CHAPTER 85: THE SONG OF PARTING HEARTS

Her resentment reached its peak when she saw Rong Tieshan sitting next to Yue Mingxuan.

Sensing Xie Lianhua’s glare, Yue Mingxuan sighed inwardly.

Who knew why Rong Tieshan had chosen to follow him around all day and behaving so strangely?

He sat upright and keeping perfectly still like a statue in a temple, not even a single strand of hair out of place.

Sitting beside him, Rong Tieshan felt a turbulence in his heart he hadn’t experienced for a long time.

He didn’t understand why he had sat beside Yue Mingxuan or why his emotions were so restless.

All he knew was that when he realized it, he was already seated by him.

Suddenly, a wave of cheers erupted.

Yue Mingxuan immediately guessed who had arrived, it must be Shang Qinghua, that infamous black hearted prince.

These Beirong women and men were hopelessly obsessed with him.

Yue Mingxuan curled his lips in disdain.

Whether ancient or modern, the world had always been about appearances.

Alongside Shang Qinghua came not only screams of excitement but also a shower of handkerchiefs and flowers.

Among them were also expensive golden hairpins.

Yue Mingxuan thought mischievously: if these people knew that their handsome-looking prince was actually a black market trader, would they start throwing gold bricks at him?

Seeing Shang Qinghua walking toward him, Yue Mingxuan suddenly felt a bad premonition.

His instinct proved correct, Shang Qinghua boldly sat to his right and all the women in the arena cast murderous glares in his direction.

Yue Mingxuan finally understood what it meant to be a man whose charm caused chaos, to feel like he was sitting on a bed of needles.

Luckily, this situation didn’t last long.

Soon, everyone’s attention shifted to the arrival of the emperor.

Yue Mingxuan immediately let out a small sigh of relief, only to become the center of attention once more due to the emperor’s words.

The emperor looked at Yue Mingxuan, clearly noticing the care taken in his appearance and a hint of admiration flickered in his eyes. "Fifth Prince, I thought you weren’t willing to participate in the Shanshi Festival. Why are you in such high spirits today?"

Since the emperor had called him out, Yue Mingxuan had no choice but to kneel and respond. "Mingxuan knows his skills are limited and not enough to take on the role of the Flower God. Today, I am here simply to accompany the other participants and offered my support for them. The true joy is when you participating in the festival."

The emperor’s expression became very pleased after he heard his answer.

It was clear that Yue Mingxuan’s answer make him happy.

He waved his hand to the crowd and sat on the raised platform with his consorts.

As the people shouted "Long live the Emperor," the Shanshi Festival officially began.

The first people to perform were several well known folk acrobatic troupes from Beirong.

Some people walking on the tightropes high in the air, some smashed huge rocks on their chests and some showed face changing tricks...

All kinds of dangerous and exciting acts appeared one after another, dazzling the audience and pulling many gasps of amazement from the crowd.

Since arriving in the ancient times, this was Yue Mingxuan’s first time seeing a spectacle like this.

He watched with great interest and his face carrying a childlike smile without he realized.

Rong Tieshan secretly glanced at Yue Mingxuan beside him.

He simply could not connect this lively and bright boy with the one from before.

He did not know when it started, but he had become unconsciously drawn to him.

Because of that pull, he kept getting closer to him.

The lively acrobatics soon ended. Then, a woman dressed in simple white robes stepped lightly onto the stage with a pipa in her hands.

At the same time, a soft whispers rose among the audience.

"Is that Lady Bai?"

"It looks like her."

"It really is Lady Bai."

After hearing the crowd whispering, Yue Mingxuan couldn’t help feeling curious about the woman on the stage.

Her clothes and bearing were different from ordinary performers.

The woman on stage bowed her head slightly toward the emperor and said, "Bai Huayue greets Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor."

The emperor waved his hand. "Lady Bai, no need for ceremony. Everyone is waiting to hear your voice."

Bai Huayue said no more.

She simply plucked the strings of her pipa and sang.

"At dusk I stand beside the shore,

Watching the path where you once came.

Your shadow lingers in the fading light,

Soft as wind brushing willow leaves.

Love once bright now aches with quiet pain.

The heavens know the sorrow in my heart,

Yet still they lead you far away.

I reach but cannot touch your sleeve,

Your warmth now only memory.

How cruel that fate can part two souls.

For days my bed has gone untouched,

Sleeves cold where your hands once lay.

My hair hangs loose without your comb,

No mirror dares reflect my face.

Only moonlight keeps me company.

If one day on a distant road

You think of nights we shared as one—

Know that my heart still walks with you,

Across mountains, across flowing seas.

Though parted, our souls remain entwined..."

Her voice was as clear as jade and precious stones, yet soft like silk.

It carried a faint sorrow that only a woman could sing.zzzzz

Yue Mingxuan whose listened to the song completely entranced and almost wanting to shout out loud in praise.

If Bai Huayue lived in the modern world, she would surely be a world class diva.

Thinking of this, Yue Mingxuan slowly realized that ancient people were full of talent, everyone who performed earlier had been impressive.

Soon, Bai Huayue’s voice faded gently.

Even after her singing stopped, everyone in the arena was still immersed in the lingering emotion.

The entire place fell silent; even the sound of the wind could almost be heard.

No one knew who started it, but a single shout of "Good!" rang out.

Immediately, thunderous applause and cheers filled the arena.

Even the birds resting in the trees were frightened into flying away.