Chapter 65

Yun Yaoyao felt a wicked idea bubble up inside her. Clearing her throat, she said, “Gentlemen, you truly possess a noble sense of duty. Even in your leisure, you never forget matters of state!”

“I have been deeply moved. Therefore, I shall donate five thousand taels of silver. I hope Many-Jade Pavilion will deliver it to the imperial treasury to help Yan Chi repel the Xiongnu!”

The nobles, scholars, and merchants near the flower boats immediately fell silent, drawing in sharp breaths.

Where had this rich fool come from? Five thousand taels—he really dared to donate that much!

Most of the people who came here could afford to spend extravagantly, but donating five thousand taels in one go was still outrageously lavish!

Di Shunzhi and the others immediately understood their sovereign’s intentions.

Di Shunzhi glanced around and finally spotted someone familiar.

He hid in the darkness and deliberately pinched his voice. “Hey, isn’t that Boss Qian of the Qian Family Bank? Boss Qian is rolling in wealth. Just a little leaking through his fingernails would be enough to feed an ordinary person for a lifetime. Someone else has already donated five thousand taels. Surely Boss Qian won’t stand by without showing some support?”

When Boss Qian realized he had been recognized, he nearly spat blood. But with so many people watching, he could hardly smash the reputation of his own bank. And with the astonishing figure of five thousand taels already set as the standard, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and announce a donation of his own.

Boss Qian had taken a heavy loss, so naturally he was extremely displeased. He, too, looked around, and upon spotting someone he knew, copied Di Shunzhi’s tactic of using moral pressure.

Thus, the scene that followed became one of trapping anyone they recognized. The guiding principle was simple: I’ve donated, so don’t even think about getting away. Mutual destruction all around!

A few scholars who were short on money and couldn’t bear to lose face sensed that things were going badly. They immediately rowed away, their oars moving so quickly they seemed about to leave afterimages.

Yun Yaoyao was delighted.

Another contribution to the imperial treasury!

At that moment, Su Miaomiao, who was inside the flower boat, was deeply moved. The ideas she had been taught all her life told her that she was a sinful person of low status, and that she needed to wash away her crimes properly in Many-Jade Pavilion, remaining trapped there for the rest of her life.

Her clients might flatter her to her face, but they looked down on her in their hearts. Once she grew old and lost her beauty, they would not spare her so much as a second glance, no matter how talented she was.

She was too busy worrying about her own fate. What right—or what position—did she have to worry about the fate of the country?

Today was the first time someone had viewed her from such a perspective: as a person who could make a contribution to the imperial court. That person had given her a measure of respect.

At the thought, Su Miaomiao’s eyes moistened. Her back unconsciously straightened as she hugged her pipa. “Thank you, Young Master, for speaking up on my behalf. I am deeply grateful for your generosity. I would like to play the Song of the Rainbow Skirt and Feathered Robe for you. Would that be convenient?”

“Of course,” Yun Yaoyao replied.

The flower boat drew close to the Ten-Thousand-Blessings Barge. Under the envious gazes of the crowd, the women—dressed in radiant, multicolored garments and carrying various musical instruments—climbed the prepared ladders onto the barge and began performing the Song of the Rainbow Skirt and Feathered Robe.

Su Miaomiao led the dance with her pipa, while the other thirteen women accompanied her on qing, xiao, zheng, flute, and other instruments. Their movements changed with the celestial music, drifting like windblown snow, then darting like a startled dragon. Their brows and eyes were full of charm, their sleeves carried their emotions, and their dance was as dazzling as pearls striking jade.

When the song ended, everyone aboard the Ten-Thousand-Blessings Barge remained immersed in the performance, unable to recover for a long while.

“Reward them!” Yun Yaoyao declared with a grand wave of her hand.

Smiling broadly, Xiao Wuzi had people bring over trays piled high with gold, silver, and jewels, which were then distributed among the women.

As she watched the beauties below repeatedly cast admiring, reverent glances her way and shower her with one pleasing compliment after another, Yun Yaoyao felt utterly comfortable.

Niu Xiu’er, however, was left feeling wary and indignant. She leaned close to Tu Shanjin’s ear and whispered, “Miss, look at them!”

