The beauty captivates the city.

A Beauty Overwhelms the City

Ye Qianran’s lips curled into an unconscious smile, her eyes glittering as she tapped her folding fan against her palm. She asked, “Sister, what do you think of this dance?”

Meng Lanyi smiled lightly and simply replied, “The dance is good, but the skill is not yet perfected. More practice is needed,” and then refused to say another word.

Ye Qianran nodded in agreement. The girl’s movements were beautiful, but she clearly had not fully grasped the essence; she was merely following diagrams.

Several more young women took the stage one after another. Their performances were all impressive, yet none could be called truly masterful or refined to perfection. Ye Qianran felt a faint disappointment, her anticipation growing for Gu Qingcheng’s appearance. Glancing around, she noticed that men on either side of the stage, from fresh-faced youths barely coming of age to silver-haired elders in their seventies or eighties, were all beaming with flushed faces, waving and stamping in excitement. Ye Qianran shook her head in disappointment. To think they were so easily satisfied with such performances—she could only imagine the sensation caused by Gu Qingcheng’s legendary “Celestial Maiden Descends” three years ago. It was a pity she had not witnessed it herself.

She lifted her gaze to the second floor, where occasionally someone would poke their head out from a private room to say a few words, the faces behind the curtains blurred and indistinct. Suddenly, her eyes caught a familiar figure: Ye An, leaning out to speak with a servant at the door. Ye Qianran’s heart jolted. She hurriedly glanced at Meng Lanyi beside her; fortunately, her elder sister had not noticed. Breathing a sigh of relief, she silently scolded her brother for his lack of consideration—enjoying such an event without inviting her, leaving her to stand here with aching back and legs while he lounged in a private room, attended to and carefree. The more she thought about it, the more indignant she felt. But… was he here as well? At the thought, Ye Qianran’s eyes dimmed, but she quickly composed herself, silently comforting herself, “It doesn’t matter. Tonight, you’re here to watch the dances—be happy. Don’t dwell on unhappy things.” The self-consolation worked; as she dwelled on it, her spirits lifted. Tugging at Meng Lanyi’s sleeve, she whispered, “Sister, my stomach feels a little uncomfortable. I’d like to visit the restroom.”

Meng Lanyi saw her clutching her stomach and looking quite unwell, and asked with concern, “Shall I accompany you?”

Ye Qianran quickly shook her head. “No need—let Juanbi come with me. Sister, just wait here for me,” she said, already pulling Juanbi through the bustling crowd and disappearing from sight.

Looking back to ensure Meng Lanyi could not see her, Ye Qianran dropped her hand from her stomach, straightened up, opened her fan in a show of purpose, and strode forward with brisk steps.

Juanbi was a little confused but hurried to catch up, whispering, “Miss, aren’t we going to the restroom? Why are we heading upstairs?”

“Silly,” Ye Qianran tapped her with the closed fan and explained under her breath, “Brother is upstairs. I’m going to look for him, but I can’t let Sister Meng know, so I had to make up this excuse.”

Juanbi nodded in sudden understanding, alertly scanning their surroundings. “Miss Lanyi isn’t paying attention over here. Miss, let’s hurry upstairs.” The staircase was crowded, but Ye Qianran skillfully used the throng to shield their ascent. Once on the second floor, she found the view truly superior—she could see every movement downstairs with perfect clarity. Ye Qianran sighed in admiration at how these people truly knew how to enjoy themselves.

At that moment, Ye An was sipping tea, head lowered, when a slender, graceful hand parted the beaded curtain, and a pair of eyes glanced at him from the side. Looking up, he saw her and, startled, choked on his tea, splattering both table and clothes. Hastily, he took the handkerchief Ye Qianran offered, wiping himself off as he asked in surprise, “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at the inn?”

Ye Qianran eyed him with disdain. “I should be asking you that, Brother. How could you come here to have fun without inviting me?”

Ye An pulled her into the private room and asked in a low voice, “Did your Sister Meng come too?”

Ye Qianran nodded, tapping the table lightly with her fan as she whispered, “That’s exactly why I came to find you—I was afraid you’d run into her and ruin your image.”

Ye An laughed softly, a fleeting shadow crossing his eyes. “In truth, I wish I could run into her, but unfortunately, she doesn’t care at all.”

Ye Qianran rested her hand on her brother’s, peering into his eyes. She had always thought his relationship with Sister Meng was quite good—they ate together, traveled together, chatted together, and she’d never noticed any strife. Yet now, hearing him say this, she was puzzled. So she asked, “Did you and Sister Meng have a falling out?”

Ye An’s gaze shifted slightly as he stared at the blue-and-white porcelain cup on the table, his voice low. “You don’t understand your Sister Meng. She never bothers to be angry with me.”

Ye Qianran was stunned. After a long pause, Ye An managed a smile, though it did not reach his eyes. “What are you doing here?”

Ye Qianran glared at him. “Whatever you come here to do, I’m here for the same reason.”

Ye An chuckled. “So my little sister is also here for the Celestial Maiden Descends?”

Ye Qianran turned her gaze to the stage, where a young woman was dancing gracefully, and after a while, she asked, “I’ve heard that after Gu Qingcheng shot to fame with that dance three years ago, she never performed it again. Will she dance it tonight?”

Ye An sighed. “It’s not that she refuses, but that no one has ever passed her three challenges.”

“Oh? What do you mean?” Ye Qianran’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.

