Chapter 103: Boarding the Ship

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Xue Fanzhi wanted to bring along Hong Xiao and Hong Lian.

Xiao Yi did not stop her, but when the two of them went to look for them, they couldn’t be found.

Xiao Yi then discussed with Xue Fanzhi, asking his guards to find the two maidservants while they boarded the boat first.

Xue Fanzhi knew the two maidservants wouldn’t have gotten far, and besides, Xiao Yi’s guards were all quite formidable—like Xiao Yi himself, who was unmatched in wit and skill—so she didn’t worry and happily boarded the boat with Xiao Yi.

Xiao Yi’s small boat was unlike other painted barges; its side panels were wide, and the central cabin was spacious, equipped with areas to rest and play chess.

Xue Fanzhi was mostly a person who enjoyed quietness, so being brought inside the cabin by Xiao Yi, she found herself quite fond of the layout and atmosphere.

If she were with family, she would have eagerly sat down to play chess, but unfortunately, this person was Xiao Yi—her husband in a past life but nothing more in this one.

Upon entering, Xue Fanzhi noticed no one else was inside; besides herself, Xiao Yi, and the two boatmen, there was no one else aboard.

A lone man and woman alone in the cabin—she wondered what his intentions were.

Frowning, she said, “Ninth Prince, I feel it would be more fitting for me to stand on the deck, given my status.”

Seeing her wary expression, Xiao Yi quietly smiled to himself. He was only worried she might be tired, so he brought her inside to rest. Judging by her demeanor, it seemed as if he could devour her alive.

Though he was a grown man, she was still so young; he would never act on his desires until she came of age—was he a beast?

“Let me have a sip of water, then we’ll go out,” Xiao Yi said, pretending to drink, lest she realize he had deliberately brought her into the cabin. Though he harbored no ill intentions, he still cared about appearances.

Xue Fanzhi watched him drink and swallowed hard. She had just finished a bowl of herbal tea and was already thirsty again.

“Master, would you mind pouring me a cup too?” she asked.

Xiao Yi was pleasantly surprised. Though this subordinate guarded himself carefully, when it came to commands, he was never stingy.

Scanning Xue Fanzhi’s slightly parted, moist red lips, he swallowed quietly and then poured her some water.

After quenching their thirst, the two stepped out from the cabin onto the bow deck.

Ahead lay the endless horizon of water. The sky was only slightly overcast, making the white moon appear whiter and the blue sky even bluer.

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The water of the Qinhuai River reflected the sky, resembling a pure, pristine jade embedded among rugged mountains. The various painted barges were like intricate patterns etched upon this jade, sometimes dense, sometimes sparse.

Although countless water sources ran north and south, this place was distinctly infused with feminine charm—not just because many women lived along the river, but because an innate, refined elegance pervaded here, making it surpass all other places.

The beauty of Qinhuai was no exaggeration.

Xue Fanzhi, having lived two lifetimes, felt as if this was her first time cruising the Qinhuai River. The scenery was uniquely enchanting, and her mood was unprecedentedly joyful.

Perhaps feeling happy and with no one nearby to share it with, she asked, “Master, didn’t you say the wealthy sponsor set a challenge? What’s the riddle, and where is his boat?”

“Right over there!” Xiao Yi pointed toward the center of the river.

Xue Fanzhi turned her head to see beneath the green hills and upon the blue water, a grand three-story boat, spanning ten bays in length, quietly moored.

The boat was clearly large enough to accommodate over a hundred people. If it were merely a wealthy gentleman, that would be one thing, but this vessel was adorned with carved pavilions and painted beams, crafted with the utmost artistry—it exuded an indescribable aura of opulence.

Xue Fanzhi was somewhat shocked. Who could be so wealthy as to build a three-section house on water? In her past life, she knew nothing of such things, so she really had no idea who the owner was. What a pity—otherwise, she might have been a prophet by now.

Suddenly, Xiao Yi whispered in her ear, “Do you know whose boat this is?”

Xue Fanzhi shook her head.

Xiao Yi smiled, “Can you guess?”

The question was a bit difficult—wasting brainpower!

Thinking the question must be important to Xiao Yi, she raised an eyebrow and asked, “If I guess correctly, Master, what reward will you give me?”

Seeing his wife’s greedy expression, Xiao Yi couldn’t help but chuckle. She had hidden this trait well in her past life; he never realized she was such a money lover.

With hands behind his back and a teasing tone, he said, “That’s easy! I have three volumes of the Zhenlong Chess Manual and three ancient fragmentary manuscripts. If you answer correctly, I’ll give them all to you!”

Playing to her interests, Xiao Yi knew Xue Fanzhi loved chess and especially enjoyed studying it with him. He had long searched for these manuals to present to her at her coming-of-age banquet.

In fact, he had also given her the same set in their past life, but it was three years late. This time it wouldn’t be. If she could guess now, he’d give them immediately; if not, he could always find something else at her adult ceremony.

Hearing it was about chess manuals, Xue Fanzhi’s eyes lit up. This was perfect.

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She smiled and said, “Actually, this riddle seems to offer no clues, but the clues are just deeply hidden. To afford such a majestic, imposing boat is no ordinary wealth; it must be riches rivaling a nation. Looking across the entire Jiankang City, only a handful possess such wealth. Foremost are the Sixth Prince and the Virtuous King. As for the Wealthy Marquis, he can probably afford the boat as well. The question is, which one of them has taken to boating?”

Xiao Yi said, “I didn’t expect you to know so much, naming so many people. Then who do you think it is?”

Xue Fanzhi leaned toward the Virtuous King. Not only was he wealthy, but he must be the richest.

Just the year before, the Wealthy Marquis had suddenly become a favorite of the emperor, amassing wealth at an astonishing pace. Someone informed the Virtuous King that he was no longer the richest. So the Virtuous King hosted a banquet for guests, including the Wealthy Marquis, laid out his mountains of gold and silver before him, and asked who was richer. The Wealthy Marquis counted it up and admitted defeat, so the Virtuous King relented and spared him.

However, afterward, fearing being deceived, the Virtuous King requested two salt wells from the emperor, monopolizing salt for the southern populace, ensuring the Wealthy Marquis couldn’t catch up for another decade.

“The Virtuous King!” Xue Fanzhi said confidently.

Xiao Yi shook his head.

Xue Fanzhi refused to believe it. “Did I guess wrong?” Her tone was full of disbelief.

Xiao Yi replied, “Actually, I don’t know either. All I know is that others call him the ‘Golden Patron.’ There’s no information about him!”

Golden Patron!?

Why did Xue Fanzhi feel that sounded familiar? She raised an eyebrow and looked at Xiao Yi. “You really don’t know? How could you not know?!”

He was a prince, aspiring to be emperor—surely he had a network!

Xiao Yi smiled wryly, “Do I have to know? Maybe this person just arrived in Jiankang.”

Then it couldn’t be the Virtuous King, but if not him, who else could it be?

Xue Fanzhi asked, “By the way, what exactly is the riddle?”

Xiao Yi was about to answer when the sound of oars splashing came from behind, followed by a woman’s voice: “Your Highness, what a coincidence to meet you here. Shall we share a boat?”