Chapter 140 The Grand Banquet of the Tang Dynasty (…)
Qinghe Ancient Town.
Night draped this ancient town in a hazy veil, the cobblestone streets reflecting the warm yellow lights of the shops lining the street, bustling with tourists as always. But many people found themselves stopping at the expansive lake in the town center, their gazes fixed on the water's surface.
On the island in the middle of the lake, the Hua'e Xianghui Tower is brightly lit, as dazzling as a star fallen to earth. Its reflection stretches long on the inky lake surface, swaying gently with the ripples, as if there is an equally magnificent palace beneath the water.
Many tourists who failed to get tickets could only gather by the lake, gazing at the unattainable building from afar, their faces filled with envy and curiosity.
"Sigh, I really want to go inside and take a look..." A young man carrying a camera sighed, adjusting his telephoto lens, trying to capture the details inside the building, but he could only take blurry photos of window frames and swaying figures.
His female companion was scrolling through her phone, showing him photos of the banquet guests inside, and exclaimed with envy, "Look, it's so beautiful inside! We definitely have to go next time!"
On Qinghe Tower, many guests who had climbed the tower captured the magnificent sight of the boats that had just transported tourists to Hua'e Xianghui Tower, which resembled a flowing galaxy. They also listened to the faint sounds of traditional Chinese string and wind instruments, which made them even more eager to experience it.
Meanwhile, inside the Hua'e Xianghui Tower.
A beam of moonlight shone on the stage, which resembled a giant, round drum decorated with lotus patterns, its colors deep and rich. Suddenly, the sound of a Jie drum, like tearing silk, rang out, followed by the melodies of the pipa and konghou flowing like water over the pavilion.
The crystal curtain trembled and swayed to the music, scattering fragments of lamplight across it.
Two dancers emerged from the pillar of light, their white gowns adorned with malachite trembling with each step, the silver cloud patterns embroidered on their skirts shimmering in the moonlight. Their arms hung naturally, like willows swaying in the breeze, their fingertips twirling their wrists with a gentle, indescribable beauty.
"It feels a bit like flying..." Qin Yue murmured.
A comment floated across the live stream screen: "[They look like flying apsaras from the Dunhuang murals.]"
Qin Yue nodded vigorously: "Yes, yes, it's like flying."
At that moment, in another private room on the third floor, Qin Shaohua and several of her friends were sitting.
Qin Shaohua established a good relationship with Lu Xiaoqi through Zhao Feiyan. Later, she brought her dance drama "Treading on Golden Lotus" to Qinghe Ancient Town for a few days of performances, which were very successful. She was also very envious of the stage effects of Huanyin Pavilion.
Since then, she has been paying close attention to the performance activities in Qinghe Ancient Town.
This time, before the banquet at Hua'e Xianghui Tower, she had already noticed it and asked Lu Xiaoqi for some tickets through connections. Lu Xiaoqi generously gave her a private room, so Qin Shaohua also brought three of her friends, all of whom were from the arts and culture world.
“It’s the Kucha dance!” As a choreographer, she immediately recognized it upon seeing the two dancers’ starting poses.
Two of her friends, who were also trained in dance and music, and the other, a screenwriter, asked curiously, "Is it that Kucha in the Western Regions?"
“Yes, it's in the area of present-day Kuqa. The Tang Dynasty was an era of cultural exchange, and even until the Song Dynasty, Kucha music remained the most prominent of the four court dance troupes.” Qin Shaohua nodded, her gaze fixed on the two dancers, and couldn't help but sigh, “I don't know where Boss Lu found so many highly skilled dancers…”
I'm so envious!
The two dancers exuded the open and vibrant spirit of the Tang Dynasty with their graceful movements, and even the palace lanterns on the lamp racks under the corridor seemed to be stirred by their dance.
Suddenly, the rhythm of the jie drum quickened, and the dancer spun into the enchanting realm of the Hu Xuan dance. Her figure, "spinning like the wind," stirred up rings of light mist in the pillar of light, and the golden bells at her waist rang out with the rotation, intertwining with the high notes of the konghou to create a crisp sound like a lark flitting through a curtain.
Twelve musicians carrying gilded banners entered from both sides. The pearls at the top of the banners reflected the moonlight, shattering into a shower of stars on the caisson ceiling's glass mirror.
"How beautiful!" Everyone looked up.
