Chapter 1 Rebirth
In the fifth year of the Yuanqi era, on the Emperor's birthday, it was early spring.
It was past midnight, and the palace servants filled the waterside pavilion in front of the palace with lotus flowers. The water in the pond rippled, and accompanied by elegant and melodious music, several dancers dressed in pink robes and draped in soft white silk shawls walked to the edge of the pond to the music.
On the platform in front of the palace, a woman dressed in a scarlet dress, wearing a pomegranate flower hairpin and a red gold shawl slowly walked to the center of the platform.
As the music and dance music gradually faded, the woman's flowing sash fluttered in the wind, and the golden bells around her ankles jingled with every movement she made. With each step the bells rang, her figure moved forward.
The imperial family's majesty was such that even in such a lively setting, no one dared to utter a single word. Everyone watched the music and dance in the center with different expressions, finally focusing on the most conspicuous dancer in the crowd, who walked step by step from the center of the pool.
Until the music stopped.
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When Lan Wu opened her eyes again, she saw a brocade palace carpet with gold thread embroidery. The faint, cool fragrance that she had smelled several times before filled her nostrils. The exhaustion and the chaotic alternation of hot and cold in her body made her unconsciously continue the words she had only half-spoken: "...May Your Majesty enjoy long life and eternal peace."
Not long after she finished speaking, a majestic and deep voice came from above her head. Lan Wu had heard this voice many times before, in the bedchamber, in the warm room, or even on the day before she died, her heart ashen, after desperately pleading in vain. The other person was always like this, without any tenderness or emotion, like a calm and composed spectator, uttering the most chilling words.
Now, the other party said, "Reward."
reward?
What will you reward us with?
Lan Wu's shoulders trembled as she tried her best to suppress her fear. She still remembered the pain of the soft strips of cloth tightly strangling her neck, severing her slender, delicate neck like a bamboo shoot. She also remembered the unfamiliar figure standing at the door before her death, covering his nose and saying that she was born lowly, that she carried an unyielding stench in her bones, and that it was disgusting.
But now, her neck is perfectly fine, and the surrounding environment is unfamiliar, yet it carries a sense of familiarity from her memories, bringing her back to her senses from the despair and pain of death—she died, but now she is alive again.
In her memory, this scene occurred when she first danced for the emperor, which was also the beginning of all the mistakes.
After those words were spoken, she did not react.
Seeing this, the chief eunuch Chen Kang'an, who was serving the emperor, lightly scolded, "How dare you! His Majesty has bestowed this decree upon you; why don't you accept it and express your gratitude?"
Lan Wu wore a scarlet short dress, with a light and alluring outer garment. In this early spring day, even with hundreds of charcoal braziers in the hall, it was difficult to alleviate the bone-chilling cold in her heart.
But after so many years in the palace, having served as a humble servant for so long, she naturally knew what to do in such a situation.
So he lowered his head even further, and the sound rolled out from his throat, his trembling voice still unable to be concealed.
"This servant kowtows to express gratitude for the Emperor's grace."
The surrounding concubines laughed at her timid appearance, thinking she was a bold woman trying to curry favor, but they never expected her to be so cowardly when it came to actually being with them.
But this face of hers is truly beautiful.
The phrase "beautiful yet not seductive, charming yet pure" perfectly describes Lan Wu's face. Now, with makeup on, her charm, which should have been eight parts, has become ten. However, her voice is timid and soft, which makes people feel a sense of pity for her.
As the music and dance ended, Lan Wu retreated with the others. When she reached the door, she sensed something and subconsciously looked up. Even from several feet away, she clearly saw that cold, ruthless, and infinitely noble face again.
Chu Mingheng was also looking at her, but unlike the deep fear and inexplicable complex emotions hidden in her eyes, Chu Mingheng's eyes only held a calm that seemed as thick as fog.
With a fleeting glance, Lan Wu felt as if she had frozen in place, her mind filled only with the illusion of their eyes meeting. In the other person's calm and indifferent gaze, there seemed to be an inexplicable darkness, like a shrewd butcher waiting for his prey in the dark.
Today is the Emperor's birthday. In addition to the music and dance performances prepared by the music hall, officials and concubines from the harem have also come to present gifts.
Everyone retreated to the small hall to change clothes. After the ceremony in front of the hall was over, they could receive a reward. Most people were unwilling to leave at this point.
But this does not include Lan Wu.
Lan Wu clearly remembered that after she performed her dance on the Emperor's birthday, before she could return to the music hall with everyone, Yu Zhu, who was by Consort Li's side, came to invite her to Consort Li's Jinghua Palace.
The Jinghua Palace was filled with strong fragrance. Consort Li, dressed in a honey-colored brocade skirt embroidered with acacia flowers and colorful butterflies, sat on a soft couch with her shoulders and neck being massaged by palace maids.
Upon hearing the palace servants announce her arrival, Consort Li opened her eyes and saw her. Before Consort Li could even offer her a greeting, Consort Li helped her up and warmly remarked that she enjoyed watching Consort Li dance. After exchanging a few more words, she dismissed the palace servants.
At that time, Consort Li said that she was extremely beautiful and it was a pity that she was only a dancer in a music hall. She had a way to send her to the emperor, but whether she could seize the opportunity depended on her own ability.
Lan Wu had heard Consort Li's words before; the sisters in the music hall all expressed the same amazement and regret when they looked at her face.
But she was in a music hall, and even though she dreamed of becoming the emperor's concubine and rising to a high position, the emperor was not so easy to meet. She had a heart that wanted to please him, but she had no chance at all.
Therefore, she regarded this dance performance for the Emperor's birthday as a good match. She put a lot of effort into practicing the dance, hoping that the Emperor would like her and take her as a concubine.
After that, Consort Li said she would have a chance, but she did not immediately agree.
She foolishly thought that perhaps His Majesty would remember her even without anyone giving him the opportunity.
However, the reality was that she was repeating the same monotonous dance day after day. Finally, she panicked and when Consort Li's people came to ask her about it again, she quickly nodded in agreement.
Everything went smoothly after that, and she became one of His Majesty's concubines, a minor concubine named Lan Meiren in the harem.
But he died a year later, on a day after the emperor left the palace.
Judging by the time, it's probably coming soon; Yuzhu will be here soon.
Lan Wu quickly calmed down, clutched her chest, and went to Aunt He of the music hall, saying that she was feeling unwell and wanted to go back to rest first.
Dancing is an extremely strenuous activity, especially when performed before an emperor. Even though He Ying understood that Lan Wu was feeling unwell, she was still somewhat displeased. Looking at Lan Wu's pale face, she waved her hand and said, "Alright, go ahead. Palace rules are strict. If you wander off and take the wrong path, don't blame me for not warning you."
"Yes, Aunt, Lanwu understands." After saying that, Lanwu turned around and walked out of Taiqing Palace via another path on the side.
However, they hadn't gone far when they bumped into an acquaintance. The person was followed by two palace maids, clearly indicating that they were coming for Lan Wu.
Luo Yun happened to block Lan Wu as she came out and said to her, "Miss Lan Wu, His Majesty has ordered that you come over."
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