Crossing the Mountains

Chapter 60 Suniluo Dance
Putting aside her duties, Tan Huaike followed Shentu Zhuo to the Yuefu. Passing by the Yunhexiang steps, she asked Pei'er to ask the shopkeeper Du for a tailor, so that they could go to the rehearsal site to finalize the dress design and measure the dancers.

The whole music hall was busy as hell.

The musicians were practicing the new pieces frantically, and would be punished if they made a mistake; the dancers were rehearsing the changed dances, adapting to the rhythm of the new music; the person in charge of reciting the lyrics for the suburban temples was the music official at the pond, and he had to recite the lyrics newly written by Shentu Zhuo, so his voice was a little hoarse, his lips were chapped, and he looked exhausted.

Tan Huaike couldn't help but sigh, "I knew you were busy, but I didn't expect you to be this busy. Are all the previous rehearsals going to be scrapped? Do we have to start all over again? There's only about half a month left, is there still time?"

Shentu Zhuo pinched his forehead. "There's nothing too late. The county governor said everyone has to rehearse even if they don't eat or sleep. Chi Fanyu is almost broken, but he still has to practice every day. Fortunately, all other performances have been canceled. No one in the county can invite people from the Yuefu to perform on stage, so we can focus on the end-of-year sacrifice."

"Is someone important coming?"

"It should be." Shentu Zhuo had a vague guess in his mind, but it was useless to say it or not. He had to risk his life to rehearse, otherwise the county magistrate would lose his official hat and his recommendation would be ruined.

Coming to an enclosed wooden platform, Tan Huaike saw six musicians and twelve dancers rehearsing.

Shentu Zhuo called over the dancer who was leading the instruction and introduced her to Tan Huaike, "This is Mihe, a Mohe woman. She dances Kupsu Niro very well, and she's currently teaching everyone this dance. But time is tight, and she needs to practice her own positioning. Correcting each move individually is too troublesome. It would be best if someone who can dance and watch can help, which would make things much faster."

Tan Huaike nodded: "Okay, I understand."

Mi He looked at Tan Huai Ke, seeming a little dissatisfied. "Excuse me for being blunt, but Master Zhuo suddenly brought a new face here, claiming she can dance and watch, and wants her to watch us practice dancing. How can I cope with this?"

"Why can't you just be alone?" Shentu Zhuo asked back.

"If I disagree with her, who will we sisters listen to?" Mi He continued, not shying away from Tan Huaike's presence. "Master Zhuo also said time is running out. If I start arguing with her, wouldn't that just waste time? Besides, what makes you think she's knowledgeable? And why should we listen to her?"

Mi He had always been outgoing and easygoing, but perhaps it was because of all the dancing practice that she had become irritable. Shen Tu Zhuo had not expected her to be so resistant, so he said helplessly, "Then what are you going to do?"

"Didn't you say she can dance? Let's see how she dances first."

"She's not a dancer, and she won't pick on you for no reason. She's just someone I hired to supervise..."

"Okay, then I'll give it a try." Tan Huaike said, "I'm new here, so I need to listen to the music first and then try it out."

After saying that, she took off her shoes and socks and stood barefoot on the stage like the other dancers.
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Seeing that she volunteered to fight, Shentu Zhuo said nothing more and gestured towards the musicians, and the music began to play.

Toes raised to the beat, Tan Huaike danced to the music. Kupsu-nilo, a prayer dance of the Mohe people, is typically joyful. Her steps are light and nimble, as she swiftly moves, leaps, and spins across the stage, as if depicting words and symbols of prayer. To the rhythm of a huqin, she gradually spun faster and faster, her tresses unfurling as she swayed, her long hair flowing around her sides.

The drums boomed, and suddenly, she seemed to fall from the clouds, her arms stretching and retracting, rising and falling like a bird's wings. Each movement was full of power and a woman's softness. Sometimes she messed with light and shadow, sometimes she swayed gently, like a strong wind blowing silk. Her eyes seemed to contain endless stories.

The music reached its most rapid part, which was the rhythm of a war dance. Tan Huaike changed his pace and was about to spin again, but because the hem of Daxuan's skirt was too narrow, he accidentally stepped on the hem and fell down.

Shen Tuzhuo rushed over to help, thinking that he was a hero saving a beautiful woman. He was so lost in anticipation of a warm and beautiful woman in his arms that he ran too fast and accidentally tripped over the edge of the wooden platform, falling face first, even more miserably than Tan Huaike. Tan Huaike looked at him in confusion: "Uncle, are you okay?"

Shentu Zhuo covered his cheekbones and waved his hands: "No, it's okay..."

Mi He stood aside with her arms folded, examining Tan Huaike and commenting bluntly, "He can dance, but not very well. His waist is stiff and his arms don't stretch far enough. As for the spins... the beginning is fine, but the rest of the steps are a mess. He's bound to fall."

"I told you she's not a dancer..." Shen Tu Zhuo defended her.

"Of course, if the dancer could dance like this, she would have starved to death!" Mi He rolled her eyes and said, "But I have no objection to letting her supervise. I've been in Daxuan for too long, and I've learned so many different dances that I can't remember the details of some of the moves. She's better than me in this regard, so she can help guide me."

"Mrs. Mihe, you're too kind. I can't really offer any guidance. I'm just checking to see if there's anything awkward, and I'll do my best to help you perform an authentic Kupsu-Niro dance." Tan Huaike stood up, put on his shoes and socks, and tugged at the hem of his skirt. "After this trial dance, I've gotten a general idea of ​​how the dress should be styled. I'll tell the dressmaker about it later."

"Tailor? Aren't you the Hu slave that Master Zhuo just bought?" Mi He was surprised.

"What Hu Nu? This is my sister-in-law!" Shen Tu Zhuo said, "She is also the owner of Zhiyun Cloth Workshop. I asked her to customize Mo He's dress for you."

"Oh, my apologies. I thought Master Zhuo had a sudden impulse and wanted to buy a beautiful Hu slave to dance for him, and use us dancers to entertain him."

"I...why would I buy a beautiful Hu slave for no reason? Am I such a foolish person?"

"That's hard to say." Knowing it was a misunderstanding, Mi He didn't bother to say more to him. She leisurely returned to the stage and continued to teach the dancers to practice their dance steps. She also greeted Tan Huaike, "Madam of the Shentu family, right? Come and see our choreography. I always feel that the drum beats are too messy..."

"Okay, I'll be right there." Tan Huaike glanced at Shen Tu Zhuo and teased, "My uncle's reputation among the dancers isn't very good. He doesn't look like a serious person."

"I...they...sister-in-law..." Shen Tu Zhuo suddenly felt that he had no way to defend himself.

After rehearsing for a while, Pei'er brought the tailor from the cloth shop and two assistants to measure the dancer's size.

Pei'er said, "Manager Du knew this job was urgent, so he called two more people."

Tan Huaike was very satisfied: "About ten people, we need more manpower."

She specifically marked a few places for the master to pay special attention to, and instructed: "Go back and make three samples of the Mo He dance skirt. I'll give them to people to try on, and then see how to modify them."

The experienced master agreed and started working skillfully.

The dancers took a break to measure their clothes. Shen Tu Zhuo consciously stayed away from them. After finishing his work, Tan Huaike felt thirsty and went to the yard to find some water to drink. Suddenly, he saw a wild goose flying over his head.
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　Next chapter: The number one playboy in Zhangye County, this title is not obtained out of thin air.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)