Chapter 8: The Varieties of Human Experience

Yi Han glanced at the woman in green and noticed her calm demeanor. How is it that the beauty trap has not affected her yet? Truly a failure

Ma Huateng smiled and said, "Last night when I arrived on the boat, I was thinking about what to give to the owner of this painted boat this morning. After much contemplation, I realized it shouldn't be too ordinary. By chance, I passed by a small stall selling clay figurines, and an idea struck me. I never expected it would come in handy tonight."

The four of them ceased their chatter. Ma Huateng presented his small clay figurine, while the other three recited a poem. The young maid took the clay figurine from Ma Huateng's hand, glanced at his appearance, and giggled, saying, "Young master, you truly know how to deceive; my young lady will surely be fooled by you." After saying this, she entered with the other maids.

The woman in green called out four maidservants from the cabin, saying: "Those young gentlemen may come first"

Yi Han laughed and said, "Your young lady is so fierce, then I certainly cannot go there"

In light of this situation, a young maid dressed in finery emerged from the splendid boat, standing on the deck and calling out: "Dear friends on the periphery, please allow the boats inside to depart first. The young lady has mentioned that it is still early, and we will begin once everyone has arrived. There is no need for anyone to rush; everyone will have their share." Her voice was clear and resonant, momentarily suppressing the surrounding noise. After the maid finished speaking, the situation improved significantly, though it still appeared crowded and competitive.

At the moment when Ma Huateng was feeling dejected, the woman in green said to him: "Young master, this clay figure is very much to my young lady's liking. She even smiled after seeing it. Your kind intentions are truly considerate. Please come inside."

One person in the boat laughed and said, "May I present a love poem to the young lady?"

The handsome young man said: "Indeed, not a word is amiss, but how could the young lady not like it? This is a fine poem"

The handsome young man suddenly changed his expression, declaring that he was done playing. With that, he left in a fit of anger.

The woman in green urgently said: "Are you trying to get me punished by the young lady, sir?"

The woman in the green dress spoke loudly: "For the safety of all the young gentlemen, no more passengers can board this ship. Those who wish to board but have not yet done so may come again tomorrow night." Those who had fortunately not fallen into the water on the ship secretly sighed at their luck. As for those who had fallen into the water and those who had not boarded the ship, although they felt reluctant, they could only give up.

A person in the boat spoke in a strange tone: "There are no seats; we can stand, so why must you drive us away?" The crowd echoed in agreement.

Yi Han said: "Did the young lady mention that I must be invited inside"

Yi Han wore a mysterious expression and said, "This is a secret"

Yi Han, with a playful smile, said: "One more person is not too many, and one less person is not too few"

What words

Until there were about fifty people left at both the bow and stern of the boat, the painted boat gradually stabilized. In the lake, over a hundred people had fallen into the water, creating a rather spectacular scene. Some were shouting for help, some were cursing loudly, while others were solely focused on swimming back to the boat

"Please come in," the woman in green urged again

Yu Jie said: "Hua Teng, how confident are you? Do you want me to compose a poem first?" After hearing this, Ma Huateng waved his hand and smiled mysteriously: "I have long been prepared for this." Saying that, he took out a clay doll from his bosom, which bore a striking resemblance to Ma Huateng himself, except that the clay doll exuded an air of elegance and vigor, contrasting sharply with Ma Huateng's lewd smile.

Inside the cabin, the maid in blue awkwardly said to the maid in green: "Sister Qiu, the number of people is increasing, what should we do? We cannot force them to disembark."

Wait a moment

The woman in green looked at Yi Han and softly recited: "Without seeing you, the night is hard to endure"

The young maid said, "Miss, after listening, remarked that these words are too melancholic and lack the demeanor of a man"

The remaining individuals, seeing that the owner of the painted boat favored poetry, all refrained from presenting mundane gifts and instead offered poems and love verses. Soon, only about ten people remained at the bow of the boat, yet only four were invited into the cabin.

Upon hearing the words of the woman in green, five more individuals stepped forward. After the first group of five, everyone understood that the owner of the painted boat did not favor the mundane. They each recited a poem, and the five young women had good memories; after listening, they quickly noted them down and hurried into the cabin. This time took a bit longer than before, but it was still swift. The five maidservants soon emerged again, addressing two of the gentlemen, saying, "These two young masters may enter the cabin," and to the other three, they said, "We apologize, gentlemen."

