Behind the Mask - Chapter 28
Chapter 28: Extra
Dusk was approaching.
Yao San sat before the zither table, having been in a daze for nearly the entire afternoon. Whenever she heard a sound, she would glance toward the door.
It was her maidservant, Huan'er, who entered. "Miss..."
Yao San sat up straight and asked, "Has Qingliu's maidservant arrived?"
"No. It's time for the evening meal."
Yao San rested her chin in her hand and shook her head. "I have no appetite."
Seeing that Yao San had been out of sorts for several days, Huan'er ventured, "Miss, if you wish to see Lady Qingliu, why not make a trip to the Drunken Red Mansion? I hear she's performing this evening."
"Who wants to see her?!" Yao San snapped, annoyed.
Huan'er didn't dare say more, but she was still unconvinced. She had clearly hit the nail on the head. A few days ago, Qingliu had sent an invitation every day, and Yao San had been delighted. Now that Qingliu hadn't sent one for a few days, her melancholy was written all over her face.
Yao San was indeed gloomy. She couldn't understand what that woman was thinking. Just a few days ago, she had been eagerly sending people to invite her to listen to her music, and had also... flirted with her in all sorts of ways.
Why am I thinking about such an insignificant, flirtatious woman? Yao San suddenly scoffed, disgusted with herself.
Although Yao San had said she had no appetite, Huan'er brought her a meal anyway, afraid her mistress would fall ill from hunger.
Yao San picked up her chopsticks and ate a few absentminded bites before setting them down again. She glanced at the deep darkness outside the window, and after a moment's thought, she put down her chopsticks and rose to her feet.
Perhaps because the evening was too dull, she made a trip to the Drunken Red Mansion.
The Drunken Red Mansion was crowded with men. The moment Yao San saw the scene, she knew Qingliu must be performing that evening.
This time, she had come dressed as a woman, and she stood out awkwardly in the crowd of men.
"Heh, what a novelty. A woman coming to join the fun?"
Yao San had a fiery temper. "And why can't a woman join the fun?" With that, she flaunted her wealth and demanded the most conspicuous seat in the front row.
"Well now, a rich little lady." The man smirked lewdly. "Could it be that you also wish to win the lady's favor?"
Disgusted, Yao San refused to look at the man, lest she dirty her own eyes.
Just then, Qingliu walked to the front of the stage, a pipa in her arms. She swayed her slender waist, her heavy makeup vibrant and stunning. Her appearance alone drew a clamor of admiration from the crowd.
Qingliu offered a faint, perfunctory smile. As she glanced over the audience, her downcast eyes suddenly froze. Her red lips curved upward, her smile deepening until it was utterly captivating.
Yao San felt a prickle of unease. Seeing the triumphant smile Qingliu cast in her direction, she regretted coming.
That one smile from Qingliu utterly bewitched the men below, leaving them grinning like fools, completely disoriented. Before she had even begun to play, they were already eagerly pulling out money to tip her.
Only Yao San remained expressionless in the audience. What is wrong with me, she thought, to be sitting here with a crowd of smelly men, listening to music?
Qingliu smiled as she plucked a pipa string. The moment she began to sing, her lingering, melodious voice silenced the entire hall.
Yao San's attention was captured by that gentle, flowing voice. Whenever she heard Qingliu speak softly, an inexplicable tingle went through her heart—especially when Qingliu whispered in her ear.
Qingliu sang leisurely, her eyes often sweeping over the audience below, a beautiful smile playing on her lips.
For some reason, Yao San felt her heart pounding. There were many people in the audience, but she knew Qingliu was smiling at her. It was the same smile Qingliu gave her when they met in private. Even the passionate song she was singing now felt as if it were meant for her alone.
Yao San had planned to leave after one song, but before she knew it, she had stayed for five. When her eyes met Qingliu's again, she found she didn't want to look away. She had to admit, Qingliu was the most bewitching, most alluring woman she had ever met.
Lowering her head to take a sip of tea, Yao San decided it was time to leave. The music tonight had left her heart in turmoil.
Qingliu saw Yao San rise to leave. As she sang, she shot a meaningful glance at a maidservant standing nearby.
Just as she stepped out of the Drunken Red Mansion, someone called out to her. "Miss Yao, please wait." She turned to see it was Qingliu's maidservant.
"My mistress will be finished after one more song. She would like to invite you upstairs for a while."
Yao San meant to refuse and walk away, but her feet seemed rooted to the spot. After a moment's hesitation, she followed the maidservant upstairs.
