Chapter Fifty-Two: Keep the Benefits in the Family

Page 1 of 3

To be fair, that poem, “Immortal by the River,” had become an absolute sensation.

In just three days, it had spread through every street and alley in Jinling.

What was more, when Linggu Temple arranged its list of donors, it had placed Shen Wanshan and Ye Wuji side by side at the very top.

The scholars and literary men who came to Linggu Temple to worship were all desperate to meet this great poet.

Now that they had finally met him in person, naturally they wanted to cultivate a good relationship with him.

After a few rounds of conversation, they were actually addressing one another as brothers.

Since the monk Yanguo had invited everyone to a poetry gathering, the first floor had been rearranged as well.

The tables held not only fruit and pastries, but also fresh Longjing tea picked before the spring rains.

In front of the spotless white walls stood writing desks equipped with the Four Treasures of the Study.

Clearly, the walls were meant for them to inscribe their poems and calligraphy.

But this crowd knew their own limitations. Unless they had written a masterpiece worthy of being handed down through the ages, they naturally would not put it up there to make fools of themselves.

Just then, someone cried out, “Good heavens, isn’t that Miss Dong?”

The men in the main hall stared as though they had seen a ghost.

The scholars and literary dandies were practically bug-eyed.

The wealthy and powerful had been willing to spend fortunes for a single glimpse of Dong Rushi, and the waiting list already stretched into next year.

As for men like them, the best they could hope for was a hurried glance at one of the grand poetry gatherings.

On the stage, Dong Rushi rose and gave the crowd a slight bow.

She was dressed in magnificent robes, every thread and fold displaying refinement and nobility.

Her figure was graceful, her steps elegant, each movement filled with rhythm and cadence.

Her distinctive aura was both lofty and mysterious, like a fairy beneath the moonlight.

Her alluring charm inspired awe, yet made her impossible to resist.

Wherever she appeared, she drew every eye and became the center of attention.

If this was not the rare sight of Dong Rushi on the Qinhuai River, then who could it be?

The wealthy were often perverse creatures. The less accessible someone was, the more precious they became in their eyes.

Many of the scholars present—even Shen Wanshan himself—had once been turned away by Dong Rushi.

Now such an extraordinary woman had actually appeared in a tavern, making them feel as though the world had become unreal. It was simply too damn unbelievable.

Page 1 of 3

“Quick, tell me this is real.”

“Slap me! Wake me up! I never even dared dream of seeing this.”

“Brother Ye, what exactly is your background? How did you manage to invite Miss Dong?”

“Where is the Master? Master Yanguo? Was he the one who invited her?”

“I came at the invitation of the proprietor,” Dong Rushi said in a voice as lovely as heavenly music. “I am, in a sense, the tavern’s resident guest musician. Whenever things are not too busy aboard the boat, I shall come here from time to time to play the qin and sing.”

What?

The crowd was so astonished that their mouths fell open.

She was not merely coming once—she would be returning regularly?

Every eye turned toward Ye Wuji.

“Brother Ye, you must tell us the truth. How did you manage it?”

“Exactly, Brother Ye. How did you persuade Miss Dong to risk her future career and lower herself to perform here?”

The scholars knew all too well how things worked aboard the pleasure boats: one swayed drunkenly while boarding and limped ashore afterward.

It was said that once aboard, one forgot the people waiting on the bank, and once ashore, one never mentioned what had happened on the boat.

Even so, they could not help speculating. They simply could not understand why Dong Rushi would take such an enormous risk.

“Miss Dong, regardless of how much Brother Ye is paying you, I’ll offer twice as much. Would you come to my residence and sing for a day?”

“I’ll pay four times as much!”

“Five times!”

“Ten times!”

The wealthy young gentlemen began competing with one another. No matter the cost, they were determined to bring Dong Rushi home.

“Master Ye did not pay me anything. I came of my own accord.” Dong Rushi smiled with quiet elegance. “If you wish to hear music, you may visit Benevolent Residence in the future. I am not coming here only once and then disappearing forever.”

With that, Dong Rushi sat down gracefully and lightly plucked the strings of her qin. The gathered scholars finally fell completely silent.

