Changxi Dances Beneath the Moon
Working in Xingqing Palace was far easier than the drudgery of the Needlework Bureau. There were no endless chores—just ensuring everything for the Noble Consort was in order.
Xue Yunrong herself had plenty of leisure time. With no empress or dowager breathing down her neck, her days were free and easy. She played leaf games, rehearsed songs and dances with her maids, and occasionally met other consorts, though their bonds seemed shallow.
These rehearsals might appear ordinary, but they were Xue Yunrong's most vital pursuit. Emperor Ji Xuan had favored her exclusively for eight years, and beyond her breathtaking beauty that could topple nations, her unparalleled songs and dances played no small part.
A master of music with a voice as clear and ethereal as a lark's, Xue Yunrong had composed her own Changxi Dances Beneath the Moon, which Ji Xuan had praised effusively: "Sublime! Hearing it feels like soaring on ethereal winds, distant from the mortal realm."
To match the melody, she invented a unique dance. In slow sections, her slender waist paused delicately, like trembling cassia branches; in fast ones, her skirts swirled like a full moon stirring the breeze. It was called the "Moon Dance."
Though whispers called it the work of a mere songstress, Xue Yunrong knew exactly where her position came from. She practiced diligently every day.
Li Ye had long heard of it but never had the chance to witness it—until today.
Xue Yunrong led her maids, her red lips parting softly:
"A maiden bathes in moonlight, melting softly from the clouds."
Li Ye's heart jolted. He hadn't expected such a seductively alluring consort to possess a voice so otherworldly, like echoes from the heavens, stirring an irresistible anticipation.
"Yin and yang flicker apart, orchids and angelica yet to bloom..."
"..."
With the maids' harmonies, Li Ye truly felt what Ji Xuan described—that ethereal, unearthly sensation. After five years here, it was his first taste of music's true allure.
Then the instruments swelled. Xue Yunrong moved gracefully, her lithe form unfolding like a painting: sleeves fluttering with endless fragrance, lotus stems swaying in autumn mist.
Just then, lost in her enchanting dance, Li Ye spotted the emperor's figure at the door. He moved to bow, but Ji Xuan waved him off with a smile, watching Xue Yunrong intently.
Only after the dance ended did Ji Xuan stride in, laughing heartily. "Yunrong, practicing again?"
Xue Yunrong took an embroidered handkerchief from a maid to dab her fragrant sweat, turning with a mix of surprise and playful reproach. "Your Majesty sneaks in without a word? Just to catch me off guard?"
Ji Xuan roared with laughter. "It's been too long since I last saw your dance—I was utterly entranced."
She handed the handkerchief to a maid, pouting coquettishly. "Your Majesty avoids coming, yet accuses me of reluctance to dance for you. I won't stand for it."
At that moment, Xue Yunrong seemed purely innocent, far from a woman nearing thirty. Only a trace of natural allure inevitably peeked from her brow and eyes.
Ji Xuan chuckled reassuringly. "I've been swamped lately. Now that I have a moment, here I am."
Her brief complaint appeased, she didn't press further. Instead, she beamed proudly at him. "Your Majesty arrived just in time. I've composed a new piece—care to critique it?"
"Oh? A new one?" Ji Xuan's interest piqued. Music and dance were among his greatest passions; a fresh composition naturally stirred him.
"But only one section," Xue Yunrong said with a coy, mysterious smile.
"Just one? So stingy, my dear?" Ji Xuan played along.
"It's for Your Majesty's birthday. I poured my heart into it—can't spoil the whole thing now."
Ji Xuan grinned. "Hahaha, that only makes me more eager. One section it is—let's hear it!"
She gave quick instructions, and soon the music began: zither and flute soaring, subtle drums and se throbbing beneath. The melody was gorgeously eerie, laced with martial menace.
When it ended, Ji Xuan's eyes narrowed in savoring aftertaste. After a long pause, he laughed heartily, clapping. "Excellent—truly excellent. Fresh and brilliant, with undertones of slaughter, like the eve of great battle."
