Strings and reeds sang, zithers intoxicated waking guests as they recited poetry and discussed affairs of state; bronze censers and splendid candles cast their reflections, illuminating the splendor of the hall.
Silk and bamboo music rang out, each note pleasing to the ear. Musicians played their instruments behind curtains while hosts and guests alike enjoyed themselves, raising cups and exchanging drinks. Candlelight flickered, and waves of laughter rose through the hall. The banquet had only just begun.
Bai Yujun followed the other dancing girls back and forth into the hall, serving dishes.
Not only did she have to sniff Yang Chen's food for poison, she also had to make sure everyone else's dishes were safe. It would be bad if any one of them were poisoned to death. Five dishes had been served so far, and all seemed safe.
It would have been even better if her face were not smeared with rouge and powder...
Dancing girls had to wear makeup. Fortunately, Bai Yujun's skin was fair, so she did not need much powder. She only needed lip rouge to dye her lips red. In this era, lipstick was called lip rouge, made from some kind of red leaves through several processes. The resulting crimson paste was delicate and vivid, with a subtle fragrance. She still remembered the embarrassment of applying lip rouge for the first time. For the mission, she could only endure it.
Then there were the complicated hairstyle and hair ornaments. This was the first time in her life as a snake that someone had styled her hair and hung a pile of ornaments from it. They swayed wildly whenever she walked.
Being a dancing girl was incredibly awkward. For instance, when serving food, she could not take long strides and had to walk in tiny, mincing