The morning air along the Qinhuai River was crisp and invigorating. As countless guests watched with knowing smiles, Fan Li disembarked the Smoke and Waves Pleasure Barge.
He spotted his carriage in the distance, Jing Wudi disguised as the coachman. His mission had been fruitful. Time to go home.
Fan Li carried a large bag and a small one. The large bag contained the Top Scholar’s outer robe. Not only was it beautifully crafted, but it was also a third-rank Earth-grade protective garment. The small bag held a pile of low- and mid-grade spirit treasures like the Frost Banner.
Although Fan Li didn’t think much of them, they were still worth something. He could use them to reward his servants.
Besides taking Chen Deyan’s valuables, Fan Li had also made him sign a promissory note.
The note stated: Chen Deyan owed the Fan Clan Trading Company ten thousand top-grade spirit stones, to be repaid within six months, with a monthly interest rate of three percent.
“Silence!”
Suddenly, a group of men swarmed the docks, clearing the crowd. A pale-faced, beardless, middle-aged man, his features sharp, stood before the guests, surrounded by Eastern Depot agents.
A eunuch?
Fan Li immediately recognized his status.
“An oral decree from His Majesty.”
The eunuch only uttered those words, and the guests instantly dropped to their knees.
“I have heard that there is a woman among the people, Xue Susu, known for her charitable acts and kindness. She alleviates the suffering of the people. Her deeds are worthy of praise. The Smoke and Waves charity auction is a testament to the Great Ming’s unity and compassion. I hereby decree an ‘Imperial Banquet of Benevolence,’ inviting those who generously contributed to the auction to dine with me. By imperial command!”
The guests, hearing Emperor Jiajing’s oral decree, were stunned. They hadn’t expected this.
The charity auction had actually reached Emperor Jiajing’s ears and had even earned his approval. The Emperor wanted to host a banquet in their honor.
“Yan Shifan, son of Grand Secretary Yan Song of the Huagai Palace, donated a four-foot vertical calligraphy scroll, ‘Loyalty,’ raising seven hundred and fifty thousand taels of silver, alleviating the suffering of the people. For his meritorious service, he is granted an imperial pass!”
“Xu Fan, son of Grand Secretary Xu Jie of the Jianji Palace, donated a calligraphy piece, ‘Rule by Inaction,’ raising two hundred thousand taels of silver, alleviating the suffering of the people. For his meritorious service, he is granted an imperial pass!”
“Fan Zhe, manager of the Fan Clan Trading Company, donated a copy of the ‘Tao Te Ching,’ raising two million top-grade spirit stones and ten ninth-rank Earth-grade spirit treasures, alleviating the suffering of the people. For his meritorious service, he is granted an imperial pass!”
“…!”
As the eunuch announced each name, an imperial pass was bestowed.
An Eastern Depot agent handed a pass to Fan Li. It was a requirement for entering the Great Ming’s imperial palace. The front of the pass depicted a landscape with the sun and moon shining brightly. The back bore Jiajing’s reign title.
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Fan Li held it in his hand. It was surprisingly heavy and emitted a faint wood fragrance, suggesting it was made from precious materials.
Life was unpredictable.
Fan Li had infiltrated the Great Ming for over a month. His original plan was to rescue and recruit Hu Zongxian. But he hadn’t even met Hu Zongxian and was now being summoned by Emperor Jiajing?
Fan Li instinctively touched his face. The Disguise Pill should still be effective, even before a ninth-rank Great Vehicle Realm Emperor, shouldn’t it?
“Eunuch Chen, you’re looking quite imposing.”
An arrogant voice came from the pleasure barge.
A man emerged holding two beautiful women, his behavior brazen even in public. It was Yan Shifan.
He didn’t even bother to accept the imperial pass Emperor Jiajing had bestowed. Instead, he had the beauty on his right take it from the Eastern Depot agent.
“Oh, Junior Grand Secretary Yan.”
