Chapter 98: Song and Dance (II)

After three rounds of drinks, the performance on stage was in full swing. Li Qiu Ge played the zither while Xu Yu Nu sang a melodious song, specifically dedicating a rendition of “May We Live Long and Share the Moon” to the table where Meinang sat. The beautiful melody, heavenly voice, and exquisite lyrics captivated the scholars and literati present. Zhang Jing Yun, Ling Xu Zi, and Lin Ru Nan were also mesmerized. When the song ended, Mei Niang smiled and raised her glass:

“May we live long and share the moon across the distance,” she toasted, “To all the dear friends and companions, wishing you all happiness, health, and joy.”

Lin Ru Nan also raised her glass: “True hearts forever, friendship unchanging.”

Zhang Jing Yun and Ling Xu Zi accompanied them, drinking in one gulp.

After sitting for a while, Ling Xu Zi remarked, “It’s getting late. Shouldn’t you be heading back, especially Miss Cen…”

Zhang Jing Yun added, “Ling Xu Zi and I have some business and need to leave the city for Gui Yun Mountain Villa tonight. We’ll escort you home first.”

Lin Ru Nan, who had been deeply immersed in the performance, didn’t want to leave. She held Meinang’s arm and said, “I haven’t had enough. Can we stay a little longer?”

Meinang smiled and addressed Zhang Jing Yun and Ling Xu Zi, “If you have urgent matters, please go ahead. I’ll stay with Ru Nan for a bit longer. It won’t be too late. Lu Zhao Zhu will arrange for our return, so there’s no need to worry.”

Zhang Jing Yun was about to say something when Ling Xu Zi spoke first, “Since that’s the case, we’ll take our leave. The city has night patrols, and as long as it’s not too late, there’s no danger.”

Zhang Jing Yun added, “But we must leave before the time of the Dog (9 PM), or it will truly be night.”

Meinang nodded, “Got it, we’ll remember.”

After sending off Zhang Jing Yun and Ling Xu Zi, Meinang and Lin Ru Nan returned to their seats. They continued enjoying Xu Yu Nu’s beautiful dance, drinking, talking, and eating without noticing the arrival of Qi Wang in purple brocade robes, accompanied by four or five guards. Lu Xiang Feng greeted him, but Qi Wang waved him off, not going upstairs to the VIP area. Instead, he walked directly to the front of the stage and casually took a seat. Lu Xiang Feng signaled for the waiter to serve food and wine. As he was about to pour wine for Qi Wang, a guard stepped forward to block him, and another guard checked the food and wine before serving them to Qi Wang.

Qi Wang had come specifically to watch the song and dance performances. Having been away for a few days, he noticed that the small stage had been redecorated, and the set had taken on a new style. Lu Xiang Feng mentioned that the decorations were all planned and arranged by the young master, Cen Mei. Qi Wang had tried to meet this mysterious Cen Mei several times but never succeeded. Over time, he lost interest, dismissing her as just an ordinary woman. He even thought that meeting her might disappoint him. After all, she was just a commoner, nothing special.

Every day, the Empress Dowager summoned him to the palace to nag him incessantly, picking noblewomen for him to marry, deciding who would be his consort and who would be his concubine. The Empress Dowager had already made her decisions, and Qi Wang was deeply frustrated. He snapped, “None of them will enter my Qi Wang Mansion.”

He then left for the royal estate outside the city, but the Empress Dowager followed him. The mother and son seemed to be in a standoff, waiting to see who would return to the city first. In the end, he had to return, irritated, because of the praises he’d heard from Shan Yong about the performance at Xian Ke Lai. Shan Yong had spoken highly of the food, the musical instruments, and the dance performances. He had also mentioned a young drummer whose skills were unmatched, and whose drumming was even more stirring than the drums of the battlefield.

Qi Wang felt a sense of annoyance and wasn’t paying attention to his surroundings. He absently toyed with his wine cup, watching the drummer, who was dressed in athletic gear, skillfully and energetically hitting the various drums around him. The sound was powerful and clear, just as Shan Yong had said, it was truly stirring. A dancer holding a sword danced in time with the drums and string music. Though it was merely a display of dance moves, it was executed beautifully and appeared to have been choreographed by a real swordsman.

When the performance ended, Qi Wang beckoned to a guard, “I like this. Have them do it again.”

The guard presented Qi Wang with a reward, and the request was made: “Have them bring out another sword dance.”

Li Qiu Ge and Xu Yu Nu nodded in agreement. However, at that moment, the drummer Xiao Huan suddenly complained of a stomachache, turning pale and unable to continue. The crowd gathered around him, unsure of what to do.

Qi Wang looked helplessly at Li Qiu Ge, who was glancing around. He walked off the stage and went to a nearby table, where two young gentlemen were sitting. He made a gesture to them and said something. One of the young men in a cobalt blue robe stood up, and Qi Wang suddenly sat upright, his eyes widening as he watched the young man lower his head and speak to his companion in red. The young man quickly walked onto the stage, pulling out a purple satin ribbon from his sleeve and tying it around his forehead. When he turned around, Qi Wang froze his heart sank. The posture, the walk, the figure… It was unmistakably someone he knew. But that face, it couldn’t be… Was it Cen Mei?

Cen Mei went over to Xiao Huan, asking him a few questions, appearing to comfort him. Xiao Huan forced a smile and nodded before being helped off the stage.

Cen Mei confidently walked to the drum kit. Her expression was dignified, and her eyes sparkled like stars. Holding the drumsticks, she struck the drum to begin, and the music swelled with strength and emotion. Xu Yu Nu led eight dancers in colorful garments, their flowing sleeves fluttering as they danced gracefully, making a fleeting appearance on stage. Xu Yu Lang and three other young men entered, holding swords, performing a dance with martial arts moves, blending swordplay with dance. The choreography displayed a striking contrast between the men’s robust movements and the women’s graceful performances, captivating the audience. Many spectators were so engrossed they forgot themselves, loudly cheering and throwing rewards onto the stage.

As the performance continued, Li Qiu Ge played the zither and sang a deep, captivating low baritone song, filling the space with the sound of his voice:

“The sword unsheathes, the killing intent spreads,
The battlefield under a moonless sky,
Thousands of soldiers, I stand alone,
With courage in my heart, a brave young man,
Love and hate, debts from past lives,
How can I forget your smile,
The tears of the beauty, breaking hearts,
This deadly weapon, it’s the poison of rouge.”

The song continued, the music blending with the performance on stage, while Meinang expertly played the drums, completely immersed in the rhythm, unaware of Qi Wang’s staring gaze. The atmosphere was electric, and as the song concluded, she smiled and set down her drumsticks, waving at Li Qiu Ge and Xu Yu Nu before stepping off the stage. Lin Ru Nan excitedly approached her but was immediately confronted by a group of large men, one of whom, grinning, said, “Young brother, your drumming was great. How about a drink with us?”

As the man reached to touch Meinang’s face, Lin Ru Nan immediately intervened, striking the man with a palm to his face and angrily warning him to leave.