As the night went on, I danced more and more. Even the ministers, who were tense at the mention of Prince Zheng, celebrated and cheered as I pranced across the room.
It made me sick, but the most important thing was that the Crown Prince watched me with hawk eyes, rubbing his chin and mouth with his hand whenever I flashed him a sultry gaze.
My veil had yet to come off. It was the only reason I could dance without restraint.
Humiliation fuelled me. I, the daughter of the great General Yan of Yin Shang, dancing and twirling for the Golden Court like a courtesan. It felt like an eternity of being surrounded by laughing old men sipping wine and eating meat.
Finally... It was time for the ministers to go. Before the Palace doors closed for the night, they had to rush out and return home. There would be an hour before the eunuchs came announcing curfew.