Qin Shaohua's friend, a musical director, shook his head and said, "You all only focus on the dance, but you haven't listened carefully to the music... In my opinion, the music is just as moving as the dance."
He listened intently, as if reciting a familiar story: "Did you hear that? This initial 'prelude' section..."
The screenwriter interrupted him: "What is a prelude?"
"The prelude is the beginning of the grand music of Sui and Tang Dynasty banquets," the musical director laughed. "You may not have noticed, but I did hear it. The prelude uses the chime, flute, zither, and dizi in succession, layering and gradually building up the atmosphere. Now it's the 'middle section,' which has entered the rhythm and introduced the opening song, with the konghou and pipa becoming the main instruments... Brilliant!"
The screenwriter nodded: "After all, this play is called 'The Song of Rainbow Feathers,' so the music is equally important. However, I really didn't expect them to perform it live!"
Lu Xiaoqi's tickets all happened to be in the same place, and Qin Yue's box happened to be next to Qin Shaohua's, separated only by a screen. They were still engrossed in watching the whirling dance in the hall, so they were relatively quiet and could hear the discussion over there clearly.
Following the screenwriter's instructions, Qin Yue pointed her phone at a slightly darker area on one side of the hall: "Wow, it really is a live musician! Look, doesn't it feel like a royal banquet?"
There sat a sizable troupe of court musicians. They were dressed in round-necked robes in the style of Tang Dynasty court attire, their expressions focused and their demeanor dignified, each with a different musical instrument beside them, either held or standing.
The strings of the konghou (a type of Chinese harp) are plucked, like pearls falling onto a jade plate; the rapid plucking of the pipa (a type of Chinese lute) is like a silver bottle suddenly breaking; the shakuhachi (a type of Chinese lute) sobs, bringing a distant and ethereal atmosphere; and the fangxiang (a type of Chinese lute) is struck, producing a clear, cold sound like metal and stone.
"I don't even recognize some of these instruments!" Qin Yue said with shame.
The number of people in the live stream room is increasing. There weren't many people who were able to get tickets to enter the Hua'e Xianghui Tower today, and Qin Yue was the only one live streaming. As a result, some people who had seen the photos and videos of the scene also flocked to Qin Yue's live stream room, making her live stream history.
I recognize some: the sheng, xiao, guzheng, and dizi.
There's also the bili, which looks a bit like a flute. The konghou, which resembles a harp, was very popular during the Tang Dynasty. And then there's the shakuhachi, which also looks like a flute, but is wider at one end than the other. These instruments were later introduced to Japan and became their national treasure.
This new fan was clearly very excited, sending a long message followed by several more:
[Awesome, absolutely awesome!]
[This is simply the pinnacle of traditional Chinese music; the ability to master so many instruments is truly remarkable, and the arrangement is absolutely amazing.]
The sheng, xiao, bili, zheng, and dizi each play their respective roles, weaving together an incredibly rich and layered three-dimensional soundscape, magnificent in scale and full of detail, truly showcasing the luxurious style and extremely high artistic level of the Tang Dynasty court music.
The Hu Xuan dance in the arena has reached its climax.
Qin Yue felt that her eyes and ears were too busy to keep up. She had to watch the live stream, watch the dance, listen to the music, and listen to the discussion next door.
“Moreover,” she overheard the screenwriter discussing the historical background of *The Song of Rainbow Feathers*, “…Look at it now, the Hu Xuan dance and the Jie drum are so lively and joyous, it feels like a depiction of a blissful feast on earth, with the emperor and his ministers reveling together, very much in the spirit of everyday life. But the main plot of *The Song of Rainbow Feathers* describes the story of Emperor Ming and his concubine dreaming of traveling to the moon palace and hearing celestial music. So, I guess there will be a turning point next, a shift from this earthly scene to a true 'celestial palace illusion'!”
Upon hearing this, Qin Shaohua couldn't help but laugh and tease, "Editor Wang, your analysis is spot on. With such strong screenwriting skills, how come you're still experiencing writer's block on your new script lately?"
Upon hearing this, the screenwriter immediately looked distressed, scratched his head, and said, "Sigh, analyzing others is easy, but creating something yourself is difficult! Knowing the direction and actually writing something good are two different things... I'm looking for inspiration right now."
Before he finished speaking, as if to confirm his speculation—
All the lights inside the building, including the palace lanterns under the surrounding corridors, suddenly went out, leaving only that beam of moonlight.
