She swayed back and forth under the moonlight with her leg as a pivot to turn her body, the hem of her skirt like a series of flowing waves as it rippled.
The slight redness of her lips complimented the rosiness of her cheeks, and she looked like she wanted to say something but was shy to do so. Her dainty countenance was like the pink peach blossom petals; every single movement of hers displaying the purity and aloofness of an orchid flower. Donned in her elegant long dress, her black hair was cast across her shoulders and a faint smile graced her unadorned face, emanating a unique aura.
The expression in Pei Qianhao’s slightly changed. If I mock this dance, I’m afraid that there isn’t a dance in this world that I can appreciate.
The night breeze blew again, causing the trees to sway and rustle. In the moonlit courtyard, a girl in the prime of her youth was dancing lithely, captivating the hearts of all who gazed upon her. One glance was all it took to be completely mesmerised.
As Pei Qianhao watched this exquisite dance, he gradually furrowed his brows. Is she really just a palace maid from the Palace Side Quarters? Forget about the noble daughters, even the best dancer in Beimin wouldn’t be able to compare to this.
How on earth does she know this? She was sold off by her parents and lived in an impoverished family. How is it be possible for her to have acknowledged a mentor and learnt dance? The more he thought about it, the deeper his suspicions became.
Su Xi-er’s dance became faster and faster, like a fairy under the moonlight. Despite this, her breathing was not laboured at all, as if she was already used to performing this dance.
The hem of her dress fanned out into a radiant flower as she spun increasingly faster, exuding a beauty that made others fall into a trance.
At the other side of the courtyard stood a man dressed in cloud adorned white robes, his gentle aura on full display. However, his slightly knitted brow belied his current emotions.
I have seen this dance before, but this is clearly another woman. Why does Prince Hao’s servant girl know how to perform it? It’s impossible. Apart from Ning Rulan, there’s no one else in this world who can perform this dance.
At this moment, an imperial guard came to Yun Ruofeng’s side and whispered, “Prince Yun…”
Yun Ruofeng waved his hand. “This place isn’t convenient for discussing matters.” He then glanced at Su Xi-er again before fading into the distance.
Glancing in Su Xi-er’s direction, the imperial guard’s face was immediately painted with an astonished look that remained even after he swiftly left.
Upon completing the dance, Su Xi-er was panting slightly. She bowed to pay her respects, “Prince Hao, thank you for putting up with my mediocre performance.”
Pei Qianhao stowed away the suspicion in his eyes and raised both of his hands, the crisp sound of applause ringing through the air. “This prince has never praised people easily. This dance is unique and unrivalled in this world, something that applies to the dancer as well.”
“Many thanks for the compliment, Prince Hao. As this servant has already completed your orders, I will go and bring the water to your room. Prince Hao, since it’s already so late, please return to your room to rest.” She then turned around to walk towards the boiler room.
She had paid attention to her surroundings when she was led to the room earlier today, noting that the boiler room was one of the rooms ahead.
“You don’t have to go. The imperial guards will send it over. If I let you go and get it, who knows if you will find another maidservant for this prince again.” Prince Hao purposely paused and sized her up carefully.
Su Xi-er raised her head and respectfully replied. “This servant isn’t silly enough to do it a second time. Besides, you are already taking precautions against it in your heart.”
“Let this prince ask you, who taught you that dance? Which elder sister[*] was it?” Pei Qianhao intentionally used the words ‘elder sister’ to prevent her from using this reason to solve the issue.
“This servant came from an impoverished family, so the elder sister I know naturally didn’t know how to dance. Instead, this servant had passed by a dance house one time and secretly peeped on what they were doing. Seeing that the dancers inside were practising, this servant also followed along.”
Pei Qianhao’s tone had risen. “If you were able to learn that much by simply watching, leaving you to scrub the chamber pots or wash clothes is really a waste of sublime talent.”
“Prince Hao, where do you want to transfer this servant to?” The weather is still hot, so scrubbing chamber pots and washing clothes are no problem. However, once winter arrives, my fingers won’t be able to last if I wash at night. It would be good if I could change assignments in the Palace Side Quarters.”
“No woman in the palace’s Imperial Music Department can compare to you. There’s no use even if you go there. It’s better if you stay in the Palace Side Quarters and carry out your tasks diligently.”
Pei Qianhao watched her silently. Not a trace of emotion is reflected in that pair of black eyes. He had transferred her away from the Laundry Service Bureau and back to the Palace Side Quarters, the place that she belonged.
Su Xi-er nodded and had no objections. “Many thanks for transferring this servant back to the Palace Side Quarters, Prince Hao.”
“You seem to like the Palace Side Quarters very much. Is it because you have developed an emotional attachment to it after staying there for many years?”
Su Xi-er was baffled. “Prince Hao, this servant is dumb and can’t discern the underlying meaning in your words. Could you explicate?”
Pei Qianhao waved his hand and raised her chin, and thought of something else. “Although I have said that it would be better for you to stay in the Palace Side Quarters, there is no reason for you to choose to do so. Instead, your dancing skill can allow you to be the Senior Fifth Rank Court Lady of the Imperial Music Department. Beg this prince, and I will transfer you there.”
With her chin raised up, she was forced to receive his frigid gaze. I can’t understand this man. I feel that he is sometimes close, while on other occasions, he is as distant as the sky.
“Prince Hao, this servant is merely a palace maid from the Palace Side Quarters. If I am transferred to the Imperial Music Department to be a Senior Fifth Rank Court Lady, others will definitely gossip about it. This servant won’t beg, and neither am I willing to go there.” She enunciated every word forcefully, showing her firm attitude.
More importantly, she had already laid a foundation in the Palace Side Quarters. Starting from there she could slowly expand to the other parts of the imperial palace.
In this life, I will not pin my hopes on any man. Pei Qianhao’s relationship with me is unclear. Although it seems like we are beyond master and servant, I’m really just a fish on a chopping block in the end.
Pei Qianhao caressed the bottom of her chin and smiled. “Not begging and not willing. This prince gave you the chance to beg, but you flatly refused. This prince doesn’t like to force others. As you wish, continue to remain in the Palace Side Quarters to scrub chamber pots. However…”
At this point, Pei Qianhao chuckled and released her chin. “If this prince is in the mood to watch you dance, you must come to this prince’s side no matter where you are. If you are not the Senior Fifth Rank Court Lady in the Imperial Music Department, you can’t dance for anyone else. Otherwise…”
Su Xi-er looked deep into his eyes, only to find a devilish look within.
“Those people who have seen your dance, this prince will gouge their eyeballs out.”
Su Xi-er looked at him carefully. This person is brimming with a frightening aura. However, no one’s eyeballs will be gouged out, since I will never perform this dance again.
“You said you secretly learned it from a dance house, but this prince has never seen such a dance in any of the dance houses in Beimin’s capital.” Pei Qianhao had changed the topic back to the dance again.
“Prince Hao, have you been to every single dance house? How are you so sure that there isn’t one with that dance?”
Pei Qianhao chuckled. “Beimin doesn’t have an imperial princess. Thus, during the state banquet every year, the most renowned dance house in the capital will arrange a performance. This prince has never been to a dance house, but I have seen many dances. Despite that, I have never seen a dance like yours.”
Su Xi-er watched him silently, only replying after a while. “Perhaps the woman who knew this dance has already died, bringing it with her to the grave. This servantly only learned it back then by pure coincidence.”
It felt as if the air had solidified as Pei Qianhao’s radiating black eyes shot straight towards her.
(* Dancers may refer to each other as sisters in terms of seniority among themselves.)
