Yuling—whose family name was Qin and who was the younger sister of Mr. Qin Mu, a city governor in the capital—the lady whose poetic prowess had been usurped by Ye Li, sent an invitation to Ye Li. Des...11. A Dance to Shake the City (Part 1) by Feng Qing

11。 A Dance to Shake the City (Part 1)

A Dance to Shake the City (Yao Ji x Mu Yang)

When Yao Ji became a dancer, she was only ten years old. Though her family background did not reach the level of nobility before then, as the daughter of an official with a fourth-rank position, she still counted as a young lady from a respected household. However, due to political intrigue in the imperial court, when her father committed a grave offense leading to his entire clan being punished and she was sent to the brothel district, she no longer wished to mention her former name.

At thirteen years old, Yao Ji officially began welcoming guests. With her dance that shook the city, she became the number one dancer in Chu Capital's Red-Lantern District. It was on this day that Yao Ji met Mu Yang as well.

A girl of thirteen or fourteen is just at the age when romantic feelings begin to blossom, even if she is living in the Red-Lantern District. Although she had only recently started receiving guests, Yao Ji had already spent more than two years within the district and had seen enough of her sisters' heartbreaks over men. Upon first seeing Mu Yang, she did not feel anything special.

At that time, Mu Yang was eighteen years old, a young man dressed in white with a striking air about him. It was the age when he could ride along sloping bridges and have all the beauties of the brothel district vie for his attention. That day, after her dance, Yao Ji felt slightly breathless and anxious because it was her first performance, which would determine her future years in the Red-Lantern District. If she succeeded, she would become a new star dancer with a clean reputation, adored by all. If not, despite her beauty being on par with an angel, she might end up doing lowly flesh trade like many nameless sisters here. Women tend to be especially innocent and persistent in these matters; even though they know it will likely end the same way, they still hope for change during their years of youth.

"Miss, are you alright" Amidst the cheers from the crowd, Yao Ji hurriedly left the stage and headed towards her quarters behind the house. Due to being too clever, she stumbled when brushing past a man and nearly crashed into the wall beside her. Just as Yao Ji thought she was going to disfigure herself, an arm circled around her waist, pulling her back and asking gently.

Yao Ji looked up in surprise to see a young man in white before her, with handsome features and graceful demeanor. His eyes held a faint smile but lacked the annoying leer common among guests; instead, he showed genuine concern and warmth.

"I'm fine, thank you for your help." Yao Ji pushed away his hand, gave him a slight bow, and said calmly.

"I am Mu Yang. You dance very well, miss," the man said with a smile.

Yao Ji was somewhat taken aback; she had naturally heard of Mu Yang's name before. He was the eldest son of the Mu Yang Marquisate and also one of the most famous and ambitious young men in the capital. Although her sisters often talked about him, they only knew his reputation. Because Mu Yang never frequented such places, Yao Ji didn't think she would see him here. Looking at the handsome man before her, Yao Ji frowned slightly. Many people didn't live up to their reputations, but it was disappointing to see a young man as refined and graceful as he appeared often visiting these kinds of places.

Mu Yang seemed to understand Yao Ji's thoughts; his smile turned somewhat bitter as he said, "I came here with some friends. This Qingshan Street is quite large. Do you know where the Changyun Pavilion is"

The Changyun Pavilion was where the most famous courtesan of Qingshan Street, Miss Chang Yun, lived. Yao Ji nodded and pointed in the right direction for him. Mu Yang's reasons for coming had nothing to do with her; she only felt somewhat surprised because the information she'd received didn't match reality.

"Hey... Isn't this our Young Lord Mu" A mocking voice sounded behind them. They turned around, and saw a man in red walking towards them.

"Third Prince Feng," young Mu Yang's temper wasn't bad; he greeted the man in red with great courtesy. Third Prince Feng was often seen in such places, though Yao Ji had never met him personally but knew his reputation well. Third Prince Feng was a concubine son of the richest family in Chu Capital while Mu Yang was the heir to the Mu Yang Marquisate. For someone like Mu Yang to greet Third Prince Feng proactively could be considered very polite indeed. But Third Prince Feng clearly didn't appreciate it; he raised his eyebrows and looked at Mu Yang with a half-smile, half-sneer on his face: "How rare it is for Young Lord Mu to have such refined interests. Isn't this... Miss Yao Ji Your dance captured the heart of the entire city; Third Prince Feng truly admires you."

Third Prince Feng's words were somewhat flirtatious, but in such a place, they weren't inappropriate. Mu Yang was already considered a charming and handsome man, but compared to him, Third Prince Feng looked even more stunningly beautiful. The teasing smile on the corner of his lips added an air of unrestrained charm to his appearance. Whether it was due to Third Prince Feng's looks or something else, although there was some deliberate flirtation in his words, Yao Ji didn't find them unpleasant at all. Gracefully clad in red, Third Prince Feng indeed was someone hard for others to dislike.

