Chapter 118, Wang Clan

Translator: StarReader

 

The gathered martial artists, wealthy merchants, and young masters gazed at the stage where Young Miss Ah Nu had just finished her dance. Her zither strings were snapped, tears streaming down her face, and they too felt tears welling up in their eyes, captivated by her performance.

 

Thousands of guests in the hall sat in silence. Then, a loud, crude shout echoed from the first floor, breaking the momentary quiet of Mist Terrace.

 

“Ah Nu! I’m Wang Fuhao, the magistrate’s son from Gusu County! You remember me, don’t you? We met at the last banquet! My family has power and influence. Marry me as my concubine, and no one will dare harm you!”

 

The county magistrate’s son, Wang Fuhao, stood at the front of the first floor, his face flushed with excitement. He seemed possessed as he jumped up and rushed towards the stage.

 

A regular patron of Mist Terrace, Wang Fuhao had been pining for Ah Nu for a long time. Despite his efforts, the powerful influence of the Caravan Guards kept him from winning her favor. Now that they’ve decided to auction off this money tree, he’s prepared with wads of cash to outbid everyone else. But ideally, he’d like to bring her back to the county seat to end his torment.

 

“Young Master Wang, keep in mind Mist Terrace and martial rules!”

 

“If you’re the highest bidder tonight, Ah Nu will be yours tonight!”

 

“If you can increase your offer by dozens of times, Ah Nu’s contract will be yours.”

 

Immediately, several expert guards from Caravan Guards rushed forward. They grabbed Wang Fuhao’s arms, holding him back to prevent any disruption to the auction for this top courtesan.

 

“You bastard! Don’t block me! Young Miss Ah Nu is mine; who dares to challenge me?” Wang Fuhao bellowed like a pig in a slaughterhouse, kicking and biting in his frenzy. But he couldn’t break free from the guards’ hold.

 

He was spellbound by her graceful dance on stage, his heart melting at the sight. When she stumbled and cried, every fiber of him trembled with excitement. The mood turned somber, heavy with an inexplicable sorrow that left everyone reeling.

 

Wang Fuhao’s boorish outburst snapped them all back to reality.

 

But the Caravan Guards had the muscle to rein in this spoiled Gusu County brat.

 

“Bravo!” they shouted as one. “What a dance!”

 

“Ah Nu!” they chanted, “Wu Region’s flower!”

 

The crowd erupted, clapping and hollering. Ah Nu’s name echoed through the floor. There was no doubt about it; she was the night’s undeniable star, Gusu’s premier courtesan.

 

Matron Li swept onto the stage with her scented handkerchief, grinning like a blooming flower. Tonight was Ah Nu’s debut, and her price would soar to unprecedented heights at Mist Terrace.

 

She turned to the nearest Wang Fuhao, “Oh, Young Master Wang, calm down~calm down! Tonight is Young Miss Ah Nu’s celebration. If you can pay the price, she’ll be yours tonight. But if you want to take her away from Mist Terrace to be your concubine, that’ll cost you dearly! I wonder if Young Master Wang has brought enough silver? This year’s Gusu courtesan is undeniably Ah Nu. Tonight is also her night to leave the brothel. A double celebration indeed! Let’s not waste time; the auction for Young Miss Ah Nu’s first night begins at one thousand two hundred silver taels, with each bid increasing by at least a hundred!”

 

Matron Li, seizing this moment of enthusiasm from the gathered martial artists and wealthy merchants, promptly announced the start of the bidding.

 

“One thousand five hundred!”

 

“One thousand nine hundred!”

 

“Two thousand three hundred!”

 

“Three thousand, three thousand!”

 

The young experts and rich businessmen woke up from their daze, eager to outbid each other.

 

“Shut up, I’m offering five thousand! She’s mine, Wang Fuhao; no one dares to compete with me! Three city guards will ensure no one leaves Gusu City tonight!” Wang Fuhao, his eyes bloodshot, pulled out a thick stack of banknotes and slammed them onto the stage.

 

In an instant, the bidding price skyrocketed to an astonishing five thousand silver taels. All for one night’s pleasure! The price was increasing so rapidly that it was almost impossible to believe.

 

Wang Fuhao, Young Master Wang, his sudden doubling of the price shocked many young martial artists, and even some wealthy merchants hesitated, considering the high price and the potential trouble with the magistrate’s son. Many decided to withdraw from the bidding.

 

Wang Fuhao silenced all other bids in Mist Terrace. Impatient, he tried to climb onto the stage before Matron Li could announce the final result, shouting, “Ah Nu, my beloved, I’m here!” Fortunately, a few Caravan Guards held him back, preventing him from rushing onto the stage.

 

…

 

On the third floor of Mist Terrace, in a lavish private room:

 

Lord Bai had left, leaving behind Envoy Wang, Governor Zhao, and other officials of various ranks. They awaited the outcome of the Flower Picking event, watching for Immortal Su’s appearance.

 

Zhao Juzhen sat observing from his seat as Magistrate Wang’s son, Wang Fuhao, behaved crassly downstairs. He commented, “Your young master Wang sure is showing off. Five thousand silver taels like they’re nothing, outbidding everyone here in this den of debauchery! Even when I hosted the imperial envoy and Lord Bai, I only spent a few hundred taels on drinks. Where did your young master get all that money to throw around like it’s going out of style? With your magistrate’s salary, how can you afford his extravagance?”

 

Magistrate Wang’s face paled in panic, sweat beading on his forehead. “Well… uh…”

 

He had secretly arranged for Envoy Wang and Governor Zhao to attend the Crowning Flower Contest to enjoy it discreetly. He knew all too well about his eldest son’s wild behavior, spoiled by his first wife since childhood, turning him into a useless playboy.

 

Magistrate Wang, the most powerful official in Gusu County, usually turned a blind eye to his son’s mischief in the city’s brothels. But today was different—both Envoy Wang and Governor Zhao were present. He was just a small fry now.

 

Little did he know that tonight, his son would cause such a scene at Mist Terrace with all those silver taels. Even without considering Immortal Su’s part, just being so reckless in front of the governor and envoy was enough to cause trouble.

 

Magistrate Wang wished he could bash his son’s head in with a brick right then.

 

Wang Zhubo saw Magistrate Wang flustered and stepped in to explain, “Gentlemen, our Wang Clan is a respected clan in the Wu Region. We have some savings, but that son of mine… he’s just being a brat tonight.”

 

Governor Zhao said, “The war might be over, but there are still tens of thousands of White Lotus Society members in Lou County. Even if the White Lotus Society is wiped out, there’s always a sea of refugees and beggars lining the streets. You foolish young masters, you’ve already dug your own fiery grave; it’ll swallow up all your clan’s lives sooner or later. Why should I dirty my hands? As governor of the Wu Region, I won’t stay here forever, only until my term is over. The mess you made will be yours to clean up.”

 

The governor’s expression remained cold.

 

Zhao Juzhen knew these young masters wouldn’t listen to him; they’d just let his words blow past like the wind. After tonight, it’ll be business as usual for them.

 

Envoy Wang chuckled, patting Magistrate Wang on the shoulder reassuringly. “Lord Zhao, you’re going to make him soil himself.

 

“Don’t worry, there’s Governor Zhao to protect Wu Region’s people during his term. Now that the Crowning Flower Contest has started, we need to handle Young Miss Fei Xingnu. Maybe Immortal Su will also make his appearance.”

 

He was eager to see an immortal cultivator in action, especially Immortal Su of the Wu Region.