Tang Dynasty Xie Lu Lang

Chapter 226 Gongsun's Sword Dance Amazes the World

Upon hearing Zhang Dai's address and question, the person opposite blushed even more shyly. This person was none other than Gong Wu Niangzi, the wife of Gao Chengxin, who was dressed as a man.

Gong Wu Niangzi looked pleading, put a slender white finger to her lips to signal silence, and whispered to Zhang Dai, "Sixth Brother, please don't reveal my identity. My husband has been on duty for days, and I've been idle at home. Just then, my esteemed teacher, Gongsun Da Niang, came to visit after arriving in the capital, and I happened to find Sixth Brother and his entourage in the brothel seeking pleasure..."

"So, Lady Gongsun has come here too? May I have the honor of meeting her?"

When it comes to entertainers in the Tang Dynasty, none is more famous than Gongsun Da Niang. Not only was she outstanding in both looks and talent, but she was also rumored to have been associated with famous figures such as Wu Daozi, the Sage of Painting, and Zhang Xu, the Sage of Cursive Script. Zhang Dai had long admired her, and upon hearing that she was nearby, he naturally wanted to see her for himself.

Upon hearing this, Madam Gong shook her head: "Madam Gongsun has gone to the Prince's residence at the invitation of Prince Ning. I and a few of my fellow disciples have come here to perform for the new officials, including Sixth Master, hoping to gain their appreciation and spread our artistic fame."

"Will my sister-in-law and Gong Lang also be going on stage later? Will my sixteenth brother allow it?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai was initially slightly disappointed, but then surprised. He had previously planned to take people to see his sister-in-law's sword dance, but it was just a passing thought. He never expected that his sister-in-law would actually come here on her own initiative.

The change in address made Gong Wu Niangzi's face blush even more. She first glared at Zhang Dai, then shook her head sadly: "I have already violated propriety by leaving home in private. How dare I show my face in public and put my husband in such a position? I shouldn't have come here tonight either, but I was worried that my junior sister might not be pleased with Liu Lang, so I sneaked in here to try to speak up for her."

"What I saw the other day was already breathtaking, but I never expected to have the honor of witnessing the splendid performance of Gongsun's disciple today. I will certainly be watching with bated breath!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai smiled and said, "I wonder who will be performing on stage today? After the dance, I will invite them aboard the boat and offer them a cup of wine. Will you and my sister-in-law be joining us then?"

"This is my fellow disciple, Du Ba Niangzi, whose name is Yunqing. I have only been learning the art before and have never performed on stage. So tonight I wish to use the talents of the new officials, including Sixth Master, to make a name for myself. I will not be making a scene on the boat again later. I ask Sixth Master to take care of me."

Gong Wu Niangzi said softly, and after a pause, she said with great shame, "However, there is a rule in my sect that all disciples who dance the Xihe and Huntuo dances must be virgins and are not allowed to lose their virginity."

This is because after a woman's body is defiled, her form and bones are no longer those of a young girl. If she were to perform such dances again, it would be too easy for her to injure herself. It is not that I am arrogant because of my skills and look down on my distinguished guest. Therefore, even if you, Liu Lang, admire this art, please have pity on the hardships you have endured in learning it..."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai immediately nodded. He had been able to resist the advances of the two skilled fire starters beside him earlier, so he was even less likely to ruin their years of hard-earned skills for a moment of pleasure.

Knowing that Zhang Dai always kept his word, Gong Wu Niangzi felt relieved after he agreed. She was about to bow to Zhang Dai when she noticed her male attire. So she crossed her hands in greeting and couldn't help but smile. Then she took her leave.

When Zhang Dai returned to the pleasure boat, he found that several of his classmates who had been missing before had returned to the deck and sat down. They were all dignified and had clear eyes, and began to seriously enjoy the song and dance performance on the floating platform.

The lively atmosphere attracted other boats from Xintan Lake. The vibrant nightlife around Xintan is not only due to the abundance of goods and services there, but also because the curfew is practically ignored.

The Jinwu Guard soldiers could patrol between the streets and alleys, but they couldn't set up roadblocks on the lake. Therefore, the towns near Xintan could easily move between them using the open waterways of the lake. The colorful lanterns and enchanting songs and dances quickly attracted dozens of boats of all sizes to gather there.

