As the sun set over Jinling, lanterns lit up one by one along the Qinhuai River.

Shen Zhixiao presumptuously guessed Rui-wang dianxia’s mind and, in order to please him, made inquiries about which Flower Queens were performing tonight, the fourteenth of the month.

The brothels and pleasure houses lining the Qinhuai River were countless—if not numbering in the hundreds, then at least in the dozens. Almost every establishment boasted its own famed courtesan, claiming each to be the “Qinhuai Queen of Flowers.” 

Flower Queens were highly esteemed and rarely seen. They only performed on specific days; this was seemingly arranged in advance, and each one had a tacit understanding to take turns at different times to avoid competition for attention.

As the saying went: “Whether radishes or cabbages, each has its admirer.” Orchids, bamboo, chrysanthemums, or plum blossoms also had their respective admirers.

The Flower Queen of Cangfang Pavilion was liked by some people, and the one from Caixia House was also favored by some people. Their followers were devoted and would argue endlessly over who was better. But there was no doubt that among them all, Baihua Pavilion’s Fengwu-guniang stood apart. Her beauty and artistry were unparalleled, unanimously recognized as the best of Qinhuai.

Unfortunately, Fengwu-guniang wouldn’t be performing today. Shen Zhixiao had learned that only the Queen of Flowers from Cangfang Pavilion would be playing the qin, though the information ended up being useless.

Rui-wang dianxia had rented a pleasure boat and brought along only three people: Yu Jiusi and two others. Even the two guniang onboard who were supposed to sing tunes were sent away. It seemed they really were just going to cruise the river and look at the scenery. It was so proper that it left Shen Zhixiao feeling almost ashamed of himself.

The boat’s gauze curtains were rolled up to let the scenery in. Rui-wang dianxia was wearing a wide-sleeved robe made of Qixia brocade, with his belt loosely fastened. He held a jar of apricot blossom wine in one hand and lounged casually on the soft cushions. As before, he exuded an unruly and undisciplined air, but showed a noticeable interest in the bustling sights on both sides of the river. 

With a soft chuckle, Rui-wangWangye remarked, “I had heard of Qinhuai’s beauty long before I saw Qinhuai’s waters. Now I am touring this river at night; with its lights waning, the views are quite different from the image this Wangye had in his mind.”

Jinling was under his father’s governance, so Shen Zhixiao, seated nearby, felt both curious and nervous as he asked, “May I ask, Wangye, what you had imagined Qinhuai would look like?”

Rui-wang dianxia’s tone was calm, though his eyes gleamed with interest as he replied, “Adorned pavilions face the water, and their images reflect under the moonlight. This wangye on both sides of the Qinhuai would be filled with made-up beautiful women and distinguished philanderers. But instead, it’s much like any street in the capital—alive with the energy of everyday folk.”

Shen Zhixiao heard this and let out a sigh of relief. He had come to Jinling with his father at the age of ten, when his father had come to be an official, in order to advance his studies. His mother had followed his dage and dasao to live in the capital, while his er-jie had already married. Now, six years later, Jinling had become his second home, a place he was familiar with and loved. 

Shen Zhixiao was a young man: when he spoke about his favorite things, he would be sincere. Losing a torrent of words, he said, “That’s just taking part for a whole. Qinhuai River is bustling with life, a vibrant market more than anything else. While it’s true there are brothels and pleasure houses, there are far more restaurants, teahouses, storytelling halls, and theaters… There are monthly lantern festivals and poetry gatherings. Among the people who come here to play and stroll, only a few are philanderers seeking pleasure. See over there? That row of stalls selling snacks and jewelry is surrounded by young niangzi and little children.”

The boat continued downstream. The whole time, Rui-wang looked around. There were lively crowds of people—men and women, young and old—all kinds. As far as the eye could see, each person’s expression was one of peace and happiness, blending everyone together.

Unlike the rigid norms of the capital, the women here were obviously bolder and freer. Groups of young women set flower lanterns afloat from the riverbank, while older married women rode in sedan chairs to storytelling halls and theaters.

A drum sounded, signaling the start of a performance on a riverside stage. The performers began a scene from “Unknown term,” drawing cheers from the crowd. Coins, flowers, and even small silver ingots rained onto the stage in appreciation.

As that performance concluded, another storyteller began his act from a high balcony. However, the reaction was so-so. Only a few coins were thrown; though, as if in encouragement, many people still threw flowers.

Rui-wang seemed to be interested. Rui-wang dianxia set down his wine and sat upright. Clapping his hands, he praised, “The common people of Jinling are truly different from the stiff and stodgy folks of the capital—so passionate, open-minded, and generous!”

He walked to the front of the boat, where no furniture obstructed the view. Bead curtains and gauze drapes hung around the space but were rolled up, leaving no concealment. Musical instruments like zithers, pipas, and gongs and drums were neatly arranged. This spot was where female performers on the boat who would put on shows and dance for guests.

