"Sect Leader Su, please do as you wish. This humble monk will go find an inn for the night," Ji Chun replied. Finding an inn wasn't particularly urgent; in truth, he disliked crowds and had no desire to participate in such noisy, bustling events.
"You can pick any inn later. Let's go!" Su Ran saw through Ji Chun's reluctance at a glance but pretended not to notice. Grabbing the monk's sleeve, he pulled him forward. Ji Chun had no choice but to follow.
The two of them were soon swept along by the crowd toward the riverbank, where people were packed together tightly. The stone bridge spanning the river was also teeming with spectators. Everywhere he looked, there were waves of people. A red banner hung on the bridge, adding to the festive atmosphere. Ji Chun's expression darkened as he found himself uncomfortably squeezed on all sides. Stuck in the dense crowd, he could neither move forward nor retreat.
Su Ran, standing in front of him, also had a face as dark as ink. Suppressing his irritation, he began forcefully shoving aside those in his way, carving out a path for himself. Thanks to that, Ji Chun was also pushed toward the front. Once there, the space was slightly less cramped, and he could finally see the river clearly.
Several gorgeously decorated flower boats floated quietly on the water, each one unique and exquisitely crafted. Their designs carried a delicate, poetic elegance, yet there was an unmistakable feminine allure to them. Listening to the murmurs of those around him, Ji Chun soon grasped what was happening—it was the day of the annual election for the most beautiful courtesan.
On this day, all the most beautiful and talented courtesans in town would appear on the flower boats, presenting themselves to the eager spectators. They were all virgins, highly valued, admired, and coveted. Regardless of status or wealth, both men and women gathered to watch the spectacle. The man who offered the highest price would not only obtain the courtesan's virginity but also her indenture contract, making her his possession from then on. For these women, this was often the only way to escape their lowly status and become the wife of a wealthy man.
Ji Chun turned slightly to gauge Su Ran's reaction after all the effort it took to squeeze into the crowd. As expected, Su Ran's expression was stormy, his fury barely contained. Seeing this, Ji Chun couldn't help but want to laugh. But just as he was about to, Su Ran suddenly turned and glared at him. Ji Chun instinctively touched his face, pretending innocence. Fortunately, it seemed Su Ran hadn't noticed anything.
"Hmph!" Su Ran snorted coldly, crossing his arms over his chest as he boredly watched the flower boats drifting on the river. No one could tell what he was thinking.
Finally, the event began. The flower boats approached the crowd one by one. Two elegantly dressed maids stood at the bow of each boat, bowing before gracefully lifting the curtains. A woman then stepped out onto the deck, her face hidden behind a veil. Though her features were obscured, her slender figure swayed gently, as delicate as a willow in the spring breeze. She sat down, accepted a pipa from the maids, and began to sing. Her voice was soft and clear, as melodious as an oriole, and her song was filled with longing and tenderness.
After her performance, more boats drifted forward in succession, each revealing another courtesan vying for the title of the most beautiful. Some recited poetry, others sang, danced, or played musical instruments. Time passed unnoticed as the sky gradually darkened, and the crowd swelled even further.
Then, the most anticipated moment arrived. One by one, the flower boats withdrew, making way for a larger, more lavishly decorated vessel that slowly rowed to the center of the river. A middle-aged man stepped forward, announcing the start of the final selection.
The judging panel consisted of the wealthiest men in the area and past winners of the oiran. Although the townspeople were also free to voice their opinions, their influence was minimal. Nonetheless, they enthusiastically joined in the discussion. After a lively debate, the winner was finally chosen—Jiang Wenshi, a courtesan from the renowned Huanxi Garden.
With the selection complete, it was time for the auction. A gong sounded over the river, and the bidding began.
"Five hundred taels[1]!"
"I'll offer one thousand taels!"
"One thousand two hundred taels!"
"One thousand five hundred taels!"
At this price, the crowd fell silent. One thousand five hundred taels was an enormous sum for a small town.
"Hey, you're dressed so finely, yet you haven't placed a bid!" a man standing behind Su Ran muttered, eyeing him with suspicion.
As the leader of a sect, Su Ran always wore elegant robes, even while traveling. It was no surprise that he was mistaken for a wealthy man.
"Oh? Say that again?" Su Ran turned around slowly, his gaze as sharp as a blade. The venom in his eyes made it clear that he was not one to be provoked.
The man's legs immediately went weak. He was just an ordinary citizen—he had never encountered such an intimidating figure before. His face turned pale, and he quickly shook his head, unwilling to invite trouble.
"Two thousand taels," Su Ran said casually.