The woman in the green dress smiled and said, "Certainly, but I fear that my young lady will be unable to return this love poem to you"

However, I don't want to go in right now, I want to go home. Yi Han is deliberately making things difficult; that fall just now was quite intense

Yi Han untied the silk scarf from his head, allowing his black hair to fall in disarray. The wind was strong over the lake, and his long hair, along with his sideburns, danced in the breeze. At this moment, he did not resemble a young master; instead, his tousled hair gave him the appearance of a hero from the rivers and lakes. With a slight smile, deep-set eyes, and a calm gaze, his handsome figure resembled a jade tree swaying in the wind, exuding an air of mystery and a gentle heroic demeanor. The woman in green was somewhat taken aback. Although Yi Han's appearance was not particularly striking among the group of young masters, the charm he radiated at this moment was something those young masters lacked.

Yi Han smiled and said: "Everyone, please begin. If you are unable to enter the cabin, I have no intention of continuing. If you are fortunate enough to enter, please wait a moment; I will be there shortly."

The people on the ship became anxious, appearing caught off guard. The ship swayed even more violently, and the sound of people falling into the water was incessant. Many of those near the ship's railing were pushed overboard.

Among the three, one handsome young man complained, "Did you perhaps pass my poem incorrectly? How could a young lady not like my poem?"

The woman in the green dress said in a clear voice: "Gentlemen, there are only about 20 seats in the cabin, but there are no fewer than 100 people on the ship. The cabin truly cannot accommodate so many people, and I am in quite a difficult position. Therefore, I just consulted with the young lady."

Unexpectedly, the woman in green suddenly moved, tripping Yi Han and causing him to fall flat on his back. The woman in green clapped her hands and said, "Hmph, I can easily deal with you without even using my hands." After saying this, she turned to enter the cabin

The woman in the green dress said, "Young master, did I not just mention that the quota is full? Why must you make things difficult for this humble servant?"

Yi Han noticed the strange expressions of the crowd and inquired, "Who was that just now, and why do you all sigh like this"

Yi Han smiled and said, "Very good, you have the awareness to admit defeat even before the competition has started. Sister, you truly know how to conduct yourself." After saying this, she attempted to pass by the woman in green to enter the cabin

Yu Jie and a few others stepped forward, but Yi Han stood still. Yu Jie asked, "Brother Yi, why aren't you joining us"

As Dai Yu's boat approached the ornate pleasure boat, a number of other vessels surged in from the periphery. Each of these boats resembled a person; the more lively it became, the more crowded it was, with more people squeezing in. Suddenly, centered around the splendid pleasure boat, countless large and small boats created a situation where water could not flow freely. At this moment, even those small boats were unable to move, surrounded on all sides by vessels. You bumped into me, I bumped into you, amidst the sounds of quarrels, curses, and angry shouts. Some were anxious, while others were enjoying the spectacle, creating a scene even more bustling than a street-side vegetable market. In contrast, the pleasure boat of the Ten Beauties of Qinhuai appeared much quieter.

More people continued to board the boat. This pleasure boat was excessively large, with nearly a hundred people gathered at both the bow and stern. If not handled properly, a momentary imbalance could lead to the boat capsizing. At the bow and stern, a maid was maintaining order, but as the number of people increased, anxiety grew in their hearts.

On the boat, people were jostling against one another, with not a single inch of space left. Occasionally, more individuals boarded the vessel, desperately pushing their way up. At this moment, the young gentlemen no longer distinguished between high and low status; they had lost all semblance of their usual grace and poise, and everyone appeared quite disheveled.

The woman in the green dress smiled and said, "Without effort, there can be no reward. Young master, your efforts were not in vain, as you have now become a guest at our young lady's table"

The buzzing noise subsided, and everyone waited for the woman in the green dress to continue speaking. They had a bad feeling in their hearts, suspecting that yet another trick was about to unfold.

