Chapter 59: Peerless Beauty
Ye Li wasn’t the only one who felt this way. The moment the music began, Xiao Shao, sitting alone by the window, raised a brow slightly, his gaze settling on the solitary girl playing the instrument.
After the first few passages, Jiang Ruan slowly began to move. Her crimson robes fluttered like a malevolent spirit that had fallen into the mortal realm—the most wicked, yet the most beautiful. Spinning, rising on tiptoe, lifting her arms, kicking her feet. Every motion was graceful, every movement captivating, so vivid and alluring that it was impossible to look away. The crowd gradually set aside their earlier disdain, unable to conceal the astonishment in their eyes.
It was the sorrow of decades of endurance—the premature loss of her mother and brother, leaving her utterly alone in the world. It was her father eagerly replacing the palace scroll with her portrait, sending her into the unfathomable depths of the imperial harem. It was the lover she once believed warm and devoted ascending the throne, only for her to be branded the nation-destroying enchantress. It was her stepsister turning her into a human pig, forcing her to watch as her young child was tormented to death in despair.
Her dance was steeped in sorrow, as if she might vanish with the wind at any moment. Somehow, it evoked scenes of desolation in the hearts of the onlookers, and gradually, some found their eyes stinging with unshed tears.
After the slow, mournful movements, the tempo of the flute suddenly quickened, like the thunderous charge of armored horses across the battlefield, carrying a blood-soaked ferocity. Her movements abruptly accelerated, so fast that the audience could barely follow, seeing only flashes of crimson like blood, stunningly beautiful under the moonlight. The music surged, each note a wail. It was the pain of utmost sorrow transformed into bone-deep hatred, the vengeful ghost crawling out of hell to claim the lives of those who owed her. It was the ruthless determination to spare no evildoer, the icy detachment of one who would stand atop the summit and look down upon the masses.
The moonlight shone brightly upon her delicate, snow-like face. Her eyes burned with an eerie brilliance, devoid of any warmth, filled only with bone-chilling indifference and mockery. Like an asura, yet also like a deity. Like an enchantress, reigning supreme over all.
The music of vengeance played on, the dance of vengeance continued. The performance had already left the audience breathless with dread—never had they seen someone dance so beautifully, so terrifyingly. It was as though she were the very subject of the song, driven by hatred to seek revenge, willing to pay any price, even if it meant dragging others down to hell with her. Her life, it seemed, was spent with reckless abandon—this was an enchantress born for vengeance alone.
Whispers of lovers, entwined in love and hate.
Suddenly, the tune shifts—bold and grand, a warrior charging into battle.
Like rootless clouds and willow catkins, adrift across the vast heavens.
Amid the clamor of a hundred birds, a lone phoenix soars.
Climbing inch by inch, only to plummet from the heights.
I have two ears, yet never truly heard such music before.
Since hearing Master Ying’s playing, I rise and sit in awe.
Pushing my hands to stop him, my robes soaked with tears.
Master Ying, your skill is unmatched—do not set ice and fire in my heart!
As the final note faded, the crimson robes swirling in the wind suddenly stilled. She tilted her head back, her cascading black hair gleaming like silk under the moonlight, her face bewitching as a demon’s. Her alluring eyes swept faintly over Jiang Susu’s figure before she raised a hand and mimed slitting her own throat. Jiang Susu stiffened. Jiang Ruan smiled sweetly.
That smile was like the sudden blooming of spring flowers across the Da Jin Dynasty, so breathtakingly beautiful that to gaze upon it felt almost sacrilegious.
The handsome man in dark robes raised a brow slightly, his long lashes veiling the profound meaning in his eyes.She stood quietly at the bow of the boat, as if she didn't belong to this world. For a moment, everyone fell silent, utterly enchanted.
The young gentlemen on the Evergreen Pine Boat were already spellbound, murmuring, "To think such peerless beauty exists in this world. Having seen her today, I could die without regret."
Jiang Susu sat rigidly inside the cabin, her face darkening. The delicate smile that usually graced her features twisted into something ugly. Jiang Li also clenched her fists tightly, grinding her teeth until they nearly shattered.
The Fifth Prince's lips parted slightly, a flash of greed in his eyes: "She's every bit as beautiful as Second Miss Jiang..."
Ye Li wore a complicated expression. For some reason, he felt deeply drawn to this girl and longed to step closer to see her clearly.
The silence lasted a full quarter-hour before the young master from the Garrison General's Residence on the Evergreen Pine Boat finally exclaimed loudly: "Peerless in both beauty and talent—she could well be called the foremost beauty of the capital!"
Jiang Ruan turned her head and gave him a grateful smile. Stunned by her radiant beauty, the young master blushed, his gaze instantly becoming infatuated.
Hearing this, Jiang Susu's expression turned even uglier. She couldn't understand—how could Jiang Ruan, who had lived in a rural manor without any tutors, dance so exquisitely? And when had she prepared those paired hairpins? Jiang Susu had always prided herself on her talents, but even she had to admit she couldn't match Jiang Ruan's performance. Moreover, with the boat rocking so much, how had Jiang Ruan remained so steady without even stumbling?
Jiang Susu would never know that in her past life, Jiang Ruan had often been bullied by favored concubines in the palace for lacking imperial favor, forced to dance at their birthday celebrations. The endless practice—dancing on the edge of a blade—was something she could never forget, even after rebirth. If she could dance on the palm of a hand, what was a rocking boat to her?
The crowd erupted in agreement, their praises for Jiang Ruan far exceeding those Jiang Susu usually received. People always favored novelty. Jiang Susu was undoubtedly talented, but she had monopolized the title of the capital's top talented maiden for years. Combined with her perpetually innocent, fairy-like demeanor, the sudden appearance of a completely different, alluring Jiang family eldest daughter meant that even a slightly outstanding performance from Jiang Ruan would draw everyone's attention.
While the men showered her with compliments, the women's expressions soured. With Jiang Susu already in the Jiang family, and now Jiang Ruan as well, wouldn't all the capital's eligible bachelors be bewitched by these two?
When Jiang Ruan returned to her seat, Lin Zixiang remarked, "So you can dance too. I'll have to view you in a new light."
Zhao Jin and Wen Feifei, being straightforward, nodded: "You really dazzled us. But that whistling was amazing—could you teach us?"
"When I lived at the manor, we had no musical instruments. I just whistled to pass the time," Jiang Ruan explained. The reasonable explanation made people regard her with more sympathy.
Dong Yinger studied her: "But why did you choose 'Guangling San'? Most noble ladies wouldn't pick such a piece for today's occasion."
Jiang Ruan smiled. "It's the only one I know."
Xu Ruoxi had turned pale, keeping her head bowed in silence. Everyone knew she was upset but pretended not to notice to spare her embarrassment.The performances by the subsequent noble ladies were merely going through the motions. After Jiang Ruan's breathtaking Guangling Dance, these lackluster routines felt utterly dull and uninspiring.
This year's Lantern Festival saw an unexpected dark horse emerge from the Jiang family. Everyone assumed the Rabbit Lantern would undoubtedly fall into Jiang Ruan's hands. On the Evergreen Pine Boat, the topic of conversation shifted from the usual Jiang Susu to today's Jiang Ruan.
After the performances, it was time for everyone to gather at the bow of the boat and release Festive Lanterns into the river. These lanterns, exquisitely crafted, were to be filled with handwritten notes by the young masters and ladies before being personally pushed into the water.
(End of Chapter)
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