A Melody of Deception and Desire

Indeed, those well-versed in music can use cups as instruments, filling them with water and tapping them to create melodies.

Though she had never witnessed it firsthand, Jiang Buwei had certainly heard tales of such a feat.

The boy spoke with such mystique, yet in truth, he merely intended to employ some trivial trickery. His aim was to mimic a ritualistic performance, complete with deceptive rhetoric and mannerisms, all to evade the duties of a camp companion.

He possesses a certain cleverness, but such petty displays of wit won’t always allow him to slip by. And yet—

As the bronze goblets resonated with sound, the high-ranking officials and noblewomen began to murmur amongst themselves.

Many among them found it peculiar; even for a musical performance, the five fundamental notes of gong, shang, jiao, zhi, yu were usually sufficient. Why then, would so many wine cups be necessary?

Candlelight flickered, casting long, slender shadows.

Xia Qian stood with bowed head before the long table, where twelve bronze wine goblets were arranged in a crescent moon. The wine within shimmered with an amber glow at their rims.

Adopting the posture of a conductor, Xia Qian clutched a jade chopstick, her peripheral vision carefully sweeping across the guests.

Long Yan rested her chin, observing him with keen interest, while Jiang Buwei’s jade thumb ring spun with increasing urgency. Even Yan Bai’s usually languid eyes held a rare flicker of concentration.

“Ding—”

The goblet’s rim was struck, and the distinct, crisp metallic sound shattered the silence.

Xia Qian closed her eyes, allowing the tip of the jade chopstick to glide along the varying curves of the goblets.

This should be enough, I suppose…

Though she didn’t know which major key the precise pitch began in, Xia Qian relied on her fundamental modern musical sense. She adjusted the wine levels in the goblets, arranging them to produce the necessary individual notes.

A melody flowed from the bronze vessels, the liquid rippling in delicate patterns with each tap, like shattered stars falling into a deep pool. Starting as scattered notes, they gradually wove into a graceful tune.

The noblewomen, who had previously been whispering and scoffing, were now utterly captivated. They found their eyes involuntarily glazing over, their faces suffused with enchantment.

Jiang Buwei leaned slightly forward, completely oblivious as her wolf-hair cloak slipped from her shoulders.

She had seen barbarian shamans play music on stone tiles and heard Southern Border witches summon spirits with bone flutes. Yet, she had never imagined anyone could coax such an intricate and poignant melody from solemn bronze wine goblets.

The music was complex and ever-changing. Compared to it, all the refined classical pieces and folk songs she had ever heard seemed thin and inferior.

At times, it resembled a lone wild goose circling in the desolate frontier; at others, it was like the gentle drizzle of Jiangnan’s misty rains. Despite being a foreign tune, it inexplicably made one’s heart tremble.

However, Xia Qian paid no mind to the reactions of her audience. She simply continued tapping the cups.

Accompanying the main melody’s simple notation in her memory, the song’s lyrics echoed in her mind: Wine boiled with a sword is tasteless, for whom do I drink this cup…

When the piece concluded, and even after its final note had faded long ago, the assembly within the tent slowly returned to their senses from the lingering aftertaste.

“Splendid!”

Long Yan exclaimed loudly, her applause like thunder, causing the wine goblets on the table to clatter wildly.

The crimson-eyed General, like a lioness fixated on her prey, addressed him.

“Young man, what is the name of this piece? I joined the army with my master at eight and have campaigned in the northern frontier for over a decade, yet I have never heard its like!”

“The song’s name… is ‘Beauty’.”

Xia Qian answered truthfully. As for why it was ‘Beauty’—perhaps because, in this world she had transmigrated to, it inexplicably reminded her of the first historical drama she’d seen since she could remember, its ending theme song. It certainly felt quite fitting for the current surroundings.

“Hmph, nothing but decadent music.”

Supervisor Tian held a handkerchief to cover half her face.

“Compared to courtly classical music, it ultimately lacks solemnity and grace.”

“Solemnity?”

Long Yan was not at all polite this time, casting a sneering glance. “Are you all perhaps too accustomed to sour grapes, your tongues pickled beyond taste? Just tell me if it sounds good or not!”

Supervisor Tian’s face instantly turned a sickly pale.

Seeing that the tactless plump official was once again speaking out of turn, Administrator Zhao quickly intervened to smooth things over. “General is right; this piece is novel and unique, quite fitting for tonight’s welcoming banquet.”

Noticing that the atmosphere in the tent had significantly softened compared to the beginning, Yan Bai suddenly rose.

His moon-white wide sleeves draped like flowing clouds. He held his sword and bowed deeply to Long Yan.

