Time Travel: The Noble Family-Chapter 1204 - 510: Trial

The Boat Owner looked at Yueyao standing at the prow, then at Xiang Wei leisurely eating something, and finally sensibly retreated.

The boatman on the lantern boat whispered, "Master, are these two not leaving yet?" The Four Great Courtesans dispersed, and the lantern boats on the Qinhuai River all returned. Now only their lantern boat remained on the river. These people want to go home.

The Boat Owner replied quietly, "Go and do your job, why so much nonsense?" Guests staying from evening till dawn isn’t unheard of, just not common.

Xiang Wei, having had enough to eat and drink, handed a plate of Begonia Cake to Yueyao, saying, "It’s almost dawn; it’s time to return!" After speaking, she took a piece from the plate and handed it to Yueyao.

Yueyao did not eat, looked at the silent Qinhuai River, and smiled, saying, "Not long ago it was so lively, but now it’s so quiet."

Xiang Wei took a bite of the cake in her hand and whispered, "Melancholy over the Spring and Autumn Annals?"

Yueyao was not melancholic over the Spring and Autumn, just a bit reflective.

Xiang Wei finished the cake in her hand, clapped her hands, and said, "Not melancholic, then let’s go back. If we’re not seen returning, they’ll surely be frightened."

Yueyao realized her disappearance had indeed frightened Mingzhu and the others. Frightening Mingzhu was fine as long as it didn’t frighten the daughter.

Niu Yanghui heard news that the Four Great Courtesans and many literati and scholars were heading towards Yueyao, and it scared him out of a cold sweat. Yueyao was an Imperial Decree Lady, showing up so ostentatiously on the Qinhuai River and meeting with brothel girls might result in all sorts of gossip.

Mingzhu, upon hearing the news, complained, "I said it wasn’t suitable, but you didn’t listen. Now look, something happened!"

Before long, the couple learned Yueyao wasn’t on the lantern boat. They looked at each other, and Mingzhu first asked, "Where did Yueyao go?"

Niu Yanghui replied speechlessly, "How should I know? But with Xiang Wei around, we don’t need to worry." However, Niu Yanghui was indeed curious where Yueyao went. Not touring Qinhuai River, why not return?

The moonlight shone on the rippling river, reflecting the shadows of houses on both sides. The chilly wind blew against them, disheveling the hair by the temples.

Xiang Wei, feeling a bit cold, stepped forward and said, "Let’s go back! It’s very late." The riverside wind was strong at night; if it kept blowing, they would certainly catch a cold.

The Boat Owner saw the two finally willing to return and let out a sigh of relief. He was really afraid these two would stay until daylight!

Just as Yueyao and Xiang Wei were about to disembark, the Boat Owner said, "Master Two, leave some writing! Consider it a memento." Actually, if these people became famous in the future, they could paste the writing on the boat to attract more business.

Xiang Wei chuckled, "Her single piece of writing can cover ten days of boat fee; leaving writing is like a windfall for you." Saying this, she laughed and disembarked with Yueyao.

The boatman beside muttered, "Master, our boat costs one hundred taels a night, ten days, doesn’t that mean their writing is worth a thousand? They’re boasting without thinking."

The Boat Owner then realized, slapped his thigh, and exclaimed, "Had I known, I wouldn’t have charged the boat fee, but just asked for a piece of writing." He didn’t think they were joking as there was no need to joke like this. Obtaining writing from a famous person would improve business, and charter fees could be increased.

The Boat Owner regained his composure and lifted his head only to find no one was there anymore.

Yueyao thought Xiang Wei talked too much, "There’s no need to leave writing, so why all the talk? Is there a need to make others regret?"

Xiang Wei laughed cheerfully, "I wasn’t wrong; your piece of art can already cover his boat fee for ten days. Didn’t you ask how much the boat fee was for one night? Including the tip, it totaled one hundred and sixty taels of silver."

Yueyao hadn’t expected her writing could sell for over a thousand taels.

Xiang Wei laughed, "There are many who want to buy your writing. But you said it’s not for sale, leaving those people envious beyond measure."

Yueyao was helpless, "Heyue said paintings could be sold, but writing shouldn’t be sold." Yueyao didn’t know why An Zhichen made such a peculiar request, but it wasn’t unreasonable, so she agreed.

When Mingzhu finally saw Yueyao and Xiang Wei, it was already the end of the Yin Hour.

Mingzhu looked Yueyao up and down, seeing her unharmed, he finally spoke, "What happened with you? Said you were visiting the Qinhuai River, but you disappeared? I stayed awake all night because of this."

Yueyao felt a bit apologetic, "Originally, I was just going to admire the Qinhuai River’s night scene, but some things happened that delayed us until now."