Golden goblet under the setting moon

A gentle and quiet female voice rang out from the other end of the corridor: "Lingying, if you're going to send clothes, then send clothes. Why did you have to scare Master Xue like that?"

The voice was as gentle as celestial music, yet it carried a hint of reproach. It lacked the cold, imposing aura of Madam Pei, and it was not as clear and beautiful as a nightingale's song as Zhao Zhaorong's. But those who heard it naturally felt respect.

Upon hearing this voice, A Qiu felt a chill run down her spine. Meanwhile, Consort Sun and Xue Hongbi, along with the dancers, knelt down and bowed deeply. Even behind Consort Zhao, the two rows of palace maids holding lacquer trays all knelt down.

If you look from a distance, you'll see that the Xiangxie Corridor is now covered with kneeling people, a dark mass of heads.

A Qiu had heard that voice once before in the ruined Qiwu Palace, and the memory remained vivid. At that time, she and "Wind and Thunder Slash" Chu Yuan were locked in a life-or-death struggle when the other party, with a sword strike that appeared out of nowhere, easily broke through the chaotic entanglement between them. It was none other than Consort Chen, the most powerful woman in the imperial harem of this dynasty, the head of all concubines, the former Zhu Huan of the Flying Phoenix Four Guards, and "Golden Goblet Moonfall" Li Lanxiu.

Upon hearing Consort Chen's voice, A Qiu felt guilty. Of the former Flying Phoenix Guards, she had met or even fought with two: Bai He Sikong Zhao and Zhu Huan Li Lanxiu. But who knew what prize the dance troupe had recently won, that within a few days, it had attracted visits from the former Flying Phoenix Guards: "Xuan Hu" Mu Huaying, "Qing Luan" Zhao Lingying, and "Zhu Huan" Li Lanxiu.

This is something that has never happened in the dance troupe or even the entire music bureau in the past ten years.

She even suspected that just because the Music Bureau belonged to the inner palace, these three groups—the noblewomen, palace ladies, and female officials—could have some say in it. If it belonged to the previous dynasty, even the Grand Commander Sikong Zhao would probably want to take a look.

What is so special about this "White Silk" dance that it attracted so many former phoenixes to come and either participate or watch?

As A Qiu was pondering this, Zhao Lingying bowed deeply and said with a smile, "Greetings, Sister Lanxiu. How could I dare to scare the people of the Pei family? I was just joking with Master Xue."

Just by hearing their titles, one can tell that the Four Guards of Flying Phoenix are indeed as others say, their bond of life and death surpassing that of sisters. Regardless of their official positions, they always address each other as sisters, both in public and in private.

When Zhao Lingying released Xue Hongbi, her dance clothes were already soaked with cold sweat. She knelt down in fear at the shoulder of Sun Neiren, not daring to raise her head.

Consort Chen said calmly and gently, "Lingying probably doesn't know that Master Xue is no longer a member of the Pei family. This morning, Sister Huaying sent someone to deliver her household registration, ordering her to return to the Music Bureau. From now on, Master Xue will be an instructor in the Palace Music Bureau."

After a moment's thought, she continued, "Master Xue was formerly the top dancer of the White Silk Dance and is also a veteran of the previous dynasty who practiced under Empress Wen. His willingness to return to the Music Bureau to pass on the art of dance and music is commendable. I intend to appoint him as the deputy instructor of the dance department. Does anyone have any objections?"

A Qiu immediately understood that Consort Chen's personal visit to the dance troupe was probably because Madam Pei had mentioned it to her. As the head of the six palaces, Consort Chen was extremely busy with state affairs, and the transfer of a former courtesan would normally not have alarmed her at all. However, because it was mentioned by her old friend, Consort Chen decided to come personally to finalize Xue Hongbi's status and treatment upon her return to the Music Bureau.

Of course, Nei Ren and the other dancers had no objection and would not object. Nei Ren replied, "As Your Majesty commands. The entire dance troupe will respect Instructor Xue."

