exceptional honor

Although Sun Cironghua was no longer around, she had survived the turbulent years of the transition between two dynasties, remained steadfast in the Southern Dynasty palace, and trained a new generation of dancers for the Music Bureau, thus continuing the "White Silk" dance to this day.

Hu Miaorong had lost all her former beauty, but she had once been a captivating beauty who went to the frontier to join the army, enduring hardships no less than those of Wang Zhaojun's departure for the border. Twenty years of trials and tribulations had passed, and now she was the wife and mother of a soldier in the northern frontier. For this alone, she was more worthy of respect than any other beautiful woman.

Consort Chen smiled and said, "Thank you for your kind words, Instructor Xue. Although our dynasty has only been established for ten years and the court is not yet well-governed and wealthy, we will not be stingy with the loyal ministers and soldiers on the border, even if it means not being able to afford an imperial title. In a moment, I will go and ask for this imperial title for the military advisor's wife."

Xue Hongbi cried out in surprise, quickly covering her mouth and regretting, "If I had known my words were so valuable, I should have asked for one for myself!"

Hu Miaorong was still smiling innocently, not yet reacting to express her gratitude, when Sun Neiren slapped Xue Hongbi's hand and complained, "Don't act so naive. You can't just shout and yell in front of the Empress."

Madam Pei, seated at another table, turned her gaze in their direction. She had likely noticed Xue Hongbi's reaction and heard her words, and simply shook her head with a wry smile. Her expression was quite helpless.

A Qiu finally understood why the Pei family hadn't brought Xue Hongbi along to such a grand event as the gathering of the three masters at the Jinshui Tower during the founding of the Dayan Dynasty.

Even in all social and public settings, Madam Pei forbade her concubines from having any opportunity to appear in public. It wasn't out of jealousy or control, but simply because—they were not suited for it.

Xue Hongbi, having lived in the Pei household for so many years, also felt lonely because of this.

Consort Chen smiled, her words carrying a deeper meaning: "Instructor Xue voluntarily left the Pei family and volunteered to be the torchbearer of the Music Bureau, continuing the dance troupe of the Music Bureau. This truly shows that she regards wealth and power as fleeting clouds. Such a character cannot be conferred by a mere imperial title."

Hearing the Imperial Concubine Chen, the most powerful woman in the inner palace and former head of the Flying Phoenix Guard, personally praise her, Xue Hongbi realized that she was even more honorable than a mere noblewoman. Unconsciously, she also raised her head, becoming much more smug.

Ask any of the countless ladies of the court who were granted titles, and you'll find that none of them gained their status solely through marriage into a high-ranking family, her husbands' privileged positions, and their children's influence. Yet Xue Hongbi, a lowly courtesan, earned the praise of the most esteemed woman in the dynasty, the Imperial Concubine Chen, through her own choices. Her glory is truly incomparable.

Consort Chen said again, "Let's set up another table next to the wife of the military advisor and invite the two instructors to sit together. After such a long separation, the three of you must have a lot to say."

Zhao Lingying immediately said to the eunuch behind him, "Why aren't you going to do it?"

Sun's wife and Xue Hongbi were truly stunned this time.

For dancers, this is an unprecedented and exceptional honor bestowed upon them by the Music Bureau in the past century.

Throughout history, there have been many beautiful dancers, some of whom were stunningly beautiful and could topple kingdoms. However, they spent their lives singing and dancing to entertain guests and adorn the peace and prosperity of the country. When would they ever have the chance to sit down at a banquet and share a table with princes, nobles, and high-ranking officials?

This honor was not bestowed upon them when they were at their most beautiful, but rather after their beauty had faded.

Even though Xue Hongbi was young and beautiful in the past, and was a favorite concubine of the Pei family, she never had the status to sit with Madam Pei.

Hu Miaorong remained unfazed; having served in the military for many years, she knew that class distinctions among military dependents weren't so clearly defined. Sun's wife was filled with emotion, while the usually quick-witted Xue Hongbi was too moved to utter a single word.