Tu Shanjin was lost in thought over Yun Yaoyao’s affairs. He was wondering: Humans and the Book of Life and Death were fundamentally different species. If he wanted to have children with her, would that even be possible?

And if it were possible, would the child be human—or a little Book of Life and Death?

Wait. What if he never figured out the meaning of being alive and never changed back? If, during that time, the two of them lost control of themselves and conceived a child, then the one giving birth would be…

“Miss, although you’re a peerless beauty, this courtesan isn’t bad either. Her breasts are even bigger than my head! What if His Majesty gets excited and brings her into the palace?”

Tu Shanjin came back to himself. He glanced at Niu Xiu’er’s broad head and said calmly, “Your head is bigger.”

“Huh?” Niu Xiu’er cupped her head with both hands, her lips drooping as she questioned her entire existence as a cow. “My head is actually that big…?”

As the two of them spoke, Yun Yaoyao had already turned her appreciative gaze toward the group of women.

Faced with those scorching eyes, the women—despite knowing that clients were generally fickle and heartless—could not help being moved by the man’s extraordinary bearing, noble presence, appearance, and wealth. Their hearts began to flutter.

Spending a night with someone like this would not be a loss at all.

Who could have expected that this man’s thirty-six-degree lips would utter such cold, heartbreaking words?

“Each of you, give a self-introduction.”

“Your introduction should include what you excel at, what experience you have, and what fields you could contribute to. The scope is unlimited, so speak freely, ladies.”

The beauties, whose faces had been filled with springlike allure, froze where they stood.

Zhou Siren and the others burst out laughing. His Majesty’s old habit had struck again!

He really wouldn’t let even the women of the pleasure quarters off the hook.

Su Miaomiao was the first to regain her composure. With graceful ease, she said, “This humble woman is called Su Miaomiao. From the time I was old enough to remember, I have remained in Many-Jade Pavilion, studying the qin, chess, calligraphy, painting, tea ceremony, and poetry. I am moderately skilled in all of them, but my greatest talent is the Song of the Rainbow Skirt and Feathered Robe. I am the highest earner in Many-Jade Pavilion.”

The other women spoke in turn, and their answers were largely similar to Su Miaomiao’s.

After listening, Yun Yaoyao nodded. There did not seem to be any particularly unusual talents among them.

Yun Yaoyao continued, her mist-colored eyes fixed directly on them, her expression solemn and stern. “Do you wish to change your circumstances?”

The women were stunned once more.

Ever since they had been stripped of their status as free women and entered Many-Jade Pavilion, they had lost all chance of turning their lives around.

Those fortunate enough to survive until age and fading beauty caused clients to lose interest might remain in Many-Jade Pavilion as instructors, or serve as attendants and do menial labor, working themselves to death.

But more of them contracted venereal diseases while entertaining clients and died young. Their bodies would be wrapped in a straw mat and tossed into the wilderness to be devoured by wild dogs.

Change their circumstances?

For people as lowly and sinful as them, it was no different from a fool’s dream.

Yet ​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‍when this man said the words, they did not dare doubt him, as though such a possibility truly existed.

They set aside the allure on their faces and answered solemnly, “Yes! We dream of it!”

From the women’s replies, Yun Yaoyao could see that they were all proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, while each had her own strengths in poetry and tea ceremony. They had been cultivated to possess both talent and emotional intelligence, only to be used to please clients, sell their bodies, and be exploited until not a drop of value remained.

It was unbearably cruel.

Yet they were still convicted criminals. Given the social structure and bonds of ancient times, the existence of collective punishment and the execution of an entire clan had a certain rationality and necessity.

They needed to be punished—but in another form.

“Many-Jade Pavilion may continue to exist, but all its rules will be changed. No more selling of bodies—only artistic performances. The women inside must also have their food, clothing, living conditions, travel, and physical health properly safeguarded.”

“You are all guilty of crimes, so the length of time you must remain at Manyu Tower will be determined according to the severity of your offenses. Anyone who earns merit during that time may have a corresponding number of years deducted, depending on the extent of her contribution. Once your sentence is complete, you will regain your status as free, law-abiding citizens and your personal freedom. A sum of money, farmland, or other means of livelihood will be set aside from the fruits of your labor for you to take with you. The more you work, the more you receive; the less you work, the less you receive.”

