Time Travel: The Noble Family-Chapter 1198 - 509: Suzhou (Part 2)

Yueyao stood at the bow of the boat, looking at the houses on both sides of the river. These houses had flying eaves and carved windows, decorated beams and painted ridges, very distinctive.

The boat sailed to a place, and the Boat Owner smiled and said, "Two young masters, this is the Confucius Temple. Would you like to go up and offer incense to the Teacher?" Generally, scholars who come here will go up and offer incense to Confucius.

Yueyao thought for a moment and nodded, "Then let’s go up and have a look." Yueyao now realized the advantage of disguising herself as a man; it was that she could go anywhere. If she had been in her female identity, she might have been stopped.

Yueyao and Xiang Wei went to admire the Confucius Temple, and when they returned to the Black-awning Boat, it was more than half a Shichen later. Yueyao then admired Wuyi Lane, Vermilion Bird Bridge, and then arrived at Taoye Ferry.

Yueyao smiled and said, "It is rumored that during the Eastern Jin Dynasty, both sides of the river were full of peach trees. In spring, when the wind would blow, peach leaves would float on the water, scattered by the wind. Boatmen seeing the river full of floating peach leaves would smile and call it Taoye Ferry."

The boatman smiled and explained, "Young master, the name Taoye Ferry didn’t come from that. It is said that the great calligrapher Wang Xianzhi had a beloved concubine named ’Taoye’ who often traveled between the two sides of the Qinhuai River. Wang Xianzhi, concerned, would personally meet her at the ferry and composed the ’Taoye Song’: ’Peach leaves, peach leaves, you need no oars to cross; without hardship in crossing, I come to greet you.’ Hence, it was named Taoye Ferry."

Yueyao preferred the first rumor: "This is merely a fabrication by later generations. Uncle, think about it; whose concubine would traverse between two sides freely?" Others might not know, but Yueyao certainly did not believe the second rumor. However, the story of a talented man and his beautiful concubine was more pursued by the literati and scholars, making the second rumor more popular.

Yueyao kept traveling till dusk, then got off the Black-awning Boat and said to Xiang Wei, "Such beautiful scenery, just one day’s time, observing it so fleetingly, how can one grasp its essence? Yueyao decided to appreciate the Qinhuai River several times."

Xiang Wei actually felt that the Qinhuai River during the day was rather dull; it was lively during the night: "Boats entering the Qinhuai River at night, regardless of their size, all hang colorful lights. Imagine, with ten thousand lanterns lit, is it not as bright as daytime?"

Yueyao laughed, "You think I’m a three-year-old? Lantern boats vary in color, with a myriad of lights shining bright, how can they be like daytime?" It should be a multitude of colors instead.

Yueyao did not ride the Lantern Boat that Niu Yanghui prepared for her, but took a Lantern Boat hired by Xiang Wei. That boat was small but entirely bright.

After viewing, Yueyao asked Xiang Wei, "How much does it cost to rent a Lantern Boat for a night?" Seeing the lanterns used on this boat, it was evident it wasn’t cheap.

Xiang Wei laughed and said, "Why do you ask about the price? It’s not like you can’t afford it. Tonight, we must truly appreciate the night view of the Qinhuai River."

The Ten Miles Qinhuai River was brightly lit, turning the night into day. The lantern boats filled with fragrance, the slow sound of silk and bamboo, golden towers, side by side; the sound of oars and the lights formed a dreamy and magical scenic spectacle.

Yueyao gazed at the dream-like scenery before her, and for some reason, thought of her husband far away in a cold, harsh land, and her interest in appreciating the scenery waned.

Xiang Wei did not notice Yueyao’s subtle change, and still laughed heartily beside her: "This place is heaven for men, not a few merchants have sailed the Qinhuai River only to be tossed out penniless, unwilling to leave."

Yueyao lightly muttered, "Lost in wine and dreams."

Xiang Wei laughed heartily, "Yes, lost in wine and dreams. Isn’t there an old saying, beneath the peony flower death, even as ghosts they’ll delight? There are many peony flowers here that make men die."

Yueyao was feeling uninteresting when suddenly the surrounding boats erupted in an excited voice: "Look quickly? That’s Miss Xiang Ru’s Lantern Boat. Look, that’s Miss Xiang Ru’s Lantern Boat." The words were filled with a sense of excitement.

Xiang Wei was also excited, urging the boatman, "Quick, quick, quick, hurry and follow that boat, maybe we’ll get a feast for the eyes today!"

The boatman was trained to perfection, and upon hearing Xiang Wei’s words, immediately followed.

Xiang Wei explained to Yueyao at the side: "Miss Xiang Ru, along with Peony from Chunxiang Tower, Lotus Lady from Dingchun Pavilion, and Miss Qianqian from Red Sleeve Place, are the Four Great Courtesans famous throughout Jiangnan. Among them, Miss Xiang Ru excels in dance, and it is said her dance can be compared to Western Han Empress Zhao Feiyan; Peony from Chunxiang Tower is most adept in poetry, having written many fine poems, greatly admired by the literati and scholars; Lotus Lady excels at the zither, and it’s said her music lingers for three days, the sound never ceasing; Miss Qianqian excels in calligraphy and painting, and her singing is also very pleasant..."