The moment she entered the room, a rich fragrance assailed her senses. She couldn't help but curse inwardly. That damn woman, even the incense in her room is so elaborate.
Yao San sat for a while before the maidservant brought a table of tea and refreshments. "Please wait a moment, Miss Yao. My mistress will be here as soon as she has finished her bath."
A bath? Yao San wanted to say something, but the maidservant had already left.
After another long while, the bedroom door was finally pushed open.
Yao San looked up. Qingliu had removed her heavy makeup and changed out of her gaudy, worldly clothes. Her dark hair was draped lazily over her shoulders, held in a simple bun with a single wooden hairpin.
Qingliu glided over to her and murmured, "Only three days, and you couldn't wait to see me?"
Yao San finally tore her gaze away. "Don't be so full of yourself."
Qingliu gave a dazzling smile. She bent down and tilted up Yao San's chin, forcing her to meet her gaze. "Then why did you come to see me tonight?"
"I..."
Qingliu studied her face.
Catching a glimpse of the deep cleavage faintly visible beneath Qingliu's loose robes... Yao San blushed. She pushed Qingliu's hand away and said with feigned seriousness, "You didn't finish that song last time. I want to hear the rest of it."
Qingliu just smiled. "I'm in a good mood today, so I'll play it for you."
"..." Yao San felt a wave of relief. A perfectly suitable excuse.
Qingliu picked up the pipa, leaned against the side of the daybed, and began to play with her eyes downcast.
Night had fallen. The candlelight in the room cast an intimate glow, and the melody from the pipa was both gentle and seductive.
Watching Qingliu on the daybed, her robes half-open, Yao San momentarily forgot to listen to the music.
Simple, yet still enchanting. This was what she looked like without her makeup. Yao San didn't even realize her own gaze was lingering on Qingliu for an unnaturally long time.
She didn't want to admit it, but she was undeniably drawn to Qingliu. In truth, she had been captivated the very first time she saw her perform...
Qingliu looked up and, just as she expected, caught Yao San staring intently at her. Distracted for a moment, she broke a pipa string, cutting her fingertip.
The melody came to an abrupt halt.
Yao San went to the daybed and sat down. "Are you all right?"
Is she worried about me? Qingliu found this novel. She raised her hand and saw blood welling from her fingertip. Staring at Yao San, she said softly, "I'm bleeding."
Yao San gazed at the face so close to hers, feeling the warm brush of Qingliu's breath. That tingling sensation returned to her heart. Perhaps it was their proximity, or perhaps the incense in the room was too strong, thick enough to muddle the senses, that she dazedly... brought Qingliu's fingertip to her lips and took it into her mouth.
A tremor went through Qingliu's heart, a completely unfamiliar sensation. Involuntarily, her other hand rose to cup Yao San's cheek.
Yao San glanced up to see Qingliu staring intently at her, caressing her face. Her mind went numb. How could she be playing along with Qingliu's flirtations? She parted her lips, trying to regain her senses.
"You've been staring at me all evening. Haven't you had your fill?" Qingliu held her face, preventing her from pulling away, and smiled flirtatiously. "Why don't you stay the night? I can let you look as much as you want."
Yao San clenched her fists.
Qingliu pressed her nose to Yao San's and continued her seduction, her soft whisper laced with provocation. "You want to sleep with me, don't you?"
The sliver of reason Yao San had regained was instantly devoured. Every time they met, Qingliu acted this way, teasing her until her heart ached. Flustered and annoyed, she shot back a provocation of her own. "You're all talk."
Always putting on a wanton act to live up to her reputation. Yao San had seen through her. That was the kind of person Qingliu was.
Qingliu's expression flickered. She wrapped an arm around Yao San's waist, her playfully seductive air returning. "Then do you dare to stay the night?"
"Why wouldn't I dare?" Yao San hugged her back, even more tightly.
Qingliu was taken aback. She had expected the innocent Miss Yao to turn beet red and flee in a panic.
They held each other tightly, chest to chest, both their hearts pounding.
Their noses brushed against each other, and as if in a contest, neither pulled away. The atmosphere began to shift. In one fleeting instant, they forgot their status, forgot everything else, and their lips met in a natural kiss.
Qingliu gave her two shallow kisses before coming to her senses. Suppressing the flutter in her heart, she pulled away.
But it was Yao San who refused to let go. She pressed her lips to Qingliu's again, kissing her forcefully, just as Qingliu had taken liberties with her that day. Her palm moved to caress soft flesh.
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