Mu Yang did not argue with him; he merely smiled faintly and said, "I have other matters to attend to now, so I bid you farewell. Miss Yao Ji, goodbye."

"Young Lord Mu, take care," Yao Ji replied calmly as she watched the figure of Mu Yang heading towards Changyun Pavilion before turning away.

After that day, there was no further contact between Yao Ji and Mu Yang; instead, she gradually became acquainted with Fei Zhiyao. In Qingshan Street, it was hard not to know Third Prince Feng since he spent about half a month every month in the place. There was even a room reserved for him specifically, and there were similar rooms available in other parts of the city as well. As Yao Ji got to know Third Prince Feng better through their interactions, she gradually realized that Third Prince Feng wasn't like what people perceived him to be—a dissolute man or a lecherous demon. Because when he was interacting privately with her, the look in Fei Zhiyao's eyes was always clear and peaceful, without any hint of disturbance.

Because Feng San Gongzi's frequent patronage and because Yao Ji's dance skills were indeed unparalleled in the capital city, within just two months, Yao Ji had firmly established herself as the top courtesan of Chu Capital. She was at the peak of her fame for a time.

It wasn't until early the next year that Mu Yang met with her again. By then, Mu Yang was still the most proud crown prince of the House of Mu Yang, while Yao Ji had already become the renowned first dancing courtesan of Chu Capital. Many powerful families and royal households in the capital city had invited her to perform, and it required a generous sum to see her privately.

Their next meeting was an unexpected one. As Yao Ji became the top courtesan of Chu Capital, she naturally overshadowed Chang Yun, who was originally the most famous courtesan of the Beauty City Brothel. It wasn't surprising that people would be jealous and resentful; thus, Yao Ji had always been very cautious. People from their background didn't have the luxury to remain innocent, but Yao Ji hadn't expected Chang Yun to conspire with other women in her brothel during an outing for a chance to besmirch her reputation.

For them, maintaining one's purity seemed like a joke, yet it was crucial. As the top courtesan, she could earn thousands of gold coins just by chatting and entertaining guests, but once that was lost, she would quickly fall into the same miserable situation as ordinary courtesans.

Yao Ji naturally didn't want this to happen, so upon feeling unwell, she immediately hid herself while enduring her pain.

"Miss, are you okay" A faint voice, tinged with a familiar worry, came from behind the rockery where Yao Ji had hidden. But such concern was like poison to her in her current state.

"I'm fine!" Without turning back, Yao Ji struggled to get up and staggered forward.

"Miss Yao Ji…" Mu Yang pulled Yao Ji with some worry when he saw her flushed face, only realizing what was wrong upon seeing her condition. "What's going on I'll send for a doctor."

Yao Ji was already wobbly and unsteady on her feet; she fell into Mu Yang’s arms as soon as he grabbed her. She felt disoriented but clung onto Mu Yang's hand, gritting her teeth to remain clear-headed: "It's too late… It's too late. I remember there is a pond ahead; throw me in!"

"But…" Mu Yang frowned; even though it was early spring, the water would be cold for men, let alone women.

"It's okay, I can swim! Please..."

Muyang was also from a prominent family and had seen his fair share of privacy measures. Seeing Yaor姬 insist so adamantly, he could only nod in agreement and say, "Since you are insisting, I will have to trouble you."

That day, the beauty queen of the City-Charming Courtyard, Yaor姬, fell into the water and was saved by the Young Master of House Muyang. She remained ill for a whole month as a result. But it was from that day on that she chose to stay with that amiable young man who not only helped her but also saved her life.

In subsequent years, Yaor姬's fame continued to rise. With the patronage of Prince Feng San and Young Master Muyang, among others, no one dared to cause trouble in the City-Charming Courtyard anymore. By the age of twenty, Yaor姬 officially became the owner of the courtyard and stopped accepting customers. She would only occasionally dance for the city's high officials or even for the imperial court when required, spending most other times alone on the second floor of the courtyard, gazing blankly at the bustling scene below.

"Miss, Young Master Muyang is here," a young maid reported softly from outside.

Yaor姬 turned around. Her alluring face was tinged with a faint weariness as she said, "Please ask Young Master to leave. Yaor姬 doesn't receive visitors." Seeing the young maid's slight surprise and withdrawal, Yaor姬 gave a bitter smile. It had already been nearly ten years since they first met—she couldn’t recall when exactly it all began. Feng Zhiyao, who once smiled and sighed with regret, had said to her, "Yaor姬, falling for someone like Muyang is truly self-inflicted misery. Logically and emotionally, you should choose me."

At the time, Yaor姬 merely gave a faint smile. She knew very well that there would never be any hope between her and Muyang given his status. However, Feng Zhiyao, born into an affluent merchant family, might face less pressure. Yet, she had never felt anything for the strikingly handsome Prince Feng San because she was aware he already had someone else in his heart. On the other hand, Muyang only ever saw her.

