As twilight deepened and the palace lanterns were lit one by one, the imperial feast commenced in a display of unparalleled grandeur. The rich aroma of exquisite delicacies drifted through the air. The Empress Dowager, the Emperor, the Empress, the imperial consorts, the royal lords, the princes, the Grand Preceptor, and the assembled civil and military officials with their families all sat according to rank. At the center of the gardens stood a vast open-air pavilion stage, where court dancers moved gracefully to the harmonious melodies of ceremonial music.
Qin Man sat beside Minister Qin and her mother. Minister Qin had already heard from Muyao and Muchu about how Qin Man had handled the Prime Minister’s arrogant maid earlier in the gardens. Rather than criticizing her, he found himself unexpectedly impressed by his eldest daughter’s sharp wit and composure.
For the first time, Qin Man got a clear look at the Emperor. He appeared to be in his early fifties, tall and imposing, radiating natural imperial authority. Though the Empress was middle-aged, her beauty remained remarkably preserved, rivaling even that of the younger consorts. As for the Empress Dowager, while long-term illness had left her somewhat frail, the peerless elegance that must have defined her youth was still unmistakable.
Seated among the highest-ranking guests alongside the princes and royal lords was Grand Preceptor Xiao Ruochen. Tonight, he wore a sweeping black robe. His devastatingly handsome features and upright bearing made him seem like flawless jade given human form. Yet a faint coldness lingered between his brows, discouraging anyone from approaching him casually.
Having already met him several times, Qin Man found herself once again captivated by his appearance. Her gaze lingered on him far longer than it should have.
Of course, she was hardly the only one. Nearly every unmarried noblewoman present was staring at him with varying degrees of admiration.
Glancing across the hall, Qin Man noticed Murong Xue stealing frequent looks toward the main seating area. Following her gaze, Qin Man instantly pieced everything together.
Ah! So the capital’s number one beauty is secretly in love with Grand Preceptor Xiao!
The realization awakened her inner gossip enthusiast, and she nearly laughed aloud.
Minister Qin and the rest of her family looked at her in confusion, forcing Qin Man to quickly suppress her amusement.
After several rounds of wine, the talented young nobles and noble ladies began taking turns displaying their accomplishments.
The first performer was the young heir of the Han family, who presented an impressive sword dance.
Qin Man had always been fascinated by ancient martial arts, especially the legendary qinggong techniques that allowed practitioners to seemingly fly through the air. Watching the performance, her thoughts drifted back to the day Xiao Ruochen had wrapped an arm around her waist and carried her out of danger.
Lost in thought, she unconsciously looked toward the main seats—
Only to find herself meeting Xiao Ruochen’s gaze directly.
He was already looking at her.
A faint smile curved his lips.
Startled, Qin Man immediately looked away and focused on the stage.
Several daughters of prominent families followed with elegant dance performances, earning enthusiastic applause.
The Emperor and Empress were clearly pleased.
“Our young lords and talented ladies truly possess exceptional talent,” the Empress remarked with a smile. “Such prosperity is a blessing for Nantang.”
Turning toward the Prime Minister, she continued, “Prime Minister Murong, I have long heard that your daughter is exceptionally skilled at the zither. Would Miss Murong be willing to perform a piece for Her Majesty and His Majesty tonight?”
Since the request came directly from the Empress, refusal was impossible.
Soon afterward, Murong Xue stepped onto the stage.
Dressed in flowing pink robes that highlighted her porcelain complexion, she looked every bit the celebrated beauty of the capital.
As her delicate fingers glided across the strings, a heavenly melody flowed through the gardens.
The assembled princes and noble heirs watched in admiration, while the daughters of other officials concealed their envy behind polite smiles.
“Miss Murong truly deserves her reputation for beauty and talent,” Qin Muchu said sincerely.
Qin Muyao immediately shot her a warning glare.
“Must you praise the enemy?” she whispered.
Back in the modern world, Qin Man had received extensive training in the arts and possessed a strong understanding of music theory. Listening carefully, she felt Murong Xue’s performance was technically brilliant, yet carried an overly delicate and calculated quality.
Music reflected the soul.
And to Qin Man’s ears, the melody revealed a woman whose heart was full of hidden schemes.
When the final note faded, thunderous applause erupted.
The Empress looked particularly delighted—a reaction Qin Man found unsurprising, considering the Empress herself came from the Murong family.
The Emperor smiled.
“Miss Murong, your performance is excellent. What reward would you like?”
Murong Xue stole a brief glance at her father before subtly looking toward Xiao Ruochen.
Qin Man’s eyes immediately lit up.
It’s happening!
“Your servant’s skills are still inadequate,” Murong Xue said softly. “I would not dare request a reward. However, I have long admired Grand Preceptor Xiao’s mastery of music. If possible, I would be honored to receive his guidance through a duet.”
The Emperor immediately understood.
“We also have not heard our tutor play in quite some time. Would Grand Preceptor Xiao be willing?”
“Your servant obeys the imperial decree.”
Xiao Ruochen rose gracefully and bowed.
Then, to everyone’s surprise, he continued:
“However, I have also heard that the Eldest Miss of the Minister of Rites’ household, Miss Qin, possesses remarkable skill in dance. Would Miss Qin be willing to join us and contribute to the evening’s festivities?”
Qin Man nearly choked.
