To ensure a good view of the flowing sleeves and graceful movements of the Xi family on the outside stage, the door to the private room was left open. The stage in the center of the first-floor lobby was almost level with the second floor, allowing people on all three floors to comfortably enjoy the performance. After saying a few polite words on stage, Xiao Dingdian left, and the servants went up to set up the stage.
"Jue Xiao, have you ever seen the Xi family's flowing sleeves and graceful movements before?"
Prince Yi, Yang Yin, asked with a smile.
Only Fang Jie and his companion were in the room; Yang Yin's attendants stood on either side of the doorway. He was a regular at the Hongxiu Pavilion, so the other guests knew that the private room on the second floor was reserved for Prince Yi. Seeing Fang Jie enter, the crowd couldn't help but feel a sense of感慨 (gan3kai3, a complex feeling of mixed emotions, including admiration and awe).
It was said that Fang Jie had risen to prominence overnight. A lowly soldier from the Fan Gu border army, he had achieved excellent results in nine subjects of the Martial Arts Academy examination, gaining not only the Emperor's favor but also attracting the attention of many high-ranking officials who began to court this talented young man from humble beginnings. It has been said that the court ten years from now might resemble Fang Jie's court. Just like Huai Qiu Gong, before retiring to the position of Minister of Rites, who held the highest position among court officials for a full twenty years.
He only requested to retire to his hometown after the Emperor ascended the throne, citing his advanced age. The Emperor refused, and despite Huai Qiu Gong's repeated insistence, he was merely reassigned as Minister of Rites, not removed from the court. It should be noted that before the Emperor's ascension, the late Emperor's reliance on Huai Qiu Gong was already astounding.
Many court decrees were issued by Huai Qiu Gong, not the late Emperor, who placed unwavering trust in him.
The Sui Dynasty did not have a prime minister; officials from the three departments shared the prime minister's powers. However, during Huai Qiu Gong's most glorious twenty years, although not the prime minister, he wielded the power of one. All civil and military officials were subordinate to him, and many matters were reported to Huai Qiu Gong first, then to the late Emperor. Such trust is rarely seen from any emperor throughout history.
Those who gain the trust of an emperor and are granted immense power often meet with a bad end. Huaiqiu Gong's wisdom lay in relinquishing all his power immediately after the new emperor ascended the throne, willingly stepping down. This saved him considerable trouble. The emperor didn't have to take action against him to reclaim power, and he enjoyed a good ending. His reputation as a veteran official of three reigns remained excellent, undoubtedly the best outcome for him.
Some say that people become more power-hungry with age, making Huaiqiu Gong's timely withdrawal at the most crucial moment all the more commendable.
Huaiqiu Gong was a model of being promoted by Emperor Zhenzong, while Fang Jie is a model being promoted by the current emperor. Before Fang Jie truly rises to prominence, it's best to cultivate relationships and build ties; the effort required will likely yield surprising rewards in the future.
Even Prince Yi, Yang Yin, actively seeks his favor; who can deny this young man's bright future?
Many harbor jealousy, but that won't dampen their excitement at witnessing the fleeting beauty of power. Fang Jie's life revolved around entering Prince Yi's private room, while their lives consisted of standing below, gazing up at the stage. Fang Jie always said he was a small figure standing at the foot of the mountain, looking up at the clouds, but now, quietly, in the eyes of those below, he had already left the foot of the mountain and stepped onto the mountainside.
Fang Jie looked at the servants outside, who were busily setting up the stage, and humbly replied, "Your Highness, this student is indeed fortunate enough to see Master Xi's flowing sleeve dance for the first time. I am deeply grateful for Your Highness's favor; otherwise, I would not have had this privilege."
Yang Yin waved his hand and smiled, "You don't need to thank me… This is also my first time seeing flowing sleeve dance. When Hongxiuzhao opened, I asked Xi Huamei for an opportunity to invite Master Xi to perform the flowing sleeve dance, but I am reluctant to use this opportunity lightly. I always feel that to truly enjoy this most exquisite dance in the world, one needs someone who can appreciate it as much as I do."
