"As it happens, I have a few things to sell myself. Consider it my way of supporting the courtesan queen."
He felt quite at ease playing a wealthy young gentleman, and his speech and manner were convincing enough.
The boatman immediately quickened his poling and soon brought the ferry alongside the Pleasure Boat.
A wooden ladder had been lowered over the Pleasure Boat's side. Two servants in blue stood at its foot. Seeing Chen Mu's distinguished bearing, they hurried forward to welcome him.
Chen Mu climbed the ladder and stepped steadily onto the deck.
Perhaps impressed by his bearing, one of the servants went back to announce his arrival.
A moment later, someone came to greet him.
"May I ask which family you belong to, young master?"
"Please, come in! Tonight's flower banquet is about to begin."
The newcomer was a voluptuous, mature woman dressed in alluring finery.
She introduced herself as Ying Niang and appeared to be nearly thirty.
In this age, when people's lives were short, she ought to have been approaching grandmotherhood.
But having fallen into the pleasure trade, she still looked mature and charming, with considerable allure.
Her eyes, however, remained fixed on Chen Mu, and a few quick glances seemed enough for her to establish his background.
"Young master, are you perhaps not from this city?"
Chen Mu had not answered anything yet, merely letting her lead the way.
At her question, he glanced sideways.
"Oh? What makes you say that?"
The ripe beauty waved her little round fan and covered her lips with a coquettish laugh.
"Oh, young master!"
"These eyes of mine see people every day. If there were someone as handsome and imposing as you in this city, how could I possibly forget him?"
"So I knew at a glance that you