11. Dance of the Fallen City (Part 1)

Dance of the City of Love (Yao Ji x Mu Yang)

Yao Ji was only ten years old when she became a dancer. Although she was not rich before the age of ten, she was the daughter of a fourth-rank official. She was a daughter of a famous family. However, there were many changes in the court. When her father committed a serious crime and his family property was confiscated and she was sent to the music school, she was unwilling to mention her former name.

At the age of thirteen, Yao Ji officially welcomed guests. She danced in Qingchengfang and became the number one dancer in Chujing. On the same day, Yao Ji met Mu Yang.

Girls aged thirteen or fourteen are just beginning to fall in love, even in a place like Qingchengfang. Although she had just started seeing customers, Yao Ji had been in Qingchengfang for more than two years, and naturally she had seen enough of the sisters in the place being heartbroken for men. When Suiyi first saw Mu Yang, Yao Ji was not moved.

At that time, Mu Yang was no more than eighteen years old. The young man in white was full of vigor and ambition, and it was the time when he rode a horse and leaned on a sloping bridge, with red sleeves waving all over the building. That day, Yao Ji was slightly out of breath and uneasy after just one dance. Today was her first day on stage, and it was also related to her life in the next few years. If she succeeded, she would become a new dancer in Qingchengfang, and from then on she would be a clean and honest prostitute held in high esteem by the public. If she failed, even if she was as beautiful as a fairy, she could only do the low-level flesh trade like many unknown sisters. Women are always particularly naive and persistent in this regard. They know that it will all be the same in the end, but they still want to seize these few years. Maybe... it will be different?

"Girl, are you okay?" Amidst the cheers, Yao Ji hurriedly stepped down from the stage and headed for her own residence in the backyard. Because she was too smart, she brushed past a man and almost bumped into the wall beside her because she lost her balance. Just when Yao Ji thought she was going to be disfigured, a hand wrapped around her waist, brought her back, and asked in a low voice.

Yao Ji was startled, and when she looked up, she saw the man in front of her, dressed in white, handsome and extraordinary. He looked at her with a faint smile in his eyes, but unlike many guests who always had a bit of annoying look, he only had a faint worry and warmth.

"I'm fine, thank you for your help, sir." Yao Ji pushed his hand away, bowed slightly and said lightly.

"My name is Mu Yang, the girl dances very well." The man said with a smile.

Yao Ji was somewhat surprised. She had certainly heard of Mu Yang's name. The prince of the Marquis of Mu Yang's mansion was also a famous and ambitious young man from a noble family in the capital. Although the sisters in Qingchengfang often mentioned him, they had only heard of him because Mu Yang had never been to the land of fireworks. Yao Ji naturally did not expect to see him in such a place. Looking at the handsome man in front of her, Yao Ji frowned slightly. Although many people were not worthy of their reputation, it was always disappointing that such a young man who looked bright and clear was a frequent visitor to the land of fireworks.

As if he understood Yao Ji's gaze, Mu Yang's smile became a little bitter, and he said, "I came here with a few friends. This Qingchengfang is really big. I wonder where Changyun Pavilion is?"

Changyun Pavilion is where the most famous courtesan Changyun lives in Qingchengfang. Yao Ji nodded and pointed him in the direction. Why Mu Yang came here had nothing to do with her. Her expression changed for a moment because she was a little surprised that the news she heard was different from reality.

"Hey... isn't this our Prince Mu?" A leisurely male voice with a hint of nonchalant teasing sounded behind them. The two turned around and saw a man in red walking towards them.

"Young Master Feng San." The young Mu Yang was not in a bad mood, and he greeted the man in red in a very cultured manner. Young Master Feng San was a frequent visitor to the land of wind and dust. Although Yao Ji had never seen him, she had heard of his name for a long time. Feng San was the illegitimate son of the richest family in Chujing, while Mu Yang was the prince of the Marquis of Muyang. With Mu Yang's status, it was definitely polite for him to take the initiative to greet Feng San. However, Feng San obviously did not appreciate it. He raised his sword-like eyebrows, looked at Mu Yang with a smile and said, "It's rare. I didn't expect that Prince Mu also has such a refined taste. Isn't this... Miss Yao Ji? The lady's dance was so charming, and Feng San really admires her."

Feng San's words were a little bit provocative, but it was not excessive in such a place. Mu Yang was already a handsome man, but Feng San's appearance was even more handsome than his. The smile on his lips that seemed to be a joke or a mockery made him look a little more unruly. It was not just because of Feng San's appearance, but also because of other reasons. Although his words were a bit deliberate and provocative to Yao Ji, she didn't think it was offensive. The elegant Feng San in red was indeed a person that was hard to dislike.

Mu Yang did not argue with Feng Zhiyao, but smiled faintly and said: "I have something else to do, so I'll take my leave first. Miss Yaoji, goodbye."

"Goodbye, Prince." Yao Ji said lightly, glanced at Mu Yang's figure leaving Yunge, turned around and put it behind her mind.