“Within Manyu Tower, you must not cast aside your dignity or backbone. You and your patrons are simply taking what you each need. They seek refinement, romance, or a taste of pleasure, while you seek to redeem yourselves and earn money.”

“You represent all women who have fallen into hardship and imprisonment. Since you have found yourselves in adversity, you should possess the resolve to break free from your circumstances and the will to remain unyielding!”

When she reached the most impassioned parts, Yun Yaoyao embellished the stories of Pan Yuliang, Gankubai, Liang Hongyu, and others, recounting them in a gentle, captivating voice.

Yun Yaoyao had always been gifted at speaking—and at inspiring people. By the time she finished telling the stories of those three women, not only Su Miaomiao and the others, but even Zhou Siren, Lin Qingti, Di Shunzhi, and Tu Shanjin, who were standing nearby, had been deeply moved. It was as if a fire had been kindled in their chests.

“I have given you an opportunity today. You are the ones being protected, and I hope that in the future, you will pass this protection on to others and save women who have fallen into the same plight.”

“All three of them suffered the humiliation of being forced into prostitution, yet they still managed to defy fate and change their destinies through their own efforts. Pan Yuliang made outstanding contributions to the arts. Gankubai fought in politics to win rights for countless women. Liang Hongyu led armies and defended her country!”

“How you defy fate and change your destiny is entirely up to you!”

Yun Yaoyao’s words were like thunder, like a sharp blade slicing through the layer of hopelessness that had enveloped them. The hearts that had lain dormant in their chests for so long began to pound violently, as if they might burst free at any moment!

At that moment, they did not stop to consider whether Yun Yaoyao’s promises could truly be fulfilled. Their lives had been devoid of hope for far too long, and they were desperate for even the smallest chance.

Their minds were filled with fantasies of becoming Pan Yuliang, Gankubai, Liang Hongyu, and the others—of defying fate and rewriting their own destinies.

The hope and fighting spirit blazing in their eyes were so immense that no one could ignore them.

Only after Su Miaomiao and the others had left did Yun Yaoyao finally shed her imposing aura. She collapsed into her seat and began gulping down water without the slightest concern for appearances.

Inspiring people was all well and good, but it certainly took a toll on her throat.

She did not possess the ability to save millions of women like Su Miaomiao.

All she could do was begin at the root of the problem: establish female officials, spread new ideas, and gradually influence and transform the beliefs that men were superior to women and that women’s lives were cheap.

Then, at the next turning point, countless women like her would appear to save women like Su Miaomiao.

Yun Yaoyao did not yet know that the seed she had planted today would bring her an enormous surprise in the days to come.

Yun Yaoyao left the affairs of Manyu Tower to Di Shunzhi. He clasped his hands and accepted the order, the admiration and almost cloying devotion in his eyes deepening yet another degree.

His Majesty truly was extraordinary!

Despite being a man and occupying the highest position in the world, she could still consider the welfare of these women so thoughtfully. That was no easy feat!

And the stories of Pan Yuliang, Gankubai, and Liang Hongyu deserved to be turned into several storybooks as well. Women as legendary as these ought to be celebrated!

What was he to do? He wanted more and more to introduce his elder sister to His Majesty…

Nearby, Tu Shanjin’s gaze remained fixed on that figure.

He seemed to understand even more clearly why he had fallen in love with a soul dwelling within his own body. Having seen the vastness of the world, she could still cherish even the smallest blade of grass. Such a state of mind only made her strength shine all the more brightly.

At the same time, a boat was drawing near the Wanfu vessel. Standing aboard it was a woman dressed in splendid robes, a golden hairpin adorning her hair.

She was none other than Commandery Princess Danling. After receiving word that the emperor had left the palace to tour the canal, she had taken the initiative to make her move. She had pretended to be traveling for a little leisure, but in truth, she intended to arrange a chance encounter.

Once she recognized the emperor by comparing him with the portrait, she deliberately put herself in the spotlight. In doing so, she meant to display both her poetic talent and her patriotic spirit.

Who could have known that this tactic, which had never failed her before, would backfire in front of His Majesty?

Du Luoling immediately attempted to salvage the situation. She stood facing the wind, her bearing extraordinary, yet humbly lowered her posture.

“The poem I composed earlier was indeed inappropriate. Your words have left me deeply ashamed. I am willing to offer you a personal apology!”