Qin Yue excitedly whispered to the live stream audience, "I have a feeling something's going to happen, something big's going to happen!
Above the dome, dozens of long and short, pure white and thin as smoke-like gauze curtains quietly descended, like a ladder or waterfall hanging down from the heavens!
At this moment, the music becomes incredibly ethereal and graceful. The drumbeats abruptly cease, and the music, primarily consisting of the xiao (vertical flute), konghou (harp), and pipa (lute), creates a dreamlike, weightless atmosphere.
In the utter stillness, broken only by the ethereal music, a clear, high-pitched, yet gentle female voice sang, seemingly from a distant, high place, piercing through the clouds and reaching everyone's ears. The voice was ancient and elegant, carrying a unique charm.
"Knocking on the jade door of the west wing of the golden palace, I instructed Xiaoyu to inform Shuangcheng."
Upon hearing of the Han emperor's envoy, I was startled awake in my dream within the Nine-Flower Tent.
Suddenly, I heard of a fairy mountain in the sea, a mountain in the misty void.
"Exquisite pavilions rise amidst five-colored clouds, where graceful fairies abound."①
The singing paused, its lingering melody still beautiful. Then, another steady and dignified male voice joined in, echoing the female voice, and the lyrics changed accordingly:
"I rose and paced back and forth, pulling up my clothes and pushing aside my pillow, as the pearl curtains and silver screens were slowly drawn open."
Her hair was half-undone from her nap, and her floral crown was askew as she descended the steps.
The wind blows, and her fairy sleeves flutter, like a dance of rainbow-colored feathers.
"If not seen atop Mount Qunyu, then met beneath the moon on the Jade Terrace."②
As the chanting began, Gongsun Jin, dressed as Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, appeared on stage in drag. She was the young Li Longji, dressed in imperial robes, with a handsome face and a dashing air, exuding an aura of nobility that was unparalleled in the world.
"It's her!" Qin Shaohua's eyes lit up. "Is she cross-dressing?"
She recognized Gongsun Jin.
When she visited Qinghe Ancient Town with her performance of "Treading on Golden Lotus," she watched the town's dancers and their performances. Among them, Gongsun Jin left the deepest impression on her. She was dashing and spirited, with a completely different style from Zhao Yizhu, yet equally a top-tier classical dancer.
Qin Shaohua regretted that if she had met Gongsun Jin earlier, she might have had more inspiration for "Treading on Golden Lotus" and her work could have reached a higher level.
Therefore, seeing her at this moment was a pleasant surprise.
Gongsun Jin's appearance also drew gasps from both inside and outside the venue, mainly from the girls.
So handsome!
Girls are definitely the coolest!
[Was the historical Li Longji really this handsome? You're exaggerating his looks!]
[I highly recommend everyone watch her in "A Thousand Years of Splendor," it's also excellent... Wait, she's acting in this now, does that mean "A Thousand Years of Splendor" won't be recast? Waaaaah, no way, that one was free!]
Gongsun Jin was of course unaware of the discussions about her both inside and outside the venue. She was completely immersed in the music and danced slowly to the rhythm.
Her dance was not the gentle grace of a woman, but a dance brimming with imperial grandeur and power. With each sweep of her flowing sleeves, she exuded an air of effortless confidence and mastery. The surrounding dancers swarmed around her, like stars around the moon.
Their graceful and flowing dance moves contrasted sharply with Xuanzong's vigorous steps, yet blended wonderfully, as if subjects were surrounding their monarch, or as if immortals were encircling the lord of the heavenly palace.
The rhythm of the music subtly shifted, incorporating a hint of clashing swords.
Suddenly, Gongsun Jin spun around and a gleaming longsword slid out from the wide sleeve of his imperial robe!
This move drew a murmur from the audience.
She rose with her sword in hand, and her dance suddenly changed! The sword dance passed down from Lady Gongsun was on full display!
The sword light flashed like a bolt of lightning, like a startled swan, sometimes as swift as thunder, sometimes as still as a mountain. In his hands, the sword was no longer a weapon of slaughter, but a symbol of authority and power, an extension of the emperor's power to depict the landscape and command music!
The surrounding dancers also changed their dance moves accordingly. Their flowing sleeves and shawls fluttered, cleverly intertwining, entwining, and dodging Xuanzong's sword light. It was as if the sword light guided the flowing clouds, or as if the flowers surrounded the sharp blade. The coordination was seamless, thrilling and beautiful.
