Chapter 702: A Badger Game (II)
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
As a woman, why would his lord enjoy a group of beauties who sang and danced?
Before them was a sumptuous feast with fragrant wine and dry fruits. The dry fruits were extra appetizing because they were rarely seen in the north.
As Jiang Pengji munched on the dry fruits like a squirrel, she heard the footsteps of more than 20 women from outside the tent.
When the tent curtains opened, the maidenly dancers clothed in red garments exuded with orchid fragrance. They livened up the entire atmosphere in the tent.
Within the oil lamp, scents were added. When they burned, a unique but faint smell emerged from the bronze lamp.
That fragrance filled the entire tent. The graceful figures of the dancers were adorned with thin, red garments. They danced along to the resounding tune of the elegant and mellow string and wind orchestral. They danced in line with the music played by their companions, capturing the viewers’ eyes. Viewers in the live streaming room were in a loud clamor, like a pack of hungry wolves gathering. The contents of the bullet screen switched to another style. Rewards flooded in generously and were wildly enthusiastic.
Emperor Wuhan: Didn’t someone say ancient people didn’t look very pretty? What misjudgment! I initially thought the standard of beauty at present was already high. As a viewer in the live streaming room, I finally realize that ancient beauties are truly a sight to behold. Those popular beauties on the internet cannot compare. Their ability to discern is indeed respectable.”
Chen Ahjiao: You are such shameless people who judge based on appearances. Isn’t the focus on the music and ancient dance moves?
Jiang Pengji’s identity was of the son of an aristocrat, but the viewers in the live streaming room knew she didn’t like any extravagance. She preferred practicality.
Thus, for many years in the live streaming room, the viewers had not witnessed many banquets scenes, but each time they did, the standards were excellent.
Based on the viewers’ accounts, many of them concurred that the recordings of those previous banquets were the standard. They managed to bring the musical composition to life in totality.
Surprisingly, some wealthy men would fork out their own money to organize ancient music festivals. This was the 4th time one had been organized.
With the warm support from the viewers in the live streaming room, a rise in retro trends was seen in Hua country. Even the youths began to appreciate the ancient culture.
She knew the importance of culture to certain racial heritages. If there was a positive influence, she would rejoice.
Some people had an acute sense of self-awareness, but most were still average people who judged based on appearance. Admiring beauties was their priority.
They could tell that these dancers had been painstakingly trained. They should have been a private entertainment group owned by the high officials or nobles.
Each dancer’s appearance was of a high standard. They were endowed with elegant facial features, slender body shapes, silky smooth skin, and waists like to the spring willows.
Even though they were not ravishing beauties, nor glamorous beyond compare, they were still rare, beautiful women.
The beauties were uniformly clothed in red garments. Their charming eyes captivated their audiences’ hearts and made them yearn for more.
In one hand, Jiang Pengi held her wine goblet. With the other, she supported her chin. She squinted and glanced at those dancers as if she was mesmerized.
If one looked intently, it wasn’t difficult to notice that her eyes were glued to the lead dancer. Her eyes moved with her every action, burning with desire. Her calm appearance was coupled with a blazing hot temperature. It was as if she wanted to burn away that person’s clothes and use her eyes to survey her bare body…
Xu Bei noticed her expression. He laughed secretly. Youths will be youths, how could they resist the allure of beauty?
He’d initially thought that the other party was virtuous and devoid of lust, a youth who possessed good self-control. Now that he observed him, it was obviously a false front.
Sitting one row behind Jiang Pengji, Yang Si noticed her back view. He was silently worried as he observed her posture and outstretched head.
My lord, no matter how much you like this little sister, you lack the biological tools. Do you even remember your true gender?
“These dances are so captivating and elegant.” Jiang Pengji regained her senses from an enchanted state. She smiled and remarked to Xu Bei, “The dance is beautiful, but the lady’s beauty surpasses it.”
She was indeed affectionate!
“She’s just a dancer trained in my house. If younger brother likes, you may choose to take any of them home. It is a gift from me.”
Among the aristocrats, the exchange of concubines was a well-respected affair.
