Wild Crimson Rose: Beloved Handyman Prince's Courtesan Wife Chapter 20

"Well then, let's go . " Shen Tianyu announced as she got up . Her purple kimono-like dress swished as she moved . The kimono dress was light purple with purple covering the edge of the wide sleeves and lapels . Embroidered on the dress were white carnations that changed color to purple depending on the angle of the lighting on her purple dress, even on the light purple sash around her waist . Her hair was mostly tied in the back in a spiraling bun . On the front of her hair was a big pale purple carnation flower fading to white in the middle . Attached to the flower were strings of white pearls that created a beautiful contrast to the wisps of raven-black hair that were left to dangle on the sides that brushed together whenever she moved . She walked out of the room and toward the stage permanently set in the center of the Great Hall as Ming Su followed and the head maid stayed behind . As she passed, the other courtesans and the customers that had come early, either for this event or because they had nothing to do, gaped and stared .

'The trash of the Shen family was this beautiful? How did I never notice?' Most of the customers thought . By this time, it was already widely known that Minister Shen has sold his daughter despite his attempts to hide it .

Sung Ming, who was standing in front of the stage along with Mu Shenchou, snapped out of their daze first . He nodded his head at her and she nodded back . Noticing that, Mu Shenchou also snapped out of his daze, though he was expressionless the whole time so it might be hard to tell for others . Shen Tianyu put her long sleeves over her mouth and giggled . Those that heard the light melodious giggle had starstruck eyes . Those that didn't and merely saw her sleeve covering her mouth and the creasing of her eyes closed and opened their mouths foolishly like fish . Arriving in front of the Manager and Vice-Manager, she bent her knees and lowered her upper body in a slight bow .

In a serious leader-like tone, Sung Ming commanded "Rise" . As she did so, Shen Tianyu leaned over between the two and whispered her courtesan name she had spent so long thinking about . They both nodded and she retreated .

Sung Ming cleared his throat . "Ahem . Today, as everyone gathered here knows, is when a new member officially joins our Lavender Palace . All her relationships to the outside will be cut and she shall reborn to live as a member of our Palace named Tian Feng . As per the rules of this Palace, she shall be treated with dignity and respect regardless of her past . Now, to celebrate her debut, Tian Feng will be performing for our employees and esteemed guests . "

Finishing his speech, Sung Ming stepped aside and went to the office with Mu Shenchou in tow . Certain customers were still reeling with what was just said . 'Perform? Since when has the trash had any talent?' Slowly, disdain started flashing in their eyes, quickly replaced by a lewd look . 'She's that desperate for attention? Fine! This young master will give her attention!' was the thought of many . Ignoring what she knew the men present were thinking, Shen Tianyu walked gracefully up the stairs of the stage and sat in front of the guqin set up there today . She put her hands on the guqin and began to play as she sang .

. . .

On the second floor of the Palace

A young man with lustrous silver hair tinted with light ice blue was leaning against the railings with his arms, looking down at the Great Hall . His cold light green eyes and freezing air surrounding him clearly stated he didn't want anyone near him . However, if he walked downstairs or outside there would be a bunch of women staring at and flocking around him because of his country-destroying looks . He was wearing a black robe with simple golden embroidery on the lapels and a plain black sash . He saw the beauty today's commotion was meant for but didn't even bat an eye . After all, anyone could look pretty with the right amount of make-up and clothes . Being a brothel house also, Lavender Palace certainly wasn't lacking people with expertise in these areas . He was staring mundanely down at the crowd below him until she started singing .

'Her voice and playing is quite pleasant,' he thought with slight surprise in his eyes . 'Most women at brothel houses only know how to act virtuous and get into a man's bed . How interesting . ' As he listened more keenly on her singing, his eyes widened when he heard the lyrics .

. . .

*I want something I can be ecstatic for

Saying you're weak, you're not talented is not cute

Take your complex by the tail and make it your originality . . .

I'm sure you can become yourself the way you want yourself to be

Search, because "you're the one" on the grand stage

Now stretch your wings of imagination and fly*

. . .

The young man on the second floor chuckled to himself, his hand over his mouth . The guard in his shadow jolted in surprise . 'The prince was laughing? He's never laughed apart from being with the Empress and other princes before . What's so interesting?' The masked guard wrinkled his eyebrows in confusion .

'This girl . . . is definitely interesting,' the young prince thought with a smile on his face . The peole of this world only ever sing or play songs about nature, to praise some well-known figure, the virtuousness of a woman, or a certain prostitute . One could even say that no one ever even thought about singing about freedom, much less aspirations . Especially with the cultue of parents deciding your life, every child was merely an extension of their parent's dreams, very rarely has any man ever even thought of what he truly wanted, much less a woman . And for a woman, a brothel girl, no less, to sing about following one's aspirations and dreams is certainly unprecedented .

. . .

After her performance, Shen Tianyu stepped down from the stage amidst everyone's awestruck stares . When she got off the steps, some people came back to their senses and started clapping . As more and more people started clapping, some even began cheering . Though the lyrics of the song were certainly unconventional, her singing and playing proves she was no amateur, even if she wasn't the best, her singing still garnered much admiration and respect, at the very least . However, from the crowd, a voice scoffed .

"Ha! What dreams? You're only a prostitute now, don't get cocky . A girl sold by her own father singing about dreams? Don't name me laugh!"

Shen Tianyu turned toward the voice, and many if the courtesans did the same with dissatisfaction on their faces . 'This person has no manners, didn't the manager announce that she is cut off from her past now? He actually brought that up!'

Chapter end