Snow fall blanketed the world in white. Winter had arrived. Fan Li had been residing in Beiting Alley for over a month.
During this short period, under the alias of Fan Zhe, he had already become a prominent figure in the alley.
Several business deals he had personally arranged had resulted in mutually beneficial outcomes.
The Ming merchants were delighted to earn a substantial profit during the usually quiet winter months. It was an unexpected boon.
They all whispered amongst themselves, "Young Master Fan is truly Old Fan's nephew. His shrewd business acumen and human touch are definitely inherited traits!"
Now, the threshold of the Fan residence in Beiting Alley was nearly worn down by the constant stream of merchants from the Ming capital.
"Nephew, someone seeks an audience."
Fan Li sat in his study, reviewing accounts. A brazier warmed the room, making it incredibly cozy. Hearing the servant's announcement, he smiled faintly.
Only Old Fan in this entire household knew Fan Li's true identity. The ordinary servants genuinely believed he was their "nephew."
"I'll go meet the guest. You should rest," Fan Li said to Lu Fubao.
"Yes."
Lu Fubao nodded tiredly.
Ever since arriving in the Ming capital, baby Diao Chan had become incredibly demanding. Her days and nights were reversed. She slept during the day and cried all night.
Fortunately, Lu Fubao was patient. She soothed Diao Chan every night until dawn. As a result, Diao Chan's sleep schedule gradually became regular, but Lu Fubao grew increasingly thin and haggard.
Fan Li had advised her to hire a wet nurse to care for Diao Chan, but for some reason, Lu Fubao had refused.
She insisted on raising the child herself, and unexpectedly, her reputation as a virtuous wife and mother had spread throughout Beiting Alley.
"Who seeks an audience?"
Fan Li arrived at the main hall, expecting to see an envoy from a merchant family.
However, the visitor was a young woman in a green dress, her appearance pretty, her demeanor a mix of intelligence and arrogance.
"You're Fan Zhe, the young master?" The green-clad maid tilted her chin high, looking down at Fan Li.
Fan Li touched his nose, thinking, 'What arrogance!' But judging by her attire, she didn't possess the refined elegance of a scholarly family, nor the noble air of a prestigious clan. She was just a maid, but her makeup was bright and bold, almost seductive.
Fan Li guessed that only women from the pleasure quarters would wear such makeup.
"You have sharp eyes, young lady."
Fan Li was a merchant now. He didn't have the same imposing presence as before. He maintained a friendly smile.
"I am Fan Zhe. May I ask who you are?"
"I'm from the Smoke and Waves Pleasure Barge. I'm here to deliver an invitation from my mistress."
"Oh?!"
Although Fan Li was new to the capital, he was a prominent figure in the business world. With his status, he had to know the most famous pleasure barge in the Ming capital – the Smoke and Waves.
To feign ignorance would be strange.
Fan Li put on an expression of pleasant surprise, rubbing his hands together excitedly. "Could it be… Could it be… Grand Master Xue?"
"Yes!"
The green-clad maid was satisfied with Fan Li's reaction. Her arrogance grew. She retrieved an invitation and presented it to him.
"My mistress is hosting a charity auction at the Smoke and Waves. She invites Master Fan to attend."
"A charity auction?" Fan Li asked, feigning confusion.
"Yes! A charity auction."
"After the defeat at Yunzhou City, many widows of fallen soldiers are struggling. My mistress, filled with compassion, has organized this auction. All proceeds will be used to provide relief to the widows."
Fan Li chuckled inwardly. So, they were here to solicit funds?
Throughout history, countless individuals had claimed to be charitable, but how many were truly philanthropists?
This so-called charity auction was likely a way to amass wealth, evade taxes, or gain fame. He wondered what the legendary Grand Master Xue was after.
As Fan Li was about to accept the invitation, the green-clad maid spoke again.
"No arriving late, no loud noises, no drinking, no…"
She listed over a dozen rules, leaving Fan Li speechless.
Good heavens!
A courtesan hosting a charity auction, and there were so many rules?
As if Fan Li was begging to attend?
"Have you memorized everything?" the green-clad maid said haughtily. "Don't break the rules. Otherwise, you'll be thrown out of the pleasure barge. It would be a disgrace!"
"I understand."
Fan Li's smile vanished. He casually took the invitation and tossed it on the table.
"You!?"
Seeing his dismissive attitude, so different from before, the green-clad maid was furious.
"What's with your attitude? You don't want to go, is that it?!"
Seeing her anger, Fan Li chuckled inwardly, but his expression turned cold.
"The New Year is approaching. The Fan Clan Trading Company is busy settling accounts. I can't guarantee I'll have time to attend."
His tone was cold and indifferent, clearly indicating his lack of interest. After all, Fan Li was only interested in Hu Zongxian.
This so-called Grand Master Xue, the capital's most famous courtesan, meant nothing to him.
A charity auction?
Eagerly offering money to someone?
Fan Li didn't lack for money. And a mere pleasure barge maid didn't have the right to act so arrogantly towards the head of the Fan Clan Trading Company's operations in the Great Ming!
"You dare to disrespect my mistress?"
The green-clad maid's expression was one of disbelief. She clearly hadn't expected such a drastic change in Fan Li's attitude. She suspected he might have amnesia.
Was this an ordinary invitation?
This was an invitation from Grand Master Xue of the Smoke and Waves. Ever since Xue Susu had become famous, no one in the Great Ming, from high-ranking officials to talented scholars, had ever refused her invitation.
How dare he refuse?!
"Yes, I dare."
Fan Li nodded, his expression clearly stating, 'I'm done pretending.'
"I'm not a womanizer, chasing after butterflies and bees. Nor am I a frivolous scholar, obsessed with romance. I have a wife and a newborn daughter. I have no interest in pleasure barges. Moreover, the Fan Clan Trading Company never conducts business with brothels. There's no need for me to befriend Grand Master Xue."
If she had been polite, he would have addressed her as "Grand Master Xue." Otherwise, she was nothing to him.
"See the guest out!"
Fan Li didn't want to waste any more time on the green-clad maid. He turned and walked back into his study.
…
The Qinhuai River was frozen.
The famous Smoke and Waves Pleasure Barge, illuminated by countless lanterns, resembled a pagoda in the night.
On the top floor, within a fragrant chamber, a woman leaned against a low table. Her beautiful face was lightly adorned with makeup which enhancws her already stunning features. Her skin was as white and smooth as mutton-fat jade, her eyes as black as ink, filled with an alluring charm.
"Lu Zhu, have all the invitations been delivered?" The woman spoke softly.
"Grand Secretary Yan's son, Junior Grand Secretary Xu's son, they've all accepted the invitation. Top Scholar Chen has also accepted, and…"
The maid, Lu Zhu listed several names, sons of prestigious families, talented scholars, and wealthy merchants.
The woman listened patiently. Once the maid finished, she frowned.
"Why are two missing?"
"Yes." Lu Zhu lowered her head nervously. "The new head of the Fan Clan Trading Company's operations in the Great Ming, Fan Zhe, he said… He said… The New Year is approaching, and he's busy with matters. He also has a newborn daughter and can't find the time to attend your charity auction."
Lu Zhu didn't dare to admit that her arrogance had angered Fan Li.
"There is also Zhang Juzheng, the old man. He said that he is very old and a senior official in the cabinet, so it is not appropriate for him to compete with young people for fame.