“To see her dance, you must pass three rounds. But no one has ever succeeded.”

“Not even you and Young Master Liuyun?” Ye Qianran asked.

“Last year, Liuyun and I only managed to pass two rounds together. I wonder if anyone will succeed this year,” Ye An replied, a hint of regret in his eyes. This only made Ye Qianran more curious. The capital was the heart of the former empire, filled with scholars and extraordinary talents—if no one here could overcome the three trials, they must be truly formidable.

Ye Qianran parted the curtain and, weaving through the crowd, returned to Meng Lanyi’s side. Meng Lanyi was anxiously searching for her, her eyes lighting up in delight upon seeing her. “Sister, you’re back! I was afraid you’d gotten lost.”

Ye Qianran gave her a broad smile, assuring her all was well.

Suddenly, the crowd stirred. Guests on either side of the stage rose and craned their necks. Ye Qianran followed their gaze to the staircase, where a tall, elegant beauty was descending. She wore a gown of emerald peony silk with smoke-green gauze, a flowing pink-and-green narcissus skirt trailing behind, a sheer gold-threaded shawl over her shoulders, her hair adorned with pearl and jade hairpins. Her beauty was like a lotus emerging from clear water—a true national treasure.

On the second floor, spectators lifted their curtains, leaving their seats to lean on the railings, while guests beside the stage stretched their necks in anticipation.

The woman walked gracefully to center stage, bowed deeply, and parted her red lips. “Qingcheng greets you all.” Her voice was soft yet clear, gentle but not cloying. The crowd fell silent, eager for her next words. Ye Qianran’s gaze lingered on her face—eyes like autumn water, cheeks like peach blossoms, lightly powdered skin that outshone snow, elegant yet vibrant, alluring yet not garish. So this was Gu Qingcheng—none could be more deserving of such a name, truly a rare beauty of her generation.

“Qingcheng is honored to see you all tonight. It is truly my great fortune. Allow me to drink a cup in your honor,” she said, raising a wine cup from her attendant’s tray and downing it in one go.

Applause and cheers erupted all around. Ye Qianran couldn’t help but smile—this woman was indeed exceptional, both dignified and respectful, her words perfectly measured, moving all who heard her.

Meng Lanyi, hearing her speech, smiled faintly with a hint of disdain. “She is indeed remarkable, but not as extraordinary as the rumors claim. In my opinion, she’s not as beautiful as you, sister.”

Ye Qianran smiled at her words, attributing them to jealousy and paying them no mind.

On stage, the woman’s eyes sparkled as she gazed over the crowd, now restless with excitement. Gu Qingcheng smiled subtly and signaled for silence. “I know you’ve all come tonight for the dance. I’ll not speak at length—if anyone here can pass my three challenges, I will have no choice but to perform. Which gentleman will step forward first?”

At once, the hall fell silent—everyone glanced at each other, but no one dared to go up. Ye Qianran shook her head—so many with the desire, but none with the courage.

After a moment, a man finally stood and made his way to the stage, bowing deeply in invitation. Gu Qingcheng’s eyes glinted. “Sir, listen carefully—my first challenge is a couplet. The upper line is: ‘South to Tongqian, North to Tongqian, from south and north to Tongqian, thus south and north connect through Tongqian.’”

As soon as the line was spoken, Ye Qianran silently applauded. This Gu Qingcheng was not only beautiful but also learned. The man pondered, sweat beading on his forehead. At length, he bowed. “I am afraid my learning is shallow; I cannot match this couplet.”

“You are too modest. It is I who have shown off,” Gu Qingcheng responded.

The man, cheeks flushed, left the stage under the guidance of a maid.

In less time than it takes a stick of incense to burn, seven or eight people had failed in succession. Some passed the first challenge; others could not manage even that. Ye Qianran grew anxious—at this rate, no one would pass all three rounds tonight.

Just then, Ye An vaulted from the second floor, landing lightly on the stage—a tall, elegant young gentleman. Meng Lanyi’s hand clenched tightly, a cold smile flickering on her lips.

Ye Qianran glanced at her; Meng Lanyi had already composed herself, betraying no emotion. Ye Qianran quietly relaxed.

Gu Qingcheng greeted him with a bow, her voice gentle. “I recall you tried last year as well, didn’t you?”

Ye An smiled slightly. “It was my defeat last year that left me unwilling to accept it, so I’ve come to try again. Might I have another chance?”

Gu Qingcheng smiled. “Sir jests—if you have the heart, you may try as many times as you like.” Pausing, she continued, “Then, listen well to my couplet: ‘Gazing at the River Tower, gazing at the river flow, gaze from the River Tower at the river below; the tower endures through the ages, as does the river’s flow.’”

At this, Ye An drew a sharp breath, then laughed. “Miss, you mean to leave me with no way out.”

Gu Qingcheng chuckled. “You flatter me, sir.”

Ye An pondered for a long while, clearly troubled. Ye Qianran shook her head helplessly—how embarrassing. Her brother was supposed to be a well-read scholar. Though the couplet was difficult, it shouldn’t have stumped him. What was going on?

Seeing his silence, Gu Qingcheng asked, “Sir, have you found an answer?”

Ye An pressed his fan to his forehead, unable to speak. Just then, a voice from the audience recited: “Reflecting Moon Well, reflecting the moon’s light, in Reflecting Moon Well, the moon’s light is mirrored; the well endures for ten thousand years, as does the moon’s reflection.”