Moreover, Shi Qingjun had never shown any disdain for the faint musk scent on them. She could hold the tokens they touched without any reservations.
Not looking down on courtesans?
The woman thought that such a girl might... find the Flower Moon Building surprisingly fitting and appealing.
She smiled, pulling up a chair to sit next to Shi Qingjun, "Sister, Lanni is about to go on stage and play the zither. Her music is quite good."
"Zither?" Shi Qingjun shifted her attention from the game cards to the stage.
Six Arts for Women?
She didnât know them, but planned to learn after understanding the art of flowers.
She watched the stage, seeing the woman in a light zither robe kneel down with determination and seriousness, her jade hands brushing the zither strings lightly like wisps, producing music like a stream of clear, melodious beads trickling down, soothing the heart, as the melody danced like a brook leaping through a valley.
The ladies in the hall all paused their activities, quietly savoring the piece.
Miss Lanâs zither skill was exquisite, her appearance was charming, and her music resonant, yet her gaze occasionally darted towards a certain girl below the stage, filled with affection at the corners of her eyes.
The melody did not falter from Miss Lanâs distractions; instead, it conveyed her joyous elation.
Shi Qingjun sensed a warm emotion in the music, yet she couldnât quite understand what kind of emotion it was at that moment. However, she noticed the blessed expressions on the faces of the women around her, realizing the piece was played for someone specific in the audience.
The piece ended.
As the final noteâs echo faded within the hall, the expected thunderous applause did not arise; most ladies were still entranced by the melody.
That was indeed the best response.
After finishing, Miss Lan smiled and played a lively tune, fully invigorating the atmosphere.
Shi Qingjun frowned slightly, "That previous piece..."
"It was LanâErâs personal intent; the first piece wasnât for us," the woman laughed, pointing out a girl who had stopped to gaze at Miss Lan full of emotion and explained, "The pieceâs title is âAs Firm as Gold and Stone,â and they just confirmed their âmaritalâ relationship. That piece was an emotional tune from LanâEr to the girl she likes."
"Women... as spouses?" Shi Qingjun didnât speak, just tilted her head.
A love letter from a woman to another woman?
She didnât understand.
Women and women becoming a couple, doesnât that upset the Yin and Yang balance?
Yet, such matters, whether at Muyu Peak or Flower Moon Building, seemed perfectly natural.
But the piece was quite pleasant.
In a corner of the hall, a girl in yellow tugged on Ah Qingâs sleeve and whispered in her ear after she bent down, "Ms. Qing, this... this piece is really nice."
"Mm." Ah Qing responded, thinking that such a piece, while naive, indeed felt warm to her.
âA love between women?â
At this moment, both the yellow and the green-clad individuals had these thoughts.
But Miss Huang watched Miss Qing beside her,
While Miss Qing vaguely gazed at the high stage.
ââ
On the high stage, Miss Yun listened to the zither music, eating the food in her hand, her gaze settling on the lively scene below.
Xu Changâan sat properly next to Yun Qian, eyes observing the nose, nose observing the mouth, mouth observing the heart, as if everything around her was none of her business.
No wonder, as the atmosphere at this dining table was just too peculiar.
The iridescent light shimmered, for those with amorous inclinations, this round table was the most beautiful place under heaven.
Xu Changâan sighed inwardly.
Heaven knows how odd he felt when he arrived at the banquet earlier.
Not to mention Miss Yun.
First, he encountered a well-dressed Senior Wen he almost didnât recognize. If not for this elegant, princess-like senior calling him âjunior brother,â Xu Changâan would have thought Wen Li had a sister.
And then... was the mentor?
Xu Changâan subtly raised his head, glancing at Li Zhibai seated across from him.
Embroidered with dark strands were blooming red plums, intricately layered, blooming passionately... the contrast was so stark, Xu Changâan found himself speechless upon first sight.
One must know, in his heart, the teacher was a strict mentor, always clad in a neat Daoist robe... When had she ever been dressed like this?
The key point was.
