Chapter 65 - To Be Remembered
Time flowed quietly through Hanshen Ge… And just like that— Yunluo's death was buried.
Silenced.
Forgotten by the world.
For Minhwa, her third day in Hanshen Ge stretched into a week.
The atmosphere remained tense at first, the remnants of the incident lingering like a shadow over the compound.
But as days passed, the whispers faded, routines returned, and life resumed as though nothing had ever happened.
One week became two.
By the end of the second week— Minhwa was promoted.
From Level 6, she rose to Level 7.
A small step in rank, but a significant shift in status.
At the same time, Jianhe's path took a completely different turn.
By Madam's direct order— she was removed from dance training.
"Waste of time," was all that was said.
After all… she already had an owner. The Third Prince.
And so— Time moved on.
Two weeks became two months. Two months became two years.
Seasons changed. Faces changed. Girls came and went.
But Hanshen Ge remained the same— A place where beauty was cultivated… and fate was decided.
Minhwa was now ten years old.
She still lived alone. The same room. Untouched.
Others envied her. They whispered about her "luck."
But Minhwa never believed it. There's no such thing as coincidence here.
Someone had deliberately arranged it. Carefully.
But even knowing that— What could she do?
She was still just a child.
So instead— She accepted it.
And used it.
If it was an advantage… then she would take it.
For now.
Her days passed steadily
Training. Observing. Thinking.
And occasionally— Talking.
Dunluo remained her only real companion. The only one who could make her pause her thoughts, even if just for a moment.
And so— Minhwa lived.
Patiently. Waiting.
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But far away from Hanshen Ge— In the Palace , someone else was not as calm.
The Crown Prince, Mo Tian.
Now fifteen years old, yet his mind was no longer entirely his own.
Because within it— There was a figure.
A memory.
A girl.
His dancing angel.
No matter how much time passed— He could not forget her.
The way she moved, swirled.
The way she seemed to exist in a world separate from everything else.
Sometimes, during court sessions— His thoughts would drift.
Sometimes, while studying— He would pause without reason.
All because of her.
What he wanted was simple.
To see her. To watch her dance.
Only for him.
But he was the Crown Prince. He had responsibilities.
Duties. Expectations.
So he endured. He restrained himself and turned his longing into motivation.
"Just one more year". That was what he told himself.
At sixteen— He would have freedom. The Queen had promised.
At sixteen— He could enter places like Hanshen Ge without restraint.
Without question.
And when that time came— He would find her.
And so— Under the same sky— Two people lived their lives.
Each waiting for the right time, but with different purpose..
Time continued to move forward.
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Back at Hashen Ge.
The training hall was filled with the soft rhythm of footsteps and the occasional clap of hands.
"Again," Master Zhao Liang instructed, his sharp eyes scanning the line of young girls. "Your arms are too stiff. Flow—like water, not wood."
Minhwa adjusted her posture immediately, her movements smooth, controlled.
Around her, the other girls followed, some struggling, some already panting from exhaustion.
The air was warm, heavy with effort.
Then— The doors slid open. Another figure stepped in.
It was master Du Dufu.
His arrival alone was enough to make the room quiet slightly. He rarely interrupted Master Zhao Liang's sessions unless something important was to be said.
Master Zhao Liang paused, turning toward him.
He gave a small nod.
"An announcement," master Du said.
The girls straightened instantly.
"By Madam's approval."
That alone made the atmosphere shift. Minhwa's gaze lifted slightly.
Master Du continued,
"On the day of the upcoming performance… during the segment where the young trainees perform…"
He paused, letting the anticipation build.
"There will be a special stage."
A ripple went through the room.
"A single performer will be chosen," he added, "to present a unique piece. An interlude. A solo performance."
The words settled— Then exploded. Whispers broke out immediately.
"A solo?"
"Just one person?"
"In front of everyone?"
Master Du raised his hand slightly, silencing them.
"If any of you have something you wish to present—this is your opportunity."
His gaze swept across the room.
"You will prepare. You will present your ideas. And the best… will be chosen."
Silence followed.
Heavy. Meaningful.
Because everyone understood what this meant.
This wasn't just a performance. This was a chance.
A chance to stand out. To be seen.