Standing behind the counter, Qi Santai could not help sighing inwardly. His nephew truly had influence. The only question was how long Miss Dong would be willing to help out at the tavern.

The reason a courtesan of the highest rank was worth a fortune—worth a thousand pieces of gold for a single moment—was simply that she was normally impossible to see.

If she began appearing in ordinary places, and more and more people had the chance to see her, her value would naturally decline.

That was one of the reasons Dong Rushi had staked her entire reputation and condescended to come here.

Page 2 of 3

Even the wealthy merchants in the private rooms upstairs leaned out one after another, staring at the scene in disbelief.

Wang Xingzhai, president of the Jiangnan Merchants’ Association, was equally astonished. He turned to Shen Wanshan with a smile. “Wanshan, your son-in-law is no ordinary man. He even managed to invite Dong Rushi here. Is there something you’ve been keeping from us?”

“President, to be frank, sixteen years ago, Wanshan had an extraordinary stroke of luck in the capital.” Shen Wanshan took a sip of wine and dropped a revelation that made the room tremble. “The grand personage in the capital is none other than the father of my son-in-law’s father.”

“The capital?” Wang Xingzhai froze for a moment, then slapped his thigh. “You mean that one… the old grandee?”

“Precisely.”

“Wanshan, you’ve concealed this incredibly well. Even this old man had no idea. I must punish myself with three cups.”

With that, Wang Xingzhai looked toward several merchants beside him. “Shopkeeper Liu, Shopkeeper Xiao, these few unworthy youngsters will be in your care from now on.”

Good heavens!

The two shopkeepers nearly fell from their chairs in fright.

Old Wang, every person you brought here is a great figure whose stamp of the foot could make the entire Jiangnan business world tremble three times over.

We are nothing more than household servants. How could we possibly presume to guide them?

“Old Wang, you’re jesting.” Shopkeeper Liu’s voice trembled. “The two of us are merely juniors ourselves and still have much to learn from all of you. In the future, Little Xiao and I will certainly send over our calling cards and visit the gentlemen often, so that we may learn from their experience.”

Shopkeeper Xiao drew a deep breath. “Same here!”

“Some time ago, this old man went to the capital and had the honor of paying his respects to His Highness the Prince of Yan. He spoke very highly of Shopkeeper Xiao.” Wang Xingzhai’s tone was full of meaning. “Half a month ago, I was fortunate enough to dine with the prefect, and he also holds Shopkeeper Liu in very high regard.”

Cold sweat instantly broke out across the foreheads of Shopkeepers Liu and Xiao. The pressure was overwhelming.

The two exchanged a glance, naturally understanding what Wang Xingzhai was referring to.

Shopkeeper Xiao gave Shopkeeper Liu a firm nod. The meaning was unmistakable: Since the other side had been to the capital, he had surely heard some rumors. If the maritime prohibition could no longer be kept secret, there was no point concealing it.

“Old Wang, as the saying goes, one should not let fertile water flow into another’s fields.” Only then did Shopkeeper Liu take a deep breath. “In the past, we simply had no way to make contact. Now that you have granted my brother and me such a tremendous opportunity, we will certainly seek the company and guidance of our seniors. As it happens, we will soon be traveling to Suzhou, Hangzhou, and Yangzhou. Since the senior merchants from those places have all come to Jinling despite their busy schedules, my brother and I will naturally cherish this opportunity. We shall send over our calling cards shortly.”

“Good.” Wang Xingzhai nodded in satisfaction, then glanced at the others. “Only one new member is admitted each year. Rules are rigid, but people are flexible. I think we should add one more place this year.”

“It is entirely up to you, President,” the merchants said in unison, nodding without objection.

Wang Xingzhai looked at Shen Wanshan. “Wanshan, I’ll leave this matter to you.”

“Yes, President.” Shen Wanshan smiled and nodded.

When Shopkeepers Liu and Xiao heard this, their entire bodies went numb.

Only after a long while did they finally understand. They hurriedly rose to their feet and bowed deeply to Wang Xingzhai, Shen Wanshan, and the others.

“Thank you for your patronage, Old Wang. We are young and inexperienced. In the future, we hope all of you seniors will be generous with your guidance!”

Page 3 of 3