His voice was not particularly loud, but the sum he uttered sent a wave of shock through the crowd. All heads turned in his direction, eager to see the man willing to spend such an exorbitant amount on a courtesan.
When they saw him, the crowd collectively froze. Su Ran's face was so strikingly beautiful that it left them speechless.
With such looks, why would he need to buy a woman? If he so much as lifted a hand, countless women would throw themselves at him. More than that, he was clearly a man of high status. Why would someone like him even be here?
"Ahem, is there any gentleman willing to bid? If not, we'll have Lady Shi accompany that handsome gentleman over there!" the man in charge of the boat announced.
The crowd fell completely silent. No one stepped forward to bid, and it was clear that all eyes were fixed on the man standing on the riverbank who had made the offer. Ji Chun frowned, puzzled as to why Su Ran would spend two thousand taels of silver to buy a woman for no apparent reason. He couldn't help but remind him, "Sect Leader Su, don't forget we have important matters to attend to."
Su Ran shot him a cold glance, his expression smug. "Don't worry, it won't delay our journey. I'll spend the night with this woman and we'll continue tomorrow."
Ji Chun still felt uneasy, a sense of discomfort gnawing at him. When he saw Su Ran turn his head, his gaze fixed on the flower boat with keen interest, Ji Chun realized he had no right to stop him. This only deepened his frustration. He spoke again, his tone stern, "Given your current condition... I'm afraid it's not appropriate."
Su Ran's face darkened instantly. Was this monk implying that the fetus in his belly made him incapable? Even so, he was still a man, and that fact would never change. Tonight, he was determined to prove it.
"Ji Chun Dashi, don't trouble yourself. I'll decide what's appropriate," Su Ran retorted. With that, he leaped gracefully onto the boat in the middle of the river, landing beside the event host. The crowd erupted in gasps and murmurs of admiration. This elegant, handsome young man was not only wealthy but also skilled in martial arts. Truly, he was a rare sight!
Su Ran tossed a stack of silver taels to the host and ordered arrogantly, "Skip the formalities. I want that woman tonight. Make the arrangements."
"Of course, of course..." The host stammered, clutching the bag of silver tael as if they weighed a ton. His hands trembled slightly. "Please proceed to Huanxi Garden for dinner tonight. A servant will escort you to Lady Wen Shi's chambers afterward."
Su Ran nodded indifferently, and the boat soon docked at the shore. He stepped off casually and walked over to Ji Chun, announcing loudly, "Ji Chun Dashi, you'll stay with me at Huanxi Garden tonight. It'll be more convenient for us to set off early tomorrow."
The crowd buzzed with whispers. Huanxi Garden was a well-known entertainment venue, and the idea of a monk staying there was scandalous. Could this monk be a playboy? He didn't seem very pious.
Ji Chun knew Su Ran was deliberately trying to tarnish his reputation in public. Anger and indignation burned within him, but his rational side kept him from reacting. Instead, he turned on his heel and walked away without a word.
By now, night had fully fallen. A crescent moon hung in the sky, its pale light casting a hazy glow over the town. A gentle breeze tugged at the hem of Ji Chun's robes as he sat on the roof of a modest inn, his mind a tangled mess. He couldn't pinpoint the source of his unease, but it clung to him like a shadow.
Suddenly, he overheard two men walking below, discussing the day's events.
"I heard the man who bought the courtesan is a young outsider. Beautiful as a painting, they say."
"Indeed! I caught a glimpse of him from afar. Never seen anyone like him in my life. And rich too—two thousand taels, just like that! They say Lady Wen Shi didn't even hesitate. Lucky man, isn't he? Why can't something like that happen to us?"
"Dream on! You're not even close. Rumor has it he bought the courtesan to serve him. If you didn't know better, by his looks alone, you'd think it was the woman who had bought him!"
"Ha! I'd love to see how a man like that handles himself with a woman."
"Keep dreaming..."
The two men's voices faded as they walked away, but their crude conversation lingered in Ji Chun's ears. His brows furrowed into a deep frown, and his chest tightened painfully, as if an invisible hand had gripped his heart, squeezing it until it could barely beat. His breathing grew labored, and his head buzzed with restless thoughts.
Suddenly, he stood up. Without thinking, he leaped from the roof, using his light-footed qigong to race toward the town's bustling red-light district. His figure cut a lonely, urgent silhouette under the moonlight. The wind whistled past his ears, and his heart pounded faster with every step. He could no longer control his actions. All he knew was that he had to stop Su Ran.
The reasons flooded his mind: Su Ran was pregnant. They had to travel tomorrow. He was harming an innocent woman. He was straying from their mission. Whatever the reason, Su Ran had to come back.
[1] Currency