CF Chapter 33

Chapter 33

 

The Emperor, paying no mind to Dongbaek’s feelings, nodded in satisfaction, entirely pleased with himself.

“Hmm. Now that I think about it, this is a splendid idea. Watching you perform a sword dance would be truly beautiful. I’m already excited just imagining it!”

“Your Majesty, there are far more skilled warriors vying for your favor. How could I dare… I am still lacking in many ways. I fear my shallow skills may sully your eyes, so I beg Your Majesty to reconsider.”

Flustered, Dongbaek spoke quickly, doing her best to divert the Emperor’s thoughts. But the Emperor was unyielding, his mind set on the idea.

Dongbaek hoped Zhang Rang would intervene. Her eyes, which usually held a maturity beyond her years, were filled with desperation.

But Zhang Rang cruelly betrayed her expectations.

“From what I saw last time, you danced quite well. This one is just being overly modest.”

As expected of the Ten Regular Attendants. His skill at fanning the flames was artistic. At Zhang Rang’s casual remark, the Emperor, now fully excited, whined despite his age.

“Dongbaek’s sword dance! I’m so excited I can hardly wait. How about holding the banquet tomorrow?”

Behind the Emperor’s expectant gaze, Zhang Rang’s eyes were cold. It was clear that he too was quite determined to put Dongbaek on stage. With even Zhang Rang acting this way, there was nowhere to retreat.

Faced with Zhang Rang’s firm resolve and the Emperor’s heightened expectations, Dongbaek had no choice but to nod in agreement. The most she could manage was to postpone the Emperor’s suggestion for a next-day banquet to a week later.

“That was too much of you.”

Dongbaek grumbled to Zhang Rang while leaving the palace. Since they worked together at the palace, they often left together like today.

At Dongbaek’s complaint, Zhang Rang clicked his tongue and criticized her.

“When His Majesty fixates on something, he must have it to be satisfied. If you stubbornly refused and the position went to someone else, wouldn’t that be disastrous?”

“Among the generals you’ve recommended, is there really no one capable of performing a sword dance?”

“No. Not a single one.”

Zhang Rang firmly shook his head, thinking of the warriors known for their heavy builds.

“What if that Cao Cao, who has recently returned to office, ends up taking your place in performing the sword dance? What do you think will happen then?”

“If that dance pleased His Majesty, he would surely bestow rewards, and that person would certainly request a review of the memorial he submitted this time.”

“Exactly. That must not happen.”

“I suppose there’s no choice then.”

This had become troublesome. Dongbaek brushed back her cumbersome falling hair. When thinking about performing the sword dance at the banquet, she felt more overwhelming uncertainty than nervousness.

Already, the palace was split half and half between those who viewed her favorably and those who didn’t. Compared to when all the gazes directed at her were purely hostile, this was remarkable progress. How hard she had worked to reach this point!

But if she openly displayed the Emperor’s favor like this, it was clear that those who had barely maintained a balanced view would turn against her again.

‘No, perhaps they might try to curry favor with me instead, now that the situation has become clear.’

Dongbaek stroked her smooth chin. Certainly, clearly demonstrating the Emperor’s favor in front of the high officials wasn’t entirely bad. Though it might not yield perfectly satisfactory results, there wasn’t only loss involved.

Still, at the Emperor’s banquet, she couldn’t perform a mediocre sword dance… Though Zhang Rang, who was practically the cause of this situation, would surely provide generous support, a week was too rushed.

If only Zhang Rang had helped delay the deadline, it wouldn’t have come to this. He’s not the one who has to practice the sword dance, after all. Dongbaek clicked her tongue softly at her resentment toward Zhang Rang and the overwhelming situation. Of course, Zhang Rang knew of her resentment but didn’t bat an eye.

-ˋˏ ༻❁✿❀༺ ˎˊ-

A week passed quickly.

Due to the banquet that began in the morning, all the invited nobles of Luoyang headed to the palace wearing their official robes since early morning. Though they entered alone, they weren’t alone once inside. Before long, they all gathered in small groups according to their factions, whispering among themselves.

“Why suddenly a banquet?”

“I heard it’s to celebrate Prince Bian’s academic achievements, but I’m not sure.”

“Well, trying to understand His Majesty’s mind is like predicting how clouds will flow.”

Cao Cao passed by the laughing groups. Though his build was smaller compared to other generals, he was too muscular to be considered a civil official. With his straight posture and meticulously arranged ceremonial robes, he stood out like a crane among chickens.

It had been a long time since Luoyang had seen his face. Word had it that he had submitted a memorial to the throne the moment he arrived in the capital. As the conversation shifted to Cao Cao, those in the know began whispering among themselves about the details.

Cao Cao paid no attention to the small-minded gossips surrounding him. Instead, he entered the banquet hall, seeking to calm his frustration. Less than a week had passed since he submitted a memorial urging the restoration of state discipline, and now, a banquet? He was certain the Emperor hadn’t even read his proposal.

Soon, it was time for the banquet to officially begin. Those waiting outside entered the hall and took their seats, only to rise immediately. The Emperor had arrived.

“His Majesty the Emperor arrives!”

