At the entrance, a crowd of distinguished individuals greeted them. Fang Duobing's suspicions were confirmed as he observed the extraordinary assembly gathered for Yu Louchun.
"I'm Li Yifu, renowned for my literary prowess. They dub me the One-word Poem," one guest proudly announced.
"I'm Physician Li," Li Lianhua introduced himself with a smile.
"Ah, the King of Medicine! I've heard tales of your miraculous elixirs. Might I trouble you for a pill?" Li Yifu inquired, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. Then, noticing Fang Duobing beside Li Lianhua, he continued, "And who might this be? The young master of Tianji Mountain Manor?"
Fang Duobing's irritation flared. "Nonsense! I'm a detective from Baichuan Court," he retorted, earning a chuckle from Li Lianhua.
"I've long heard about the Fang family's fortune, rivaling kingdoms and legends," Li Yifu exclaimed, his enthusiasm undeterred by Fang Duobing's visible irritation as Li Yifu grabbed his hand. "And you, young master Fang, though your countenance often carries a stern air, are indeed a fine specimen of manliness."
Fang Duobing attempted to subtly free himself from Li Yifu's tight grip, but his efforts were in vain. Li Yifu, undeterred, recited his one-word poem with unwavering cheerfulness. "It's easy to amass a thousand taels of gold, but it's hard to find a bosom friend."
Fang Duobing was unimpressed. "That's it?" he blurted out, ready to make a sarcastic remark. However, a quick glance from Li Lianhua halted him in his tracks. Li Lianhua gently intervened, stepping between them with a polite smile. "Are you here to admire the autumn leaves?" he asked, smoothly changing the subject.
"You must be joking. Our visit to the Girls' Mansion this time is to appreciate the artistic conceptions. How could it possibly be about red leaves?" Li Yifu chuckled, a hint of lust evident in his expression.
"Girls' Mansion?" Li Lianhua echoed, surprised. "What Girls' Mansion?"
Their conversation was abruptly interrupted by the Girls' Mansion Chief Guard, who stepped forward with authority. "Everyone, please follow me."
As they entered the dining hall, they surveyed their surroundings. The room was filled with elegantly dressed girls, their eyes sparkling with mischief as they moved gracefully among the guests.
Whispering to each other, they both agreed in hushed tones, "Yu Louchun's mansion is not a proper place. It feels more like a brothel than a noble establishment."
Fang Duobing tried to politely decline the lady's advances, gently removing her hand as she attempted to touch him. "I just want to enjoy the feast," he murmured, hoping to dissuade her from further attempts at flirtation.
As the other men reveled in the lively atmosphere, engaging in playful banter and flirtatious gestures with the women around them, Li Lianhua and Fang Duobing stood out as the only ones uncomfortable with the situation. They exchanged uneasy glances, silently agreeing that the atmosphere was not to their liking.
As Yu Louchun entered the grand hall, a hush fell over the guests, and all eyes turned to him in anticipation. With an air of elegance and authority, he greeted each guest with a warm smile and a gracious nod.
One by one, the guests stepped forward to present their unique gifts to Yu Louchun, each one vying to impress the esteemed host. Some offered rare artifacts collected from distant lands, while others presented intricately crafted artworks or exquisite jewelry.
Li Lianhua and Fang Duobing observed the proceedings from the sidelines, marveling at the diverse array of gifts being presented. Despite their reservations about the atmosphere of the mansion, they couldn't help but be intrigued by the lavish displays of wealth and creativity.
Nervously, Li Lianhua leaned toward Fang Duobing and whispered, "What will we present? We've brought nothing."
Li Lianhua nodded, though he couldn't shake off the feeling of unease at being empty-handed amidst such opulence.
"We just..." Li Lianhua stammered, searching for an explanation. However, before he could gather his thoughts, Fang Duobing stepped in smoothly, his expression composed.
Fang Duobing rose from his seat with an air of confidence, his gaze commanding the attention of all present. The guards stationed at the entryway, adorned in resplendent uniforms, stepped forward with a regal demeanor, each bearing a magnificent gift wrapped in silk and adorned with golden embellishments.
Gasps of astonishment filled the room as the guests marveled at the opulence of the offerings. Fang Duobing, with a flourish of his hand, signaled to the guards, directing them to present the elegantly crafted pink boxes to the ladies and the exquisitely adorned jade box to Yu Louchun himself.
"Behold," Fang Duobing announced, his voice resonating with authority, "a token of our esteem and appreciation for our gracious host."
The guests leaned forward in anticipation as the guards meticulously placed the gifts before their intended recipients. The ladies, their eyes gleaming with delight, eagerly accepted the ornate boxes, while Yu Louchun's expression softened with pleasure as he received the jade box, a symbol of honor and respect.
Raising his glass in a gesture of reverence, Fang Duobing offered a heartfelt toast to Yu Louchun, his words ringing out with sincerity and warmth. "To our esteemed host," he proclaimed, "may this gift serve as a testament to our gratitude for your generosity and hospitality."
Amidst the clinking of glasses and murmurs of agreement, Fang Duobing couldn't help but feel a swell of pride at the success of his grand gesture. Inside the jade box lay a treasure beyond compare—an exquisite opal skull, its iridescent hues reflecting the richness of Fang Duobing's appreciation and the magnificence of the occasion.
"So that's what the extra horse carriage was for and he already knew this was the Girls' Mansion all along," Li Lianhua mused inwardly, his initial perplexity giving way to a newfound respect. "He came prepared, ready to seize the moment and turn the tables on our detractors.
What a show-off," he thought with a hint of amusement, acknowledging Fang Duobing's flair for the dramatic.
To be continued...