Chapter 12 – A Night of Dramatic Change (Part One)

On the evening of August 20th, the main hall of the Dragon Palace was brightly lit and filled with the sounds of string and bamboo instruments.

The Dragon King sat on the central main seat. Below him, guests and subordinates were seated on the left and right.

There were not many guests. Aside from Ye Qingzhou, Wan Shoujing, and a few important officials, not many people were present.

The evening banquet had reached its climax.

Ye Qingzhou had spared no effort in preparing for this birthday celebration.

Singing, dancing, and various performances were naturally indispensable. But the two most anticipated were two special programs.

The first was a dance titled “Farewell My Concubine,” which he had choreographed, directed, and starred in himself. It was grand in scale, with melodious, winding music and exquisite costumes. Even the Dragon King applauded his talent.

Seeing the approving look in the Dragon King’s eyes, Ye Qingzhou smiled to himself. After many years at his master’s side, this was the first time his master had learned he possessed such artistic skills.

The final program was the highlight of the entire banquet.

The guests visiting the Dragon Palace for the first time, in order to show their respect and sincerity towards the Dragon King, had pooled their funds to hire a opera troupe to perform in his honor.

It was said that every dancer in this troupe possessed a beauty capable of toppling cities, comparable to the royal harem. Each time they appeared, they were like celestial maidens descending to earth, captivating all who saw them. Their fame spread throughout the land, and they performed only for high officials, nobles, and prominent families. Ordinary people could not see them even for ten thousand pieces of gold.

For men, nothing was more attractive than this. Moreover, if both parties were willing, the dancers could even accompany guests through the night.

This kind of spectacle did not actually appeal much to the Dragon King. If there was anything that interested him slightly, it was to see what special program these mysterious guests would bring.

The performance began. Everyone turned their gaze towards the stage, craning their necks in eager anticipation. Not a sound was heard.

The lights slowly dimmed. After a moment of silence, like spring rain falling into a flower garden, the low, soft, and gentle sound of a flute began to play, drifting from the clouds down to the mortal realm, rising gradually and becoming clearer.

Behind a screen, a graceful silhouette appeared—a woman playing the flute with her head bowed. Her long hair cascaded down to her waist, her long skirt trailing to the floor. She was quiet and moving, like an painting.

One silhouette, two silhouettes, three silhouettes… A group of female musicians slowly emerged from behind the screen. The lighting was dim, so their beautiful faces could not be seen clearly, but their elegant and captivating figures and the ethereal music stirred the imagination.

The female musicians entered gracefully and sat down, as serene as a painting. The music was intoxicating.

The leading woman played the flute with deep devotion. The flute’s sound was light and ethereal like the end of winter after the snow has fallen, and the ice begins to melt. A small stream flows gently, the treetops show a touch of green, a sliver of sunlight emerges from behind the clouds. Tiny flower buds try to unfurl their beauty, seizing the first glimpse of spring.

Suddenly, the flute’s sound dropped abruptly, barely audible. All the female musicians began to pluck their string and percussion instruments. The music became passionate and resonant, like a hundred flowers blooming together with bees and butterflies dancing among them.

A faint tinkling of pendants and jade ornaments was heard. A subtle, elusive fragrance drifted. From behind the screen emerged a group of women with flowing sleeves. They covered their faces and raised their sleeves, like celestial maidens descending to earth. In the blink of an eye, they had floated to the center of the stage.

The music stopped. The dancers stood frozen like statues. The lively and fragrant scene and the harmonious music from a moment ago seemed like an illusion.

In a trance, the music burst forth again, the lights blazed brightly, and the frozen dancers came to life. They spun and danced, flinging their long sleeves away from their faces. One by one, faces of stunning beauty were revealed to the crowd.

The crowd was dazzled. Everywhere they looked were stunning beauties. There were too many to take in all at once.

The dancers spun and spread out in circles. The woman in red, who had been hidden in the center, slowly rose to her feet and raised her sleeves. She had a fox-like, enchanting face, peach-blossom eyes rippling like peach blossoms, full and luscious crimson lips, a perfectly curvy figure, and snow-white skin shimmering with a translucent glow. Her clothes barely contained her charm. She truly was a woman of boundless charms and unparalleled beauty.

This most beautiful woman among the dancers was Ye Shengxiang. She had never been as excited and passionate as she was tonight, as if possessed by a demon.

She danced wildly, swaying her full chest and slender waist. Her glances seemed to drift intentionally yet unintentionally toward the main seat. The man sitting there was the one she longed to meet.

Unfortunately, at first glance, he was lowering his head to savor his wine didn’t see her face immediately.

But in just that one look, she felt his figure was exceptionally clear, while everyone else seemed faded and unreal.

She was deeply frustrated. At the moment her stunning face was first revealed, everyone’s eyes were glued to her, and he was actually sipping wine.

Was the wine more attractive than her? No man had ever ignored her like this.

She stared at him, her body swaying in a dance that spoke without words. Every gesture and movement was brimming with affection.

At this moment, her body danced only for him. She was flawlessly beautiful. She wanted him to see her most seductive side at every turn.

Suddenly, the Dragon King, who had been admiring the wine, looked up. His eyes met hers, which seemed to pierce straight into her heart.

Her heart pounded fiercely, and she nearly lost control.

A wicked smile curled at the corner of his lips, as if he had seen right through her.

She felt as if an electric current shot through her whole body.

For this man who seemed so close yet so far away, the word “handsome” felt far too shallow. What word could describe him?

Enchanting?

Who said only women could enchant the world?

His facial features were handsome, but “handsome” did not even half capture his appearance. Words used to describe men—masculine, wild, lazy, seductive, wicked, gentle, dangerous, dignified, proud—all could be found in him.