Half-face Make-up Volume 1 Chapter 21

Chapter 21 On New Year’s Eve this year, it was dark outside and clouds covered the moon. However, in the palace, there were still people singing and dancing, and the sound of music surrounded everyone’s ears. The emperor held the banquet, so all the families from royal households came here, except Princess Yongkang. It was said that Princess Yongkang had closed the door on herself in order to practice austerity. Princess Yongkang had always liked to be alone, and she had always done things her own way. Gradually, the emperor was getting used to it.   The wine in the palace was really fruity and mellow. Everyone’s face faces had turned red because of their drinking, but everyone was still very happy. I was greeting the Concubine of Jin’an. It was said that there were new ch.o.r.eographed dances that were exquisite beyond compare, so we enjoyed watching the dances to the fullest. As we were talking, I heard melodious music suddenly ring out.   There were eighteen fairies slowly drifting through the moonlight and mist.   The fairies were dressed in skirts as thin as a cicada’s wings. Their skin was soft and glossy, their faces charming like peach blossoms, and their eyes were bright and lovely. At this moment, they were waving their smooth, willowy arms. The buns on these fairies were very special. In the middle of their hair, they divided the hair sections into several strands, and every strand was combed neatly into a bun. Finally, the hair was fas.h.i.+oned into a vertical ring, so this bun style was called “flying bun.” This bun made these fairies more elegant, mysterious, and still simple. This beautiful scene made people feel that they were in paradise.   Having been accustomed to the bun styles in the palace, these special buns were really refres.h.i.+ng. Some fairies were holding flower baskets, some were plucking the strings on instruments, some were playing flutes, and some were waving their folding fans as they danced lightly.   At this time, in the misty fairyland, a dolce and enchanting girl, flew out. She was graceful and soft, as if she had no bones. She waved a long sleeve and smiling softly. Her smile was elegant, like an orchid, and her eyes were chaste like the moonlight.   She was ethereal, like a flying swallow. Her charm and temperament enhanced the essence of dance, and her movements and eyes extended the soul of dance. Invisibly, there seemed to be a holy glory emanating from her body. Her body revolved rapidly with the melodious music, then she flew and danced. The mist that surrounded her rose and dispersed like yarn, and it was like fairies dancing in the Milky Way with the stars. All of them were shocked at her mesmerizing movements, and they temporarily forgot where they were.   The music was gentle and lofty. Sometimes it was like knocking on jade, sometimes it was like a stream moving slowly, and sometimes it was also like a warbler singing. It was really intoxicating. The girl daintily turned back, gracefully retrieving her sleeves. Then she lifted her basket, raised her beautiful fingers, and sprinkled the flowers all over the sky. There were countless petals on the ground, and it was like meteors crossing the sky and falling onto the world. It was so quiet and peaceful. All this made the people feel like floating in the vast universe in a boat, as all around was still.   What a flying dance! The girl felt this special tenderness with her body and mind, so she interpreted the romantic charm of the dance very well.   The dancer had stopped, but the spectators were still intoxicated.   I was also deeply attracted to her, and Xiao Yi had put down his chopsticks and became still.   Xiao Gang, the Highness of Jin’an, was also intoxicated.   Xiao Zhengde, the Highness of Linhe, had already lost his mind and his eyes were dazed.   Xiao Lun, the Highness Shaoling, had bitten his finger, but his eyes watched with lewd fascination.   I couldn’t help sneering. These members of the imperial house could only see the beautiful girl, not the pure and beautiful dance.   “Hha, the movements and feelings are in place, as the rising moon and the suns.h.i.+ne. Well, grant a reward!” I heard the emperor’s praise in my ear.   “Yes, this is Yuan Lanzhi, the daughter of Minister Yuan. I mentioned her to you before. She ch.o.r.eographed the dance herself.” The voice of the Precious Junior Concubine Ding was full of praise.   Yuan Lanzhi went forward and said, “Thank you for your appreciation.”   “What an elegant girl. I don’t know who will get this beauty,” The Highness of Jin’an said quietly. I was stunned. Looking at the woebegone expression of the Highness of Jin’an, I did not know what to say.   “Alas, you don’t know, sister. Sooner or later, Miss Yuan will be married to the members of the imperial house, but there is no suitable person yet.” The Highness Jin’an smiled when she saw my surprise.   My heart sank again. Yuan Lanzhi suddenly looked back and smiled, and the smile was so bright. I felt that this smile and I seemed to have met before. Oh, I remembered. She was the charming girl who danced at the palace in the Mid-Autumn Festival last year.   “I have no daughter and this child is so considerate, so I like her very much. Can she stay with me in the palace for a while?” the Precious Junior Concubine Ding said.   The emperor nodded and acquiesced. Minister Yuan hurriedly went forward to thank them. “Thank you for your favor. It’s a blessing for our family and the little girl to accompany the Precious Junior Concubine Ding in the palace. I am deeply grateful.”   “Well, you don’t need to be so polite. You continue to play. I’m old and weak, so I need to take a rest for a while.” The Precious Junior Concubine Ding left with the help of Yuan Lanzhi. Then the emperor, ladies, and concubines returned to their exclusive palace to rest. The song and dance continued, and the members of the imperial house began to drink uninhibitedly because they showed no restraint.