Yi Han handed the vividly lifelike butterfly to the woman in green, saying, "Sister, please send it quickly; I will be here waiting for your good news"

Yi Han smiled and said, "Sister, please do not worry. Once I finish delivering the items, I will leave immediately"

Many were deeply moved after listening, as Yi Han was truly loyal; in the presence of a beautiful woman, he was not swayed by her beauty, but instead focused entirely on his friend

The crowd was astonished, as they did not expect such beautiful verses; yet, the owner of the boat did not like them, the reason being that the style of the verses was too melancholic

The woman in the green dress was not wrong when she said, "We have over a hundred people, yet we do not know which twenty will be fortunate enough to enter." Another person on the ship asked, and that person was Ma Huateng.

Yi Han smiled triumphantly and said, "I knew it all along, which made me waste so much time for nothing"

The woman in the green dress said impatiently: "Hand it over"

Amidst the curses and complaints, at that moment, the painted boat suddenly swayed gently to the left and right a few times, startling everyone. Could this boat be capsizing? Just as this thought crossed their minds, the boat swayed again, this time much more violently. Some people began to feel anxious, hastily grabbing onto anything they could hold. Those in the middle clutched onto the people beside them. Thud, someone fell into the water. Thud, thud, thud, a chain reaction ensued, and one after another, more people fell into the water

The woman in green was taken aback and said, "How does the young master know?"

Moments later, the woman in green stepped out and said, "Young Master, my young lady requests your presence"

Upon hearing this, Ma Huateng's expression underwent a dramatic change, and he immediately became elated. The four of them entered the cabin together

Yi Han laughed heartily: "This has nothing to do with the quality of the lyrics. In such a beautiful setting, how can one produce such a poor verse? Isn't that a great dampener on the mood? Brother, you should just compose a few lines that fit the occasion. The more romantic and poetic it is, the more vulgar and lowly it can be, and that is not necessarily unacceptable"

Yi Han and others were positioned at the bow of the ship, where approximately fifty people were present at that moment. The area appeared much more spacious, and many individuals were sweating profusely, as the earlier crowding had made it difficult for them to breathe. Some hurriedly adjusted their clothing, some wiped away sweat, and others tidied their hair.

Yi Han deftly manipulated the silk scarf in his hand, moving so quickly that his actions were barely discernible. After a moment, he announced, "Done," revealing a butterfly crafted from the scarf, remarkably lifelike.

The handsome young man sighed, "Since the young lady does not like it, I shall recite another poem."

Yu Jie replied: "That person’s surname is Bai, and his given name is Congqu. He is skilled in writing lyrics and poetry, and is somewhat well-known in Jinling. However, his poems and lyrics do not seem to please the owner of the painting boat, so it appears that gaining entry to the cabin will not be easy."

The woman in the green dress said helplessly: "Alright, young master, please leave the East www.hetushu.com.com here, and come back to retrieve it tomorrow evening"

The woman in the green dress said urgently: "No, my young lady is very kind. She said that if you are unwilling to return with me, she will convey a message to you."

The young maid said, "Young master, a person only has one opportunity"

As the boats began to depart, the painted boat appeared much more tranquil. Next, we shall enter the cabin to behold the beauty within.

Yi Han and others had already boarded the bow of the boat. This splendid pleasure boat was more than twice the size of an ordinary flower boat. Dozens of people were already standing at the bow, and the space was still quite spacious. If it were an ordinary flower boat, it would have been crowded with people. Some young gentlemen were boarding from the stern, and a few of them brought some attendants. However, they were all intercepted upon boarding. The maidservant said, "No attendants are allowed on board, please forgive us, gentlemen." This was not a big deal; there were already many people. If those female attendants were added, the boat would surely capsize. Some young gentlemen were boarding from the stern, and a few of them brought some attendants. However, they were all intercepted upon boarding. The maidservant said, "No attendants are allowed on board, please forgive us, gentlemen." This was not a big deal; there were already many people. If those female attendants were added, the boat would surely capsize.

Several individuals surged forward, each taking out their most valuable possessions to present, mostly jade pendants and similar items. The others merely observed, assessing the situation. Five people hurried inside and quickly emerged again. The woman in green returned the items to those few, saying: "Gentlemen, please take your leave; these items are not to the young lady's liking." Upon hearing this, the group departed with considerable grace, yet one or two stubbornly refused to leave. Ultimately, under the angry gazes of dozens, they had no choice but to comply and leave.

