Chapter 89: Jealousy and Rivalry

Wherever Qin Huaiyu was, there was never a dull moment. With his lively introductions, Mo Dun soon became acquainted with this group of military family scions, exchanging a few words of greeting before quickly warming to them all.

Groups of maidservants, bearing trays of all kinds, flitted between the tables like butterflies. They set out assorted dried fruits, exquisite dishes, and fine wines. What astonished Mo Dun most was the abundance of beautifully prepared candied fruits. In an era where food preservation was extremely limited, this was indeed a rare and extravagant treat.

“Gentlemen, please enjoy your meal!”

The hostess of the Number One Heaven Room was a lady named Miss Liu, about twenty-five years old, wearing light makeup and elegant attire. Her manners were refined, nothing like the gaudy women of pleasure found in later tales, but rather she possessed the air of a cultured and well-read lady.

“Miss Liu, today I’ve brought the famed Mo Family scion here. Isn’t Miss Gongsun most fond of borderland poetry? Might we have the honor of inviting Miss Gongsun to join us for a conversation?” Qin Huaiyu addressed Miss Liu.

When a group of spirited young men gathers, it’s always about boasting and beauties. Now that Qin Huaiyu had finished his show of bravado, all that remained was to pursue the company of a lovely lady.

Mo Dun shot Qin Huaiyu a resentful glare, not expecting his friend to use his name as an excuse to court women.

“Yes, yes, please invite Miss Gongsun!”

Cheng Chumo and the others were visibly excited and eager. Clearly, this Miss Gongsun was quite a celebrated figure, and not easily persuaded to appear.

Mo Dun couldn’t help but wonder just what sort of charm this Miss Gongsun possessed to so thoroughly captivate this group of idle aristocrats.

Fang Jun, wearing a lecherous grin, explained, “Mo, you don’t understand! If we’re talking about looks alone, Miss Gongsun may not be the most beautiful in the Bureau of Entertainments, but in terms of fame, none surpasses the twin-sword dancing Miss Gongsun. Her form and her grace—seeing her dance is worth the trip alone.”

Miss Liu, looking troubled, replied, “Gentlemen, please don’t take offense. Miss Gongsun will be performing a sword dance shortly and cannot be disturbed. But once her performance is over, I shall surely pass along your invitation.”

“Oh! I didn’t expect Miss Gongsun to perform her sword dance tonight—we truly won’t have come in vain!” Fang Jun exclaimed dramatically.

Mo Dun regarded this group of walking bundles of hormones with disdain. Didn’t expect it? Hmph! He suspected they had come precisely to see Miss Gongsun’s sword dance.

Suddenly, the stirring beat of drums echoed through the hall.

The young scions straightened, all eyes turning eagerly to the stage. Their private room’s location was excellent; with the window open, they had a perfect view of the entire stage.

After a few opening dances, the atmosphere grew increasingly lively.

“Miss Gongsun!”

“The peerless sword dancer!”

The hall erupted in cheers, Fang Jun’s voice the loudest, as he nearly pressed himself against the window in his excitement.

A striking sound of the gong commanded silence; all eyes fixed expectantly on the stage. Suddenly, a strong, resonant female voice rang out:

“The Yellow River soars past the white clouds, a lonely fortress stands amid towering mountains...”

Borderland poetry was originally stirring and heroic, best suited to be recited by gallant men from Yan and Zhao. Yet this woman’s voice was powerful and clear, every word ringing out like pearls falling on jade, incomparably pleasant to the ear, giving the poem a distinctive new flavor.

“Bravo!”

The crowd roared its approval.

At that moment, a crimson ribbon descended from above. Just as it seemed about to touch the stage, the ribbon flipped, and a woman in red, using its momentum, soared once more into the air.

A stunning beauty glided across the sky like a dragon, sword in hand, its blade glinting coldly, casting arcs of light through the red silk—a vision both poignant and magnificent.

With the rousing borderland verse as accompaniment, the sword dance spun faster and faster, from midair to the stage, with flashes of cold light everywhere. The perfect blend of martial prowess and ethereal beauty stirred the heart.

