Chapter 107: The Premier Songstress of Dongguan Nation

“Miss Luo, His Majesty has heard of your exquisite musical talents. For the upcoming birthday banquet in two days, he has specially invited you to perform. May I ask how you feel about this?”

Eunuch Yan, a trusted attendant of the current Emperor of Dongguan, carried out his mission with utmost sincerity.

Luo Yue stood silently beside Matchmaker Yi, expressionless.

Matchmaker Yi hesitated, knowing that whether Luo Yue agreed was the key both emotionally and logically.

“Luo Yue, you…”

“His Majesty’s gracious invitation is not something to be refused. I shall naturally attend and perform to offer my congratulations,” Luo Yue said with a poised smile, bowing respectfully to Eunuch Yan. Her demeanor was elegant and sincere, free of any coquettish airs.

Eunuch Yan covered his mouth, chuckling softly. “Miss Luo, you truly are a woman of character. This Bieying Pavilion is indeed unlike any ordinary pleasure house. Matchmaker Yi has done well in mentoring you. Miss Luo, you fully deserve the titles of First Musician, Courtesan Queen, and Songstress!”

As someone who served close to the Emperor, Eunuch Yan’s words were pleasing to all ears, even bringing a smile to Matchmaker Yi’s face.

“Thank you, Eunuch Yan, for your kind words. Both Matchmaker and I still have much to improve before we can truly live up to your appreciation,” Matchmaker Yi replied humbly, lowering herself with practiced courtesy.

Eunuch Yan was pleased, then gave Luo Yue several instructions—mostly about avoiding displeasing the Emperor and details regarding her attire.

It was peculiar; the Emperor was fond of the color red, yet none of the three thousand beauties in the harem wore red. Traditionally, red was the most prized color in the palace, but the current Emperor, disturbed by a certain dream, forbade all consorts from wearing any shade of red—scarlet, crimson, or peach blossom hues.

Thus, the palace was filled with vibrant colors, yet red was conspicuously absent.

Luo Yue wondered what sort of dream could frighten an emperor so deeply.

To her, the most beautiful colors in the world were red, white, and purple.

When Eunuch Yan left, Matchmaker Yi handed him a pouch of silver. Upon receiving ‘the token,’ his smile grew even warmer, showing utmost kindness towards the Bieying Pavilion.

After seeing off Eunuch Yan, Bieying Pavilion officially opened for business.

Unlike the typical pleasure houses such as Fengyue Pavilion, which opened at dusk and operated through the night, Bieying Pavilion never opened at night.

Since Luo Yue’s decisive victory over Fengyue Pavilion yesterday, Nanyan had not spoken a word to her.

From the information Jianzian had gathered, Fengyue Pavilion had lost its top courtesan, Xiangling, and its position was now unstable. They wanted Nanyan to come to Fengyue Pavilion, promising the highest pay for merely performing dances—no need to entertain guests personally, as others would handle that.

Nanyan was already considering leaving Bieying Pavilion. She resented being merely a foil to Luo Yue. She too wanted to be a dazzling peony amidst the splendor, a pearl shining in the vast sea.

But Luo Yue had no interest in this troublesome oyster. To be a pearl, one must have no blood on their hands. The poisoning she had suffered marked her fate, sealing away any grand achievements.

“Jianzian, keep an eye on Nanyan. I’m busy for now and won’t deal with her. I sense this palace trip may lead to meeting Zhongli. Reuniting with him and finding the lotus petal is the true task,” Luo Yue instructed.

“Yes, Mistress!” came the swift reply.

...

“Fengyue Pavilion currently has no leading courtesan since Xiangling left. If you come to Fengyue Pavilion, you will be their top courtesan. You only need to dance to keep many patrons, and Fengyue Pavilion will not require you to entertain guests. The treatment will match Bieying Pavilion’s. Take three days to consider. When ready, find me, and I will help you redeem your contract.”

After a month without contact, the tension returned.

The offer from Yue Niang was tempting beyond measure, yet after over ten years at Bieying Pavilion, a pang of guilt crept into her heart.

Nanyan pushed the guilt aside. This decision concerned her future. Three days—she still had three days to choose.

Nanyan, you must think carefully...

“Big Sister Nanyan! Big Sister Nanyan! Hurry out! Matchmaker Yi has bought a new batch of jewelry for us to choose from!”

Nanyan looked at the hurried figure outside the door. “Alright, I’m coming soon!”

She hurriedly tidied her hair, reapplied rouge and powder, and touched her lips until the reflection in the bronze mirror looked as beautiful as ever. Only then did she step out contentedly.

Her room was slightly disorderly. On the dressing table was a letter left unburned, beside a bowl of clear tea. The water stains on the desk spoke volumes.

Nanyan caught up to the girl walking last among them—Lianwu, the youngest and most lively of the group, with sparkling, innocent doe-like eyes.

“Big Sister Nanyan!” Lianwu grabbed Nanyan’s arm, smiling brightly.

Within Bieying Pavilion, Lianwu had no scheming thoughts. Being so young, everyone doted on her, Nanyan included.

They had all been that way once; seeing Lianwu was like seeing their former selves.

Nanyan let Lianwu hold her hand.

“Didn’t Matchmaker Yi just buy a batch of jewelry?” Nanyan asked.

Excited, Lianwu released her hand, animatedly gesturing. “Big Sister Nanyan, you were dancing just now, right? Palace attendants came and said that in two days, for His Majesty’s birthday, they specially invited Sister Luo Yue to perform!”

Nanyan’s smile stiffened, her lips frozen. Lianwu didn’t notice and continued eagerly.

“The palace visitor was an eunuch close to His Majesty—the closest! So Matchmaker Yi bought new jewelry to make Sister Luo Yue look presentable at the palace. This time, we’re all basking in Sister Luo Yue’s glory!”

To Nanyan, Lianwu’s words buzzed like a swarm of bees. Her mind was clouded, unable to catch the rest.

Halfway through, Lianwu noticed Nanyan’s face pale abruptly. Worried, she clung to her. “Big Sister Nanyan, what’s wrong? Why do you look so pale? Are you unwell? Should I get the doctor?”

Nanyan’s thoughts snapped back. She looked dazed but forced a smile. “I’m fine, just a bit tired. I’ll rest for a while.”

She withdrew her hand and staggered toward her room.

Lianwu was concerned but, urged by others to hurry and pick jewelry, she didn’t ask further, assuming Nanyan was simply tired—after all, she had seen this happen before.

“Rest well, Big Sister Nanyan. I’ll come see you later!”