Li Zhibai did not show the leniency she imagined, so when she appeared before Xu Changâan in this outfit, her pretty face instantly turned dark with embarrassment and she barely exchanged words with Yun Qian. After entering the banquet, she quietly ate dinner.
Li Zhibaiâs expression, seemingly on the verge of anger, left Xu Changâan... restless.
Not because of fear of his teacher, but out of respect and reverence.
Xu Changâan did not wish to provoke Li Zhibai to anger, lest the privilege to attend Sword Hall be rescinded due to the teacherâs bad mood... That would be unfortunate.
In fact, Li Zhibai and Wen Li were fine. What made Xu Changâan truly nervous wasâ
Zhu Pingniang.
Zhu Pingniangâs extravagantly vibrant attire didnât seem to care at all that he was a man. Luckily, Miss Lu noticed the inappropriateness promptly, covering Zhu Pingniang with an outer garment, allowing him to sit stably at the table.
What troubled Xu Changâan most was not Zhu Pingniangâs clothing, but... her apparent oblivion to the tense atmosphere, occasionally teasing Li Zhibai with reckless actions.
Just like now.
"Ah Bai, what did you think of the zither piece just now?" Zhu Pingniang said arrogantly, "I taught Lanni hand in hand... Wasnât âAs Firm as Gold and Stoneâ beautiful? Iâll play it for you someday."
"...Itâs alright." Li Zhibai said calmly.
"As long as you like it." Zhu Pingniang stood up, twisting her slender waist, and said in a charming voice, "Youâve heard the elegant piece, shall I sing a play for you next? Iâve practiced for quite a while."
Li Zhibai glared at her, "Sit down."
Couldnât she be less embarrassing?
Li Zhibai was genuinely a bit angry now. She realized sheâd been deceived. Zhu Pingniang kept saying she wore such flamboyant attire for the sake of the girls, but the truth was on this high stage, not a single girl could see her.
Considering Zhu Pingniangâs occasional flaunting of her figure, Li Zhibai felt only that she was inviting trouble upon herself.
Fortunately... Changâan was still reassuring, not paying attention to this indiscreet elder.
"If you donât want to hear it, I simply wonât sing." Zhu Pingniang continued to smile sardonically.
Xu Changâan: "..."
He now acted as if he heard nothing.
Honestly, Xu Changâan never expected Zhu Pingniang to openly flirt with his mentor at the banquet, as if... afraid others at the table wouldnât know she fancied Li Zhibai, practically sticking to her.
The more she leaned in, the more active she became, the stranger the atmosphere at the table turned.
Not to mention, Miss Lu was present as well.
After realizing Li Zhibai was Zhu Pingniangâs beloved âAh Bai,â Miss Lu, sitting beside Yun Qian, wrote jealousy on her face.
Especially when Zhu Pingniang deliberately shared some food with her, Miss Luâs mood worsened even further.
The atmosphere grew colder by the minute.
A jealous Miss Lu, a frantic Zhu Pingniang, a humiliated Li Zhibai, awkwardly silent, and Xu Changâan pretending nothing happened together made this dinner a potential atmosphere killer.
Xu Changâan thought, sighing softly, and gratefully glanced at the only two normal people at the table.
Senior Wen, elegantly enjoying her meal.
And Yun Qian, lazily leaning against the chair, subtly watching the feast hall below.
No matter how awkward the atmosphere, it couldnât affect these two, giving Xu Changâan a sense of normalcy during this banquet.
"..." Yun Qian, holding Xu Changâanâs sleeve with one hand and a teacup with the other, sipping occasionally, kept her eyes on the banquet stage.
She could not tell if the girlsâ performance was any good, but the zither attire was pleasing, reminding Yun Qian of when Xu Changâan played for her, so she quite liked it.
Watching the stunningly adorned girls on stage, her gaze finally landing on Ah Qing in the corner and Shi Qingjun beside her, Yun Qian blinked.
It was none of her business.
Stretching slightly, Yun Qian suddenly leaned against Xu Changâan and whispered, "Feed me."
She didnât want to eat by herself anymore.
Simultaneously, almost instantly, everyoneâs gaze, including Wen Liâs, fell upon him.
Xu Changâan: "..."