Chunan Tower stood facing East Street in the Xingye Ward, right beside the capital’s largest commercial district, the East Market. To its west lay the Yongjia and Yongxing Wards, where the wealthy and influential resided. Naturally, business thrived. The establishment boasted every rare delicacy and exotic ingredient under heaven. On ordinary days, the lanterns across its five stories burned until the fourth watch, and the doors only opened to guests near noon the following day. The Chunan Tower night banquets were held on every date ending in nine, with the grandest celebrations occurring in the third, sixth, ninth, and twelfth months. During these times, food and drink were served all night, and renowned theatrical troupes and artists were invited to perform. Each floor offered a different spectacle, with the lineup never repeating within a three-year cycle. Tonight, it seemed, we had arrived just in time for the festivities.
The four of us squeezed into the flying carriage, which wobbled precariously as it soared toward our destination. Before we even touched the ground, a swarm of street vendors rushed toward us.
"Young ladies! Master Xingze is performing the full version of *Linchuan Dream* today! Buy some blue cornflowers!"
"If you're watching a play, Boss Zhang’s Azure Dragon Troupe is the best! Take some red fruits with you!"
"The acrobatics on the fourth floor are spectacular! A colorful pheasant feather for every lady! Don't forget to head up and watch!"
Annoyed by the clamor, Wen Xiang waved them off. "I’m just here to eat today, not to watch a play! Shoo, all of you!"
Carriage after carriage arrived, depositing young ladies and elegant wives, all clutching their respective flowers or spiritual fruits. They intended to hurl these offerings onto the stage the moment a scene concluded. They walked arm-in-arm, faces flushed with excitement, chattering incessantly about their favorite actors. Just then, a magnificent carriage drawn by three horses and standing two men high came to a slow halt before the tower doors. Wen Xiang’s eyes lit up with mischief. "It’s the Hua family! Let me see... is Hua Moli there?"
The four of us craned our necks. Sure enough, the girl I had seen on the Qingming Festival stepped down, chin tilted high, lifting her heavy skirts. Behind her, two maids each carried a massive bouquet of bright, charming blue cornflowers.
Wen Xiang slapped her thigh and laughed. "Hahaha! That girl actually likes a sissy like Xu Xingze? Fine, tonight I’m going to throw my support behind his rival..." She turned and shouted, "Red fruit vendor! Give me three buckets!"
"Coming right up!" the vendor chirped, trotting over with three large buckets of Fire Spirit Fruits from Ezhou. "I'll give you a discount—six hundred spirit stones in total."
Wen Xiang paid without blinking and said to Wen Shu, "Let's swap roles. I’m going to have a little chat with Hua Moli, hahahaha!"
Wen Shu and Wen Gan had expected this the moment they saw Hua Moli. Wen Shu nodded calmly, while Wen Gan remarked, "Even better, even better. Sister Shu taking over Sister Jiang’s role as the beauty is as natural as breathing. Our 'Sauce Fragrance' group shall be renamed 'Literary Fragrance.' A bit more refined, a bit less thuggish. We’ve transformed from a violent gang into a fraud syndicate..."
Since the Disguise Pills wore off quickly, we had to wait until we reached the venue to take them. We squeezed into a nearby alley, changed our clothes, and hurriedly swallowed the pills under the cover of shadows. Visualizing a transformation that perfectly maps to reality requires immense mental strength. Wen Shu was cautious, only making subtle adjustments to her original features. She became a completely different but still exceptionally beautiful woman—a "little jasper from a humble home," perfectly complemented by her simple, elegant attire. Wen Gan was far more radical, turning herself into an old man with uneven eyes, a hooked nose, and buck teeth. She looked utterly discordant, but she just glanced in a mirror and laughed, unbothered.
As for me... the three of them gasped in unison. "You look exactly like her!"
Fearing I might slip up in front of Hua Moli, I had precisely transformed into Wen Xiang’s maid, Feijing. Speaking of which, the names of Wen Xiang’s three maids were quite something—she had renamed them after the three famous swords of Emperor Wen of Wei: Feijing, Liucai, and Huating.
I scratched the back of my head and chuckled. "Hehe, I spend so much time playing at Sister Xiang’s place, I know Feijing better than anyone!"
Wen Xiang hiked up her fiery red skirt with her left hand and hoisted a bucket of red fruits with her right, issuing a grand command: "Move out!"
Wen Gan shouldered her fortune-teller’s banner, while Wen Shu followed with downcast eyes, clutching a chipped bowl for collecting coins. And I, rolling up my sleeves, lugged Wen Xiang’s remaining two buckets of red fruits.