This sword dance vividly showcases the emperor's martial prowess, civil administration, heroic spirit, and artistic cultivation.
"A single sword dance moves all directions. Spectators are as numerous as mountains, their faces downcast, and heaven and earth seem to sway in response..." The screenwriter Wang immediately recalled the poem Li Bai wrote for Gongsun Da Niang. He had initially thought it was exaggerated, but now he felt it was incredibly apt.
As the sword dance reached its climax, Gongsun Jin gracefully finished his move, slung his longsword behind his back, and looked up at the gauze curtains hanging from the dome, his gaze burning with longing for the fairyland and the emperor's desire to explore.
As if receiving his command, the music became ethereal once again.
The dancers who had been surrounding him were instantly transformed into flowing, multicolored shawls, several meters long. With a light touch of their toes, they leaped into the air, deftly using, entwining, and even stepping on the draped veils, their figures as light as feathers, soaring into the sky!
They stretched their bodies in the air, making various graceful movements of flipping, swirling, and soaring, their long shawls and skirts fluttering and intertwining with the white gauze curtains.
At this moment, they were no longer dancers on the ground, but truly soaring through the sky—flying apsaras!
The lavish spectacle of the grand feast vanished abruptly.
Emperor Xuanzong stood in the center of the stage, sword in hand, watching the apsaras swirling and dancing gracefully in the air, accompanied by veils.
The fantastical chapter of the Fairy Palace has finally been partially unveiled, allowing people to witness its magnificence.
"Holy crap! It's really flying!" A girl behind Qin Yue couldn't help but swear, then quickly covered her mouth, her eyes wide with disbelief.
The screenwriter, Wang, was so excited that he slapped his thigh and almost jumped up. He lowered his voice but couldn't hide his excitement: "That's it! I knew it! It really is like that! After earthly bliss comes a dreamlike journey to the heavenly palace! This arrangement is brilliant!"
Qin Shaohua also gave him a thumbs up: "Editor Wang, you're amazing!"
The seven flying apsaras did not leave immediately. Their light figures seemed to be lifted by invisible air currents, and they began to gracefully dance around the huge space of the Hua'e Xianghui Tower.
They soared over the first-floor lobby, eliciting gasps of amazement, then gracefully ascended to the second and third floors, their long, shimmering shawls almost brushing against the carved railings outside the private rooms. With a light touch of their toes, they twirled and turned in the air, their figures exquisitely graceful.
The girl in yellow and the girl in green next to Qin Yue were so excited that they clasped hands together.
"So that's why the box seats are more expensive than the main hall tickets!"
"Me too. I was just about to say that the view from the lobby is better."
Now I realize it was totally worth it!
A fairy dressed in a tulip-colored orange gown, particularly lively and playful, flew close to the area where Qin Yue and her group were staying, observing the guests like a curious fairy. Her gaze swept around and finally settled on the girl in the pale yellow top, her face flushed with excitement.
Fei Xian smiled gently and stretched out her arm. As if by magic, a full, lustrous pink peony appeared out of thin air between her slender fingers, with layered petals and glistening dewdrops!
Before anyone, including the girl in yellow, could react, Feitian gracefully leaned closer and gently and swiftly inserted the radiant peony into the girl's hair bun at the back of her head.
After doing all this, she winked at the stunned girl, left a sweet smile, and then, with her clothes fluttering, she gracefully spun around, as if merging into the wind, and followed her companions to fly higher, leaving only a faint fragrance behind.
"Ah—!" Only then did the girl in yellow belatedly let out a scream, her hand instinctively reaching for the illusory yet real peony at her temple, its touch cool and shimmering.
She was so excited that her face turned bright red, and she couldn't speak. She could only hold her companion's arm tightly, point to her hair, and her eyes shone with an amazing light.
"My God! Did you see that?! She put flowers on me!!" She finally found her voice and was so excited that she couldn't speak coherently.
Her companions and Qin Yue, who were standing nearby, looked at her with envy.
"You're so lucky!"
"It must be because I had too many hairpins in my hair," her companion lamented. "I should have just pulled them out!"
This scene was captured completely by Qin Yue's live stream camera, which was on the whole time!