As Ah Qiu, who was following behind Consort Sun, witnessed Consort Chen's speech and the attention of everyone in the room, she felt immensely gratified.

She kept her promise to Gu Yi.

Gu Yi secured this performance opportunity for the dance troupe, and she not only brought "White Silk" back to life, but also brought the dancers who had been working diligently in the music academy for many years to the world's attention.

The dance club will no longer be an obscure, marginal entity, nor will it be a place where Huang Chaoan can bully and control everything at will.

Looking across the entire Music Bureau, besides Lady Sun and Xue Hongbi, who else has ever sat at the same table as princes and generals and received personal comments from Consort Chen?

The resounding beat of military drums echoed throughout the venue, signaling the start of the next act: Miss Pei's fierce performance as the "Two Heroes of Bow and Spear."

Sun and Xue remained at the table, while behind them, a large group of white-robed dancers, led by A Qiu, prepared to leave.

Suddenly, Consort Sun reached out and grasped A Qiu's slender, jade-like wrist, saying to Consort Chen, "I dare to ask that my beloved disciple be allowed to stay at the banquet to pour wine. I hope Your Majesty will grant me permission."

It was A-Qiu who came up with the idea of ​​having Sun Neiren and Xue Hongbi perform as the finale, breaking the centuries-old rule of the dance troupe that no older women could perform on stage.

In fact, given Ah Qiu's youthful beauty and dancing skills, she should have been the one to steal the show in this white silk dance.

But she reserved the most important and memorable moments for her two coaches.

As a result, although her performance in the preceding parts was actually stunning and surpassed the level of her predecessors, it was not highlighted by the lingering charm and the heavyweight ending that reflected the rise and fall of the court officials.

Not to mention that Shi Changqing suddenly changed his tune and ruined things halfway through, and A Qiu tried his best to save the day, and then temporarily got away.

Even if she didn't say it, Sun's wife knew very well that it must be about Shi Changqing.

Sun's wife wanted to keep her at the table to show everyone that A-Qiu was the successor and heir of the dance troupe, following the three previous leaders of the White Silk Troupe.

She had already made a full appearance in the first two shows. In this way, her status as the head disciple of the dance troupe was established in the eyes of the world.

Consort Chen has actually met A Qiu twice in private so far.

Their first encounter was at the ruined Qiwu Palace, where Consort Chen used her Xiuyi sword to stop Aqiu from dueling with Chu Yuanyi, who was guarding Qiwu. At that time, she turned her back to Aqiu, saying that they had never met and asking Aqiu to pretend that she had never seen her.

The second scene is the rear hall of Jixian Palace last night. Aqiu sneaked into the hall and saw Emperor Xie Lang seemingly suffering from sleepwalking at night. He was searching for dance clothes and even took out the seven-foot-long Ancestral Dragon Sword to fight with Consort Chen.

A Qiu helped Consort Chen knock Xie Lang unconscious, and together with Gu Yi, they sent Xie Lang back to the Vermilion Bird Palace.

This brief encounter was one I couldn't refuse, nor could I pretend not to know.

Consort Chen had been speaking with the two instructors but hadn't looked at A-Qiu. Now that Consort Sun had brought it up, she could no longer ignore it. She looked at A-Qiu with gentle eyes and smiled, "Since the instructors are so fond of their student, they can make the decision."

She suddenly took another step closer and lowered her voice, saying, "However, His Majesty and the Crown Prince both paid close attention to your disciple just now. It's good that the instructor understands this."

After saying this, Consort Chen left the four of them, turned around and went back to her seat.

Upon hearing this, Sun's wife sighed and looked at A-Qiu with a questioning gaze.

Ah Qiu shook his head.

She certainly had no intention of becoming a concubine of either the emperor or the crown prince.

Her master sent her to the palace, not to sell herself.

Sun's wife naturally understood what A-Qiu meant and said, "You just need to sit next to me in a while, and I will handle everything else."

Xue Hongbi was slightly stunned after hearing their conversation, then comforted A Qiu, saying, "The three of us old folks are all here. Everyone here cares about their reputation. Don't worry, no one can force you to go."