For this grand banquet, Chunan Tower had activated its internal mechanisms. The center of each floor was hollowed out, and massive stages made of black jade, dozens of yards wide, were suspended in mid-air by clever mechanical forces. Five floors meant five stages. One side of each stage was reserved for the actors to change and move on and off, while the other three sides were surrounded by guest seating. The stages were kept afloat at a distance of over five yards from the seats to prevent overzealous fans from storming the platform. As the actors performed, guests on any floor could focus their attention on a specific stage, which would magically isolate the music from the others. This allowed the voice of a star like Xu Xingze to sound as clear as if he were whispering directly into one's ear. However, if one sat on the wrong floor, the viewing angle was naturally restricted, so it was always best to go to the corresponding level.
Upon entering, the first floor was a sea of people. we were stuck at the entrance, unable to move. Taking advantage of the pause, I looked around Chunan Tower. From the inside, the building seemed even taller, resembling a seven-story pagoda with a hollow center, like a thick, cylindrical hat. On the floating stage in the center of the first floor, a beast-taming act was underway. The roars of tigers and leopards mingled with bursts of applause. Due to the convenient location, the crowd was massive, and the dried meat thrown onto the stage for the beasts nearly piled up across half the platform. A muscular beast-tamer bowed with cupped fists, while a scantily clad female assistant swayed her hips gracefully, offering an elegant curtsy.
Xu Xingze was on the second floor, and the Azure Dragon Troupe was on the third. We finally struggled our way to the staircase, only to find it packed with women. The floor was littered with lost shoes, handkerchiefs, hair ornaments, and flowers. Since it was late spring approaching summer, the weather was warm; the scent of rouge and sweat might have been fragrant individually, but mixed together in such a cramped space, it was nauseating.
Wen Xiang shouted and shoved, using her arms to clear a path. She managed to carve out a gap half a person wide and squeezed through, vanishing into the crowd in the blink of an eye. Lugging the red fruits, I couldn't keep up. I looked helplessly at Wen Gan and Wen Shu. "Let's meet in an hour!"
Wen Gan cleverly added, "Fifth floor!"
"Fine!" I howled. I tucked my cumbersome long skirt into my waistband, hoisted the two buckets of red fruits over my head, and roared, "Make way! Make way! I’ll crush anyone who blocks me!"
After finally fighting through the stairs and escaping the sea of people, I set the red fruits down and leaned on my knees, panting heavily. "Miss... Xiang, did you see where Hua Moli is?"
Wen Xiang fanned herself and pointed. "Over there! Sitting in the left section. She’s furious because she couldn't snag a seat directly facing the stage!"
I nodded, picking up the buckets with a sense of exhaustion. Just as I was about to head over, Wen Xiang pulled me back. "No, we’re going to the third floor! I spotted a friend of mine in the right section, directly opposite Hua Moli!"
"Ugh—" I let out a miserable cry and followed the triumphant Wen Xiang as she charged toward the stairs leading to the third floor.
Wen Xiang’s friend was named Zhou Sihui, and she was seated in the middle of the third floor’s right section. Chunan Tower was truly a money-making machine; its design was incredibly meticulous. Although it was the same floor, it was divided into high and low zones. The lower zone, near the railing, was level with the stage and offered the best view. It was partitioned into private booths for four, which could only be reserved by high-ranking officials and nobles. The higher zone consisted of rows of small chairs for commoners without reservations. From there, the stage was far away and the angle was too high; looking down made Master Xingze appear several inches shorter and significantly less handsome.
Zhou Sihui sat cracking melon seeds, smiling at Wen Xiang. "Oh? Even your ladyship has come to join the fun today? I thought you hated plays."
Wen Xiang sat down unceremoniously. "Look who’s across from us on the second floor."
Zhou Sihui glanced over and laughed knowingly. "I see. Have a seat; I’m the only one in this booth. Oh, is this Feijing? Those red fruits for the tips look awfully heavy. You must be exhausted."
Wen Xiang took the cue. "Indeed. Feijing, go to the back and rest. Have some fun; come back after the first act is over!"
I bowed submissively and left the booth, following a group of attendants to the corner where the servants stayed. This was actually an area beneath the raised rows of chairs, a long, narrow corridor partitioned by wooden boards. Maids and footmen sat in small groups, chatting and laughing. Tea and snacks were provided for free—a gesture of hospitality from the restaurant to the nobles' retainers. Away from the watchful eyes of their masters, these young men and women played and flirted shamelessly. Maids grabbed the sleeves of footmen, and footmen tugged at the sashes of maids. I accidentally overheard far too many private secrets of noble households, and blushing with embarrassment, I quickly downed several cups of tea.
As I set down my cup, I suddenly felt that the wall behind the square tea table was a bit strange. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, so I observed it closely and reached out to touch a cluster of orchids. I felt along the orchid leaves, but instead of hitting a solid wall as expected, I watched as my hand sank right into the surface!
I was secretly delighted. I understood now! The wall was disguised with an illusion; it was actually a passage! I tested a few more spots and discovered that wherever a tall potted plant provided cover, there was a person-sized opening behind it. Near the smaller potted plants on the tables, there were holes about a span wide—perfect for eavesdropping or theft!
