Just as Fan Li was worrying about how to obtain an invitation to the charity auction, an unexpected event occurred, making him famous throughout the Ming capital.
The Fan Clan Trading Company's face cream, essence, toner, and emulsion, collectively known as the "All-Star Beauty Set," had previously only been available within the Great Chu.
Recently, Wei, Han, and Wu had opened "Fan Clan Trading Company Whitening Specialty Stores," and the set was now on their shelves.
A Ming Embroidered Uniform Guard, undercover in Chang'an, had spent a fortune purchasing several sets and sent them back to the Great Ming.
Emperor Jiajing, receiving the gift, hadn't thought much of it. He casually bestowed the sets upon his concubines.
Who could have imagined that those concubines, after using the products, would treasure them as if they were priceless artifacts? For days, they begged Emperor Jiajing for more.
Unable to resist his women's pleas, Emperor Jiajing finally agreed.
However, relying on undercover Embroidered Uniform Guards to purchase and deliver the sets was not only cumbersome but also risked exposing their identities.
Emperor Jiajing, after careful consideration, finally remembered that there was a Fan Clan Trading Company branch in the capital.
Wouldn't it be easier to simply obtain the products directly from the local branch?
Unfortunately, the Great Ming and the Great Chu were enemies. Trade and logistics were strictly regulated.
Previously, only a few Great Chu products had been approved for sale within the Great Ming.
The Ming had been deliberately restricting trade. Now, they suddenly wanted to ease restrictions, hoping the Fan Clan Trading Company would import more cosmetics and beauty products.
But how could the Great Ming, a nation that considered itself superior, approach the Fan Clan Trading Company?
Emperor Jiajing couldn't possibly issue a decree and order them to provide goods. The best solution was to have an official handle the matter. This would preserve the Emperor's dignity while achieving his goal.
But such a task, fulfilling the desires of the imperial concubines and offering no benefit to the nation, was beneath a man of integrity.
Fortunately, Grand Secretary Yan Song's son, Yan Shifan, the Minister of Works, was a suitable candidate.
"What?"
"Junior Grand Secretary Yan wants to meet Fan Zhe at the charity auction?"
Yan Shifan had personally sent someone to relay this message to Xue Susu. She was surprised, but she couldn't doubt it.
"Yes."
The messenger wore a simple blue robe and a small hat. His attire suggested he was a servant, likely of low status within the Yan household.
But as the saying went, "Even a seventh-rank official at the Chancellor's gate."
No matter how lowly his status, a servant in the Yan household was still superior to the lowest class in the Ming social hierarchy – the entertainers.
And Xue Susu was an entertainer.
"Please ensure Grand Master Xue invites Master Fan."
The Yan household servant smiled, but his gaze held a hint of disdain as he looked at Xue Susu.
"My master said he believes in Grand Master Xue's abilities."
The servant finished speaking and took his leave.
Xue Susu instructed Lu Zhu to see him out. As they reached the dock, Lu Zhu discreetly slipped several gold leaves into the servant's hand. He accepted them skillfully as if he were accustomed to such gestures.
"Mistress! The Yan household is so arrogant!" Lu Zhu returned fuming. The gold leaves she had given him were equivalent to two months of her salary, and he hadn't even bothered to thank her.
"You're not exactly humble yourself," Xue Susu retorted. "If you hadn't messed things up, Master Fan would have already accepted my invitation. Why are we in this predicament?"
"I…"
Lu Zhu was speechless. She could only curse inwardly. 'Damn you, Fan Zhe! You made me get scolded! I curse your Fan Clan Trading Company to suffer losses in all its business dealings. May you never earn another copper coin!'
She remembered the Yan household's request and frowned. "Mistress, what should we do? Should I go to the Fan residence again?"
Lu Zhu still had a sense of responsibility. Knowing she had messed up, she was willing to make amends.
But Xue Susu shook her head. "Master Fan is different from those refined scholars. Merchants value profit above all else. In his eyes, I'm just a Qinhuai courtesan. I hold no weight. I have to personally invite him to demonstrate my sincerity."
"What?!"
Lu Zhu was anxious. "Mistress, you can't forget your status! You've finally gained acceptance among the Ming scholars and literati. They hail you as a Grand Master. If you lower yourself to beg a merchant, your reputation among those top scholars…"
Even Lu Zhu understood this principle. How could Xue Susu not. She looked at her maid with disappointment. She had tried to teach Lu Zhu, but the girl's character was flawed. She was ultimately useless.
"I have to go this time. We'll deal with this situation first. As for my reputation, I'll find a way to repair it later."
…
The Fan residence in Beiting Alley.
Fan Li was on a video call.
"Your Majesty, please let me explain! This child is adopted. She's not mine and Lu Fubao's. If you don't believe me, ask her!"
Fan Li gestured towards the woman beside him. Lu Fubao blushed slightly. She held the infant skillfully. Diao Chan, seemingly accustomed to Lu Fubao's scent, slept soundly in her arms.
"I don't believe you!"
On the screen, Xiang Ning gritted her teeth. She resembled a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
Fan Li assumed she was angry because he had abducted her Imperial Noble Consort and had even mistakenly believed they had a child together.
'What's wrong with Xiang Ning? Has she forgotten she's a woman? Even if Lu Fubao ran off with me, why is she so jealous?' Fan Li didn't dare to voice his thoughts.
He tried to appease her. "Your Majesty, have you heard of the recent victory at Yunzhou City? This subject led the Chu army north and achieved a rare victory on the Great Ming's northern border. This battle showcased our Chu army's superior equipment, training, and discipline…"
"Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Fan Li! How dare you try to fool me with empty words? I'm looking at you right now! You've abducted my Imperial Noble Consort to the Great Ming!"
Fan Li's expression turned serious. "Your Majesty, there's an important matter I must attend to here. This subject is acting for the good of the nation. Heaven and earth can bear witness to my sincerity."
Fan Li even raised his hand as if swearing an oath. He truly felt no guilt. Poaching Hu Zongxian was undoubtedly for the good of the nation. Except, it was for the good of the "Great Jin Dynasty."
"Is… Is that true?"
Xiang Ning rarely saw such a serious and earnest expression on his face. She couldn't help but believe him slightly.
"More real than gold!" Fan Li said hastily.
At that moment, a servant entered the room.
"Nephew, the most famous courtesan of the Smoke and Waves Pleasure Barge, Xue Susu, seeks an audience."
Time seemed to freeze.
Fan Li's claim of acting "for the good of the nation" still echoed in the room. Xiang Ning's face still held a hint of apology for wrongly accusing him.
"Get out!"
Fan Li chased the servant away. He then shouted towards the door, "Jing Wudi, what are you doing? Letting anyone in?!"
Jing Wudi's muffled voice came from outside. "This humble one has erred!"
A faint chuckle, almost malicious, could be heard in the background.
Fan Li looked at Xiang Ning's beautiful face on the screen. It was gradually contorting in anger.
"Your Majesty, please let me explain. I'm wealthy. No matter how desperate I am, I wouldn't travel all the way to the Great Ming to visit a brothel…"
Click!
The video call ended. Xiang Ning had hung up.