Mistakenly Connected to the Jade Flower Branch

As soon as Jin Hu finished speaking, a group of burly men in black, carrying knives, filed in from the doorway and surrounded the ship owners.

They hadn't forgotten the lessons of Li Beishan and Shi Bingjun. The boatmen felt a chill run down their spines, and with trembling legs, they took three steps forward and knelt on both knees: "Greetings, Chief! Greetings, Deputy Chief!"

Ji Kongming looked at them with a slightly cold smile.

Jin Hu couldn't stand it any longer: "Please rise, everyone."

As someone was about to get up, the person next to him immediately nudged him with their elbow, and all the boatmen continued to kneel.

Ji Kongming sat down with a flick of his sleeve: "Brother Jin is my sworn brother, so his words represent my words. Everyone, please take your seats."

The ship captain got up and sat down, his back drenched in sweat.

Ji Kongming said, "From this day forward, you are the pillars of the Jinhe Gang, having made contributions to its founding. To express my sincere gratitude, I have prepared fine wine and delicacies, as well as wonderful songs and dances for you. I hope you will come with high spirits and leave with great enjoyment."

Ji Kongming clapped twice. The Snow Moon Troupe changed into their costumes and entered the stage, the semi-transparent gauze revealing the women's graceful figures.

Ji Kongming said to Hongsong, "Bring all the deputies and attendants from the side hall over here, so they can see the world too."

The ship's captain entered the main hall, while his entourage unarmed themselves and entered a side hall. The entrance to the side hall was guarded by the menacing Golden Tiger Gang.

They sat anxiously in the side hall, and now they followed Hongsong to the main hall with trepidation. As soon as they arrived at the door, their eyes lit up.

The newly renovated hall was magnificent, and the women singing and dancing had captivating eyes.

The rough-and-tumble men of the Yellow River Gang had to disguise themselves and return quickly whenever they went to the towns along the river. Most of their time was spent on boats or islands, their lives busy yet lonely, monotonous and dull.

Listening to songs, watching dances, and admiring beautiful women up close, with fragrant women pouring wine and serving them food, their plump chests brushing against their backs intentionally or unintentionally, and their soft voices calling them "Grandpa"...

The air was filled with the fragrance of fine clothes and the warmth of jade, and the wine did not intoxicate them, but the atmosphere itself did... They were in a daze, intoxicated by the singing and dancing before them and the soft skin they touched, almost forgetting the purpose of their actions.

The character for "money" has two halberds, and the character for "color" has a knife; they are very useful.

After the ship captain saw them off, the Golden Tiger Gang returned to the mountains, taking the girls from Yixiang Courtyard with them. Yuezhou immediately quieted down.

When Ji Kongming returned from seeing off the guests, the Xueyue Troupe had already packed their things and were waiting for him.

The troupe leader, Xueyue, bowed respectfully: "Master Ji, we agreed on five taels of silver, please..."

Ji Kongming laughed and said, "Master Xue is a few years older than me, so I should call you 'elder sister.' Elder sister, yin and yang are in harmony, the men of Yuezhou are all heroes, and the girls of the Xueyue Troupe are more beautiful than flowers and can sing and dance. Why don't you stay in Yuezhou and dance for Yuezhou? The Jinhe Gang is not short of money, and I will not treat you badly. What do you girls think..."

No need to travel around for events, no shortage of money, and with the Golden River Gang as their backing, no one dares to bully them... Many people showed joy on their faces.

Xueyue cautiously replied, "Chief Ji thinks it's alright to watch one show, but he'll get tired of it if he watches it every day. We're located at Xueyue Pavilion in Xiangcheng County. If Chief Ji needs anything, just send someone to deliver a message, and we'll come over anytime."

Ji Kongming said, "Sister, we're all in this together, let's be frank. I've never seen a song and dance troupe that doesn't serve people, nor have I ever seen a woman who doesn't serve men."

Xueyue's face turned pale.

