In the Imperial Palace of the Great Tang World~~
In the resplendent bedchamber bathed in the glow of red candles, Hao Shuai lounged in a cushioned chair, enjoying a feast made from dragon meat while watching a musical performance.
There were only a handful of musicians, but every one of them was among the finest masters of music alive: Shi Qingxuan on the xiao, Lan Caidie on the pipa, Bai Yunfei on the flute, and Huang Xuemei on the qin.
The women wore light, flowing garments. Working in harmony, they played a melody that blended their instruments beautifully.
In the middle of the hall, the two great enchantresses, Bi Yao and Wanwan, danced gracefully in black stockings. Their flawless features and figures made them seem like elves of the night. Their movements were as entrancing as a peacock spreading its tail or a lotus in bloom, carrying a bewitching power that stirred the soul.
As they danced, they sang poetry.
"Leaning alone against the lofty tower, I feel the gentle breeze. I gaze into the distance, where spring sorrow darkens the horizon. In the fading sunlight, grass blends with mist. Who understands the thoughts of one who silently leans against the railing? I seek a drunken escape in wild abandon. I sing over wine, yet forced joy brings no pleasure. My clothes grow loose, but I have no regrets; for her, I grow haggard."
This was Liu Yong's "Butterflies Lingering over Flowers."
Though Wanwan came from the Late Sui Dynasty and Bi Yao from the Zhu Xian World, that didn't stop them from learning about other eras through the books Hao Shuai had brought them.
Among those books, the Tang poems, Song lyrics, and Yuan opera were especially popular with Shi Qingxuan and the other artistic young women. Naturally, they