Chapter 68 - Ji wanghao
In Hanshen Ge's training hall, after the girls had received their rewards, they were dismissed, each allowed to return to their rooms.
On her way back, as Minhwa turned to the corridor that leads to her room, she suddenly stopped.
Ahead of her stood two figures—Jianhe and Lin Yue.
Jianhe stood in front, her posture rigid. Behind her, Lin Yue was bowing, her shoulders trembling slightly. Even from a distance, it was obvious she had been crying.
A moment later, Jianhe straightened and turned to leave.
As she did, her gaze briefly met Minhwa's.
She paused—just for a second.
Then, without a word, she continued forward.
When she passed by, her shoulder struck Minhwa's squarely.
Not an accident.
Not even a glance back.
No apology.
She simply walked away.
Behind her, Lin Yue slowly lifted her head. The moment she saw Minhwa, panic flickered across her face.
Lin Yue avoided her gaze—as if afraid Minhwa might ask questions she couldn't answer.
Quickly, she wiped her tears with the back of her hand and turned away, deliberately avoiding Minhwa's path as she hurried off.
Minhwa remained where she stood.
Silent.
Still.
Inside her mind, Vira couldn't hold back any longer.
Host… why are Lin Yue and Jianhe together?
"I don't know," Minhwa replied calmly.
Vira hesitated, then spoke again, her tone lowering.
Host… what if they were the ones who ruined the clothes you were supposed to perform with?
Minhwa's gaze remained steady.
"Even if they were," she said quietly, "there's nothing that can be done without proof."
Vira fell silent for a moment.
Then—
True… she admitted.
Host, forget about them. Why don't you go back and rest? You must be exhausted. You did really well today.
A faint softness touched Minhwa's expression.
"Thank you, Vira. I couldn't have done it without you."
It's okay, Host. It's my duty.
Minhwa said nothing more.
She turned and continued walking.
When she reached her room, she pushed the door open and stepped inside.
The familiar silence greeted her.
Without hesitation, she walked straight to the bed and lay down, not even bothering to change.
The exhaustion she had been holding back all day finally caught up to her.
And within moments— She fell into a deep sleep.
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.
The next day.
Around the early afternoon, a knock sounded on Minhwa's door.
Hearing it, Minhwa rose from where she slept and went to open it.
Outside stood a guard.
"Madam is requesting your presence," he said.
Inside her mind, Vira spoke immediately.
Host, why is she looking for you?
"I don't know," Minhwa replied calmly. "We'll find out when we get there."
Without delay, she freshened up and headed straight for Madam's office.
When she arrived, she knocked once.
"Enter."
Minhwa stepped inside.
"Sit," Madam instructed.
Minhwa obeyed without hesitation, taking her seat quietly.
For a brief moment, the room fell silent.
Then—
"Minhwa," Madam began, her tone measured, "you did well in yesterday's performance."
"Thank you, ma'am," Minhwa replied.
"I called you here to inform you of something." Madam's gaze remained steady on her. "After this month, starting next month, you will begin performing once a week."
Minhwa's eyes widened slightly.
"What?" she asked before she could stop herself.
Even Vira gasped in shock.
In her past life, she had only begun performing at twelve.
But now—she was only ten.
Madam's brows drew together faintly.
"Do you not want it?" she asked.
"I do," Minhwa said quickly. She hesitated briefly before continuing, "But… am I not too young for such an opportunity, ma'am?"
Madam gave a soft, almost dismissive scoff.
"It is precisely because you are young that those women who came favored you," she said. "It is to draw more patrons especially the women back to Hanshen Ge."
She leaned back slightly.
"They enjoyed your performance yesterday. As long as you can present something of that standard—or better—there is no reason you should not perform."
A pause.
"You will also be paid."
Inside her mind, Vira lit up.
"Host, you'll even be getting paid!"
Minhwa remained composed, but she lowered her head slightly.
"Thank you, ma'am," she said. "I will not disappoint you."
"You had better not," Madam replied coolly. "You may leave."
Minhwa rose to her feet and turned toward the door.
Just as she reached it—Madam spoke again.
"One more thing."
Minhwa paused.
"You are permitted to leave Hanshen Ge today," Madam added. "Consider it a reward for yesterday's performance."
The room stilled briefly before Madam spoke again.
"A guard will go with you, so use it wisely. Now go."
For a split second, Minhwa was genuinely surprised. Only senior gisaeng were usually allowed to step outside.
But she did not question it.
