At night.
The banks of the Prosper River were brightly lit.
It was different from the wide river where Yu Xian had been fishing earlier.
This section of the river that ran through Prosper City was much narrower, with many buildings on both sides, making it the essence of Prosper River.
Pleasure boats and flower boats, houses by the water, riverside taverns and teahouses were even livelier than during the day.
The place where the medicinal material merchant hosted the banquet was on a medium-sized pleasure boat owned by the Elegant Pavilion in the city, and those who served on the boat were all top-class courtesans.
So, it would cost no less than 500 taels of silver to charter the boat for a night.
Of course, the fee included both the boat and the courtesans.
When Yu Xian heard the price, his first reaction was to feel sorry for the money, secretly wishing it could be directly converted to cash for him.
But soon, he slapped himself.
Damn, he really was a bumpkin who couldn't enjoy the finer things in life.
He wanted the money to enjoy himself, and now he could skip the middle step and enjoy it directly.
Moreover, the host was experienced, so the arrangements must be good. All he had to do was enjoy himself.
After some mental preparation, Yu Xian quickly found his identity— a freeloading guest.
At the entrance to the banquet hall on the pleasure boat.
An elderly person led a middle-aged man to welcome the visiting Yu Xian and Doctor Huang.
"I am Sun Hong, the head shopkeeper of the Sun Family Pharmacy. Greetings, Grandmaster Yu.
Indeed, it is better to meet in person. Grandmaster Yu is not only powerful but also handsome and extraordinary. His elegant demeanor is truly amazing. Without seeing it in person, it is hard to believe that there are such immortal-like figures in this world."
The elderly man greeted him with a salute, praising Yu Xian effusively, even to the point of making him blush.
Yu Xian responded with a restrained smile, saying, "Sir, you have a discerning eye, to see through me so quickly upon first meeting."
The elderly man's smile froze, and his gaze turned to the middleman, Doctor Huang.
'Is Grandmaster Yu always this shameless?'
Doctor Huang silently nodded.
'Yes, he is.'
Fortunately, the old man had been through the ups and downs of life and was not flustered. He continued the conversation seamlessly.
"I heard that Grandmaster Yu is fond of dancing and beautiful women. Tonight, I have specially invited Miss Butterfly from Elegant Pavilion to perform a dance for Grandmaster Yu. I hope you will give her much guidance."
Yu Xian was very humble: "I dare not speak of guidance; we shall learn together."
"Haha, Grandmaster Yu is truly modest. Please, this way."
The old man invited Yu Xian to take the top seat in the hall, then clapped his hands.
From behind the screen, the sound of a lute suddenly struck, like a pebble falling into a spring in the mountains.
Then came the qin, guzheng, erhu, and a crisp sound like knocking on jade.
The intertwined music was disorderly yet harmonious, like stepping into a rustling mountain stream.
The room became silent.
At the entrance of the hall, the beaded curtain was lifted, and a naked jade foot stepped in.
Looking up, under the orange lamp, there were a pair of flawless little legs, glossy like jade, with such fine pores they seemed invisible.
Further up, they were covered with a light moon-white fine gauze, thin yet opaque, with a silky texture that shimmered in the candlelight.
She was a woman wrapped in a veil, like the moonlight itself.
With soft steps, she moved like a girl in the spring breeze as her ribbons danced behind her.
The music from behind the screen suddenly became lively.
Four accompanying dancers followed her in.
They were like a group of butterflies, flitting among the flowers, their steps lively and innocent.
Originally designed to be revealing outfits, they now conveyed the romance and innocence of young girls.
It seemed as if they were not dancing for a group of men, but playing and frolicking in the mountains, expressing their pure and innocent maiden natures.
Yu Xian went from being indifferent at first to being completely captivated.
Yulan danced for him as a straightforward seduction; he just wanted to undress her.
But upon seeing Miss Butterfly's dance, he felt an urge to dress them and protect their innocent beauty.
A good dance can indeed touch people's hearts through the scenery it creates.
The music ended, and so did the dance.
Miss Butterfly removed her veil, revealing a delicate and charming face as she bowed to the audience.
"I humbly present my clumsy dance."
The stunned crowd finally snapped out of their trance.
"Bravo!"
Yu Xian clapped, thinking that this dance alone made his trip halfway worthwhile. The other half, of course, would be the yet-to-be-presented greeting gift from the old man.
Seeing Yu Xian clapping, everyone else also applauded to give face.
"Haha, it seems that Grandmaster Yu really enjoyed Miss Butterfly's dance. Miss Butterfly, Grandmaster Yu is also a master in this field. Why don't you two exchange some thoughts? Perhaps you can become confidants, and who knows, maybe even make a legendary story someday."
Following Sun Hong's gesture, Miss Butterfly sat down next to Yu Xian.
As soon as Miss Butterfly sat down, Yu Xian detected a faint fragrance wafting in. He couldn't help but take a couple of gentle sniffs.
No wonder they say wildflowers smell better than homegrown ones.
"Grandmaster Yu, I – Miss Butterfly – propose a toast to you."
Miss Butterfly filled a cup of wine for herself and drained it in one gulp. Perhaps she drank it too fast, she choked a little, her cheeks flushed pink. It made her extremely adorable.
Yu Xian looked at Miss Butterfly with an innocent expression and gentle eyes.
"Miss Butterfly, your dance is beautiful, and so are you. I really like it."
"Thank you, Grandmaster Yu, for your compliment. Huh?"
Miss Butterfly looked down and smiled, then suddenly raised her head in surprise, her face turning red.
A large hand had somehow wrapped around her waist, and the safe distance between the two of them was now almost non-existent.
"Miss Butterfly, I've always been quite direct about what I like."
Yu Xian leaned over, and his warm breath hit Miss Butterfly's face, causing her body to stiffen to the extreme, yet making him burst into laughter.
Seeing Yu Xian getting close to Miss Butterfly, Sun Hong also showed a delighted expression.
Just as Doctor Huang said, Grandmaster Yu was indeed lustful and loved beauty. Sending him a beauty was just to his taste.
No wonder he spent 200 taels of silver specifically for Miss Butterfly's company.
So, in the heat of the moment...
Sun Hong raised his wine cup and said, "It's my honor that Grandmaster Yu could attend my humble banquet today. Allow me to drink this cup."
After finishing the wine, he continued, "Doctor Huang told me that you are here to purchase medicinal materials, Grandmaster Yu. Fortunately, my pharmacy has some stock. I will take this opportunity to offer it as a gift to you.
Bring it out."
As soon as he finished speaking, two servants in melon hats carried in a large wooden box.
The box was opened, revealing finely sorted brocade boxes inside. Upon further opening, an assortment of nourishing medicinal materials such as ginseng, polygonatum, and angelica appeared.
Yu Xian also noticed in one of the small brocade boxes a stack of fifty-tael silver bills that must have been worth at least over a thousand taels.
Adding the value of these medicinal materials, it was worth at least three to four thousand taels.
Considering the hospitality he had received today, the total value must have been a few hundred taels more.
All this was far beyond the usual limit of a greeting gift. Was it really just to make friends with him?
Yu Xian didn't know Sun Hong's intentions, but it didn't stop him from accepting the gift.
Anyway, once it was in his mouth, there was no reason to spit it out. He was alone in the world, with no family or friends to fear retribution.
"I can't refuse this generous gift, and I'm deeply grateful for Mr. Sun's kindness. I will accept it."
Yu Xian remained still, secretly activating his mana, transforming it into a rough hand that grabbed the heavy wooden box from afar and dropped it with a clang behind him.
The sound was like a strike to everyone's hearts.
Immediately, the whole room fell silent!