When they learned why the actors from Chengfu Lane had gathered here to perform, the nearby pleasure boats became excited. Some sent their maids to deliver wine to the pleasure boats, while others simply zipped over and boarded the boats to drink and celebrate with everyone.

Most people in the Tang Dynasty were outgoing and enthusiastic. Even if they met by chance, as long as they were of one mind, they would drink until they were drunk.

Zhang Dai and others were not only successful candidates in the imperial examinations, but also had their own poems that were widely circulated and their fame was not low. As a result, there were many people who came to visit and congratulate them, so much so that the painted boats were overcrowded. So, all the nearby pleasure boats were simply tied together with ropes and wooden planks were laid on them for people to travel back and forth, much like Cao Cao's army in the Battle of Red Cliffs.

"It's the 'Sword Dance' melody! Could it be that Lady Gongsun has also come here?"

Just then, a powerful and stirring melody rang out from the floating platform. Upon hearing this music, many people on the pleasure boat immediately looked down with delighted expressions.

Gongsun Da Niang was originally a folk artist who often performed on stage around Luoyang in her early years. As her fame grew, she was recruited as a court musician in the Left Music Bureau and served in the palace for several months each year. As a result, she performed less and less in the folk, but every time she appeared, she caused a sensation and was sought after by the crowd.

The person who appeared on stage with the exciting music and dance was not Lady Gongsun, but a graceful young girl in a white dress. The girl's dress did not have wide sleeves and a hem, and looked more like a military officer's trousers.

The "Sword Dance" is unrestrained and bold, and is not known for its gentleness and grace. Therefore, this young girl looks heroic and spirited, with light and powerful steps.

As she approached the center of the stage, the girl's wrist trembled, and the long sword in her hand was drawn from its sheath. Under the glow of the colored lights, a white streak suddenly shot up. Then, the girl took quick steps and soared into the air like a hawk. In mid-air, she grasped the hilt of the sword and, taking advantage of her suspended body, spun around and danced, with several sword flowers flashing out almost simultaneously!

"It's a five-star brilliance—no, that's not right! It's a six-star brilliance! Who is this woman? She's even more skilled than Granny Gongsun!"

The onlookers nearby gasped in astonishment at this sight. The Five Stars Radiance was Gongsun Da Niang's signature sword dance technique, requiring five sword flowers to be unleashed almost simultaneously, demanding dazzling brilliance, like the stars Venus. It demanded immense strength and skill from the dancer. Gongsun Da Niang had once amazed everyone with this technique, but the woman on stage now seemed to have surpassed her in skill. A thunderous roar of cheers erupted around the floating platform.

Zhang Dai stared wide-eyed at the woman's performance on stage, utterly astonished. He had already been quite surprised when he saw his sister-in-law's sword dance at Gao Chengxin's house the other day, but now, watching this woman's dance on stage, he suddenly realized that his sister-in-law's words were not mere modesty; his fellow disciple's skills were far superior!

The vast floating platform was originally made of bamboo and wood, but under the woman's feet on it was like a bouncy trampoline. When she stepped on the platform, she could leap several feet high with a slight jump. The cold sword light she wielded could even extend several feet away, showing the dancer's amazing jumping ability.

At the same time, the sword dance movements were as graceful as a dragon in flight, making the audience hold their breath and be overwhelmed with excitement. Some people even turned red in the face from holding their breath and could no longer bear it, so they opened their mouths to gasp for breath, but they still stared wide-eyed, not wanting to miss any of the wonderful scenes.

The young girl took to the stage and showed off her skills, captivating the audience and drawing cheers from the surrounding crowd. However, as the sword dance progressed, the audience became so engrossed that the surroundings fell silent. Only the young girl, wielding her sword, moved swiftly and gracefully like a dragon soaring through the wind, her sword flashing everywhere!
As the "Hun Tuo Sword Dance" drew to a close, the young woman stopped, swung her long sword, and a white light pierced the night. Then, she kicked the scabbard away with the tip of her boot. Just then, the long sword that had flown into the night sky suddenly turned and plummeted downwards, its blade pointing directly at the dancer standing below.

"Wife, watch out for flying swords!"

The onlookers gasped in shock at the sight, and some even closed their eyes because they couldn't bear to see the elfin dancer splattered with blood.

