Miaoyin Niangzi and Huanhua Chen Xiaoxiao, who came with her, seemed to become her foils. Every young nobleman present was captivated by her, and even the usually picky Qin Fanlan showed his appreciation.

Regardless of what Yanran is like now, she must have put a lot of effort into dancing when she was a young lady from an official family, otherwise she wouldn't have achieved such skill.

With a smug look in her eyes, Yanran noticed the expressions on these people's faces. She gracefully ended her dance, lifted her skirt, and bowed.

Chen Xiaoxiao's loyal supporter, the drunken scion of a noble family, seemed to have sobered up and immediately took the lead in clapping, "Well done! Miss Yanran's dance is indeed well-deserved. I'm afraid no one in the Western Liang border region can compare with her."

Yanran smiled and said, "Thank you, young master."

Her shy and timid demeanor left everyone speechless.

She secretly glanced at the soft, silken couch beside her and saw that the person had put down his legs, sat up straight, and was no longer lounging lazily. His sharp, beautiful black eyes were staring straight at her.

She met his gaze, which was simple and direct. There was no lust in him as others looked at her, nor could she see any appreciation for her dance. He was simply looking at her, and that made her heart pound wildly.

She turned her head away somewhat to hide her discomfort, unable to bear his direct gaze, and unconsciously straightened her posture, standing dignified and elegant.

Xie Fu's dark eyes were deep and his smile faded. He felt that something was missing when she danced in the red dress, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

Qin Fanlan's gaze darted back and forth between the two of them. "I thought you really weren't interested in women after all these years without anyone by your side, Xie Fu. I was even thinking of keeping an eye out for male prostitutes for you. But after Miss Yanran's dance today, it seems you aren't uninterested in women after all."

He paused, then raised his voice, "Your taste is too high; the common beauties of the past are no longer to your liking."

Upon hearing this, Yanran blushed even more, as if she had thought of something.

Xie Fu glanced at him, then looked away from Yanran and stopped looking at her. He had never paid much attention to these things, so why did he suddenly feel that something was missing from the dance?

He resumed his nonchalant expression, "I, Xie, am merely vulgar and ignorant of music and dance; how could I possibly have any refined taste?"

"But Qin Fanlan, you," he leaned back, his voice deep and pleasant, "if you like Miss Yanran, just say so. Why do you have to use me to praise someone else's high taste in Miss Yanran's dance?"