“…If only the great general guarded Dragon City, no northern horse would dare cross Yinshan!”

With the final line, the sword dance reached its grandest climax. A flash of cold steel, and the red ribbons on stage were severed in unison. The slender dancer, descending with the falling silk, prostrated herself on the stage—like a beauty waging war, bleeding on the battlefield, both tragic and moving.

“Bravo!”

Applause and cheers erupted from the audience!

Mo Dun, too, was full of praise. Miss Gongsun was indeed a twin-sword dancer without equal. Even coming from a later age accustomed to every kind of dazzling performance, he was deeply impressed.

“I’ll pay a thousand strings of cash—let Miss Gongsun dance for me alone!” shouted a fat middle-aged man.

“That fellow is the head of the Wei family from the southern city—famous for his lechery,” Fang Jun whispered to Mo Dun with contempt.

The peerless dancer on stage rose gracefully, her tall, slender figure fully revealed. She replied in a clear voice, “Thank you for your kind offer. I have just finished my dance and am not well enough for another. Forgive me, good sir.”

Miss Gongsun offered a bow and was about to depart. The crowd sighed in regret, knowing her custom well—after each sword dance, she never received guests. To earn even a glance from Miss Gongsun was the highest honor in Chang’an; she was famed for keeping herself untainted by the world.

Just as Miss Gongsun was about to leave, Miss Liu approached, whispering a few words in her ear. Miss Gongsun’s eyes brightened, and to everyone’s surprise, she changed direction and walked toward the Number One Heaven Room.

“What’s going on?”

The hall buzzed with shock. No one expected Miss Gongsun, who never saw guests, to make an exception.

When they saw which room she entered, sighs filled the air. Whoever could reserve the Number One Heaven Room must be of great wealth or status. Who would have thought the independent, untouchable Miss Gongsun would yield to power after all?

The head of the Wei family’s face darkened in anger. He hadn’t expected to be humiliated so publicly. Miss Gongsun had just refused him, only to accept someone else’s invitation moments later.

“I’d like to see who it is that can make me lose face like this!” the Wei patriarch growled. Even if the other party had reserved the best room, with the Wei family’s status, he feared no one.

“Miss Gongsun!”

Upon seeing her enter, Qin Huaiyu and the others scrambled awkwardly to their feet, at a loss for how to compose themselves. However much they boasted among themselves, faced with the real thing, their youthful infatuation left them flustered.

“I am Gongsun Yue. Greetings, young gentlemen. May I ask which of you is Master Mo?” Miss Gongsun bowed politely.

All eyes turned at once to Mo Dun, who could only manage a wry smile as he stepped forward.

“Greetings, Miss Gongsun,” Mo Dun replied with a bow.

“I performed your poetry without your permission. Please forgive my presumption,” Gongsun Yue said, her gaze upon Mo Dun as fervent as any fan meeting their idol in a later age.

“It’s nothing at all! To be favored by Miss Gongsun is an honor for these poems. Isn’t that right, Mo?” Before Mo Dun could reply, Qin Huaiyu interjected.

“Yes, Mo Dun and I are close friends! I’ll speak for him—please use them as you wish!” Fang Jun chimed in, utterly unreserved.

Mo Dun could only look helplessly at his unrepentant companions. Selling someone else’s orchard costs them nothing—they were all too happy to play the generous friend and win favor with a beauty.

Seeing the crowd’s anticipation, Mo Dun had no choice but to nod. “Since Miss Gongsun likes them, I hereby grant you formal permission to use my poetry.”

“Thank you, sir!”

Gongsun Yue’s eyes lit up. She hadn’t expected such a fortunate turn. Many singers in Chang’an performed borderland poems, but only she had received the author’s personal approval—her fame would surely soar.

At that moment, a commotion sounded outside the room.

“Young master, there are already guests inside!” Miss Liu’s anxious voice came through the door.

Bang!

The door was kicked open with a heavy thud, and an arrogant voice rang out.

“I want to see who has such influence as to induce Miss Gongsun to break her custom!”