"I originally thought of inviting Elder Huai to enjoy it with me. But upon closer reflection, Elder Huai is so old, where…" "What's the point of appreciating a beautiful woman's captivating dance? After much thought, I realize I can't share it with a companion. But today, by chance, I've encountered you, and I immediately felt I could use this one and only opportunity. Even if I never have the chance to see your dance again, I won't regret it."
Fang Jie quickly rose and bowed, saying, "This student is humbled; how can I bear such praise from Your Highness?"
Yang Yin said, "Sit down and talk. If there are so many formalities and rules to watch a dance and listen to music in this red-sleeved pavilion, how boring would that be? I'm straightforward and frank; I don't like those annoying formalities. We're here to have fun. Don't treat me like a prince; I only see you as a friend, isn't that good?"
"How could this student dare to offend you?"
Fang Jie replied politely. Yang Yin's expression darkened slightly. "Young people should be carefree when they should be. Being bound by social status and etiquette is petty. If I were like you, would I have to speak in such a formal and archaic manner even in a casual conversation?"
Fang Jie couldn't help but smile. "I understand, but I'm afraid that my poor manners might spoil Your Highness's enjoyment of the dance. I come from a humble background and haven't seen much of the world, so I'm inevitably a little reserved."
"Juexiao, you're a good young man in every way. You have drive..." "You are resilient, know when to advance and retreat, and understand hierarchy... You will naturally have a place in the future court. Although I am not in court, I am still much older than you and have seen and heard more than you, more than many others. So if you are willing, you are welcome to visit my residence more often. I like young people like you and hope that the Sui Dynasty will have more people like you to serve the court and His Majesty. Therefore, I will not be stingy with any guidance I can offer."
Fang Jie's heart stirred slightly, thinking that they had finally gotten to the point.
He quickly bowed his head and said, "This student will certainly need to trouble Your Highness in the future."
Hearing Fang Jie's words, Prince Yi, Yang Yin, couldn't help but laugh: "Good, very good... I knew you were a person who knew when to advance and retreat and understood the times. I was right."
...
...
As the two were talking, they suddenly heard two drumbeats outside. Prince Yi, Yang Yin, smiled and pointed outside, saying, "Sitting here, we can't see clearly. How about we watch from the railing?"
"Yes, sir."
Fang Jie stood up, making way for Yang Yin to go out first, and followed him out of the private room. The two stood side by side on the second floor, holding onto the railing, looking at the stage. In folk games, the opening gong and the closing drum are used, but the Red Sleeve Dance is the opposite: a few powerful drumbeats at the beginning, and a clear gong at the end.
"On the battlefield, drums are used to advance, and gongs to retreat... Although the Red Sleeve Dance is mostly performed by women, their actions exude a solemn and rigorous style. Even a dance is performed with such seriousness and propriety; how can it not be popular?"
Yang Yin praised the drumbeats, his eyes full of admiration.
Fang Jie had known about the Red Sleeve Dance's drumming tradition for a long time, but had never associated it with the sounds of drums and gongs on the battlefield. People say Prince Yi, Yang Yin, is a refined person, and it seems that's mostly true. For the past ten years, Yang Yin's reputation for elegance and refinement had spread throughout Chang'an, always revealing a genuine nature within him.
As the drumbeats faded, twelve women in long red dresses took the stage first. All twelve were young women of sixteen or seventeen, with slender waists and long legs, gracefully ascending the stage like ethereal fairies, lining up on either side. After they were in position, three more drumbeats sounded, followed by music. Using some unknown method, thick white smoke suddenly rose from the steps leading up to the stage, like floating clouds, the melodious music transforming the hall into a celestial palace.
All the guests held their breath, their eyes wide, waiting for the appearance of this peerless beauty.
As the music began, amidst the floating clouds, the woman, barefoot and dressed in a flowing purple dress, walked slowly, her lotus feet lightly stepping as she ascended the steps as if gracefully ascending. Though clearly a dancer, she possessed an ethereal purity, truly like a celestial being descended to earth.