Now seated beside him, Xue Yunrong smiled. "Your Majesty's genius hears it all too easily. But can you guess the section's name?"
Ji Xuan stroked his beard thoughtfully, murmuring, "Hidden yet poised, veiled yet clear—war looms. Drums rumble faintly, konghou drifts freely, the sound quite bewitching..."
A smile tugged his lips. His eyes brightened as he gazed at her confidently. "This section—is it called Demon Rise?"
"Impossible!" Xue Yunrong feigned shock, turning sharply to the lead musician. "Master Zhang, did you tell His Majesty the name?"
The woman dropped to her knees in panic. "My lady, it wasn't me... You haven't even told us the name yet..."
Ji Xuan shook his head with a chuckle. "Rise, she's just teasing. No name yet, right?"
Xue Yunrong giggled flirtatiously, pouting. "But Your Majesty is so impressive. How'd you know it's about subjugating the demon clans?"
Ji Xuan boomed with laughter. "Think you can hide that from me?"
"Fine, fine—Your Majesty is wise and mighty. Happy?" She stuck out her tongue.
Ji Xuan smiled. "Great piece. What's the full name?"
"Son of Heaven Shatters Demons. You guessed it—why ask me?"
"Son of Heaven Shatters Demons? Yunrong, I can't wait for the whole thing." Seeing her genuine delight, Ji Xuan's heart swelled with satisfaction. Leading a hundred thousand troops to crush the demons and drive them into the vast mountains was his proudest feat.
Now immortalized not just in histories, but in song across the realm—how could he not be pleased?
"Don't rush, Your Majesty. It's for your birthday."
"Very well—I'll await it eagerly."
...
After dinner, Ji Xuan led Gao Gonggong straight to Xingqing Palace's bedchamber. The eunuch stood guard outside, while Xue Yunrong—fresh from her bath—took Li Ye and a maid toward the side hall.
In the side hall, Li Ye voiced his confusion. "My lady..."
The maid, Ziyin, Xue Yunrong's personal attendant, smiled. "First day here, Supervisor Li must be puzzled."
"Indeed—please enlighten me, Miss Ziyin."
"These past two or three years, His Majesty has been focused on cultivation. Nothing to fuss over."
Cultivation? Li Ye wondered. Can't that be done by day? How long does it even take? Or has he lost his vigor...?
He kept his malicious thoughts internal, asking aloud, "Cultivation? Is His Majesty aiming for the 7th Realm?"
"Ahem." Xue Yunrong coughed lightly, her expression cool. "Don't pry into His Majesty's affairs. Mind your manners."
To Ziyin: "Wait in the outer room. I need a word with Supervisor Li."
"Yes." Ziyin bowed and withdrew.
Even the side hall had several rooms. With the inner door closed, Li Ye whispered, "This Ziyin..."
Xue Yunrong shook her head softly. "Don't know. But she's been with me since I entered the palace."
"Her family?"
"Ordinary folk from Qingzhou. Parents alive, two younger brothers."
"Nothing unusual, then. Yet you distrust her, sister?" Li Ye found it odd. Nine years at her side, and still?
Xue Yunrong smiled faintly. "If you were me, would you trust a beauty content to remain just a maid?"
"By your side, she'd seem ordinary anyway." Ziyin was pretty, only a shade less stunning than Xue Yunrong—a rare beauty herself.
Xue Yunrong's lips curved, her foxy eyes glancing sidelong at him with flowing charm. "I offered her a consort title once. She insisted on staying with me. Either she's scheming, or aiming to leap straight to the top. The overly ambitious? I can't trust."
Li Ye's gaze flickered. "But don't I want to stay by your side too? You trust me?"
She smiled radiantly, eyes laden with meaning. "Think I don't know your ambitions?"
His heart tightened, but he laughed lightly. "What do you think I'm after, sister?"