Yi Han wore an indifferent expression and said with a smile, "I just want to go in, what can you do about it? Let's wrestle; if you win, you can let me in, and if I lose, I'll obediently go back."

Upon hearing this, everyone burst into laughter, mocking the person who had just been overly sentimental

The woman in the green dress helplessly said: "Only twenty young gentlemen are invited inside; the others can only be asked to leave"

"So infatuated, don't try to deceive me," he laughed heartily and then followed the woman in green into the cabin

Yu Jie and a few others were originally the veterans of the elegant poetry society; how could the art of composing poetry and couplets be difficult for him? Among the four, Ming Xiu had the highest academic achievements, and Yu Jie was not far behind. Lin Musen also possessed considerable talent, but it was Ma Huateng who excelled in clever and quirky matters, though he found composing poetry and couplets somewhat challenging.

The woman in the green dress's expression turned cold, "Young master, you are being unreasonable. How can a woman like me have physical contact with you"

Then the young maid said: "Is it not the case that the young master's poetry, after several spring messages, obscures the fragrance of the soul without a trace, brings forth good dreams that are hard to rely upon, and shatters into light red formations?"

The woman in the green dress smiled and said: "Young master, do not be anxious. There are too many people here. We will pose a question to test each of you. My young lady has instructed the maid to ask each young master to present an item to her. If my young lady likes it, then this young master can enter. Please rest assured, the items will be returned to you."

At this moment, everyone looked at each other, with no one stepping forward, each thinking to let others go first, so as to better gauge the preferences of the owner of the boat. The woman in green, seeing that no one approached, smiled and said: "The spots are limited; if they are all filled, no matter how well you impress my young lady, you will only return empty-handed."

The crescent moon hung in the sky, and the banks of the Qinhuai River were still bustling with crowds. At this moment, Yi Han was standing at the bow of the boat with Yu Jie and others, their gazes fixed ahead. The painted boat of the Ten Beauties of Qinhuai was right beside them, yet no one paid it any attention; their eyes were focused on the magnificent painted boat in the center of the lake, which was in stark contrast to the Ten Beauties of Qinhuai. Everyone thought they had arrived early, but as they watched the dense stream of boats heading towards that painted boat, they realized they were mistaken. Others shared the same sentiment, and the closer they got to the magnificent painted boat, the more crowded the lake surface appeared, while the smaller boats remained nimble and agile.

Yi Han struggled to rise, brushing off the dust from his body. Since it was too hard to do otherwise, he had to take a softer approach. "Although I am unable to meet the beauty today, since I have come, I cannot arrive empty-handed. I also have something to present to the young lady."

There were still five people remaining, and they intended to step forward. However, the woman in green apologetically said, "Gentlemen, the spots are already filled; please return." After saying this, she was about to retreat back into the cabin. The others were all visibly frustrated, blaming themselves for not arriving earlier. Only Yi Han was unwilling to comply; he was not about to obediently return, wasting his time and dampening his spirits. "Wait!" Yi Han called out. The few maidens halted in their tracks, looking at Yi Han in confusion.

The woman in green fluttered her eyebrows a few times, and her dark, lustrous eyes revealed a spark of intelligence. "Got it," she said, a mysterious smile appearing at the corner of her mouth as she whispered a few words into the ear of the woman in blue. The blue-clad maid, upon hearing this, giggled and said, "Sister Qiu, you are so naughty"

The woman in the green dress spoke loudly: "Ladies and gentlemen, please be quiet and listen to me. If these twenty seats are filled, who will take the remaining places? My young lady treats everyone equally and cannot make this decision. Those young gentlemen without seats may also feel discontented, which could inevitably lead to some disputes. Moreover, this elegant affair is fundamentally about seeking refinement; it is not like watching a play where more people is better. A larger crowd may actually dampen everyone's spirits. Therefore, it would be better to create a tranquil and refined environment for everyone."

Moments later, the few individuals emerged from the cabin, their faces beaming with smiles, while the five appeared somewhat tense. The woman in green addressed Ming Xiu, Yu Jie, and Lin Mu Sen, saying, "Gentlemen, please come in." Upon hearing this, Ma Huateng's expression darkened, and he looked dejected. Did this young lady not favor that clay figurine? Had he known earlier, he would have composed a poem instead.