Zhao Lingying crossed her arms and said with a smile, "Although Sister Huaying has retired, it seems she's becoming more and more meddlesome. It's one thing for her to be in a hurry to send her daughter to the palace, but now she's even meddling in the affairs of the Music Bureau under the Junior Tutor."

Consort Chen said gently, "No matter how much or how little she interferes, it is always for the sake of the Great Yan world, and Ling Ying would not doubt that."

Zhao Lingying stopped smiling, her pretty eyes flashing with a cold light as she said, "People are always influenced by their environment and will eventually change. Of the four of us, only Sister Huaying married into the Dongguang Marquis's mansion, had a daughter, and started her own family. Lingying certainly won't question Sister Huaying's original intentions, but if the world of Dayan and the world of the Pei family become conflicted, I wonder what Sister Huaying will choose?"

Consort Chen calmly replied, "Even if that day truly comes, you, me, and A-Zhao should still be alive."

Zhao Lingying said coldly, "Then let's just talk about the present. Sister Lanxiu, many things are complicated and I know it's not convenient for you to interfere in them all. But there is one thing I, Zhao Lingying, have to say here."

Consort Chen remained silent, waiting for Zhao Lingying's next words.

Zhao Lingying declared firmly, "The performance of the 'White Silk Dance' at the Mid-Autumn Festival palace banquet is the intention of the Grand Tutor and His Majesty. Anyone who interferes or disrupts this beforehand is going against me, Zhao Lingying!"

"And what the consequences will be for those who oppose me, you can all consider for yourselves!"

Her words were clear and melodious, like the warbling of a nightingale, yet she used her inner strength to amplify them, sending them far and wide, causing the trees on both sides of the water's edge to tremble. The effect was so great that almost the entire West Wing of the Pear Blossom Pavilion could hear them.

Consort Chen sighed softly, intending to offer some words of advice. However, when her gaze fell upon the white silk dance dress adorned with pearls and crystals held in Zhao Lingying's hand, she seemed to recall some past events. Despite her usually calm and gentle nature, she changed color suddenly and was unable to answer for a moment.

After uttering those harsh words, Zhao Lingying smiled again. She personally helped the stunned Xue Hongbi up from the ground, and carefully handed her the white silk dress, saying kindly, "Vice Instructor Xue has a heavy responsibility on her shoulders. Don't let down the Empress and Lord Pei's high regard for you."

After saying that, he left without a word, not even bothering to say goodbye to Consort Chen.

The two rows of palace servants behind her also put down their lacquer trays in turn, bowed to Consort Chen one by one, and took their leave.

Consort Chen, Li Lanxiu, stared at the white silk dance dress draped over Xue Hongbi's arm, her expression complex and indescribable.

Xue Hongbi felt as if she were being burned, but in front of Consort Chen, she dared not directly throw off the silk robe that Zhao Lingying had draped over her arm.

It wasn't that she had any problem with the white silk dance costume, but the scene of her wardrobe being smashed open and her dance costume being torn into pieces of silk, with pearls and crystals scattered all over the ground, was a nightmare that haunted her for the rest of her life.

She couldn't fathom what kind of person could hate her so much. Judging from the way her dance costume was torn, the person clearly wanted to rip her into a thousand pieces.

She was greatly traumatized at the time. If it weren't for her wife's unwavering support, which gave her a ray of light in the darkness and the strength to continue performing, she would have collapsed and given up.

Although Emperor Wu later distributed them to important officials, he also consulted each of them. This was because Empress Shangguan was also among them. Emperor Wu had to give the Empress some face and wouldn't casually give away the dancers she had carefully trained.

Xue Hongbi immediately agreed to enter the Pei residence and thanked the emperor for his great favor.

Because of the days spent in the geisha troupe being plotted against and resented like maggots, even her strong and domineering nature was left with a huge psychological scar.

