Jiang Ruan maintained an elegant posture, and while speaking had already stood up, smiling as she repeated: “Since Second Sister so wishes to see it, I shall dance a piece for Second Sister. It’s no trouble at all.”

The surrounding noble ladies all began whispering among themselves upon hearing this: “Has this person gone mad? Why is she volunteering to embarrass herself?”

“She must have stayed in the mountain villages too long and doesn’t know her place, truly thinking she can topple a city with one dance.” The sarcasm in their words was evident.

Behind her, Lian Qiao and Bai Zhi both felt anxious. Having lived with Jiang Ruan since childhood, they knew clearly whether Jiang Ruan actually knew any dances. Although in the eyes of servants, everything their master did was good, as servants, Lian Qiao and Bai Zhi understood the rules of noble circles more clearly. They feared Jiang Ruan had fallen for Jiang Susu’s trap and would lose face before these famous families of the capital.

On the Qingsong Boat, the Fifth Prince narrowed his eyes: “Beautiful in appearance, but unfortunately a fool.”

“Why does Fifth Brother say this?” Xuan Li smiled.

“Second Miss Jiang’s talents are already unparalleled in the capital, yet First Miss Jiang wants to steal her spotlight. How is that possible? After all, she’s a woman raised in the countryside – what could she possibly understand?” His words were full of contempt.

For a time, people on both boats discussed amongst themselves, all saying Jiang Ruan was shallow-eyed and foolishly trying to compete with Jiang Susu. A flash of secret delight passed through Jiang Susu’s eyes, but she raised her face with a gentle smile: “Then Su’niang will be blessed. Please trouble Elder Sister to dance for everyone.”

Dance for everyone. Lin Zixiang frowned. Jiang Susu’s seemingly innocent words made Jiang Ruan sound like a dancing girl performing casually for people’s entertainment, causing more people around to cover their mouths and laugh mockingly.

Jiang Ruan didn’t even blink, as if she hadn’t heard Jiang Susu’s words at all. In her previous life, Jiang Quan and Xuan Li, in order to make her gain imperial favor and survive in the man-eating palace environment, had noble consorts in high positions often say such things as “dance for everyone.” She was like a jumping clown, painstakingly performing music and dance, only earning the title of a beautiful but empty-headed woman.

Jiang Ruan nodded and walked directly to the bow of the boat. The Linglang Boat had a special design – to facilitate moon-viewing during the Lantern Festival, the bow was set extremely wide and flat, conveniently providing a place for dancing. She reached out and casually removed the hairpin securing the bun at the back of her head. Instantly, a waterfall of black hair cascaded down to her waist, emanating an enchanting luster. She bit the double-section hairpin in her mouth, and those seductive eyes swept over everyone on both boats before she gently moved her lips.

The double-section hairpin was actually an ingenious whistle. Under the reflection of flowers and moon, clear notes overflowed from her red lips.

At first, the music seemed ordinary and plain, like water boiling porridge, making people feel only bored and weary. She stood motionless in place, not moving at all. People on the boats began showing knowing, mocking expressions, thinking this First Miss Jiang who had just returned to the capital was at her wit’s end, yet still dared to boastfully propose dancing.

Xuan Li’s expression stiffened slightly. He knew this young lady was playing “Guangling San.” The content of “Guangling San” was about Nie Zheng during the Warring States period seeking revenge for his father and assassinating the King of Han. This was a story of revenge. At this moment of beautiful flowers and full moon, with everyone in good spirits, why would First Miss Jiang choose such a piece full of weapons, killing, and fighting atmosphere?

These first two sections seemed ordinary, and everyone thought her skills were mediocre, but Xuan Li knew that the turbulent undercurrents in these first two sections could only be played by someone with true emotional depth. In this piece, he heard what seemed like centuries of lonely endurance.

Xuan Li wasn’t the only one with this feeling. When the music first sounded, Xiao Shao, sitting alone by the window, lightly raised his eyebrows, his gaze falling on the young lady playing alone.

After the first few sections, Jiang Ruan slowly began to move. Her red robes fluttered like a sprite fallen to the mortal world – most wicked, yet most beautiful. Spinning, rising on tiptoe, raising her arms, kicking her feet. Everything she did was graceful, everything moving, vivid and fragrant, making people unable to look away. Everyone gradually put away their previous contemptuous gazes, unable to hide a trace of amazement in their eyes.

That was decades of endurance and sorrow – the early separation of mother and elder brother, the loneliness of being left alone in the world. It was father eagerly exchanging imperial edicts for her portrait, sending her into the bottomless depths of the palace. It was the supposedly warm and caring lover who, upon ascending to power, branded her a nation-destroying demoness. It was her legitimate sister turning her into a human pig, watching her young son played to death in despair.

She danced of sorrow, as if she might ride the wind and return at any moment. Somehow, it made people think of desolate scenes in their hearts. Gradually, some people’s eyes began to sting with tears.

After the slow dance, the whistle in her mouth grew urgent, like armored cavalry trampling through sand, carrying a bloody fierceness. Her movements suddenly accelerated, so fast that people could barely see her actions clearly, only feeling that red robe like blood was stunningly beautiful under the moonlight. The music was passionate, each note like weeping. That was sorrow transformed to its extreme into bone-deep hatred, vengeful ghosts crawling from hell to collect debts from those who owed lives. It was the sinister ruthlessness of sparing no one, the cold indifference of wanting to stand at the peak and look down upon all living beings.

Bright moonlight shone down, illuminating her crystalline snow-white face. Her eyes were startlingly bright, yet without a trace of smile – only bone-deep coldness and sarcasm. Like an asura, yet like a deity. Like a demoness, manipulating all living beings.

The music of revenge still played, the dance of revenge continued. This dance made everyone feel alarmed and frightened. They had never seen anyone dance so beautifully – beautifully enough to be frightening. It was as if she was the person in the song, harboring hatred and seeking revenge, willing to pay any price, willing to drag others down even if it meant returning to hell. She squandered her life as if it meant nothing – this was a demoness born solely for revenge.

“Intimate words between children, grudges and kindness addressing each other. Suddenly transforming to nobility, brave warriors advancing to enemy territory. Floating clouds and willow catkins without roots, freely soaring across the vast heaven and earth. Clamoring flocks of hundreds of birds, suddenly seeing a lone phoenix. Climbing inch by inch becomes impossible, losing momentum and falling a thousand zhang. Alas, I have two ears, but had never understood the sound of silk and bamboo. Since hearing Master Ying play, I sat up beside him. Hastily reaching out to stop him, wet clothes and streaming tears. Ying, you truly have this ability – why place ice and charcoal in my heart!”

When the piece ended, the red robes dancing in the wind suddenly tightened. She raised her head, her waterfall-like hair moving like silk under the moonlight. Her face was seductively beautiful like a demoness, those upturned seductive eyes sliding over Jiang Susu’s body with seeming casualness, then she raised her hand to her neck and made a throat-slitting gesture. Jiang Susu’s body stiffened, and Jiang Ruan smiled sweetly.

When the beauty smiled, it was as if all the spring flowers of the Great Jin Dynasty bloomed layer upon layer overnight, so beautiful that even one more glance felt like desecration.

Xiao Shao’s handsome face remained coldly beautiful, his long lashes concealing a trace of contemplation in his eyes.