Chapter 110: The Premier Songstress of Dongguan Nation

“You are all children without father or mother. In the Shadow Studio, I am your mother. Now that Nanyan has come to this, as a foster mother who is more a mother than a mother, I must blame myself.”

Matchmaker sat at the table, tears welling in her eyes, threatening to fall.

She was nearly forty-five this year, and with age, her eyes had become more sensitive; even the slightest emotion could stir her tears.

Luo Yue silently poured a cup of warm tea for Matchmaker and sat quietly by the bedside.

“Luo Yue, you mean after your brush with the netherworld?” Matchmaker suddenly grasped the crucial point.

Luo Yue nodded.

Matchmaker pressed on, “So you didn’t truly want to end your life back then?”

After a moment of silence, Luo Yue nodded again. Some things, once Matchmaker understood, she could finally emerge from the shadows. As Luo Yue’s foster mother, she had the right to know.

Matchmaker clutched her chest. At this moment, there was nothing she didn’t understand—after all, it was her negligence in raising Luo Yue.

That explained why the once inseparable sisters had become so distant after Luo Yue’s death and resurrection. No wonder, no wonder…

Staggering, Matchmaker left Luo Yue’s room. Her lonely figure disappeared around the attic’s corner before Luo Yue returned to her chamber.

[Master, will nothing happen to Matchmaker…?]

Little Mischief, fond of this kind-hearted aunt, watched her walk away with a heavy heart, suspecting that she must be blaming herself.

“The Shadow Studio’s master hasn’t returned for years. All matters, big and small, have been entrusted to Matchmaker alone. She has borne the trust of the master and endured countless harsh winters in secret. Only she knows. Rest assured, this won’t defeat her; it will only make her stronger.”

Luo Yue’s tone was calm, but if one listened closely, it was filled with concern for Matchmaker. She believed Matchmaker could recover, which was why she told her the truth. Matchmaker was a smart woman.

Outside, the rain gradually ceased. The bent chrysanthemums slowly straightened their stems.

Luo Yue leaned against the window. Recently, the rain had been unusually frequent. Drops dripped from the eaves, and the newly laid blue bricks had small puddles from the rainwater.

She gazed toward the distant palace, her eyes gradually misting over. The fog atop the mountain peaks blurred the view, mysterious and unfathomable.

…

The sovereign of the Dongguan Kingdom’s birthday was a national celebration, a time for prosperity and fortune!

To honor His Majesty’s birthday, the Three Excellencies, Nine Ministers, feudal lords, and nobles were specially invited to the grand banquet. Legitimate sons and daughters were all welcome!

At the feast, all guests were seated; not a single person wore red.

“Her Majesty the Empress has arrived!”

With the announcement, the emperor appeared, clad in a bright yellow robe embroidered with a dragon by skilled hands. From afar, he looked kindly and amiable, but his presence commanded respect without anger. Under the feet of the Son of Heaven, who could dare act rashly?

At His Majesty’s right stood a noble and strikingly beautiful woman, untouched by time, wearing a phoenix robe of the same yellow hue. Golden threads outlined the phoenix in vivid detail.

“Long live His Majesty! Long live, long live!”

“Long live Her Majesty the Empress! Long live, long live!”

After they took their seats, the emperor stroked his beard and smiled. “My honored ministers, please do not be formal; take your seats quickly!”

The Son of Heaven sat first; only then did the ministers sit.

Music began. The banquet brimmed with joy and celebration.

…

Backstage, Luo Yue was touching up her makeup.

As expected, Matchmaker had composed herself by dawn the next day, showing no trace of yesterday’s turmoil.

Before entering the palace, Matchmaker had specifically warned Luo Yue not to wear red jewelry. Her outfit was already prepared—a pale purple cloud-patterned gown. From afar, she resembled a blooming purple iris, cool yet enchanting.

Finally, she adorned a red lotus flower-shaped forehead ornament.

“Miss Luo, it’s time to take the stage.”

A maid gently knocked outside the door. Without looking up, Luo Yue summoned Nirvana and cradled it in her arms.

“Yes.”

At the door’s opening, the maid was stunned by her beauty. The only woman she had ever seen so dazzling was the Empress herself.

No matter how stunning, one must not lose decorum. “Miss Luo, please follow me.”

Luo Yue knelt lightly and followed the maid through winding, intersecting paths. Ahead, vibrant songs and dances filled the air—the banquet hall.

The feast was grander than Luo Yue had imagined. Many dancers awaited backstage.

Following the maid, Luo Yue reached a specially prepared seat. When the dance outside ended, it would be her turn.

As the applause died down, a joyful voice called out, “Such a moving dance! Reward, reward! Ha ha ha!”

His Majesty’s mood was clearly joyful, repeating his generosity twice.

Then a familiar voice rang out—it was Eunuch Xie, who had visited the Shadow Studio that day.

“Next, we invite Miss Luo Yue to present a musical piece to His Majesty!”

With that, Luo Yue stepped onto the stage, ascending the platform step by step.

She bowed to the audience, then again to the emperor and empress.

After the formalities, she gently placed Nirvana down and took her seat. Centered on Luo Yue, her fingers traced delicate lines as the ancient zither’s melody flowed forth.

To entertain the emperor, Luo Yue chose the piece “Shao,” selected by Little Mischief from the score to praise the monarch.

The music’s imagery was lofty, full of ethereal charm—quiet, mystical, joyous, and lively, interwoven seamlessly. The sound was clear and transcendent, filled with happiness. The ancients hoped a wise ruler would bring the most beautiful and ideal society, a world as if inhabited by immortals.

Each note soared higher than the last. The audience seemed transported to the battlefield—sand and dust brushing their faces, golden armor and clashing horses, the unyielding spirit of a tiger devouring thousands of miles!

The two sides clashed fiercely, swords ringing and shadows flickering, paving the way for a peaceful and prosperous era!

Then calm returned. In a daze, one seemed to see the people living in peace and contentment, the nation flourishing!

The piece ended, its lingering notes echoing like a refrain.

Luo Yue embraced Nirvana and slowly rose, bowing to the audience and awakening their thoughts.

The applause was sparse—not because the performance was poor, but because it was so exquisite that many remained lost in the music’s world.

Within the melody, they grasped their swords, following the emperor into battle!

Many generals present blushed with excitement upon hearing the piece, glancing at His Majesty with sharp, discerning eyes. They were the founding heroes of the kingdom, ready to create a peaceful era alongside the emperor!

Tears welled in the emperor’s eyes as he led the applause. The hall erupted with thunderous clapping!

“Excellent! Excellent! Miss Luo Yue truly deserves the title of the Dongguan Kingdom’s foremost courtesan! This piece reminds me of the days when we fought alongside each other to forge a flourishing era. I am deeply gratified! You deserve a reward! A grand reward! A special reward!”

Since the banquet began, these were the emperor’s most frequent praises. Luo Yue lifted the corners of her mouth and, according to etiquette, knelt to thank him.

“Your humble servant thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness!”

The reward would be delivered to the Shadow Studio by someone appointed after the banquet.

With today’s performance concluded, Luo Yue and her companions had greatly enhanced the Shadow Studio’s reputation. Henceforth, its clientele would extend beyond the common folk to include members of the royal family.

Backstage, a man in dark robes brushed past Luo Yue. That familiar presence stirred her heart.

“It’s Zhong Li!”