However, the girl was completely fearless. She twisted her body and flipped several feet up, catching the falling sword with her bare hands and firmly grasping it. She then twirled the sword a few times before the scabbard flew back and she stabbed the sword into it.

Amidst a new wave of cheers, the young woman stood in the center of the platform, then raised her hand in greeting and addressed Zhang Dai and the others on the painted boat: "Du Yunqing, a disciple of Lady Gongsun, heard that Young Master Zhang, the Jade Bone Gentleman, has passed the imperial examination and achieved success today. I have come uninvited to present my talents before you and congratulate you on your success!"

Upon hearing this, cheers erupted again. Even Wang Changling, Li Yi, and other classmates applauded and egged on, pushing Zhang Dai forward to meet them with a mixture of envy and jealousy.

Zhang Dai knew that the other party was only congratulating him, not that she had feelings for him alone. It was just that he was more famous in Luoyang than others, and the other party wanted to take this opportunity to make a name for herself, so she made this congratulatory message.

Even so, being praised in public by such a beautiful and talented woman made him feel quite pleased, so he laughed and said, "Unexpectedly, I recently passed the imperial examination and am now fortunate enough to receive your first gift! The guests here are not saints, the wine is not fine wine, there are only two simple tables and one devoted heart. Is there still any chance that I can invite you to sit down and talk about art?"

This disciple of Lady Gongsun was not at all reserved. Upon hearing this, she handed the sword to her companion, and then, because she was covered in sweat after the dance, she put on a brocade cloak and boarded the boat.

At this moment, everyone on the boat craned their necks to catch a glimpse of her beauty, and Zhang Dai also came to the top of the stairs. When the lady came in, he reached out to greet her. As he bent down to look down, he saw a stunningly beautiful face with fair skin and a rosy glow, an oval face, and exquisitely sculpted features. For a moment, he was captivated.

"Master Zhang..."

When the young girl arrived, the dashing air she had displayed while wielding her sword was slightly toned down, replaced by the bright and charming beauty of a young girl in her prime. She placed her delicate hand in Zhang Dai's palm, but seeing that Zhang Dai was somewhat lost in thought, she quickly called out softly.

"My lady is as beautiful as a fairy, and I was so unguarded that I tried to steal her away! My apologies for my rudeness."

Zhang Dai had only watched the sword dance from afar and hadn't thought much of it, but he was truly stunned by the girl's stunning beauty up close. He quickly closed his eyes, shook his head, and then pulled the girl onto the boat with all his might, smiling apologetically.

The young woman was poised and graceful. Upon hearing this, she smiled and said softly, "Young master is handsome and talented, and even more so, he is unparalleled in his righteousness. Although I am just a woman, I admire him greatly, especially for his bravery in the face of family troubles last year. It was because I heard of you here that I dared to come and perform for you."

"Really?"

Although Zhang Dai knew that no truth was spoken in places of pleasure, he couldn't help but ask a question after hearing this, and then he couldn't help but chuckle to himself.

Just now, when Song San Niang was admonishing him, he was full of confidence and said that he would not be easily bewitched and corrupted. But now, seeing a woman who was truly stunning in both beauty and talent, he actually lost his self-control.

The young girl, Du Yunqing, did not laugh or make excuses. Instead, she opened her beautiful eyes wide and nodded seriously, saying, "Originally, I was going to visit Prince Ning's residence with you tonight, but I heard about this on the way and changed my route to come here."

Upon hearing this reply, Zhang Dai was slightly taken aback at first, but after a moment he smiled and said, "The wind is cold and the dew is heavy, not as comfortable and pleasant as the hall of the Prince's residence. I'm afraid I've disappointed you, Madam."

"I am not disappointed. Whether in the grand hall or on the terrace, I am merely an actress on stage, not a guest in the banquet. How could I be disappointed when I have received praise from the audience and you, sir, and my art has been rewarded?"

Upon hearing this, the girl smiled faintly. Although her words were tinged with bitterness, there was no trace of self-pity on her face.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai felt even more that this woman was extraordinary; at least she wasn't the kind of woman with "a gambling father, a sick mother, a younger brother in school, and a broken home." He really wanted to take her in!
(End of this chapter)