After a brief silence, the chat exploded in the live stream—
[Holy crap! Holy crap! Holy crap! Is this even possible to interact like this?!]
[Ahhhhh, I'm so envious! Why didn't I get a ticket?! That girl is so lucky!]
[Those are real flowers! Are they really rolled like that in Qinghe Ancient Town? And the young lady who can dance also knows acrobatics and magic? Amazing!]
I was moved to tears; the flying apsaras were so beautiful. And this segment was really well-choreographed.
[Worth it! This ticket was worth it! Even without this interactive element, I would still feel it was worth it. It's like the flying apsaras from the Dunhuang murals have come to life.]
[The flying lady is so gentle and beautiful, she even winked! I'm smitten!]
Qin Yue didn't bother to read the comments; she kept turning the camera to those flying apsaras.
After playing in the air for a while and interacting with several other guests, the flying figures slowly rose higher, the lights dimmed, and they gradually disappeared from view.
The music stopped.
"The magnificent palaces and pavilions are ready, and the celestial music continues. Your Majesty, we respectfully invite you to the Heavenly Palace to admire the magnificent attire together."
As soon as he finished speaking, the lights in the building were restored to normal.
Is it over?
"I don't think so, right?"
Screenwriter Wang poured himself and his friends a round of drinks and laughed, "The curtain falls on the human world, the emperor ascends to heaven. This is the end of the first half, the second half is about to begin. Just wait, the best is yet to come."
Qin Shaohua sat down, deeply moved: "The first half is already so beautiful, I wonder what the second half will be like."
As artists, they also began to discuss matters related to their professional fields.
Some people feel it's a shame to keep such a wonderful performance only inside the Hua'e Xianghui Tower; it should be staged in a theater so that more people can see it. Others feel that it is precisely this grand format and the unique setting of the Hua'e Xianghui Tower that makes the performance so special; if it were moved outside, it might lose its essence.
Just then, the maids began serving the dishes.
Screenwriter Wang laughed heartily: "Anyway, let's eat and drink our fill first, and then enjoy it slowly. I must say, Lao Qin, I have to thank you. After watching it, I felt like I had some inspiration. I'll think about it some more when I get back, and I guess it won't be choppy anymore."
Little did he know that Li Guinian's special ability, the "Feast of Bliss," was precisely what could unleash the creativity of a creator.
......
"Red Sheep Branches" is a famous dish at the Tang Dynasty's Burning Tail Banquet. "And this dish is Imperial Yellow Queen Mother Rice, which was also a very popular staple food at Tang Dynasty imperial banquets."
In addition, there is a vegetable dish.
"Friends, this is the main course," Qin Yue introduced to the live stream viewers, then rubbed her stomach. "To be honest, after watching the song and dance performance, I'm actually feeling a bit hungry now. Let's dig in!"
The red ram's staff is quite imposing. On a wide porcelain plate lies a long, slender lamb rib, roasted to a deep reddish-brown, glistening color, and exuding a rich, caramelized aroma. One end of the rib has been deliberately left intact, meticulously trimmed, resembling the handle of a scepter.
The mutton is sprinkled with cumin, pepper and other spices, steaming hot, and the rich, smoky aroma of the mutton and spices intensely assaults everyone's sense of smell.
The maid thoughtfully cut the meat for them and placed it on a plate.
Qin Yue took a bite: "It must be marinated first and then roasted. It's crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. It's delicious!"
She could tell that the lamb was of excellent quality, even better than the lamb she had eaten at some Northwest Chinese restaurants. It was also incredibly fragrant; she felt Chef Li must have used a secret seasoning, giving it a unique and distinctive flavor.
As for the Imperial Yellow Queen Mother Rice, she couldn't resist—upon lifting the lid of the exquisite stewing pot, a golden sheen immediately appeared. The top layer was covered with a luxurious topping: diced abalone, shiitake mushrooms, shredded scallops, and bright golden crab roe, accompanied by tender beef cubes. These delicacies were perfectly coated in a rich braising sauce, their colors enticing and their aromas incredibly complex. The bottom layer consisted of fragrant glutinous rice, each grain distinct and soaked in the essence of the broth.
After mixing it and putting it in her mouth, Qin Yue revealed a blissful smile:
"This tastes amazing! I wouldn't even want to be an immortal!"
