Fan Li arrived at the main hall, feeling a bit annoyed, and saw the legendary Grand Master Xue.
The woman wore a white Confucian scholar's robe and a green gauze hat that concealed her entire face except for her eyes and eyebrows.
But even through the gauze, Fan Li could faintly discern the curves of her face and confirm that she was indeed incredibly beautiful. However, what truly surprised Fan Li was the woman's cultivation level.
"A mortal?"
With his Golden Core Realm cultivation, Fan Li could clearly sense that there wasn't a single trace of spiritual energy fluctuation within her.
Mortals were commonplace. There were many among the servants in the Fan residence.
But for someone of Xue Susu's status to possess no cultivation whatsoever was baffling to Fan Li.
As a courtesan, how could she possibly lack access to cultivation resources?
The most reasonable explanation was that Xue Susu had a physical defect that prevented her from cultivating?
"You must be Master Fan?" Xue Susu spoke softly. Her voice was more melodious than a lark's song. She gracefully curtsied to Fan Li.
"My maid was rude. I, Susu, have come to apologize to Master Fan."
Fan Li hadn't expected that the famous Qinhuai courtesan would personally come to apologize.
He glanced behind Xue Susu and saw the green-clad maid. She was bowing and her lips pursed. She had clearly been reprimanded.
He couldn't possibly hold a grudge against a maid. Besides, it was impolite to refuse a smiling face. Fan Li wouldn't dwell on the matter.
"Grand Master Xue? I've long admired your reputation. Please, have a seat."
Fan Li instructed the servants to serve tea, exchanged pleasantries, and waited for Xue Susu to reveal her true intentions.
The apology was just a formality. And indeed, Xue Susu slowly presented an invitation. It was for the charity auction.
"This invitation… I hope Master Fan will accept it. The charity auction I'm hosting is not for personal gain. It's because countless widows of fallen soldiers need our support during this time of war."
Fan Li thought to himself, 'This is perfect!'
He had been struggling to find an excuse to attend the auction, and Xue Susu had personally delivered the invitation to him. He wanted it, but he still had to decline politely.
"This… Grand Master Xue, your personal invitation is an honor. But please forgive my caution. I'm just a foreign merchant. Why would you trouble yourself to deliver this invitation?"
Anyone with a bit of intelligence could understand Fan Li's hint. They were all sophisticated individuals. He couldn't simply accept the invitation without a reason. There had to be a justification that allowed both sides to save face.
Fortunately, Xue Susu wasn't as impetuous as her maid, Lu Zhu. She was intelligent and understood his meaning immediately.
Hearing his hint, she relaxed and said, "Master Fan is new to the capital. You need an opportunity to establish yourself and expand your network. The charity auction will be attended by many prominent figures. There will be many distinguished guests who would be suitable friends for you. You can't miss this opportunity."
Lu Zhu, eager to redeem herself, chimed in, "Yes, yes, yes! You probably don't know this! My mistress has invited Junior Grand Secretary Yan Shifan, Junior Grand Secretary Xu Jie's son, Xu Fan, the new Top Scholar Chen Deyan, and many others. You don't know them all, do you?"
She grew increasingly smug as she spoke.
"Especially that Junior Grand Secretary Yan. He's the Minister of Works. Over half of the Great Ming's annual tax revenue is spent on projects under his control. You'll need his favor for many of your business dealings. Why not take this opportunity to curry favor with him…"
"Lu Zhu!"
Xue Susu gently reprimanded her, and cut off her rambling. But her beautiful eyes were fixed on Fan Li. She was clearly anticipating his reaction.
And indeed, Fan Li's expression showed interest. He leaned forward slightly, as if listening intently. He was clearly tempted.
"My maid was rude, but her words hold some truth," Xue Susu said with a smile. "Please, Master Fan, don't decline. I hope you'll grace the Smoke and Waves Pleasure Barge with your presence tomorrow night. Allow me to extend my hospitality."
"Alright!"
Fan Li agreed readily. He was playing the role of a merchant now. As a businessman, profit was his priority.
If he didn't even care about the opportunity to befriend the sons of the Great Ming's Grand Secretary and Junior Grand Secretary, he would immediately be suspected of being a foreign spy with ulterior motives.
Having successfully "secured" Fan Li's attendance, Xue Susu rose to take her leave.
At that moment, she noticed an old man in the courtyard outside, tending to the flowers and plants. But he would occasionally glance at her and Lu Zhu from the corner of his eye.
Xue Susu pretended not to notice. A faint smile appeared on her lips as she walked towards the exit.
Lu Zhu followed closely behind, but she glanced back at Fan Li every few steps, resentment still lingering in her eyes.
"Nephew."
Once the two women were gone, Yu Shenzi approached Fan Li. He addressed him as "nephew," but his bow was that of a subject greeting his ruler.
"There's no need for formalities," Fan Li said, gesturing for him to rise. "What are your thoughts?"
Fan Li had deliberately arranged for Yu Shenzi to be outside. He wanted him, with his Unity Realm cultivation and keen eyesight, to observe Xue Susu carefully.
This Grand Master Xue… something about her seemed strange.
Yu Shenzi pondered for a long time, then shook his head. "Strange, incredibly strange."
"What's strange?" Fan Li asked.
"Xue Susu is indeed a mortal."
"When she walked past me, I could sense her breathing, heartbeat, and pulse. She possesses no cultivation whatsoever. It's not that her cultivation has been crippled. She's genuinely a mortal. She's never cultivated."
Fan Li relaxed. It seemed he had been overthinking.
But if Xue Susu was a mortal, why was it strange?
Mortals were everywhere.
"But…"
Yu Shenzi hesitated, unable to reach a conclusion.
"Just speak your mind. It's alright to be wrong," Fan Li encouraged him.
"Yes. This old one noticed that although Xue Susu is a mortal, she's not a young woman. Just as trees have rings, people have bone age. Observing Xue Susu's physique and bone structure, her age doesn't seem to match that of a young woman. I wouldn't dare to guess her exact age, but she's definitely much older than you, Nephew."
Fan Li was stunned.
Holy crap!
This old man, Yu Shenzi, was like a walking MRI machine! He could see right through people!
And that Xue Susu, her age was actually much older than his?
Next time they met, should he address her as "Aunt Xue," "Madam Xue," or even "Grandmother Xue?"
"Could it be that women from the pleasure quarters all possess age-defying techniques?" Fan Li asked curiously.
Xue Susu was hailed as a Grand Master. She had to be both talented and beautiful. But as a Qinhuai courtesan, her talent was secondary. Her beauty was paramount.
To serve through beauty, how long could a mortal woman's youth last?
Fan Li wasn't a frequent visitor to brothels. He could only guess that women in this profession were skilled in maintaining their appearance.
"Age-defying techniques?"
Yu Shenzi stroked his beard thoughtfully and nodded.
"They must exist."