Chapter 462 Provocation and Slander
Upon nightfall, Chengdu Capital shone bright as daylight, especially in certain places only frequented by men, which resounded with the music of strings and woodwinds mingling with laughter and toasts.
Passersby did not find this amiss, some even cast envious glances, for these venues were veritable gold mines; without silver, you couldn’t even dream of entering.
Thus, while some regarded these as dens of debauchery, many more saw them as symbols of status.
In the renowned Yunxiao Pavilion of the prefecture’s city, one particularly large private room now filled with people—men and women alike, where every man was accompanied by a scantily clad Flower Girl, busily feeding or drinking with unrestrained enjoyment.
These were merchants who had come to partake in the grand event. A few among them were participants in the carving competition, including Yu Zhen, the chief apprentice of Master Lin Gonyun from Thousand Treasures Tower.
Yu Zhen had an arm around a Flower Girl of exceptional beauty, drinking from a cup she held, while frivolously pinching her delicate cheek and listening to the flattering words of several fellow merchants by his side.
"To my mind, the first prize of this contest is undoubtedly going to Craftmaster Yu," one merchant said, as he caressed the waist of the woman beside him, raising his voice in praise of Yu Zhen, even calling him a great craftsman.
Such a comment swelled Yu Zhen with vanity. Although he was inwardly pleased, upon catching a glimpse of one of the competing merchants, he modestly replied, "Merchant Zheng flatters me too much. Boss Zhang from Zhenshang Restaurant might not agree. Their craftsman, Craftmaster Gong, is also a renowned name. His carving of Laojun on the altar has even caught the eye of the Princess Consort of Fu!"
The mentioned Boss Zhang chuckled and raised his cup, "I dare not accept such praise, how could I compare with Craftmaster Yu’s skills? Your Maitreya Laughing Buddha is equally famed, even Master Ming Xin from Huguo Temple exclaimed over its divinity, and personally blessed it."