The other two girls regretted eating that bowl of white rice earlier, as they were now quite full, even though they weren't big eaters. Qin Yue, on the other hand, was a food blogger, so eating was no problem for her; she ate almost all the rice in her small bowl, taking bites from the left and right.
"Let me tell you, the appetizer portions here are relatively small, but the main courses are quite generous. I have a pretty big appetite, but I still felt a bit full after eating," Qin Yue explained earnestly. "There will probably be some snacks later, so even a strong man could definitely eat his fill, and girls might leave quite a bit..."
Can I get it to go? It's such a fancy place, I feel a little embarrassed.
What's there to be embarrassed about? Don't waste it, I want to take all the fruit home with me.
[Larger than a Michelin-starred restaurant.]
While everyone was chattering away in the live stream, the maid served some more snacks.
The desserts were Jade Dew Dumplings, Imperial Concubine Red Pastries, and Disappearing in the Wind, in small quantities, two of each, served on an elegant tray.
Jade Dew Balls are snow-white milk pastries shaped like budding magnolias; Imperial Concubine Red is a bright red pastry or candied fruit pastry topped with scattered gold leaf, which is very luxurious; Vanishing in the Wind is the most magical, consisting of several thin, almost transparent amber-colored crisps stacked together, with a casual yet beautiful shape.
"Why is it called that?" Qin Yue asked curiously.
The maid smiled and said, "It's named so because its texture is extremely crisp and very thin, as if it would melt in the wind. Please eat quickly, esteemed guests, it won't taste as good if it softens later."
Upon hearing this, Qin Yue and the two girls immediately started eating. One bite revealed that it was indeed extremely crispy and had a rich, sweet aroma.
Just as she was about to introduce the show to the fans, the lights in the hall dimmed again. Qin Yue immediately sat down by the railing with lightning speed: "Here it comes, here it comes, the second half is about to begin. The timing is perfect, we can finish the main course and then have some snacks while the performance is on, perfect!"
Like her, all the guests quickly regained their composure and focused their attention back on the dark stage.
After a brief silence, a single, ethereal note from the konghou, with a sound unlike any of the human ears, drifted out like a drop of water falling into the heart of a tranquil lake.
As the sound waves spread, a full, bright moon radiating a soft glow slowly lit up the extremely high dome of the Hua'e Xianghui Tower, eventually hanging in mid-air.
Its smooth, lustrous surface seemed almost within reach, instantly enveloping the entire scene in a dreamlike moonlight.
Everyone looked up at the bright moon.
Even more astonishing is that, at the center of that bright moon, the scene of a full moon and the Guanghan Palace is depicted with exquisite brushwork and vibrant colors, the brushstrokes delicate and the artistic conception serene and cold. And under the corridor of that moon palace, a graceful fairy with flowing robes stands leaning against the railing.
She was only shown in profile, but the painter captured her unparalleled beauty, her slightly furrowed brows, and the ethereal charm that seemed to contain eternal loneliness with just a few strokes, making her so lifelike that one could feel longing and pity at first sight.
She gazes at the world, every outline and line brimming with endless charm and reverie.
“It’s Chang’e!” screenwriter Wang said with certainty.
Qin Shaohua and the others nodded in agreement; the meaning of the imagery was already quite clear.
The seven flying apsaras that had just disappeared reappeared. Like devout maidens, they held lotus lanterns that emitted a faint glow, quietly and respectfully circling the bright moon and its silhouette, their postures even more relaxed and solemn than before.
The ethereal music gradually incorporates the xiao and dizi, making the melody more distant and carrying a faint sense of longing.
Screenwriter Wang continued his poetic inspiration: "Chang'e should regret stealing the elixir, her heart yearning for the blue sea and sky every night!"
She gazes at the world below, but is she filled with regret?
Suddenly, the enormous moon began to change. Its light softened, and its edges blurred. The next moment, the full moon quietly disintegrated, transforming into a vast, dazzling, and romantic rain of luminous petals, which fluttered down onto the entire stage and even drifted down to the guests below!
"Wow--!"
Exclamations arose again, and people instinctively reached out to catch it, but the glowing petals vanished quietly before they touched their palms, leaving only a faint light and a cool fragrance.
As the petals fell like rain, the painting that had been at the center of the moon did not disappear. The figure in the painting, no longer framed by the moon, became even clearer and more real. She opened her eyes.
Those beautiful eyes held the majesty and superiority of a goddess, but immediately softened with tenderness and affection, looking down upon everyone inside the building.