Her face teasing, her exquisite, seductive features drew closer inch by inch. Softly: "Yes... what are you after? Forsaking Shangqing Sword Sect to be my little eunuch."
Thoughts raced through Li Ye's mind in an instant. He chose: head bowed, voice tinged with anger and shyness. "My lady... don't you trust me?"
Her slender finger lifted his chin, those soul-stealing foxy eyes locking on. "Then... tell your sister what you're plotting, so I can trust you."
Staring at the temptingly close Xue Yunrong, Li Ye's mind whirled. Amid the chaos, inspiration struck.
Life-Extension Pill!
She didn't care about loyalty—only how the Yan Shou Dan would secure her the empress throne. This interrogation? Just to confirm his motives, to ease her mind.
Why? Love?
No hesitation now. Eyes on her alluring red lips, he kissed her. Tianmo Jiuxiang stirred silently, ready to flee if needed.
Her lips were soft, sweet as candied honey.
Xue Yunrong stared at him greedily suckling her lips, mind blanking in shock. Only after moments did she shove him away, a flush crossing her face. Glaring furiously, she hissed through gritted teeth: "Such audacity."
She knew he was bold—but not this bold. Shock and anger mingled with fear. This was a capital crime, clan-exterminating. Ziyin was just outside—if discovered, not just him, but her too would die.
Shoved back, Li Ye panicked, nearly activating Inch-and-Mile Step. Seeing no scream or further move, he relaxed. Composing himself stubbornly: "Didn't sister ask what I want? Now you know."
"Seeking death?" Though she'd half-expected it, not like this. Closeness was fine—for a eunuch.
But an affair? Unthinkable, forbidden—especially with a eunuch.
Li Ye stood firm, defiant. "Kill me then, sister. No regrets."
Xue Yunrong drew a deep breath. She truly couldn't kill him now. If the pill failed without him, forget empress—even her consort position might crumble.
Frustration burned: a mere eunuch disrespecting her, and she powerless. Life-Extension Pill... once I have it... But... he'd risk death for her. Useful to keep.
Composing herself, she exhaled softly. "Never again. Discovery means death for us both."
Li Ye grinned foolishly. "Not mad anymore, sister?"
She rolled her eyes playfully. "Who said I'm not? You're lawless—needs a lesson."
"As long as you trust me."
"Fine, I trust you. Just no more stupidity."
"Impulse. Won't happen again."
"Now, business." She shot him a glance, settling on the couch.
"If you distrust Ziyin, why not dismiss her?"
Xue Yunrong shrugged. "In this palace, who besides you can I trust?"
"Then make her truly yours."
"How?" She reclined lazily, eyeing him sidelong.
Li Ye approached, kneeling to massage her calf gently. "You said her parents and brothers are alive?"
No reaction; she let him continue, drawling lazily. "What're you scheming?"
"Whoever she serves, control her family—she'll be yours." No stockings today; her jade legs were sleek and toned, impossible to stop touching.
"Think I need telling?" She chuckled lightly.
"What do you mean?"
His hand slid down, easing off her silk stocking to reveal a lotus-root ankle and foot, still scented from the bath. He lifted it slightly higher.
"Her father and brothers already work for my household."
"Then..." Li Ye was baffled.
She shook her head with a soft laugh. "Lesson for you, little brother: in the palace, abandoning wives and children, scorning kin—it's commonplace. What you see as a weakness might be bait they want you to take."
Li Ye froze, cold sweat beading. His massaging hands stilled. Was this a warning, or true confidence? He bowed his head. "Thanks for the wisdom, sister."
"Think I see people as too wicked?"
"No... just didn't expect it." He looked up with a dry laugh.
Her dainty toes tapped his lips playfully. "You're still green, little one. Ziyin was sold into the palace young, served me for years—never begged aid for her family, never sent money home. How much affection do you think she has left?"
That light touch sent Li Ye's heart racing. He licked his brushed lips before replying. "My thinking was shallow."