She bowed respectfully. Then turned and left.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
As Minhwa stepped out of Madam's office, the door slid shut softly behind her.
The corridor stretched ahead—quiet, dimly lit, and empty.
She had barely taken a few steps when a voice called out, tinged with surprise.
"Minhwa?"
She looked up.
Master Du Dufu stood a short distance away, his brows slightly raised as he studied her.
Clearly, he hadn't expected to see her here.
Minhwa paused, then gave a small, respectful bow. "Master Du."
He walked closer, his gaze calm but curious.
"What are you doing here?" he asked. "why were you in Madam's office?"
Minhwa straightened.
"Madam called for me," she said.
Master Du's expression shifted slightly, his interest deepening. "Oh?"
Minhwa met his gaze without hesitation.
"She told me that from next month, I will be performing once a week."
For a brief moment—silence.
Then, a faint smile tugged at the corner of Master Du's lips.
"I see…" he murmured.
There was no disbelief in his voice—only confirmation, as if this outcome had already been expected.
But Minhwa didn't stop there. After a short pause, she spoke again.
"Master Du," she said, her tone steady, "I have a request."
His brows lifted slightly.
"And what is that?"
"I would like you to teach me."
The words were simple—but direct. There was no hesitation. No embellishment.
Just intent.
Master Du studied her for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly as if weighing something unseen.
Then— A quiet chuckle escaped him.
"You're quite bold," he said.
But there was no displeasure in his voice.
Only amusement… and a hint of approval.
"Very well," he continued. "I had intended to take a closer look at you anyway."
His gaze sharpened.
"From now on… I will personally oversee your training."
Minhwa dipped her head slightly. "Thank you, Master."
Their conversation ended as simply as it had begun.
Master Du gave a small nod before turning toward Madam's office, his steps calm and unhurried.
Minhwa watched him go for a brief moment— Then turned in the opposite direction.
Her steps were quiet as she made her way back through the corridor.
Back to her room.
Inside, She moved without pause, going straight to the small chest tucked away in the corner.
From it, she retrieved a pouch.
It was the reward from yesterday.
Her share.
The soft clink of coins echoed faintly as she lifted it.
She counted them. Ten silver coins.
Minhwa's gaze lingered on it for a moment— Then she closed her hand around the pouch.
Her expression remained calm.
But her thoughts were already moving forward.
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.
.
.
After Minhwa retrieved her money pouch, she changed her clothes and secured a head covering over her face.
Once she stepped outside, she noticed the guard already waiting to escort her.
Without delay, they left Hanshen Ge and headed straight into town.
The moment they arrived, the morning market was alive with noise. Voices overlapped, rising and falling in waves.
But even within the chaos, one thing was clear— Everyone was talking about the same thing.
Last night's performance.
"That little girl… she was stunning!"
"Especially when the paint started pouring—it felt so magical!"
"And that flower scene—did you see it? When they bloomed together? It looked real!"
"And her spins—was it forty-one? Or forty-two? I lost count!"
"I heard she's only ten years old!"
"She looked like a living painting…"
Voices like these rippled through the bustling market of Great Liang.
Host, it seems you're quite famous. Congratulations, Vira said, sounding pleased.
Minhwa ignored the praise. She had come for one thing—exploration, and to eat.
The guard assigned to her followed silently behind as Minhwa moved through the market.
And then— She started buying.
And eating.
A lot.
From steaming skewers of lamb chuan to freshly made jianbing wrapped in thin, crispy layers…
From sweet, sticky tanghulu glistening with sugar to soft, chewy rice cakes—
She tried everything without once offering the guard any.
Her reasoning was simple:
"He's an adult. He can provide for himself."
Minhwa continued through the stalls, picking out small, delicate items.
Hairpins—simple ones that most people ignored.
But she remembered. In the future, these very designs would become wildly sought after.
So she bought them one after another.
She also selected a few props she could use for her upcoming performance.
Each item handed straight to the guard until his arms were gradually filled.
He let out a quiet scoff.
"Yeah...This girl is quite selfish." He thought
Even Vira was not left out.
Whenever she pointed something out— Minhwa bought it without question.
Completely indulging her requests.
Time passed quickly.
Before long, the sun had begun to dip, and the market shifted into the late afternoon.
Minhwa slowed her steps.
It was time to leave.
Just as they were about to head back, the tone of the market shifted. The excitement faded—replaced by shock.
"Did you hear?"
"Ji Wanghao—the Left Prime Minister—is dead!"
"What?!"
"I heard… he was killed by his second wife."