Moonlit Calamity: The Dragon Girl's Life of Idleness is Broken

Chapter 333 Nuo Dance

at dusk.

Inside and outside the majestic palace, everything is filled with the festive atmosphere of the New Year.

Palace servants lit countless palace lanterns in an orderly fashion, their dazzling light illuminating the eaves of the palace under the night sky with a soft and translucent glow.

The Chongde Hall was already bustling with activity, as princes, nobles, and high-ranking officials of the third rank and above were all invited to the New Year's Eve banquet.

Hundreds of gilded lanterns were lit simultaneously, and the candle wax condensed into beads that fell like glass, illuminating the entire space in a magnificent golden light.

The Empress Dowager arrived slowly in a palanquin, surrounded by a guard of honor.

Emperor Sukang, Empress Fang, princes, concubines, princesses, and others were already standing quietly in front of Chongde Hall, waiting.

"The Empress Dowager has arrived!" The eunuch's announcement echoed through the carved beams and halls.

Emperor Sukang, accompanied by Empress Fang, stepped forward and personally helped the Empress Dowager to the throne.

Emperor Sukang gently said, "Mother, watch your step."

"The weather is so cold these days, Mother, are you feeling unwell?"

The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "It's alright, my body isn't that delicate."

Her gaze swept over the people below who were bowing their heads in respect, her eyes radiating a kind and gentle warmth.

After Emperor Sukang, the Empress Dowager, and the Empress were all seated, everyone kowtowed, their robes brushing against the cold white jade floor, producing a solemn rustling sound.

"Long live the Emperor, long live the Emperor."

"Long live the Empress Dowager!"

"The Queen is a thousand years old."

The crowd knelt and bowed in accordance with etiquette, shouting "Long live the Emperor!" three times.

Emperor Sukang: "You may rise and discontinue the formalities."

Beneath the throne, two rows of long sandalwood tables were neatly arranged outwards, where princes, nobles, and high-ranking officials of the third rank or above sat in order.

After the ceremony, Emperor Sukang raised his golden cup, the fine wine shimmering in the candlelight.

He proclaimed in a loud voice: "Tonight, as the old year draws to a close, I join you all in wishing a Happy New Year. May Heaven bless our dynasty, bringing favorable weather, national prosperity, peace, and the well-being of all people in the coming year!"

Everyone rose and raised their wine cups, responding in unison with a loud, resonant voice that echoed throughout the Chongde Hall.

As the music of silk and bamboo instruments began, the banquet officially commenced, and the piece "Peace and Prosperity Across the Four Seas," meticulously rehearsed by the Imperial Music Bureau for the New Year's Eve feast, slowly began to play.

Dancers in colorful gowns fluttered in like butterflies, dancing gracefully to the melodious sounds of silk and bamboo instruments. Their wide sleeves and flowing skirts danced like water, depicting a prosperous and peaceful world.

At the same time, one delicacy after another was served in succession.

The crowd clinked glasses, enjoying the song and dance performances while savoring delicious food and fine wine.

"Boom boom boom..."

At the third quarter of the hour of Xu (7:45 PM), the sound of drums and music outside the hall suddenly changed, the main hall door slowly opened, and with the influx of cold wind, the grand exorcism and auspiciousness performance officially began.

Dozens of men dressed in brightly colored clothes and wearing ferocious masks rushed in.

The dancers, holding a halberd in one hand and a shield in the other, danced to the rhythm of drums and music, offering prayers and shouts to the gods.

The dance steps reveal a strong tension and explosive power; the dance moves are intense and cunning, and paired with the ferocious mask, they exude a mysterious and majestic aura.

In the dance of fighting and warding off plague, people search for ominous things, drive away the invisible "plague demons" step by step, and pray for a peaceful and prosperous year.

"Knock knock knock knock..."

The intense and rapid drumming was as loud and magnificent as a war song, with a powerful momentum, as if ten thousand horses were galloping, awakening people's sleeping souls.

The shouts of the Nuo dancers mingled with the cheers and exclamations of the crowd in the hall, bringing the New Year's Eve banquet to a climax.

Emperor Sukang whispered in the Empress's ear: "This Nuo performance is really good. Even though it is performed once a year, it is still not boring. The moment they enter the arena, it is inspiring. The infectiousness of the dance can instantly draw people in."

The Empress smiled dignifiedly: "I think so too."

The Empress Dowager smiled kindly as she watched, and even the usually serious Grand Tutor nodded slightly in approval.

Prince Yu held the little princess in his arms, blocking her view and trying to prevent her from seeing the performance outside the palace.

The Nuo ritual performance may be exciting for adults, but children, especially young girls, will be frightened by the grotesque masks. They might even have nightmares afterward.

But children are always full of curiosity about new things, and the more you try to stop them, the more they want to explore.

While Prince Yu wasn't paying attention, the little princess tilted her head and looked in the direction of the performance. What she saw were strange and grotesque masks and bizarre dances.

The little princess was so frightened that she quickly buried her face in Prince Yu's arms, "Father, Rou'er is scared."

Prince Yu quickly patted the little princess's head to comfort her: "Rou'er, don't be afraid. Those are all your uncles in disguise. They are dancing just like the sisters who were dancing earlier. They are just wearing masks."

Prince Yu patiently explained to reduce the little princess's fear of the unknown: "Those masks are all painted, just like how your mother taught Rou'er to paint."

The young princess raised her face and looked at Prince Yu: "Really? But Rou'er still doesn't dare to look."

"Then don't watch it. Rou'er won't be afraid when she grows up."

The young princess nodded emphatically: "Yes, Rou'er is still young. We'll see when she grows up."

"Rou'er is so good."

Meanwhile, the Ninth Prince Xiao Yi was particularly excited.

"Wow, that pose was so cool! That kind of powerful dance is what makes it beautiful, boom, boom boom boom, boom..."

The Ninth Prince followed the drumbeats, sometimes thumping and sometimes dancing along.

"Eighth Brother, let's jump together! Thump, thump thump thump, thump..."

The Eighth Prince, Xiao Heng, immediately refused: "No, Ninth Brother, I... I can't. I'll just watch you jump."

He's grown up now, and he can't afford to lose face like this.

It was so much better when we were kids! We could be like the Ninth Prince, doing whatever we wanted, feeling more carefree, without so many worries.

Sigh, people! They become so reserved once they grow up.

Xiao Yi looked suspicious: Eighth Brother actually said he couldn't? He remembered that Eighth Brother had jumped over it with him before!

"Eighth brother, you're lying to me. Don't you know how to jump?"

Xiao Heng felt embarrassed: "Ahem, um, Ninth Brother, I forgot."

Xiao Han looked at Xiao Heng beside him, a gratified smile appearing on his lips: Xiao Ba has grown up and now has his own burdens.

Xiao Han stepped in to defuse the situation: "Little Jiu, don't make things difficult for your Eighth Brother."

Xiao Yi pouted: "Alright! Then, Seventh Brother, why don't you dance with me?"

Xiao Han gently tapped him on the head, then turned his face forward. "Watch your performance."

"Sixth Brother, will you dance with me?" Xiao Yi turned to ask Prince Xuan beside him.

King Xuan also turned his head forward: "Don't you think your sixth brother has any pride? Just watch the show!"

"I'm going over there to play with Young Marquis Jing'an."

After leaving a message, Xiao Yi ran away.

Xiao Han looked at Xiao Yi, who had run away, and thought to himself: Poor Xiao Jiu, he was jumping all by himself, and he seemed a little lonely.

It was better back then. He and his brothers were about the same age, and they often played together, which was very lively.