She "stepped" out of the painting and became a three-dimensional, flesh-and-blood entity!
Zhao Feiyan, who plays Chang'e, has finally revealed her true appearance.
She wore a more magnificent and flowing gown than the one worn by the previous apsaras, the fabric of which seemed woven from moonlight, shimmering with a faint, flowing silver light. Her hair was piled high in a cloud-like bun, adorned with jade hairpins and dangling ornaments. Her face was aloof and stunningly beautiful, her eyes carrying a hint of the detachment and loneliness of a moon palace fairy, yet containing an undeniable and breathtaking beauty.
She seemed to be the embodiment of all the moonlight and flower rain, descending from the sky and slowly landing in the center of the stage, her toes lightly touching the ground, making no sound.
The celestial beings descended slowly around her, like stars surrounding the moon.
The screams and applause in the arena were deafening, like a tidal wave. Qin Yue couldn't hold back her scream either; she felt like she was going crazy, her words tumbling out incoherently:
"Did you guys see that?! Holy crap, she, she, she just walked out like that?! Is this some kind of illusion?"
The live stream chat was flooded with messages:
I saw it!
I saw it!
[I saw it, but I really want to see it in person! I burst into tears, it's so beautiful, it's just like the scene I imagined when I read novels!]
[This is truly the extravagant and decadent Tang Dynasty! A veritable feast of unparalleled bliss, I'm crying.]
[Tsk tsk tsk, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang must have eaten too well back then (I know such technology didn't exist), no wonder he was so addicted to song and dance, ultimately ruining the Tang Dynasty into this mess.]
[I can't afford the tickets anymore. Just a friendly reminder that, true to Qinghe Ancient Town's usual practice, prices will definitely go up after the trial run. I just want to ask if the Hua'e Xianghui Tower is still hiring staff?]
Of course, Zhao Feiyan's fans were also excitedly spamming the chat, not only in Qin Yue's live stream, but also on various other platforms.
[That's my wife! Ahhh, my wife is so beautiful!]
[Who was it that said her return to Qinghe Ancient Town was career suicide? Look, this is definitely going to be legendary!]
Following her as empress, Chang'e is another classic figure, her life complete.
Inside the Hua'e Xianghui Tower, Chang'e's gaze shifted, as if traversing time and space, finally settling on a certain spot below the stage—the direction where Gongsun Jin, who played Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, was located. A faint, yet captivating smile slowly curved her lips.
The celestial palace lord reached out her delicate hand to the mortal emperor, leading him step by step up the heavenly steps.
The music became solemn and beautiful at this moment, with the sounds of chime bells and jade chimes joining in, setting the tone for the celestial music.
The two began a solo dance.
Zhao Feiyan's dance was extremely graceful, elegant, and ethereal. Every turn of hers seemed to be free from the constraints of gravity. Her long sleeves and shawls fluttered like moonlight or clouds gathering and dispersing, perfectly capturing the coldness and loneliness of the fairy of the moon palace.
Gongsun Jin's dance steps were full of imperial grace and power. When she danced with Zhao Feiyan, it was sometimes like admiring a priceless treasure, and sometimes like resonating with a confidante.
One strong, one gentle; one yin, one yang; one celestial, one mortal—the two danced in perfect harmony, their movements flowing smoothly, their eyes conveying an admiration and mutual understanding that transcended the boundaries of mortal and immortal.
"I understand!" screenwriter Wang suddenly shouted, startling everyone who was engrossed in the dance.
"That explains why there's only Emperor Xuanzong and no Yang Guifei!" Screenwriter Wang smiled sheepishly and lowered his voice. "Legend has it that there are several versions of the 'Rainbow Feather Dress Dance.' One version shows Emperor Xuanzong and Guifei ascending to the Heavenly Palace together, while another version shows Emperor Xuanzong ascending to the Heavenly Palace alone, with Guifei being a celestial fairy who descended to earth. Presumably, this is the latter version."
"I see." Qin Shaohua nodded in sudden understanding.
At this moment, the celestial palace scene that had temporarily disappeared with the dissipation of the petal rain reappeared—no longer a painting, but a three-dimensional and magnificent phantom of jade palaces and celestial pavilions shimmering with a faint light.
The celestial palace floats beneath the dome of the Hua'e Xianghui Tower stage, its tiles made of glazed glass and its steps of white jade, shimmering with a warm and sacred luster.