The pale-faced eunuch, who had been so arrogant moments ago, now bloomed with a servile smile. His previously straight posture became hunched over, as if trying to appear humble and obedient.
“Before you, Young Master, I’m nothing.”
Yan Shifan burst into laughter. After a while, he asked, “Does His Majesty know about what happened on the barge?”
Inquiring about the Emperor’s knowledge, and in public, no less?
“Yes, he knows everything. Last night, after the final item was auctioned, an Embroidered Uniform Guard, disguised as a guest, discreetly left the barge and reported everything to His Majesty.”
“Hmm.”
Yan Shifan nodded, satisfied with Chen Hong’s response.
The other guests, hearing this, were horrified. The Great Ming’s Embroidered Uniform Guard truly had eyes and ears everywhere?
Even at the Smoke and Waves charity auction, where every guest had been carefully vetted, there had been an Embroidered Uniform Guard among them?
No wonder Eunuch Chen had been able to announce their names, their donations, and even the final prices accurately. Was there any place in the entire Great Ming Dynasty that Emperor Jiajing couldn’t see?
“Does His Majesty want us to enter the palace immediately?” Yan Shifan asked.
“Yes,” Chen Hong nodded. “It’s a luncheon. The Imperial Kitchen is already busy preparing. If you all depart now, the timing will be perfect.”
It was morning now. But with the Great Ming’s elaborate court rituals, the invited guests had to undergo a series of procedures – body searches, incense burning and bathing, changing clothes, and lectures on court etiquette. By the time they were done, it would be time for lunch.
Fan Li sighed and glanced at Jing Wudi, signaling him to return to the Fan residence.
“Alright, let’s go.”
Yan Shifan waved his hand, instructing Eunuch Chen to lead the way.
But Chen Hong stood awkwardly in place. When Yan Shifan looked at him questioningly, he said awkwardly, “Junior Grand Secretary Yan, this humble one hasn't finished reading the oral decree.”
“You haven’t finished?”
Yan Shifan was surprised. Despite his arrogance and disregard for the law, he had an excellent memory. He clearly remembered that all the guests who had donated items or purchased something at the auction had already received imperial passes.
Even Fan Zhe, the Chu merchant, was no exception. How could Chen Hong claim that he hadn’t finished reading the decree?
“Ahem!”
Chen Hong didn’t dare to delay. He cleared his throat and announced, “Xue Susu of the Smoke and Waves Pleasure Barge, for initiating the charity auction and raising countless funds to alleviate the suffering of the people, for her meritorious service, she is granted an imperial pass!”
His words shocked everyone present. Although Emperor Jiajing had praised Xue Susu at the beginning of his decree, he had said nothing more. She was an entertainer, of extremely low social status.
To be praised by the Emperor for her charitable act was already enough to be recorded in history.
But now, she was being invited to the palace as the Qinhuai courtesan, to dine with Emperor Jiajing and the other guests?
“This subject, Xue Susu, thanks His Majesty. Long live the Emperor! Ten thousand years! Ten thousand years! Ten thousand ten thousand years!”
Xue Susu, unfazed, performed a grand bow and accepted the imperial pass.
From an inconspicuous corner, Fan Li silently observed her.
She was the Painting Sage, an assassin.
Could it be that the true purpose of this charity auction was to obtain an opportunity to enter the palace and assassinate Emperor Jiajing?
Fan Li shook his head.
If that were the case, the Great Ci Dynasty would only lose a Great Vehicle Realm expert. They couldn't possibly kill Emperor Jiajing.
…
The Great Ming’s imperial palace.
Emperor Jiajing sat on his throne, dressed in a Daoist robe and wearing a crown that pointed towards the heavens. His long beard reached his chest, making him look more like a Daoist immortal than the ruler of a nation.
Before him, scrolls unfurled one after another.
If Fan Li were present, he would be speechless.
Each scroll depicted a woman, painted with lifelike detail.
They were Empress Yao Guang, Qing Qiu, Miaoyin, Bai Shijiu, Han Yue, Jin De, and even Bai Rong…