The Red Bride - Chapter 39

The Empress Dowager looked approvingly at the young girl. While the plan of getting Hu Feng to marry Yu Yue has been stalled, this young girl still has many uses left. Despite the rumors that swirled around the Yu family, if Yu Yue can perform exceptionally well at this party then it would wash away the dirt from the Yu family’s name.

After all, rumors are just rumors, and this young maiden has the ideal package: status, beauty, and talent. From her friendship with Mu Qing to her extraordinary dancing, Yu Yue can still marry into one of the higher families, thus giving the Empress Dowager even more backing and money. Seeing the boys gauging, Yu Yue had a sense relief raised in her heart. At least she can still do this much for her family.

Mu Qing nodded and waved her hand for the music to start. Instead of a whole ensemble of instruments, only the refreshing melody of the flute blended in with the gentle spring breeze. Yu Yue was light on her feet, and every move flowed easily. She wasn’t powerful nor flowing, however she flew gently in the air. The Empress Dowager looked on with her nose in the air. This performance was normally performed by males, but her niece gave song an extra dimension by adding her femininity. The song was a famous solo flute piece that plays between the ranges of lows and highs to capture the nature of the wind.

It was at times strong and rough, and others, gentle and warm. To match it, Yu Yue moved at times moved gentle as she flips into the air, and others she moved rigidly and harshly, cutting the air around her. The audience stared in awe and jealousy. They were stunned by her grace and flexibility. The piece “Wind” required a lot of physical abilities and strength, and yet a thin girl like Yu Yue could perform it.

The last note faded into the air, like a wisp of smoke, and the audience roared with applause. Mu Qing clapped politely, yet her eyes never swayed away from the plates in front of her. Yu Yue looked longingly at Mu Qing. The Empress Dowager looked at Yu Yue then at Mu Qing, and her eyes darkened.

“Yue’er is indeed very talented! Aja thinks you deserve a reward, what do you think Qing’er?”

Mu Qing smiled at the old woman’s words, and nodded her little head. She looked at Yu Yue, who was still standing in the middle of the meadow, and complinted, “Miss Yu is truly a model for any daughters. It would be my honor to present such a talent the Cooling Jade Bracelet.” Just as Mu Qing motioned for the bracelet to be bought, a haughty voice disturbed the harmonious atmosphere.

“Miss Yu is indeed such a rare talent only found in Kingdom of Do. Brother, we must tell our dancers that to improve their skills before Miss Yu catches up,” bright eyes filled with disgust bored straight into Yu Yue’s, a flower like mouth hooked into a smirked, and her stance was full of arrogance.

Mu Qing looked at Yu Chun swaggerly approaching the surprisingly calm Yu Yue. She almost gave into temptation and rolled her eyes, while the Empress Dowager discreetly glared at the incoming siblings. The meaning of those words, who can not see? The beautifully dressed nobles all looked at the newcomers with a great mix of emotions. Some were lustful, and others hateful. Despite it all, they all knew a great play was about to start.

Yu Chun twirled her dress before bowing to the Empress Dowager, “May the Empress Dowager live a hundred years!” While Yu Xi cupped his hands together to pay respect for both Mu QIng and the Empress Dowager.

The old woman really did not like this haughty princess whatsoever, however this idiot was still very useful. Idiots like these are much easier to control then someone with brains. The only one she feared between the two was Yu Xi. He has a seemingly easy personality, making him look like he was under Yu Chun’s thumb. Yet, she could not see through him and a feeling of restlessness rose whenever she looked at him.

Yu Xi excused himself to a table on the side, while his sister looked at the young dancer up and down. Yu Yun could not understand why the women in Do were so supar compared to her own kingdom. From Yu Yue to Mu Qing, they were just another pebble on the road. She definitely has more talent in her little pinky toe than Yu Yue has in her whole body.

The little beads of crystals caught the sunlight and twinkled as Yu Chun twirled around and bowed to the Empress Dowager once more. Her words were sweet as honey.

“As a convoy from Yan, I wish to dedicate this dance to Your Highness, wishing you many more years of happiness.”

Mu Qing leisurely ate the rest of her food without a care, while Yu Yue just retreated back into her seat. Who wouldn’t want to see a clown dance?