The temporary palace in Yangzhou, once a place where Cao Che, Emperor of Great Wei, had indulged in pleasure, now rang with song and dance.
But only a moment later, the palace's new master, Xiao Hui, seemed to realize the problem and hurriedly ordered the dancers who had just entered to withdraw.
"Please stay a moment, sisters." Bai Yousi, who had been comfortably enjoying the dancing from the first seat on the left, paused in surprise, then understood. Yet she took the initiative to call back these dancers from Great Liang's rear palace.
The word "sisters" made Xiao Hui uncomfortable all over, but he still asked with a straight face, "Does Steward Bai enjoy song and dance too?"
"Naturally, I appreciate it, but that wasn't why I called them back." Bai Yousi pointed at the lead dancer. "This sister looks rather familiar, as though I've seen her somewhere."
Xiao Hui paused, then hurriedly introduced her with a smile. "To tell you the truth, Steward Bai, this is Consort Han, one of the six consorts in my rear palace. She excels at song and dance, but she was a lonely, helpless woman left behind by that benighted tyrant. When those bandits left, she hid in a pile of firewood in a corner of the rear palace walls. I encountered her while putting this place in order after entering the city, and took her as my consort... perhaps you saw her in the Eastern Capital, or when you escorted the emperor here after the Three Expeditions."
Bai Yousi nodded and looked at the woman. "Sister, have you been to the Eastern Capital? Do you recognize me? Did you know Du Zhi Da Lin and Du Zhi Xiao Lin in the capital back then?"
A rare wave of emotion stirred the woman, and