But such a life could not continue indefinitely; she had long passed marriageable age and still refused to wed. However, two months ago, she finally succumbed to pressure from both House Muyang and the Sun family and agreed to marry the daughter of the Sun family. Thus, it was unsurprising that the Miss Sun, as her fiancée, would come calling.

Thinking back on what the Duchess of Dingwang said yesterday at Fenghua Tower, a determined glint flashed across Yaor姬's stunningly beautiful face as she smiled faintly. Although she had only met the duchess twice, Yaor姬 could not help but admire her in every aspect—from her noble lineage to her devoted husband who protected her from harm and her broad-mindedness along with unique abilities and wisdom that set her apart.

It was time to let go… Perhaps it truly was about time for her to leave...

Yao Ji lowered her head and gently stroked her still flat abdomen with a faint smile. What the Princess Consort of Dingwang said was right; as long as one wanted to live well, they could always find a way to do so. Besides, she wasn’t just alone anymore now.

"Yao Ji!" A commotion from outside the door brought Mu Yang rushing there with his servants trailing behind him worriedly, clearly not daring to stop this young master of the House of Mu Yang.

Yao Ji waved her hand for the servants to leave and then said calmly: "What does Your Excellency mean Although Qincheng Lane is a place where pleasure is sought, I have not entertained guests in many years."

"Yao Ji! Aren’t you done causing trouble yet" Mu Yang was displeased with what happened at Fenghua Pavilion yesterday, but after calming down and considering their long-standing relationship, he immediately came to Qincheng Lane looking for her. To his surprise, he was turned away.

Yao Ji snorted and said: "Once I’m done causing trouble, please don’t come back to Qincheng Lane anymore. Otherwise, we might run into Madam Sun and Miss Sun on the street."

"What do you mean" Mu Yang frowned.

Yao Ji shook her head with a wave of her hand and said: "Nothing much. Your Excellency should return now."

Seeing Yao Ji's silent demeanor, Mu Yang sighed helplessly and said: "Yao Ji, I’m doing this for our future together. You know… the House of Mu Yang can’t possibly let me marry you as my official wife. Can’t you be more considerate for me" Looking at him calmly, Yao Ji replied: "I don’t like to委屈自己，世子也不必委屈自己。還請世子看在你我多年的交情上，好聚好散吧。”

"You..." Knowing Yao Ji's temper well, he realized that it would be impossible to persuade her back anytime soon. Mu Yang could only sigh softly and say: "I’ll go back first then. Take some time to think about this."

As she watched him turn away, Yao Ji suddenly spoke up: “Muyang, all these years… we have both changed. Please don’t come again in the future.” You are no longer the gentle and amiable youth of long ago, nor am I that innocent maiden who yearned only for a passionate love. We’ve grown up and changed...

Muyang's body stiffened momentarily before he silently left.

"Miss..." Outside the door, a worried little maidservant watched Yao Ji, who appeared somewhat dazed. Yao Ji regained her composure and said with a faint smile, "Pack up, I'm going out."

"Where is Miss headed"

"Ding王府 (Princely Abode of Ding)."

After leaving the Princely Abode of Ding, Yao Ji let out a long sigh. Selling Qingshan Lane to the Consort of Prince Ding, she wasn't sure if it was an impulsive decision, but when she actually did it, she didn't feel as regretful as she had anticipated. With the proceeds from selling Qingshan Lane and her accumulated wealth over the years, she could live a luxurious life for the rest of her days. Finding a quiet place to give birth and raise her child properly might bring her contentment that was different from what she once longed for—a peaceful life.

"Miss, take your time." The man following Yao Ji and seeing her out spoke in a deep voice.

His deep voice sounded pleasant, but Yao Ji was somewhat surprised that he would bid farewell to her. She had seen this man twice when she was with the Consort of Prince Ding; he wasn't an ordinary guard and seemed to have a high status. Usually, people like him should disdain someone in her position, shouldn't they Or is it truly different for those around the Consort of Prince Ding

"Thank you..." Yao Ji hesitated as she didn't know his name, "thank you, sir." In front of this silent man, Yao Ji realized that none of the social skills she had honed in Qingshan Lane could be utilized. She even couldn't muster a polite smile and thus awkwardly thanked him.

The man calmly looked at her and said, "I am Qin Feng. Miss... with your current condition, it's best to delay any long journey for now."

Yao Ji was taken aback before nodding. She replied, "Thank you for the reminder, Commander Qin, Yao Ji bids farewell."al Capital Ode 40. The Most Unlucky Wedding (Part 1)Prime Minister's MansionThe place was bustling with people and noise from early morning. Ye Li led Ye Shan and Ye Lin to sit in Lady Dowager's Hongl...