Changing the Feudal System, the Maiden's Dance, and the King's Command

The night wind blew past, and the bonfire flickered. Guramo took a bamboo flute from his robe and began to play, and a languid, lilting tune drifted through the clearing.

Medina gently untied her black robe, revealing a slender waist and long legs like snowy jade. Then she bent down and slowly took off her cloth shoes, and the crisp sound of bells rang out with the motion.

Xolotl looked over at the sound. Around the girl's delicate ankles were finely wrought silver rings, with tiny silver bells hanging from them. On the skin near the rings were faint red marks, traces left by repeated rubbing. The king's gaze moved farther down, paused for an instant on her rouged, manicured pink toes, then immediately withdrew.

Before everyone, Medina's face flushed, a touch of bashfulness appearing on it. Then, following the rhythm of the bamboo flute, she gently swayed her waist, her arms stretching out naturally, blooming like begonia blossoms. This was the prelude to the dance, displaying the girl's perfect body before the king's eyes.

When the prelude ended, the true dance began. Very soon, the girl's steps quickened. She rose high onto both feet, touching the ground only with the tips of her toes, dancing lightly between the bonfires like a young deer in the forest. A hint of innocence appeared on the young deer's face as she looked curiously left and right, then met the king's gaze and shyly turned her head away. Her long hair fell slightly, veiling her childish profile, yet it could not hide her extraordinary beauty.

Then Medina smiled brightly and began to sing alone. Her voice was like spring rain fallen into the mortal world, filled with lingering tenderness.

"I am a young deer of the mountains and forests, the envoy of the