Consort Chen inadvertently relieved her of this predicament. With light, graceful steps, her long dress, embroidered with birds on bright yellow silk, fluttered gently as she approached Xue Hongbi. With a light touch, she removed the white silk dance dress draped over Xue Hongbi's forearm.

Xue Hongbi felt as if she had been granted a pardon and immediately took several steps back, hiding behind Sun Neiren.

Consort Chen stroked the pearls on her collar, their warm luster flowing gracefully. She said with emotion, "Glass is fragile, and beautiful dreams are hard to find. When we have something beautiful, we often don't know how to cherish it, and only realize its value when we lose it. The 'White Silk' has finally reappeared, and the clothes can be made again, but many things, once gone, are gone forever."

She sighed softly, "New clothes are worse than old ones, but old friends are worse than new ones."

No one in the dance troupe dared to respond to her, for no one knew what she was thinking at that moment.

Consort Chen suddenly asked, "Back then, for 'The White Silk,' I remember there were three of you who starred in it. Where is the third person now?"

Xue Hongbi subtly pushed her maid, Sun, to answer. She had already been terrified by Lord Zhao Lingying of the Imperial Library today and was absolutely unwilling to risk speaking in front of such an important person, lest she inadvertently violate some taboo and be indirectly reprimanded.

Lady Sun replied, "That companion was given to General Li Mingyuan and has long since gone to Xueyang Pass. We have had no contact with her for the past few decades."

The dance "White Silk" was the last time the three of them would reunite on stage. After that, Xue Hongbi became a concubine in the Pei family, Hu Miaorong went to the border, and Sun Ci stayed alone in the Music Bureau. Later, the Hengzhou rebels rose up, and the various clans fought each other, causing chaos in the world. The emperor changed three times in one month. Soldiers openly plundered the palace, killed palace maids and servants, and everyone in the Music Bureau lived in fear.

Later, nine out of ten houses in the capital were deserted, the population fled, and the palace was almost a ruin. When the rebel army entered the palace, it was another huge calamity and disaster. Sun Ci, with several young children from the Yuefu who were unable to escape, hid in a dry well in the Tangli Garden to eke out a living.

She hadn't considered Xue Hongbi and Hu Miaorong's situation at that time. In any case, they must have been better off than her. During times of war, having men to protect them should have made it easier for them to survive compared to a group of women.

Her eyes were suddenly blurred with tears.

Consort Chen seemed to know what she was thinking and said softly, "I was also in the palace during the chaos. I was... the Left General of the Imperial Guards. I witnessed and experienced all of this firsthand. Lingying was also there."

Lady Sun looked up abruptly, her expression one of disbelief. Her mouth was slightly open, her expression one of utter astonishment.

So at that time, they hid in the shadows, fearing for their lives, in false walls, dead corners, and dry wells, but were never discovered by the rebel army that burned and killed in the palace day and night. Every now and then, they would find two or three corpses of rebel soldiers lying dead in the abandoned garden or by the woodshed, carefully arranged to look like they had died from fighting over the spoils.

They never need to go far from their hiding place to find water, food, and clothing, which are left abandoned in places where they frequent. Although these places are very well hidden, they are still places that the other people can easily find.

Lady Sun was speechless for a moment, only managing to choke out, "Your Majesty!"

Consort Chen said softly, "What is your companion's name? If he is with the Marquis of Guannei, who will be attending court soon, I may be able to speak to him and arrange for the three of you to reunite."

She sighed, "It's not just because of the personal friendship between the three of you. The talents of the previous dynasty's music bureau have all withered and scattered. Now that 'Bai Zhu' is being re-performed, if the three of you, the leading performers of that time, could reunite, it would be a great comfort to the hopes of a generation that has suffered the pain of war."

Sun Neiren finally shed tears and kowtowed, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty! Our companion's surname is Hu, and his given name is Miaorong."