Not knowing what lay on the other side, I didn't dare venture in, but this discovery was enough to explain the truth behind Wen Shu’s stolen clothes. I leisurely finished another cup of tea. Seeing that nearly half an hour had passed and the first act was likely ending, I brushed off my hands and headed back to Miss Zhou’s booth.
When Wen Xiang saw me, she raised an eyebrow. "That fast?"
I cleared my throat and hinted, "I’m well-rested."
Wen Xiang slapped her thigh happily. "Perfect! The act is just about to end. Watch this!"
On the floating stage, a martial actor wearing a pheasant-feather crown was performing a series of somersaults, fighting fiercely against a man in black robes with a blue-painted face. That young actor was Tong Jinhu, the most popular star of the Azure Dragon Troupe. I watched for a while, but compared to the life-and-death battles of people like Wei Qingming, this stage combat felt tame. I couldn't stop yawning. Finally, Tong Jinhu swung his spear and pierced the heart of the black-robed man. The gongs and drums crashed loudly and rapidly, signaling the end of the scene.
Simultaneously, Xu Xingze on the second floor finished his act, and the lingering sounds of silk and bamboo instruments drifted upward.
Wen Xiang stood up abruptly, rushed to the railing, and hurled a bucket of red fruits. Her strength was considerable, but throwing them all at once like that made her no different from the hundreds of other frenzied ladies. I decided to give her a hand. Secretly channeling a burst of spiritual energy, I struck the bucket of fruits mid-air. A brilliant explosion of fiery red light erupted. Then, one by one, the red fruits were hit by the shockwave, each bursting into a radiant crimson ring of light that encircled Tong Jinhu as he took his bow on the black jade stage!
Wen Xiang clapped and laughed triumphantly, while Zhou Sihui looked at me in astonishment. Amidst the deafening cheers, she had to raise her voice to be heard: "Feijing, I didn't know you had such a trick up your sleeve!"
"Another one!" Wen Xiang stepped onto the railing, standing steady as she scattered another handful of spirit fruits. I used my energy to strike them one by one. This time, instead of making them explode, I pushed them further onto the stage. Tong Jinhu was indeed sharp; he used the tip of his spear in a dazzling display to break the spirit fruits. Fiery red flames bloomed around him like flowers. The scene was truly like a god of war descending amidst the fires of the Red Lotus Hell.
Wen Xiang kept throwing, and he kept striking. By the time the bucket was empty, Tong Jinhu wasn't even winded. He struck a final pose, steady as a mountain, drawing another round of screams from the watching women.
In comparison, the performance of *Linchuan Dream* on the second floor seemed far too aloof and cold. Though a sea of blue cornflowers flooded the stage, many young ladies were looking up at the spectacle on the third floor, clapping and cheering loudly.
Wen Xiang jumped down from the railing, exhilarated, and shouted to me, "You do the third bucket!"
I calmly channeled my power. The spirit fruits flew out of the bucket in a single file, soaring to the center of the air above the stage and forming a pattern. I clapped my hands, and the fruits exploded simultaneously, revealing a line of words: *The fans congratulate the Azure Dragon Troupe on a triumphant performance!*
Amidst the sky full of red fruits and blue flowers, Hua Moli slammed her hand on her table and stood up, screaming curses at Wen Xiang. It took her maids holding her back to prevent her from charging at the railing and falling off...
***
**Glossary**
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
--- | --- | ---
初南楼 | Chunan Tower | A famous five-story restaurant and entertainment venue in Pingjing.
兴业坊 | Xingye Ward | A district in the capital city.
东市 | East Market | The major commercial hub of Pingjing.
永嘉、永兴 | Yongjia, Yongxing | Wealthy residential wards in the capital.
临川梦 | Linchuan Dream | A famous play performed by Xu Xingze (likely a reference to the "Four Dreams of Linchuan").
蓝矢车菊 | Blue Cornflower | The flower used by fans to support Xu Xingze.
火灵果 | Fire Spirit Fruit | A spiritual fruit from Ezhou that reacts to energy; used here as a "tip" for actors.
青龙班 | Azure Dragon Troupe | A rival theatrical troupe to Xu Xingze's.
彩雉羽 | Colorful Pheasant Feather | A token used to support acrobatic performers.
花茉莉 | Hua Moli | A young lady from the Hua family, a rival to Wen Xiang.
许星泽 | Xu Xingze | A famous and popular actor known for his refined, elegant roles.
童金虎 | Tong Jinhu | The lead martial actor (wusheng) of the Azure Dragon Troupe.
飞景 | Feijing | One of the three famous swords of Emperor Wen of Wei; the name adopted by the protagonist for her disguise.
周思卉 | Zhou Sihui | A friend of Wen Xiang.
峨州 | Ezhou | A location known for producing Fire Spirit Fruits.
黑玉舞台 | Black Jade Stage | The floating performance platforms in Chunan Tower.
