Listening to my words, Zhong Cui remained silent. Her eyes lowered, and I had no idea what she was thinking or what I should say to her. I simply sat there, holding the golden hairpin in my hand, and placed it in front of her.

After a long time, Zhong Cui finally came back to her senses. She glanced at the hairpin in my hand with a shallow gaze and said in a low voice, "Aying, actually the white jade suits you better." As she spoke, she took something out from her sleeve and picked up the comb on the table to help me comb my hair again. When her movements stopped, I realized that the white jade hairpin that I had lost was now firmly inserted in my hair.

"Cuicui, I..." I opened my mouth, about to say something, but my lips were covered by a small hand smeared with bright red rouge. Zhong Cui's face revealed a faint smile as she softly muttered to herself, "A Ying, I don't want you to be jinxed. I'll explain to you later, be good." As she spoke, she picked up the charcoal pencil from my desk, dipped it in the bright red rouge, and drew something at the corner of my eye. I didn't interrupt her, even though the pencil in her hand made my eye corner itch.

"Alright, my Ah Ying looks so beautiful, now she doesn't have to worry about being recognized." After a long time, she stopped her movements and turned my face towards the copper mirror on the dressing table. Looking at myself in the mirror, my cloud-like hair, snow-like skin, and the peony blossoming at the corner of my eyes added a touch of allure to my originally pure appearance. I never knew I could be so alluring. I hesitantly looked towards Zhong Cui, who smiled and produced a black robe from somewhere, saying, "Ah Ying, wear this. You're going to leave sooner or later, but don't tarnish a girl's reputation."

I looked at the black-gold patterned robe in her hand, paused for a moment, and whispered, "What about my mother..." "She won't say anything," Zhong Cui interrupted before I could finish speaking. As she spoke, she draped the robe over me, her slender fingers carefully smoothing out the creases on my clothes. A faint scent of face powder wafted into my nose, surprisingly pleasant.

The night gradually grew darker, and faint sounds of laughter and joy from the girls outside the door could be heard. Zhong Cui took my hand and whispered, "Aying, it's time to go. Don't be afraid, I'm with you." Her hand was very small, yet it gave me an inexplicable sense of security, just like when Daddy used to hold my hand when I was a child, yet somehow it felt different.

This is my first time entering the hall of the Orchid Pavilion. Everywhere I look, there is red silk, even the floor is covered with fine red silk. On the high platform, there are maidens singing enchanting tunes that make one's face blush and heart race. Zhong Cui led me to the smiling madam and whispered something in her ear, then pulled me to a corner and sat down.

Before long, a servant came in carrying a sandalwood zither. Zhong Cui took the zither and placed it in front of me, saying, "A Ying, you can sit behind the screen later, I will take care of everything." Hearing her words, I glanced at the stage and indeed saw a veil hanging there without knowing when. Behind the veil, I could vaguely see a small stool. I tugged at Zhong Cui's sleeve and gave her a reassuring smile, gently grasping her hand. "Cui Cui, don't worry, everything will be fine. Can I play 'The Dance of the Rainbow Skirt' later?" Upon hearing my words, Zhong Cui widened her eyes and looked at me in disbelief. After a moment, she said, "A Ying, I don't know how to dance 'The Dance of the Rainbow Skirt'."

Watching her flustered appearance, I chuckled lightly and unexpectedly found her somewhat adorable. I ruffled her hair and said, "Silly Cuicui, nobody said that the Nishang Song must be accompanied by the Nishang Dance. You can dance whatever you want, Cuicui's dance will be the most beautiful."