After that day, Yao Ji and Mu Yang did not have much interaction, but they gradually became familiar with Feng Zhiyuan. It was difficult to be unfamiliar with Feng San when you were in Qingchengfang. Because Young Master Feng San would spend at least half a month every month living in Qingchengfang. There was even a room in Qingchengfang reserved specifically for Young Master Feng San, and there were many such rooms in other places in the capital. With more contact with Feng San, Yao Ji gradually understood that Young Master Feng San was not the playboy or sex addict in the eyes of outsiders. Because when they were together in private, Feng Zhiyuan always looked at her with a sober and calm look, without a trace of fluctuation.

Because of the frequent attendance of the Third Young Master Feng, and because Yao Ji's dancing skills were indeed the best in the capital, within just two months Yao Ji had firmly established herself as the number one courtesan in Chujing, and was the talk of the town for a while.

It was not until the beginning of the second year that I met Mu Yang again. At that time, Mu Yang was still the most proud prince of the Mu Yang Marquisate, and Yao Ji was already the best dancer in Chujing. Even many powerful royal families in the capital had invited her to perform, and it would take a huge amount of money to meet her alone.

Meeting Mu Yang again was an accident. Yao Ji became the number one courtesan in Chujing, and naturally stole the limelight from Chang Yun, the courtesan of Qingchengfang. Being envied was inevitable, so Yao Ji was always very cautious. With their backgrounds, they did not have the qualifications to be a courtesan, but Yao Ji did not expect that Chang Yun would conspire with the girls of Qingchengfang to ruin her innocence when they went out for an outing.

Innocence may seem like a joke to people like them, but it is extremely important. Now she can be a high-ranking courtesan, and she can be worth a fortune just by chatting with others, but once she loses this, she will soon be reduced to the same situation as an ordinary prostitute.

Yao Ji naturally didn't want this to happen, so the moment she felt unwell she endured the pain and hid away.

"Girl, are you okay?" A faint voice, with a familiar worry, came from behind the rockery where she was hiding. But this relationship was as poisonous as arsenic to her now.

"I'm fine!" Without looking at the people behind her, Yao Ji stood up and staggered forward.

"Miss Yao Ji..." Mu Yang pulled Yao Ji with some worry, and when he saw her flushed cheeks, he suddenly realized, "What's wrong with you? I'll ask someone to call a doctor over."

Yao Ji was already swaying and could hardly stand, and was pulled by Mu Yang and fell directly into his arms. Yao Ji felt her mind was in a mess, and she grabbed Mu Yang's hand, gritted her teeth and tried her best to keep the last bit of clarity and said: "It's too late... It's too late. I remember there is a pool ahead, throw me in!"

"But..." Mu Yang frowned. Although it was already spring, it was still the end of February. The pond was a little cold for a man, let alone a woman.

"It's okay, I can swim! Please..."

Mu Yang was also a child of an aristocratic family, and he had seen the methods of the ** before. Seeing Yao Ji was so persistent, he could only nod and said, "In that case, I'm sorry."

That day, Yao Ji, the most popular prostitute in Qingchengfang, fell into the water and was rescued by the prince of Muyanghou Mansion. She was ill for a whole month. But Yao Ji lived with that gentle and cheerful young man. He... not only helped her, but also saved her life.

In the following years, Yao Ji's reputation grew. With the support of the Third Prince of Feng, the Prince of Muyang, and other powerful and wealthy children in the capital, no one dared to cause trouble in Qingchengfang. When Yao Ji was 20 years old, she officially became the owner of Qingchengfang and never received guests again. She only danced occasionally when the powerful and wealthy in the capital or even the palace needed her to perform. The rest of the time, she always sat alone on the second floor of Qingchengfang, looking at the hustle and bustle downstairs.

"Miss, Prince Mu is here." Outside the door, the little girl reported in a low voice.

Yao Ji turned around, with a faint tiredness on her charming and beautiful face, and said: "Please go back, my lord. Yao Ji does not see guests." Seeing the little girl leave in surprise, Yao Ji smiled bitterly. In the blink of an eye, they have known each other for almost ten years. Yao Ji can't remember when they started. Her own Feng Zhiyao once sighed with a smile: "Yao Ji, you are really asking for trouble by falling in love with someone like Mu Yang. It is reasonable for you to choose this young master."

Yao Ji just smiled faintly at that time. She knew that Mu Yang's status would never be accepted by them. On the contrary, Feng Zhiyao, who was born into a wealthy family, would have less pressure. But facing the handsome Third Master Feng, she never felt moved. Because she knew that Third Master Feng already had someone in his heart. And Mu Yang... only had her in his eyes.

But this kind of life could not last long. Although he had aged a lot, he was still reluctant to get married. However, two months ago, he finally gave in to the pressure from the Mu family and got engaged to the daughter of the Sun family. Yao Ji was not surprised when the daughter of the Sun family came to him as his fiancée.

Thinking of what Princess Ding said in Fenghua Tower yesterday, Yao Ji smiled bitterly and a glimmer of determination flashed across her beautiful face. Although she had only seen Princess Ding twice, Yao Ji had to admit that she envied her in every aspect. She had a noble family background, a husband who was devoted to her and could protect her from the wind and rain, and an open-minded mind and abilities and wisdom that were different from those of ordinary women.