To everyone’s surprise, Rui-wang stood before the drum and picked up the sticks. In high spirits, he called out, “Yu Jiusi! There’s an erhu over there. Let’s go! I’m tired of these soft Jiangnan harmonies; let’s give the people of Jinling something fresh to hear.”

Yu Jiusi eagerly grabbed the erhu, played two notes to tune it, and said excitedly, “Alright! Wangye, what shall we play today?”

Shen Zhixiao stared blankly, thinking, Yes. What exactly are you going to do?

Rui-wangWangye didn’t answer directly. Instead, he struck the drum, producing a sound like thunder rolling across the earth—a few sporadic muffled sounds. As it went on, the beat grew closer and closer together, the sound of the drum more and more urgent. Gradually, the thunder turned into explosions mixed with the flash of swords and the majestic momentum of thousands of arrows loosed at once.

The rousing drum beats captured the attention of the Qinhuai crowds, drawing them closer to the boat.

Shen Zhixiao had an approximate guess at what Rui-wang dianxia was up to.

When the sword-and-saber drumbeats were joined by the undulating strains of the erhu, the battlefield became even more majestic and profound. Then, from Rui-wang’s mouth, a song emerged: Unknown term.

Shen Zhixiao was dumbfounded, but he was even more shocked. After the shock, he realized that “as expected”, the wanton, unruly Rui-wang dianxia—of course, he hadn’t come to the riverbank of the Qinhuai to enjoy the scenery.

The people of Jinling, accustomed to gentle southern melodies, were enthralled by this new and impassioned northern song.

The crowd along the riverbanks grew larger. At the climax of the performance, the tsunami of applause almost deafened Shen Zhixiao. Yet, nothing could overshadow Rui-wang dianxia’s voice—at times bright and resonant, at others deep and full of sorrow.

Flowers, copper coins, and silver ingots rained down on the boat. The monk, Ajaro, and the Daoist guard, Liu Xiake, dutifully collected the offerings, ensuring not a single coin fell into the river.

As the song concluded, the drumbeats ceased, and the audience roared with applause, throwing even more flowers onto the boat.

Rui-wang gave a carefree, confident smile. Leaping into the air, his robes billowing, he gracefully caught a handful of flowers just before they hit the water. The tip of his foot lightly touched the river’s surface before he soared back onto the boat.

Standing tall in his elegant attire, holding a bouquet of roses, he bent his head to inhale their fragrance. The slight tilt of his phoenix eyes carried an air of intoxicated charm. Such casual grace seemed irresistibly alluring.

Gasps rippled through the crowd on both sides of the river. Even Shen Zhixiao couldn’t help missing half a heartbeat.

After a brief silence, there was another “thunderstorm” of flowers, all kinds of jewelry, and brocade handkerchiefs. 

“Ah!”

“Gongzi, such splendid looks—I admire you deeply!”

“Gongzi, where do you come from? Is there a wife at home?”

Faced with the bold enthusiasm of the women in Jinling, Rui-wang dianxia remained as tranquil as before. Rui-wang dianxia, but those close enough could hear him urging in a nasal tone, “Quick, let’s go, let’s go! As much as this Wangye’s charm is unrivaled, I simply can’t bear such passion. Yu Jiusi, you thieving dog! Stop secretly pocketing the silver and gold—naturally, they’re rewards for this Wangye!”

Shen Zhixiao: “…”

Across the river, in a private room of a riverside theater, Su Rongyu had witnessed Rui-wang dianxia’s preposterous behavior in its entirety.

The moment she had decided to flee her marriage, whether Rui-wang was preposterous or undisciplined had nothing to do with Su Rongyu anymore. But right then, she couldn’t help getting angry, furiously cursing, “This magnificent wangye! He has sunk low and run to Qinhuai River to play at being an opera singer. This bastard! He really isn’t afraid to lose face, ah!”

Standing beside her, Bixia, her maid, didn’t dare say much. In her heart, she thought that compared to the wangye’s unorthodox behavior, her xiaojie wasn’t much better.

Su Rongyu, unaware of her maid’s thoughts, took it upon herself to meddle, declaring, “No, if he comes to the Qinhuai Riverbank to indulge himself again tomorrow, indulging himself in such debauchery, I will definitely find a way to stop him. He’s embarrassing my Gumu, the empress!”

Bixia was utterly astonished. Having already fled the arranged marriage, why would her xiaojie want to parade herself in front of the wangye again? If Su Rongyu was recognized—what could be done?

Bixia wanted to dissuade her but quickly reconsidered. If Su Rongyu was recognized, it might not be a bad thing—it would be a chance to get her xiaojie back to the capital, and then Bixia wouldn’t have to be afraid, following her around.