spent a considerable sum to win her heart, but his primary wife would not tolerate her, and his second wife refused to submit. Therefore, he had to acquire property outside the home.

Upon hearing Wang Yongcheng’s words, Ying Fangfang naturally could not refuse as Lady Huang did. She obediently agreed, “Do not worry, sir, I will certainly serve this lady very well.”

When Ying Fangfang arrived at Jiyu Garden, Ah Wu was pruning a potted plant. Hearing her arrival, she put down her pruning shears, wiped her hands with a cotton cloth, sat down, and took a sip of tea. A servant then led Ying Fangfang into the hall.

“Reporting to Madam, Lady Ying from Minister Wang’s residence has arrived.”

Although Ying Fangfang introduced herself as Lady Ying and was dressed in fine silks and satins, adorned with gold and jade, appearing elegant and poised, she was slightly younger than her age, and her eyes held a hint of coquettishness. Ah Wu already had a hunch about her.

When Ying Fangfang first saw Ah Wu, she had not expected that Prince Qi’s concubine would be so beautiful. Her eyebrows were like distant, verdant mountains, her eyes like autumn waters sparkling with cold stars, her rosy cheeks adding three points of spring’s charm, and her teeth like pearls nine parts snow. If she were willing to show her face in Miao’er Alley, how could Dong Rumei dare to call herself the most beautiful woman in Jiangnan?

However, today, Ying Fangfang had come under the title of Wang Yongcheng’s wife, and seeing that Ah Wu did not even stand up when she saw her made Ying Fangfang somewhat uncomfortable. She thought to herself, “Truly worthy of being a Prince’s concubine, putting on such airs. Is she not afraid of hurting her back?”

“Lady Cui,” Ying Fangfang curtsied.

Because Ah Wu could not use the surname Rong, she borrowed the surname Cui, and those who did not know the situation called her Lady Cui. However, Ying Fangfang’s behavior only made Ah Wu more certain that she was not Wang Yongcheng’s legal wife. If it were Lady Huang, she certainly would not bow to a concubine.

Although Ah Wu knew her current status was merely that of a concubine, her every action betrayed this. She harbored some resentment towards Wang Yongcheng, wondering where he had found this Ying woman to appease her.

“Please sit,” Ah Wu said calmly.

Ying Fangfang, being a renowned courtesan, though displeased, showed no sign of it. “I apologize for my intrusion today, Madam. My husband and Prince Qi went to Shanghai, a trip that will take two or three days. He specifically instructed me to accompany Madam to enjoy the sights of Huai’an.”

Ah Wu had never gone out in Huai’an since arriving. Her status was ultimately unsuitable for public life, and Chu Mao deliberately downplayed her presence. She was never invited to social gatherings among the officials’ wives in Huai’an, making her quite lonely and isolated.

So much so that, considering Ying Fangfang’s relatively generous demeanor, Ah Wu did not expose Lady Ying’s true identity, but she also had no intention of lowering herself to socialize with Lady Ying.

When Lady Ying saw Ah Wu serving tea without uttering a word, it was clear that she was not welcoming the guest and was essentially seeing her off. Ying Fangfang’s smile immediately stiffened.

This Lady Cui possessed an elegant demeanor and graceful bearing, and her beauty was the most striking Ying Fangfang had seen in years. Such a person was merely a concubine, which gave Ying Fangfang a strange sense of pleasure. However, seeing the other woman’s aloofness and affected manner made Ying Fangfang feel somewhat uncomfortable, and her mind drifted back to Wang Yongcheng’s affairs in Shanghai.

Although Dong Rumei could not match this woman’s beauty, her melodious singing and alluring charm were enough to ignite any man’s heart. Wang Yongcheng had not chosen Dong Rumei initially because so many men were vying for her; he had to settle for second best. Ying Fangfang, though unwilling to admit it, had to acknowledge it.

The thought of Prince Qi becoming Dong Rumei’s lover, and seeing this woman’s expression, made Ying Fangfang feel somewhat relieved, and her smile softened. “While Huai’an may not be as famous as Suzhou and Hangzhou, the beauty of Huyan Lake is unparalleled. Sitting on a painted boat, listening to music while peeling lotus seeds, and enjoying grilled red snapper—these are all experiences you cannot find anywhere else.”

Ying Fangfang’s words were somewhat exaggerated, and Ah Wu, being afraid of water, had no real interest in going boating on the lake. Ying Fangfang, a woman of keen insight, saw that Ah Wu remained unmoved. Observing her demeanor and sensing that, despite being a concubine, she likely came from a respectable family, she added, “Madam, you may not know that Huai’an has a unique tradition: the women of Huai’an are no less capable than men.”

“Several female leaders in the canal transport guilds often say that what men can do, they can do too; why can they not enjoy what men enjoy? So, we women can invite the girls from those pleasure boats on Huai’an’s lakes, those with their beautiful lanterns, to have some fun and listen to their soft, melodious Wu dialect,” Ying Fangfang said.

Ah Wu’s heart stirred at Ying Fangfang’s words. Indeed, reading ten thousand books was not as good as traveling ten thousand miles. Ah Wu had never imagined such a thing existed in the world.

“Then I will trouble you, Lady Ying. I’ve been in Huai’an for so long and have not even left the city yet,” Ah Wu said with a faint smile.

Ying Fangfang, wielding Wang Yongcheng’s “imperial sword,” quickly arranged everything. She and Ah Wu borrowed the same luxurious pleasure boat that Wang Yongcheng had used for his lake excursions; its lantern at the bow bore the character “Wang,” giving it complete impunity on the waters around Huai’an.

Huyan Lake, named for the rosy hue of its waters tinged by the setting sun, was not particularly scenic. Ah Wu’s fear of water had improved considerably recently, and gazing at the lake teeming with golden fish, she could at least appear nonchalant in public, concealing her weakness.

Huai’an’s folk songs, influenced by the canal transport system, contained many colloquial phrases, making them understandable to the canal workers. However, to Ah Wu’s ears, they sounded rather vulgar, and she dismissed the two young girls.

As night fell, the lake was bustling with painted boats. The lanterns of the guesthouses were uniquely designed, each bearing a name. Ah Wu, with her sharp ears, heard the voices of an old man and a young man, unusually clear and melodious. She looked out the window and saw that the painted boat opposite had a lantern with the character “Dong” written on it.

“Madam has a good eye,” Ying Fangfang said with a smile. “That Dong Mei’er is known as the second Dong Rumei, the most beautiful courtesan on this lake. She’s always busy entertaining guests. Her singing is superb, and her pipa playing is simply divine. Why do we not invite her over to sing a song?” Today, disguised as Wang Yongcheng, it would be a perfect opportunity to meet Old Wang’s new favorite.

Ah Wu nodded, finding it strange that even women could use name tags.

Ying Fangfang gave an order, and the boatman brought the boat closer to the Dong family’s pleasure boat. A servant boy, seeing the boat approach, nimbly jumped across and soon returned. Meanwhile, commotion arose on the Dong family’s pleasure boat; the boatmen of the two boats began to build a bridge.

Then, Ah Wu saw a graceful woman, helped aboard by a maid, slowly approach from the opposite boat, her skirts billowing. Behind her followed an old man, a young girl, and another maid carrying a pipa.

Dong Mei’er lifted the curtain and entered. When she saw Ying Fangfang, her eyebrows shot up in surprise. Looking up again, she saw Ah Wu, but Wang Yongcheng was nowhere to be seen.