Transmigrated as a Peasant Baby Who is Pampered by All

Chapter 532: Chapter 326: Lake Tour and Song Dance Spectacle (Part 2)

”Just in time, let’s go, we’re getting on the boat too. There’s a flower boat performance on the lake today, and it’s just a dance performance to appreciate, unrelated to romance. It looks good.”

Aunt Qian invited several people onto the boat, ”There’s only us on this boat today, so everyone doesn’t need to be restrained. If you need anything, just tell the servants; it’s generally prepared in the cabin.”

After saying this, she looked at Second Aunt, ”Second Aunt, do you get seasick?”

It’s easy for someone who hasn’t been on a boat to get seasick.

Second Aunt shook her head, ”I don’t know.”

Aunt Qian gestured to the side, ”Bring over a pot of sour plum soup.”

She then said to the others, ”If you get seasick, you can drink a little sour plum soup to relieve it.”

Xiaomi was already running around curiously on the deck. Most of the maids and servants she met on the way were the ones she encountered at the Liu’s this afternoon.

She had heard from Aunt Qian before that because Grandpa Liu always lived with them, only a few people were left to manage Grandpa Liu’s courtyard, while the others were either dismissed or sent to their side.

This afternoon, it was specifically for hosting guests, so they sent servants over from home.

Now the boat still had those people, and it was clear instructions were given in advance, so no one would mention Uncle Liu’s magistrate status.

Xiaomi understood this in her heart. It seemed Aunt Qian had put in a lot of effort to let Liu Ze and Grandpa Liu stay comfortably and naturally in their home.

From the reactions of my brother, it was clear he also knew, maybe had known for a long time, indicating that Uncle Liu and the others weren’t deliberately hiding it.

Moreover, interacting with them while hiding their true identity allows things to be more natural for dad and mom, without too many worries or tension.

”Wow, brother, look, such a beautiful boat! So many beautiful big sisters on it!”

Xiaomi suddenly seemed to discover a new continent and exclaimed excitedly, jumping and pointing at a luxurious flower boat not far away.

The large boat also hung a plaque. Xiaomi took one look and understood, this flower boat, a geisha boat.

A moment ago, Aunt Qian also said it was purely a dance performance. Looking again at those pretty big sisters, even if they were dressed beautifully, they were all dressed quite modestly, not showing arms or legs.

”No matter what it’s like on usual days, today those few geisha venues are purely performances, and there won’t be any explicit songs or dances. Even kids can watch because it’s free,”

Liu Yajing, who approached at some point, heard Xiaomi’s words and explained to her.

”Sister Liu, so many people, everyone seems to like it.”

Not only were there many boats on the lake, but even the lakeside was crowded with people.

Liu Yajing smiled, ”Yes, to be able to perform on the boat at this time means these are a few of the top venues in the city, many of whom are Qing Acquaintance, and it’s not cheap to watch them dance on usual days.”

”Look over there, that’s Qing Yaofang’s headliner, extraordinary in qin skills. She only sells her art, not her body, and sings once every three days. On usual days, it costs at least over a hundred silvers to hear her perform.”

”But today she’s singing for free, and many people came specifically for her. Of course, it’s not just her, there are others too.”

Saying this, Liu Yajing pointed out several headliners on the flower boats to Xiaomi.

It was a bit far, and with the flickering candlelight and the shimmering lake surface, it was hard to see their faces, but you could see that those girls wore colorful clothes and conducted themselves without being frivolous.

Xiaomi: ”Sister Liu, you’re amazing, knowing so much about them.”

Being geisha, after all, was a low status. She thought, for someone like Sister Liu, a lady from an official family, it should be beneath her or something she’d look down on.

After all, that’s how it’s always written in TV shows and novels before.

Liu Yajing smiled faintly, ”These girls perform on the lake almost every year during the Lantern Festival, and I’ve watched for many years, so naturally, I’m familiar with them.”

Xiaomi nodded thoughtfully, ”This is a good way to advertise.”

Liu Yajing was taken aback, then chuckled, ”I never thought of it like that before. I just felt watching them dance and sing was pretty nice. Today, thanks to you mentioning it, I realized that their business reportedly gets much better afterward.”

Isn’t it just advertising?

However, Xiaomi could tell that although Liu Yajing didn’t look down on these geisha, she wasn’t too bothered either.

Perhaps, to these young ladies and gentlemen from official families, these people aren’t much different from street vendors selling things by the roadside.

A series of firecracker bursts sounded, and nearly ten boats slowly sailed towards the center of the lake.

Among them, three flower boats, one of them theirs, had only the Jiang and Liu families.

The other six boats were full of guests.

Liu Yajing casually explained to the two that these boats were actually their own, and on usual days, they were more often used as cargo ships for transporting goods.

However, every year when December comes, the boats stop going out. They’re cleaned and prepared specifically for this day on the Lantern Festival to be rented out.

On usual days, this boat is also for hosting guests, but it’s done sparingly, with places reserved only for a few guests who have a good rapport with them.

This year, to host the Jiang family, they specially sent posts to others, letting them take other boats.

Liu Yajing spoke lightly, but Xiaomi was left astonished.

She always knew Aunt Qian was in business.

Since officials are not allowed to engage in commerce, Uncle Liu certainly wouldn’t handle these matters himself.

Of course, Aunt Qian could manage these using Uncle Liu’s status, saving a lot of convenience and trouble.

Generally speaking, as long as it’s not illegal, there shouldn’t be a problem.

But Xiaomi hadn’t guessed that Aunt Qian was this impressive.

Ten boats!

Ten cargo ships!

Even if these cargo ships weren’t particularly large, they could still carry plenty of goods!

No wonder they’re generous on regular days; the average person really doesn’t have this much capital.