Fortune Across the World

Chapter 159: The Enchanting Dance of Long Silk (Part 2)

Ding Qiyu was filled with a mix of anticipation and anxiety. Had Zhuyi merely been teasing her, with no intention to perform? As her thoughts wandered, she noticed Zhuyi looking her way, a slight smile playing on her lips. She quickly averted her gaze and continued sipping her wine. Although Zhuyi didn't greet her directly, her enticing and elusive glances were more compelling than any warm greeting, prompting Ding Qiyu to unconsciously move in her direction.

Arriving at the group, Ding Qiyu realized that Little Lan and Sister Han were also seated nearby, though she had been too captivated by Zhuyi to notice them. They had saved her a seat, and all of the Palace Master's direct disciples were present, except for the eldest, Le Mengxiao.

Seated among them, Ding Qiyu found herself reluctant to speak to Zhuyi, worried about her own burgeoning feelings. She instead leaned over to whisper to Le Mengchun, "Little Chun, where's your eldest sister? Why isn't she sitting here?"

Le Mengchun leaned in with a conspiratorial whisper, "Sister Xiao never sits with us..." She seemed a bit downcast. "She's friendly with other sisters, but she won't hang out with us..."

Le Zhuyi, observing their close conversation, smiled again, though a hint of danger flickered in her eyes. After some thought, she stood and left her seat.

By the time Ding Qiyu finished talking with Little Chun and looked back, Zhuyi had vanished. Searching the hall yielded no sight of her. Just as she was about to ask, Little Chun pointed out, "Look, Sister Xiao is over there drinking with those sisters." Ding Qiyu followed her gaze, indeed seeing Le Mengxiao laughing with a group of female disciples at a distant table, puzzled as to why she distanced herself from her own junior sisters.

The performances and revelry continued, but Ding Qiyu's mind was elsewhere, wondering where Zhuyi had gone. An underlying sense of anticipation lingered within her.

The music paused, and a hush fell over the hall. Just as curiosity arose among the guests, Le Zhuyi entered from outside, and the hall grew silent.

Beside her, Little Chun and Little Lan gasped in excitement. Ding Qiyu, sensing something unusual, looked up and froze, as if spellbound, her hand suspended mid-air with her cup.

Le Zhuyi's long hair cascaded freely over her shoulders, with a few strands on the side bound by a red hair tie. Her brows were finely lined with black, and the floral mark on her forehead seemed more vivid, possibly touched up with vermilion. Her long lashes were adorned with a peachy hue, making her eyes even more captivating. Her cheeks, either flushed from wine or enhanced with powder, bore a delicate blush. Her full, soft lips were painted a fiery red, glistening under the brilliant lights of the hall.

She wore a vibrant red gauze dress, both bold and elegant, accentuating her stunning figure and perfect curves. The usual martial vigor of her attire was replaced with a feminine grace, without appearing indecent. One sleeve ended at mid-arm, revealing part of her arm wrapped in red silk, while the other wide sleeve flowed with the breeze. Her bare wrist bore two golden bells tied with red strings, and her hand loosely held a long red ribbon. Her feet were bare, with a similar bell adorning her right ankle. As she walked into the hall, the trailing red ribbon fluttered lightly in the breeze, revealing glimpses of her moonlit white calves, the bells ringing softly with each step.

Entering the center of the hall, Zhuyi cast a seemingly casual glance in a particular direction, pleased to see a certain someone completely entranced. A gentle smile bloomed on her lips, reminiscent of the red flowers of Danying in deep winter, drawing the already mesmerized "fool" deeper into her fiery enchantment.