Although Hu Miaorong was still not used to the intricacies of the palace, she understood. After all, it was during the White Silk Dance that the three of them were bestowed upon Pei Yuanli and Li Mingyuan.

She said solemnly, "This is a big matter, you must think it through carefully." She added, "Whether you want to become a concubine, leave the palace to find a good match, or have your eye on someone, we will do our best to speak on your behalf."

He then remarked with emotion, "You're lucky to have the opportunity to speak up for yourselves, like us old folks. Back then, we were never able to make any decisions for ourselves."

"A graceful young woman dances before the emperor, her beauty radiant and captivating."

"For you, I hesitated, my eyes darting to smile, but I dared not speak."

"With long sleeves brushing my face, my heart is filled with anguish; I wish you a life of radiant youth."

Isn't this a true reflection of the lives of Kabuki performers? No matter who you fall in love with, the one in power always holds the reins. And those princes, noblemen, and scholars who fall in love with Kabuki performers, those who actually take them seriously are one in a million.

A maiko's life is essentially one of smiling in front of others while she sheds tears in private.

A Qiu was prepared for Sun Neiren and Xue Hongbi to stand up for her. But she hadn't expected that Hu Miaorong, whom she had just met, would also stand up for her.

Xue Hongbi said in a condescending tone, "Although your Aunt Hu will soon become a Lady of Imperial Decree, she is still a senior member of the Music Bureau. She won't watch a junior like you fall into a fire pit."

Hu Miaorong glared at her fiercely, her gaze falling on A Qiu's white silk dance costume embroidered with gold and jade. She exclaimed in admiration, "Not only is this person more talented than we were back then, but even this dance costume is better than the one we made last time."

Exquisite and luxurious items are rare in the border region, and she hadn't touched silk and gold for many years. On a whim, she couldn't help but take Ah Qiu's hand and gently touch the silk.

As soon as she said that, Xue Hongbi's face darkened.

Sun's wife, sensing the situation, remained silent.

After touching the fabric of A Qiu's clothes, Hu Miaorong looked up and noticed the strange atmosphere. Confused, she asked, "Why do you two look so pale?"

Xue Hongbi clenched her fists, endured for a moment, and finally slowly raised her head, looking directly at Hu Miaorong, and said word by word, "Hu Miaorong, tell the truth, did you destroy the dance costume back then?"

The heavy clanging of iron chains echoed from the entrance of the palace.

The rumbling sound of the wheels rolling over the ground reached its peak at this moment.

The assembled officials, who had been whispering and deeply moved after the "White Silk" dance, immediately fell silent.

The entire audience held their breath, watching in awe as this spectacle, the most rare sight since the founding of the dynasty, unfolded before them.

Leading the way was Pei Yu, dressed in a red military uniform embroidered with gold. Her long hair was tied up in a high ponytail and adorned with a bright pearl and gold crown.

Pei Yu was considered among the elite families of the Southern Dynasty to be someone who could rival Miss Shangguan Yuqi, and at this moment, it seemed that this was indeed the case.

If Shangguan Yuqi's white robes were graceful and ethereal, like a crane, then Pei Yu's fiery red attire made her appear as radiant as a phoenix.

Today, Pei Yu entered the palace for a performance, so he was not wearing armor or carrying any weapons. However, he had long eyebrows that reached his temples, handsome features, and deep, bright eyes, which were very much like the appearance of his mother, Lady Pei, Mu Huaying.

In her left hand she held a thick, ten-foot-long bronze ring, as thick as an arm, and in her right hand she gripped a fine steel chain. The other end of the chain was tied to the neck of the white tiger that sat in the center of the cage, constantly looking around.

The white tiger's eyes were a deep, dark blue, its pupils slightly narrowed yet gleaming with a sharp light, and its breathing was heavy. Its fur was like a large painting of ink splashed across snow. Its claws had broad joints and sharp, blade-like nails. Its tail, though seemingly fluffy, was strong and whip-like, though it was currently flicking it idly.

Ah Qiu, who was usually calm, was now on tenterhooks.