At the same time, several clear and melodious crane cries broke the silence, and several graceful crane phantoms formed from condensed light and mist spread their long wings and elegantly flew out from the depths of the celestial palace, circling and dancing around Chang'e in the center of the stage together with the seven lantern-bearing celestial beings.
Chang'e gently placed her outstretched hand into Xuanzong's hand.
The two exchanged a smile and walked hand in hand toward the back of the stage. The ethereal jade steps that had been an illusion seemed to solidify as they stepped onto them. They ascended the steps one by one, led by cranes and accompanied by flying figures, their silhouettes gradually rising higher.
The music reached its climax, with ethereal voices from a man and a woman singing:
"A rainbow-colored robe and a rosy veil, a crown swaying in the breeze, and jeweled ornaments jingling softly."
Her graceful figure seemed unable to bear the weight of silk robes, and she paused mid-song as she listened to the music.
The snowflakes swirl and turn lightly, and the dragon leaps gracefully in a breathtaking display.
The king, smiling, urged the bestowal of gold; an immortal led the way, gazing towards the Jade Capital. ③
The figures of Emperor Xuanzong and Chang'e finally disappeared completely into that dazzling light, vanishing without a trace.
The song gradually faded, its lingering melody merging into the misty clouds of the celestial palace.
The guests remained, their minds still immersed in the song and the scene they had just witnessed, unable to come back to their senses for a long time.
Once all the illusions had vanished and the lights had returned to normal, Qin Yue and the audience erupted in applause for the magnificent and exquisite performance.
"It's like a dream..." she murmured to the live stream audience, very softly, as if unwilling to wake up.
In the shadows of a hidden passageway leading from the main hall to the backstage, Li Guinian stood quietly, not joining the ranks of actors receiving applause. Occasionally, the lingering light from the stage would brush against his serene face, creating a play of light and shadow.
A wave of applause reached his ears, and a faint, artist's smile of satisfaction slowly curved his lips.
This painstaking revival of the "Rainbow Feather Dance" ultimately lived up to the records in ancient texts, the mystique of the Hua'e Xianghui Tower, and the expectations of the modern audience below the stage. The joy of success, like warm wine, soothed my heart.
However, beneath this relief lies a deeper, indescribable sense of melancholy.
He gazed at the fading afterglow of the celestial palace, his eyes seemingly piercing through time, returning to the era he had truly served—an era of unparalleled glory that ultimately crumbled. In the flickering lamplight, he seemed to see again the emperor, who had also been a master of music, indulging in song and dance, but ultimately departing in sorrow.
Back then, he too performed for His Majesty and the Imperial Concubine before the Emperor. The music and banquets of that time, the dazzling costumes and gowns, were the true splendor of the empire, a vibrant tapestry imbued with power and lust, unlike today, which is a meticulously crafted and captivating "dream."
Are you happy? Of course I am. His masterpiece, "The Song of Rainbow Feathers," to which he poured countless efforts, still touches people's hearts across a thousand years.
Am I feeling melancholy? Yes, I am.
The music still lingers, the buildings still stand, but the homeland and the people are long gone, swept away by wind and rain. He recreates the grandeur here, but he seems more like a guardian and narrator of a prosperous dream.
These complex emotions intertwined within him, ultimately transforming into a barely audible sigh that dissipated amidst the renewed rousing music and applause. For him, this performance was both a blissful dream offered to modern audiences and a silent tribute spanning millennia.
Li Guinian straightened his back slightly, deeply concealing the trace of melancholy.
"great!"
"Absolutely wonderful!"
"That was absolutely fantastic!"
He congratulated the actors who had received applause and cheers and returned backstage one by one, generously offering his praise. Every actor couldn't help but hug him as they passed by, even the somewhat conservative dancers who had also traveled from ancient times.
"Director Li, you're amazing!"
Congratulations on your offering!
Everyone was very excited.
Just then, Li Guinian's phone rang. He picked it up and saw that it was Lu Xiaoqi calling.
"Li Gongfeng, come quick!" Lu Xiaoqi's cheerful voice came through the phone, instantly pulling him back to reality from his complicated emotions. "Come drink, everyone's waiting to celebrate your victory!"
Li Guinian burst into laughter, reverting to his previous carefree and unrestrained self: "Coming right away!"
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