Let go when it’s time to let go… maybe, it’s time to leave…

Yao Ji lowered her head, stroked her still flat belly and smiled faintly. Princess Ding was right, as long as she wanted to live a good life, she could always live a good life, not to mention that she was not alone now.

"Yao Ji!" There was a chaotic sound of footsteps outside the door, and soon Mu Yang appeared at the door, looking at her with a somewhat unpleasant expression. The servants of Qingchengfang followed Mu Yang worriedly, and they obviously did not dare to make a move to stop the prince of Muyang Marquis's mansion.

Yao Ji waved her hand to let the servants leave, and then smiled faintly at the appearance and said, "What do you mean, my lord? Although Qingchengfang is a place for fireworks, Yao Ji has not received guests for many years."

"Yao Ji! Haven't you made enough trouble?" Mu Yang was very unhappy about what happened in Fenghua Tower yesterday, but the relationship he had with Yao Ji for so many years was not fake, so as soon as he calmed down, he immediately came to Qingchengfang to look for her, but he was turned away unexpectedly.

Yao Ji sneered and said, "That's enough of the noise. Please don't come to Qingchengfang again in the future. Otherwise, you might bump into Madam Sun and Miss Sun on the street again."

"What do you mean?" Mu Yang frowned.

Yao Ji waved her hands and shook her head, saying, "Nothing. Please go back, my lord."

Seeing Yao Ji's silent expression, Mu Yang sighed helplessly and said, "Yao Ji, I am also doing this for our future. You know... the Marquis of Muyang Mansion... will never let me marry you as my principal wife. Can't you be a little bit wronged for me?" Yao Ji looked at him calmly and said, "Yao Ji is not used to being wronged, and the prince doesn't have to be wronged either. Please, prince, for the sake of our friendship for so many years, let's part ways in peace."

"You..." Knowing Yao Ji's temper, it was impossible to persuade her back in a short time. Mu Yang could only sigh and whispered: "I'm going back first, think about it carefully."

Looking at his back, Yao Ji suddenly said, "Mu Lang, after so many years... we have both changed. Don't come again." You are no longer the gentle and cheerful boy, and I am no longer the young girl who only wanted love. We have both grown up and changed...

Mu Yang paused for a moment and left silently.

"Miss..." Outside the door, the little girl who was serving looked at Yao Ji, who was somewhat absent-minded, with worry. Yao Ji came back to her senses and smiled faintly, saying, "Pack up, I'm going out."

"Where are you going, girl?"

"Prince Ding's Mansion."

After leaving Prince Ding's mansion, Yao Ji breathed a sigh of relief. Yao Ji didn't know if selling Qingchengfang to Princess Ding was an impulse, but when she actually did it, she didn't feel as reluctant as she thought. With the money from these years and the sale of Qingchengfang, it was enough for her to live a life of luxury. Find a quiet place, give birth to a child and raise him well, and maybe she will be able to find a different kind of happiness in her life. Isn't this the peaceful life she has always hoped for?

"Have a nice walk, young lady." The man who followed Yao Ji out said in a deep voice.

The man's deep voice was very pleasant to the ear, but Yao Ji was a little surprised that he would say goodbye to her. She had seen this man twice with Princess Ding. He was not just an ordinary guard, and he seemed to be of high status. Shouldn't such a person be very disdainful of someone of her status? Or were the people around Princess Ding really different?

"Thank you..." Yao Ji choked. She didn't know the man's name. "Thank you, sir." In front of this silent man, Yao Ji found that all the social skills she had learned in Qingchengfang over the years seemed to be completely useless. She couldn't even put on a smile and could only say thank you awkwardly.

The man looked at her calmly and said, "My name is Qin Feng. Miss... you are not feeling well. If you want to travel far, you'd better wait for some time."

Yao Ji was stunned for a moment, then nodded and said, "Thank you, Commander Qin, for your reminder. Yao Ji will take her leave."

"No need to see you off." Qin Feng said lightly.

Yao Ji smiled calmly and turned away. She naturally understood Qin Feng's reminder and concern, and her mood, which had been a little gloomy because of these things, has improved a lot. A stranger can give some care, there are always many good people in this world. Leaving Chu Jing may not be so sad. At least, from now on... she is no longer a dancer, but an ordinary person. This... is actually what she has always wanted, isn't it? At the same time as selling Qingchengfang to Princess Ding, Princess Ding used her power to modify her household registration. From then on, the music registration that had always bothered her no longer existed, and she, Yao Ji... was just a single mother with a child.

－－－－－－－A side note－－－－－－－

Let's start with Yao Ji~ Actually, the fans of Lunjia wanted to write a story about Ah Li and Xiu Yao traveling back to the modern times. But at this point, Ah Li's modern identity, and the bunch of stars and bars in their family... it's still a bird~嘤嘤~ It feels so difficult to write. Lunjia doesn't like to write about silver, but you don't allow me to eat it at all, it's also very painful~