Ji Kongming walked to Xueyue's side: "I heard that your husband died young, and you are struggling to support your family with a simple-minded girl, relying on Xueyue's class. You are a few years older than me, but you look almost the same as me. I am not yet married. What do you think of me?"

Qingyun immediately looked up at him, but after being glanced at by Ji Kongming, she immediately looked down again.

Ji Kongming circled Xueyue once: "No matter how powerful you are, you're still a woman. You still need to find someone to rely on. If you don't like Kongming, you can choose any of the brothers in the gang."

The young girl couldn't hide her thoughts, and the young gang leader Xueyue couldn't see through her. Ji Kongming's words showed considerable disdain for Xueyue's gang; how could she, a middle-aged woman, possibly catch his eye?

Xueyue bowed slightly: "I am honored by Chief Ji's kind words. The brothers of the Jinhe Gang are heroes, and Chief Ji is young, promising, and ambitious. He will surely find a good match. I am a widow who has lost her husband, and I dare not even think of such a thing."

Ji Kongming said, "If my sister is unwilling, I cannot force her. What about Miss Qingyun? Miss Qingyun is outstanding in singing and dancing, and her beauty is like that of a celestial being. I wonder if Kongming is worthy of her?"

Qingyun, her face flushed with spring and her voice tinged with shyness, quickly replied, "To be chosen by Chief Ji is a blessing I earned in my past life. I am willing to dance for Chief Ji every day and stay by his side."

Ji Kongming immediately praised, "Good, Miss Qingyun is indeed gentle and considerate. In that case, everyone should stay. If you're tired today, get some rest. Hongsong, make sure the girls are settled in properly. If there is any neglect, you will be held responsible."

Hongsong responded crisply, "Yes, Chief."

Ji Kongming pulled Qingyun: "Let's go."

The man strode long, and Qingyun jogged to keep up with Ji Kongming. They passed Xueyue without even looking up.

Qingyun had seen many men in the Snow Moon Class, but this was the first time she had seen one so young, handsome, and incredibly dashing. As long as she could stay by his side, Qingyun was willing to serve him like a slave.

Qingyun is young and unaware that desires can swell. Xueyue, on the other hand, sees things clearly; the Xueyue Class is likely to be ruined in Yuezhou.

Luo An stayed in Nian Yao's room, while Nian Yao stayed in the old gang leader's room. Unless they deliberately avoided each other, they would rarely run into each other at Yaochi. Luo An returned from the training ground at midnight, and the lights in the small hall were still on.

Hearing the door open, Nianyao kept her eyes glued to her book and said, "Sit down."

Nianyao waited a while, then put down her book and showed her face: "I asked you to sit down. You're not really mute, so why aren't you saying anything?"

Luo An walked towards the room, and Nian Yao quickly followed: "I just wanted to ask what my father said to you? How could you..."

Luo An turned around and blocked her in the doorway, about to close it.

Nianyao blocked the door with her fist: "I'm not going in. I just want to know what my father said to you? How could you agree to our marriage? Explain yourself and I'll leave..."

Nianyao braced herself against the door, prepared for a long stalemate. Luo An simply turned to the side and let go. Nianyao stumbled two steps and fell in. Before she could even cry out in pain, the door slammed against the wall and bounced back.

Nianyao quickly pulled her legs back, rolled herself into a ball on the ground twice, and then leaped up. She felt that she had done it all in one smooth and stylish move, and planned to show off a bit in front of Luo An to save face.

Luo An didn't even look at her; his gaze was fixed on the gleaming "Han Guang" on the wall.

Nianyao swallowed her anger and said, "We're setting off for Kongming's place tomorrow. You'll come with us. Our marriage is off the table. We'll make things clear to Kongming in person."

Nianyao took out the divorce papers and handed them to him: "I've written the divorce papers. Sign and seal them in front of Kongming-ge. If you feel there's anything inappropriate, we can discuss and revise them. As long as it's not excessive, I'll agree to it."