Along with the heavy drumbeats that resonated in their chests, the eunuch’s voice echoed through the hall. Simultaneously, all officials bowed to welcome the Emperor. The Emperor, accompanied by many court ladies and eunuchs with Prince Bian at his side, entered the banquet hall with excited steps.

After the Emperor and Prince took their seats, the officials offered their greetings wishing for their long life and prosperity. With the Emperor’s gesture, the officials sat down again, and the banquet began.

Though it was said to be a banquet celebrating Prince Bian’s academic achievements, while the Emperor did mention it at the start, his attention soon shifted from the Prince to the banquet itself. Seeing this, the officials shook their heads, as if they had known the Prince’s studies were just an excuse.

The court ladies laid out the prepared food. Various luxurious delicacies filled the tables of the Emperor and officials.

Beautiful dancers played flutes and zithers, and jesters performed their acts. The Emperor watched these performances with a broad smile. Though he had held countless banquets, this time, he had something to look forward to, making the wait enjoyable.

But for Prince Bian, who hadn’t properly heard anything from the Emperor, this place was like sitting on thorns. He was just enduring this boring and awkward banquet, having been dragged here on his father’s word that he would praise his studies. He hadn’t expected much from his father to begin with. A shadow fell across the Prince’s face.

Time passed, and finally, the moment the Emperor had been waiting for arrived. The Emperor, having wetted his throat with wine, leaned forward expectantly.

Zheng! A clear note from a zither filled the banquet hall.

Another zheng! followed, and a young figure appeared at the entrance.

The layers of exquisite silk robes billowed softly with each step, and countless jewels and golden adornments shimmered under the sunlight. Though the attire was extravagantly ornate, it suited the figure perfectly, exuding an almost frighteningly elegant air. As the bejeweled figure approached, Prince Bian’s eyes widened.

The boy’s face, veiled with a sheer fabric, seemed even paler than usual, his lips a vivid red. Not only the Prince but also the Emperor was entranced by the boy, who exuded a different atmosphere from usual with elegant makeup emphasizing red at the corners of the eyes.

Though the boy’s steps were light, they carried a deliberate rhythm. As he drew closer, he unsheathed his sword, capturing the attention of everyone in the hall. The drums beat steadily, dung, dung, dung, dung, as the boy leaped gracefully into the air.

The boy was Dongbaek.

-ˋˏ ༻❁✿❀༺ ˎˊ-

The fabric fluttering in the air resembled flower petals, and as it descended, it was as if flowers were blooming. The layers of silk robes settled soundlessly. Dongbaek’s expression was calm. She held the sword in her left hand, resting its tip lightly on the ground, while her right hand pressed gently to her chest as she rose.

Seated, she was a peony, standing, she was a peony tree in bloom. Every detail of her posture was impeccable—resplendent yet composed, elegant yet dignified.

Everyone held their breath, their focus entirely on Dongbaek’s every movement. Slowly, she raised the sword, holding it steady as she pointed it toward the Emperor. Then, tilting it diagonally, she carefully ran her other hand along the blade, her gaze shifting away. Each step she took was silent, as if she might float away with a single breath. Her slender figure looked as though it could dance on the palm of a hand.

The music, rich and sensual, was beyond what one might expect for someone of Dongbaek’s age. Yet her performance matched the music so seamlessly that her age became irrelevant. Her waist curved gracefully in time with the rhythm, her steps lively. The way her sword sliced through the air contrasted sharply with the slow, drifting movements of the translucent fabric, creating a striking visual dichotomy.

Wherever Dongbaek’s sword passed, the eunuchs and attendants, one by one blushed.

The sword’s trajectory was unpredictable and dazzling, yet smooth and refined. Every gesture, every flick of the wrist, flowed naturally, like water. Her delicate flamboyance was a signature trait, but like the changing of the seasons, her skill had evolved. Dongbaek’s sword dance was even more polished than the year before.

Her performance demonstrated an extraordinary level of skill for someone so young. The fluidity and precision of her movements proved that her strength was considerable.

Recognizing the skill displayed in Dongbaek’s dance, Cao Cao smiled meaningfully. It was the same satisfied smile he wore when discovering an exceptional talent—someone worthy of respect, regardless of whether they were friend or foe.

Dongbaek’s fingertips moved with particular grace and precision, imbued with a mastery rarely seen in sword dances. Cao Cao laughed softly—not out of malice or ulterior motives, but purely out of admiration for her performance. Among everyone at the banquet, he was the only one smiling. The rest were too mesmerized to spare a thought for anything else, their gazes fixed on her every move as if entranced.

The Emperor was no exception. Instead of reclining comfortably as usual, he leaned as far forward as possible, as if drawn into Dongbaek’s performance. His hands clenched tightly, unaware of the sweat gathering on his palms, unwilling to miss even a second of the dance.

Young Prince Bian, too, was utterly captivated, unable to take his eyes off Dongbaek. A strange exhilaration swelled in his chest—a profound sense of awe and overwhelming emotion. He felt tears prick at his eyes, an unshakable sense of wonder filling his heart.

-ˋˏ ༻❁✿❀༺ ˎˊ-

Thank you for reading! ♡