No one cheered, for everyone feared spoiling the celestial atmosphere. At this moment, whether truly refined or truly common, all were intently watching the graceful figure, as if floating onto a stage. Her mere appearance was unforgettable.
"Thin sweat, light clothes revealing porcelain skin, a willow-like waist, beautiful eyes. A rainbow-hued dress suddenly enters, dancing gracefully, red and white added skillfully."
Yang Yin, leaning on the railing, couldn't help but praise the woman. It might not be considered a beautiful poem, but Fang Jie knew he couldn't write one on his own. Such impromptu poetry was something only a true poet could do. Fang Jie considered himself a rough man, far from the realm of a true poet.
The beauty of a candle wick is the kind that even a rogue would feel pity for. If a woman can cleanse the soul of others simply with her appearance, then she has received the greatest blessing from heaven.
Up to this point, in Fang Jie's eyes, the only woman comparable to Xi Zhuxin was Mo Ningzhi, whose behavior had become increasingly bewitching. When Fang Jie first saw Mo Ningzhi, he was utterly captivated, always feeling that no one could surpass her in pure innocence. But after she entered Chang'an, she shattered Fang Jie's good impression; she exuded a bewitching aura in everything she did. Especially today, standing in front of Fang Jie's shop, Fang Jie even felt that she was the infamous Daji, the woman who brought ruin to the country.
A single dance, long sleeves fluttering, startling even the immortals.
Who could witness this flowing, flowery sleeve dance? Their life would be without regret. Fang Jie was unlike anyone else in this era; he had seen countless beautiful things on television. Yet even so, the shock he felt upon first seeing Xi Zhuxin dance the Flowing Clouds was far greater than the shock he felt upon first seeing the Thousand-Hand Guanyin on television.
"Golden goblets and fine wine, lively conversation, zither and flute in hand, reclining amidst the pine-covered curtains, a hazy, tipsy state, a beautiful woman moves lightly, a purple-clad dancer, exquisite beauty within the palace… Guards, present her with a gift!"
Yang Yin seemed to be in an exceptionally good mood, even composing a nonsensical, incoherent poem.
He laughed and said, "To reward her with gold and silver would be to disrespect Master Xi's unparalleled dance."
After a moment's thought, he untied the jade pendant from his waist and said, "This was something I obtained from His Majesty when I visited the palace recently. It's a piece of jade from the Western Regions, of superior quality, and having come from the palace, it's something His Majesty often handles. Outside, it's priceless. Guards, deliver this to the young master, and tell him it's a gift of gratitude from me to Master Xi."
The attendant in blue robes and a small hat quickly stepped forward, took the pendant with both hands, and hurried away.
"Was I generous enough?"
Yang Yin asked Fang Jie with a smile. Fang Jie said, "Since His Highness has already bestowed gifts, those who follow will likely have nothing of note to offer."
Yang Yin laughed heartily, "Many people are simply unable to let go. They hold onto what they perceive as precious and are unwilling to relinquish it. Little do they know that today's precious possessions pale in comparison to tomorrow's splendor and prosperity. Only by letting go of some things can one gain more and more beautiful things. If one's vision remains fixed on what's immediately in front of them, how can they foresee the next three years?"
"Jue Xiao, do you agree with what I've said?"
He squinted at Fang Jie and asked.
Fang Jie sighed inwardly, finally understanding something. However… he would avoid such court intrigues as far as possible, even if he guessed it, it would only bring a sense of desolation and resentment. He hadn't yet understood why Prince Yi, with his noble status, was so eager to win him over. But after carefully considering Yang Yin's previous words and thinking about the most important matters at hand… everything suddenly became clear.
Some things were as sharp as knives; Fang Jie dared not touch them now.
"You can't touch it either."
"This student is short-sighted and can't see as far as Your Highness can see. If I can see three feet in front of me, I've already made considerable progress."
Fang Jie smiled: "If you could also see three feet behind you... then your merit would be complete."