She had been happily waiting to watch a romantic duet between the capital’s greatest beauty and its most eligible bachelor.
Instead, the man had dragged her directly into the center of the drama.
A storm of curses exploded inside her mind.
Outwardly, however, she maintained a perfectly composed smile.
Minister Qin was equally stunned.
Part of him was thrilled by the recognition.
The other part was terrified.
After all, Muyao had received years of noble upbringing, while Muxi had spent her life in the countryside.
Wiping sweat from his forehead, he hurriedly stepped forward.
“Grand Preceptor, my eldest daughter lacks refinement. If it pleases you, perhaps my second daughter—”
“Is the Minister suggesting that his eldest daughter is inferior to the second?”
Xiao Ruochen interrupted coldly.
Minister Qin instantly found himself trapped.
Before he could answer, Qin Man stepped forward.
“Your Majesty, this humble daughter is willing.”
She bowed respectfully.
“To receive guidance from Grand Preceptor Xiao and Miss Murong is an honor beyond measure.”
As she spoke, she shot Xiao Ruochen a hidden glare.
Xiao Ruochen caught it immediately.
Truthfully, he had only spoken on impulse. He had fully expected Qin Man to find some clever excuse to decline.
Instead, she had accepted without hesitation.
For perhaps the first time in a long while, he found himself genuinely surprised.
“Excellent. Excellent indeed.”
A frail voice suddenly sounded.
The Empress Dowager had spoken.
Looking down at Qin Man, her eyes grew moist.
“The late Emperor personally arranged a marriage between you and Crown Prince Mo Yechen.”
Her voice trembled.
“To think you have already grown into such a fine young woman. If Yechen were still alive, the two of you would have long since been married.”
Tears welled in her eyes.
Qin Man was startled.
She had no memory whatsoever of such a marriage arrangement.
So I was actually the former Crown Prince’s fiancée?
The revelation amused her more than anything else.
No one noticed the sudden darkness that flashed through Xiao Ruochen’s eyes.
Hidden beneath his sleeves, his fingers clenched tightly.
The Emperor quickly intervened.
“Today is a joyous occasion. Mother must not dwell on past sorrows.”
The atmosphere gradually recovered.
Meanwhile, Murong Xue was furious.
She had envisioned a private duet with Xiao Ruochen.
Now an ugly, veiled woman had been inserted between them.
Still, she could not openly object.
A vicious glint flashed through her eyes.
Fine. Since you insist on taking the stage, I’ll make sure you become the laughingstock of the capital.
The three performers took their places.
Qin Man stood in her lake-green gown, her slim figure and elegant bearing instantly drawing attention.
With her face hidden, many guests suddenly realized that in terms of pure grace and presence, she seemed to rival—or even surpass—the famed Murong Xue.
Xiao Ruochen’s fingers touched the strings.
A melody as clear and pure as flowing mountain water filled the air.
Murong Xue joined him immediately, adding crisp harmonies.
Together, the music created an almost dreamlike atmosphere.
Then Qin Man began to dance.
Her movements were light and ethereal.
Long sleeves flowed like drifting clouds.
Her green skirts fluttered like emerald waves.
She seemed less like a mortal woman and more like a celestial fairy descending from the moon.
Suddenly, the tempo accelerated.
Qin Man responded instantly.
Pivoting on one foot, she spun gracefully.
Faster.
And faster.
Yet every movement remained perfectly synchronized with the music.
The audience fell silent.
No one dared blink.
They feared missing even a single moment.
At the high table, Prince Mo Xuan watched without moving.
The dancing figure before him overlapped perfectly with the fairy-like girl from the peach blossom valley.
A strange feeling of possessiveness tightened in his chest.
On stage, Xiao Ruochen’s gaze remained fixed on Qin Man.
The more he watched, the more astonished he became.
She wasn’t merely following the rhythm.
She understood every subtle variation and hidden transition within the music.
Her responses were immediate and flawless.
Such sensitivity could only belong to someone deeply versed in musical theory.
Perhaps even more knowledgeable than Murong Xue herself.
The fact became increasingly obvious as Murong Xue deliberately accelerated certain passages, attempting to disrupt Qin Man’s timing.
Every attempt failed.
Qin Man anticipated every change effortlessly.
Completely immersed in the performance, Qin Man felt the music flowing through her veins.
She smiled faintly toward Xiao Ruochen.
Watching him play beneath the lantern light, she could not deny the truth.
He truly was a gentleman like flawless jade.
A peerless man unlike any other.
For a fleeting moment, it felt as though only the two of them remained in the world.
The performer and the musician.
The dancer and the melody.
Everything else faded away.
Murong Xue noticed it too.
Though she remained one of the capital’s greatest zither players, she increasingly found herself reduced to little more than accompaniment.
The silent understanding flowing between Qin Man and Xiao Ruochen infuriated her.
Her face flushed with suppressed rage.
Then, at the climax of the piece—
The music exploded upward.
Qin Man’s silk ribbons spiraled through the air.
With a light push from her feet, she soared upward.
Her emerald skirts blossomed around her like flower petals.
Her brilliant eyes shimmered beneath the palace lights.
At that moment, she looked like a goddess ascending upon moonlit waves.
The entire banquet erupted.
Thunderous applause shook the gardens.
Praise and astonished exclamations echoed throughout the imperial palace long into the night.