Chapter 65: Chapter 65: The Empress’s Exclusive Dance
Editor: Atlas Studios
“‘Gentle as Water’? Are you sure?” Sister Tong was somewhat startled.
‘Gentle as Water’ is the most famous dance ever choreographed by Emperor Xia Liang for his empress.
Empress Bao had once performed it at Emperor Xia Liang’s longevity feast, and it was recorded that all the court officials were stunned. The Prime Minister was even so mesmerized that he was entranced by Empress Bao’s graceful dance and couldn’t come back to his senses until a month later.
Filled with jealousy, Emperor Xia Liang immediately dismissed the Prime Minister.
He also ordered that Empress Bao was not allowed to perform ‘Gentle as Water’ in public and could only dance it for him.
As a result, ‘Gentle as Water’ was lost to the ages.
Numerous historical researchers painstakingly studied historical texts, eager to restore this legendary dance that was said to be too divine for the mortal world.
However, despite their research, aside from understanding the sensation it caused at the time, there were no detailed records of the dance itself.
Twenty years ago, some fragments of information about ‘Gentle as Water’ were found in the daily records of the dismissed Prime Minister by a historian.
This discovery caused a sensation.
Countless dancers, based on the few movements recorded by the Prime Minister, choreographed and perfected this long-lost astonishing dance.
Since everyone’s choreography turned out differently, there were many versions.
And the most renowned was that of the national treasure-level dance artist, Teacher Yin Mulan.
In fact, Yin Mulan rose to fame with this perfected version of ‘Gentle as Water’!
After so many years, Yin Mulan had experienced lows and highs, brilliance and decline, and danced countless dances, but ‘Gentle as Water’ remained the unrivaled classic of her dancing career.
Not being able to witness Empress Bao’s complete version of ‘Gentle as Water’ also became her greatest regret.
Sister Tong hesitated, “Baby, do you think that because ‘Gentle as Water’ is Teacher Yin’s claim to fame, you want to resonate with her through this dance so that she gives you high scores?
Teacher Yin is not the kind of person who lets her feelings influence her decisions, you must be cautious.”
If it were someone else, playing the emotional card would indeed be more likely to move the judges.
But Yin Mulan was different; she dedicated her life to dance and had a fervent obsession with it.
Her pursuit of dance commands respect.
To try and resonate with her through her signature dance, if danced well, is one thing; if not, it would be counterproductive!
Even the classical dance goddess Lin Mier dare not attempt it lightly.
Xia Weibao performing it at such an event…
Sister Tong was troubled, “Baby, with Teacher Yin and Zhu Yu before us, if our ‘Gentle as Water’ is not good, shall we change it?”
Xia Weibao was puzzled, why couldn’t she dance it just because Yin Mulan had?
What a joke, this was a dance personally choreographed for her by the Dog Emperor; she had to consider someone else’s feelings to dance her own dance?
“No need to change it, let’s stick with ‘Gentle as Water’.”
Unable to persuade her, Sister Tong could only end the call.
Xia Weibao went online to search for this Yin Mulan.
Unaware until she looked, she was taken aback by what she found!
Yin Mulan, an internationally famous dancer, had won every major and minor domestic dance competition!
She had participated in dozens of international dance competitions and had taken the championship in each one!
With fifteen international dance tours under her belt, she was the only dancer in the country to have held her own show at Lincoln Center!
Yin Mulan was the pinnacle of Huaxia’s dance world!
She was the future of Huaxia’s dance!
Unfortunately, this highly celebrated dancer suffered a leg injury from a car accident at the age of thirty-five, which kept her away from the stage forever.
It also ended Huaxia’s international path in dance.