Jiang Pengji’s expression showed some brief changes. She was tempted but managed to control herself.
“How can I accept this? Look at these gorgeous beings, I trust you spent a lot of effort training them. This is too expensive a gift, I cannot accept it.”
Xu Bei directed his speech to the lead dancer, “Do you not see our honorable guest? Go and fill District Magistrate Liu’s wine cup.”
The dancer bowed respectfully. She stretched out her delicate hands as she helped Jiang Pengji fill her wine cup.
They weren’t far apart. Jiang Pengji could smell the fragrance from her body. She casually asked, “What perfume do you wear? It’s so fragrant.”
The dancer’s face reddened. She replied bashfully, “Your servant never wears perfume. This natural fragrance exudes from my body.”
1
Yang Si appeared increasingly tense. He was wrong. He shouldn’t have followed along.
In this setting, it’d be more suitable for Feng Zhen, that wastrel, to tag along. He was the most knowledgeable about dealing with a coalesce of beauties.
“Natural fragrance?” Jiang Pengji drew near to her, then took a sniff. She savored with her eyes the dancer’s slender and fair neck, then her exquisite collar bone. Her expression was rather alluring and enchanting. Even her normally loud and clear voice became somewhat hoarse. It made one weak in the knees.
“She’s indeed a beauty. Even her scent is uniquely different from the rest.”
“District Magistrate Liu is too kind with his compliments.”
“Do you know other styles of dance?” Jiang Pengji asked her.
The dancer softly said, “I am well-versed in all of them.”
Xu Bei, the “brothel owner” who’d brought them together, clapped his hands. The music played once again. The leader of the dance troupe returned to her dance.
Jiang Pengji noted, “This dance and music is indeed unique. It is quite different from those that originate from the north.”
Xu Bei smiled as he commented, “The northerners are wild and crude while also free-spirited, but the southerners are gentle and careful. Naturally, both are characterized by different atmospheres.”
“Brother Xu is indeed knowledgeable in this aspect… I’ve often heard of the many talents Brother Xu possesses. Rumor has it that you are the reincarnation of the star of wisdom. Unlike younger brother, who didn’t like reading since he was young, I’m ignorant about chess, books, and paintings. Moreover, my father often chides me for being a blockhead, a complete fool, devoid of all forms of understanding. I’ve pondered in my heart that if we had Brother Xu’s reputable attainment, my father wouldn’t need to constantly sigh, repeatedly reprimand me…”
She appeared downcast, a dismayed youth.
How would Xu Bei believe this?
Nevertheless, he was also a sophisticated man. Naturally, he wouldn’t expose her “humble” words.
Under her intentional influence, their topic of conversation gradually shifted to the realm of the arts.
Xu Bei also didn’t let Jiang Pengji’s praises down. This person seemed young, but his perception of music, chess, and art was deep.
The viewers were filled with emotions. If Xu Bei had been born in their era, he’d have fit the role of an all-rounded aesthetic connoisseur. With one successful report, he’d have been famous throughout the world. He was handsome and well-versed in the four arts of a gentleman. A narcissistic human figure would surely attract many young ladies to follow hard after him, It’d be difficult for him to be unpopular. What a pity, Xu Bei had been born in the wrong era, even though he’d been born into a great clan like the Xu family. These artistic talents could only be a hobby when he had spare time.
As they were conversing happily, Xu Bei glanced at the painting by Yang Si’s side. He asked casually, “Was that drawn by younger brother?”
Jiang Pengji’s expression was on point as she appeared hard-pressed. “My father often lectures me about how I lack artistic skills. Even a 3-year old kid’s doodle product is drawn nicer than younger brother’s. I was unwilling to accept it, so I sought Master Yuanjing’s famed disciple to draw a painting for me. I intended to take it home to study it extensively. Perhaps I could learn something from it. It could reduce the nagging I receive from my father. I’ve disgraced myself before my elder brother. Jing Rong, why did you bring the painting along?”
Jiang Pengji said the last sentence rather bashfully. The viewers in the live streaming room flooded her with countless posts of “666.”