“Since the esteemed officials feel a slight lack of refined pleasure, Yan Bai would be honored to perform a sword dance to accompany the music.”

Long Yan’s eyes immediately brightened. “Excellent! Someone, bring a sword for young master—”

“No need.”

Yan Bai smiled, cutting her off, and with a flick of his sleeve, drew the Gentleman’s Elegant Sword from his waist.

“A humble display of sword artistry, I respectfully invite you all to witness.”

As the white-clad young master rose and walked into the midst of the guests, a single, fleeting glance was exchanged between him and Xia Qian, who seemed to instantly grasp something through their unspoken understanding.

“—Hey, don’t just stand there!”

She winked at her colleagues from Willow Lane, who were still standing in rows behind her.

Quickly, show some initiative and seize this chance to stay!

The eldest among them, being more experienced, immediately understood the new young man’s hint. He quickly rallied his younger brothers behind him, and together they bowed and spoke.

“Great General, and all you esteemed ladies, we humble ones also wish to perform a group dance, to bring a smile to your honorable faces.”

Once Long Yan nodded in approval, the male courtesans stepped forward, performing the group dances they had perfected in the pleasure quarters.

The white-clad young master, holding his Gentleman’s Sword, danced gracefully amidst them.

Xia Qian pondered for a moment, then immediately switched to the most suitable dance tune.

…Indeed, it still has to be ‘Parting the mists to grasp your voice~’

—It was a pity that a bronze goblet couldn’t produce EDM DJ sounds; it just didn’t have that exact flavor, that’s all, that’s all.

Accompanied by the newly resumed, novel music, everyone began to perform classical dance steps.

Amidst the feigning softness and charm of the male courtesans, Yan Bai’s sword dance was sharp and fluid, like clouds drifting through mountains—a blend of strength and gentleness, elegant as a crane.

“Excellent! Now this is a feast for both eyes and ears! Keep the music playing! Keep dancing!”

Long Yan’s bronzed cheeks flushed with exhilaration, her chest beneath her short armor trembling with laughter. She raised her wine goblet, toasting the high officials and noblewomen once more.

“Tonight’s banquet is thus; let none of you esteemed adults trouble yourselves with official matters. Put everything aside for now; all military affairs and government policies can be discussed tomorrow. Come, let Long accompany you all in drink, until we are thoroughly intoxicated!”

The assembled guests responded in unison, and under the spirited rallying call of the General, they all raised their cups and drank heartily.

After three rounds of wine and five courses of dishes, whether it was the potency of the wine or the officials’ greed, the distinguished guests one by one began to sway and topple over.

They truly are just ordinary middle-aged women and elderly ladies; their alcohol tolerance is quite poor, isn’t it…

Xia Qian had long since stopped tapping the cups with her jade chopsticks, but she imagined the lingering echoes of the melody were still swirling in the noblewomen’s ears.

“Escort all the esteemed adults back to their guest tents in the side camp to rest.”

Long Yan waved her hand, issuing an order to the honor guards, signaling the end of the banquet.

Seeing this, the male courtesans, one after another, declared, “This humble one will take care of it,” and “This humble one will diligently serve the adults.” They eagerly seized the opportunity, vying to help the honor guards assist people away.

Watching her cunning colleagues, Xia Qian exhaled with a half-smile.

The group performance had passed muster; no one would be assigned to suffer serving the female soldiers. This was probably the best possible outcome—yes!

Her gaze turned back to Yan Bai. The young master remained casually detached, no expression discernible on his face. Perhaps he was a little weary from the long dance, his breathing slightly heavier, but his eyes held the relaxed ease of someone finally at rest.

However, while Xia Qian’s attention was focused on others, she was unaware that someone else was scrutinizing her with a similar gaze.

Heh heh, Xia Qian… it seems he really did manage to bluff his way through.

Feeling slightly relieved, Jiang Buwei was able to pick up her wine cup and savor a belated sip of the fine vintage. Yet, before the crystalline amber liquid reached her lips, Long Yan, seated at the main table beside her, suddenly rose.

The valiant and audacious female General descended from her commander’s seat and walked directly to Xia Qian.

“Young man, you are very interesting.”

Long Yan curved her lips into a smile, her fiery red hair brushing Xia Qian’s shoulder.

“Stay in my tent tonight!”

Jiang Buwei’s wine cup froze in her hand, a sharp glint of coldness erupting in her jade eyes. Yan Bai’s hand beneath his wide sleeve abruptly tightened around his sword hilt, the recently relaxed ease in his eyes freezing inch by agonizing inch.