Chapter 183 – Dance Offering
Yao Cheng’s eyes, filled with lecherous light, were fixed on Yan Shujing. Yao Jia’s expression was no different from his brother’s.
“I heard from the servants that father adopted a fairy-like daughter today. Seeing you now, it’s indeed true. Little sister Jing, your beauty and graceful figure are like a fairy descended from heaven.”
Yan Shujing, aware of the character of these two sons of the county magistrate, immediately looked uneasy when Yao Cheng and Yao Jia blocked her path. After a moment of panic, she calmed down and bowed to them, “Shujing greets the two brothers. It’s not that I don’t want to spend more time in the garden with you, but father has instructed me to prepare for tonight’s banquet after a short walk, so as not to be late.”
Yao Cheng and Yao Jia then retracted their lecherous gazes and made way for Yan Shujing. She, somewhat fearful of the two, hurried away with her maids.
Yao Jia, watching her retreating figure, clenched his fists in frustration, “Such a fine woman, and we can’t touch her, it’s infuriating.”
Yao Cheng said, “Second brother, don’t be hasty. Father wants to use this woman to win over the general from the east wing. That general might not fancy her. There are so many beauties in Xijing. He’s probably tired of women like Yan Shujing. If the general doesn’t want her, she’ll eventually fall into our hands.”
Over the years, many beautiful maids in the county court had been ruined by these two brothers, with Yao Jin turning a blind eye to it.
…
In the evening, it was quite cool with a gentle autumn breeze. Yao Jin had arranged the banquet in the garden of the county court, where guests could enjoy fine food and admire beautiful dancers.
Long Yu, as a nobleman from Xijing, sat at the center of the banquet. To his left sat County Magistrate Yao Jin and several of his family members, including Yao Cheng and Yao Jia. To his right sat Murong Qinjian.
The man who had scorned the county court’s banquet as vulgar was now indulging in food, his attractive peach blossom eyes unblinkingly watching the dancing girls on the stage.
Seeing him so engrossed, Yao Jin smiled and said, “Doctor Murong, what do you think of the dancers from Xize County?”
Murong Qinjian, with a satisfied smile, nodded, “Very good, very good.”
Yao Jin was delighted.
“If Doctor Murong likes them, I’ll order two dancers to serve you in the east wing later.”
It was clear that Murong Qinjian was a favored person by General Long Yu’s side. If Yao Jin could please Murong, he wouldn’t worry about getting good words put in for him with the general.
Long Yu frowned and interrupted their conversation.
“Murong Little Scoundrel, if you are feeling amorous this autumn, you can ask Yao Magistrate for a courtyard to meet beauties. Don’t bring those women into the east wing where I am staying, or I’ll throw both you and the beauties out.”
Murong Qinjian’s smile instantly tightened.
Given Long Yu’s despicable and foul temper, such a heartless act was indeed within his capabilities. “Nevermind about springtime fantasies, lest I bring trouble to the beauties.”
“Magistrate Yao, you misunderstand. I was simply admiring the singing and dancing, nothing more.”
Yao Jin felt disappointed and cautiously glanced at Long Yu. He worried that not even Yan Shujing’s dance would be able to capture his heart.
“Perhaps these common dancers are not good enough.” While saying this, he waved his hand at the dancing girls on stage and commanded sternly, “You all, get down. Call the young lady to come and perform.”
Long Yu paused with his teacup in hand and glanced at Yao Jin.
“When did Magistrate Yao get a daughter?”
Seeing he had finally piqued Long Yu’s interest, Yao Jin was thrilled and excitedly replied, “She’s my adopted daughter. She admires you deeply after hearing of your great military achievements, General,. Hence, she has prepared a dance to present to you.”
“Oh.”
After Long Yu responded, he didn’t say much more and withdrew his gaze from Yao Jin, calmly continuing to sip his tea.
Shortly after, the sound of a pipa began to play. Everyone at the banquet was attracted by the melodious sound and looked up to see a fair-faced woman in white, holding a pipa and walking gracefully forward.
Seeing the woman in white, most of the people present showed looks of amazement, especially Yao Cheng and Yao Jia. The two brothers stared at her, their eyes full of desire.
The woman in white was none other than Yan Shujing. She always liked to dress herself in white, portraying an image of purity.
As she stepped into the banquet, she raised her brows and shyly glanced at Long Yu, who was sitting in the center, then bowed gently with her pipa, “Shujing greets General Zhan, Doctor Murong, and father.”
Long Yu glanced at her, finding her somewhat familiar but couldn’t recall where he had seen her. When she mentioned her name, he remembered that she was from the Yan family. She had accompanied Old Master Yan to Big Sister Peak to trouble that boy last night.
“You’re from the Yan family?”
A cool voice sounded above her. Yan Shujing slightly raised her head to meet a pair of cold eyes, causing her heart to skip in fright.
Realizing that Long Yu seemed displeased, she quickly explained, “Indeed, I am from the Yan family, but I have never bullied cousin Xiaosi. Last night, I was compelled to go to Big Sister Peak with them, and I didn’t say a single word of blame towards cousin Xiaosi.”
At that moment, she felt a wave of relief.
It was fortunate that she hadn’t criticized Yan Xiaosi last night.
Long Yu then shifted his cold gaze away from her.
“Stand up.”
Shujing secretly breathed a sigh of relief and stood up, turning slightly towards Yao Jin, “Father, I have prepared a pipa dance for the General.”
“Very good, very good, very good,” Yao Jin said three times in a row, instructing Shujing to perform.
The melodious sound of the pipa started again, and Shujing danced gracefully while playing the pipa. Her dance moves matched perfectly with the melody, her white dress fluttering with the wind, subtly exuding charm. It was indeed quite exceptional.
Even Yao Jin watched with wide eyes, his expression filled with longing.
She truly was a gem cultivated by the Yan family.
After the dance, Murong Qinjian couldn’t help but clap loudly.
“Excellent. Beautiful woman, beautiful pipa music, and beautiful dance. Truly a jewel in Magistrate Yao’s hand.”
Yao Jin quickly picked up on Murong’s words, smiling broadly, “Since Doctor Murong appreciates my daughter’s pipa music so much, how about I have her go to the east wing to play a piece for the General and Doctor Murong after the banquet?”
