Onstage, Zibai played her jade flute while Ping'er accompanied her, and Guizhong began to sing as she danced.
[A Thousand Miles Invite the Moon]
Guizhong:
"Outside the Palace of Eternal Life, I idly hid away, then heard that on Three Lives Road, a soul lamp would not fade."
"Whose true love moved the heavens? Curious, I shall wait, then venture once again into the mortal world."
Ping'er:
"A gong rang out and startled my eyes wide; teahouses and taverns lined the bustling market street."
"The fragrance of osmanthus wine mingled with the crowds; by black-canopied boats along the riverbank, a beauty's song spread far."
Zibai:
"Diners craned their necks for bowls of plain noodle soup; scholars brimming with talent invited the moon beneath the eaves."
"Young gentlemen waved their fans with grace, young ladies hid their faces; stumped by lantern riddles, they left tender feelings unexplored."
Guizhong:
"I once longed wholeheartedly for the bright moon in the sky, fearing that tonight I was the butterfly in Zhuangzi's dream."
"My dream shattered in the cold and lonely palace; I could not help envying the mortal world's clouds and sunshine, its waxing and waning."
Ping'er:
"Some sought a thread of marriage in a temple, some studied by cold windows for ten long years."
"Some beauties marveled that time had squandered their years; in the end, a sigh, a lifetime of regret."
The women took turns singing the song called A Thousand Miles Invite the Moon, while everyone listened to their exquisite voices with smiles.
Without realizing it, everyone became increasingly entranced. By the time they came to their senses, the fair maidens onstage had already stepped down.
Theresa's eyes shifted as she glanced at Zhong Li calmly drinking his tea, and a mischievous idea arose in her mind.
"Stelle, wait for my