To be remembered—Even before becoming a full gisaeng.
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.
.
" "Host… this is your chance!, did you hear that"
"Host, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—you have to win this!" Vira said excitedly.
But Minhwa didn't react, she stood still. Her expression unchanged.
But inside— She was shocked.
"This… didn't happen before." She thought to herself
In her past life, this new year events had existed but it had been nothing more than a unified display.
No solos. No special stage
Something had changed.
Her thoughts sharpened instantly.
But what?,
Why?
Around her, the other girls could barely contain themselves.
"This is a once-in-a-decade opportunity!"
"If I get chosen—"
"You? Please—"
"I already have an idea!"
Excitement buzzed through the hall like electricity.
But Minhwa remained quiet, lost in thought.
Then— suddenly a feeling. Subtle but unmistakable.
Someone was watching her from above.
Minhwa's eyes lifted instinctively towards the upper balcony.
And for a brief moment— She saw her.
Jianhe.
Dressed in a soft pink robe, elegant and refined. The delicate headgear of a full gisaeng rested upon her hair, marking her status clearly.
She stood there silently.
Watching.
Then without a word.— She turned, and disappeared into the corridor.
Minhwa's gaze lingered for a second longer.
Then she lowered her head.
…Did I imagine it?
"No Host,you didn't," Vira replied "She was obviously staring at you."
"Host better be careful"
But Minhwa didn't think much of it.
"What can she do to me" she thought to herself.
''Quiet", Master Du spoke bringing Minwha out of her thoughts
"Class will be dismissed early, start from now until the end of the week," Master Du continued.
"Use this time wisely."
"If you wish to compete—prepare something worth seeing."
Hearing that,the girls immediately broke formation, excitement overtaking discipline.
Voices rose again. Ideas were exchanged.
Dreams were formed.
Minhwa remained where she stood for a moment, Her fingers tightened slightly at her side.
Then she turned—And quietly left the hall.
Because she knew one thing for certain.
This performance—was no longer simple.
_______________________________________________________________________________
And so—
as Minhwa left the training hall and made her way back to her room, the quiet shift began.
The announcement had ended, but its impact had only just started to spread.
Preparation consumed Hanshen Ge.
Within the one week given, the young trainees threw themselves into it completely.
After every training session— no one left.
The hall that used to empty quickly now remained lit deep into the night. Music echoed long after curfew hours. Soft footsteps, repeated spins, whispered counting—over and over again.
Some practiced alone in corners.
Some formed small groups, testing ideas, competing even in preparation.
Others did not sleep at all.
Vigils became common.
Determination burned in their eyes, stronger than exhaustion.
Because everyone knew—
This was not just a chance. This was the chance.
Even Dunluo was among them.
Minhwa had seen her once, long after midnight, still practicing under dim lantern light, her movements slower but stubborn.
"You're not preparing anything?" Dunluo had asked her one evening, breathless yet excited.
Minhwa had simply shaken her head.
Because unlike the others— Minhwa did not stay.
Not even once.
Every day, without fail when it was time for training, she went.
When training ended— She left straight back to her room.
No extra practice. No visible preparation. No competition.
At first, no one noticed.
Then—They did.
"Is she giving up?"
"Or does she not care?"
"She thinks she's too good for this?"
"She's so stupid, does she not know how important this is?"
Whispers began,as questions like this flowed, Glances followed her more often now.
Either confused or mocking
But the others were quietly relieved. "One less competitor." They thought
But Minhwa remained unchanged.
Unbothered. As if none of it concerned her.
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Inside her room— The silence remained unchanged
No music. No footsteps.
Host… aren't you going to prepare anything? Vira finally asked, unable to hold back any longer.
Minhwa sat by the window, her gaze resting outside.
"I am preparing," she replied.
Vira paused "…You are?"
Minhwa's eyes lowered slightly. "In my head."
Because unlike the others— She wasn't trying to create something new.
She was remembering.
Choosing.
This performance…
This "special stage"— Had not existed in her past life.
But the audience had.
The taste had.
The impact required to stand out— That, she understood very well.
This is not about dancing the best , she thought quietly. It's about being remembered ,noticed.
And it's what she needs right now.
This is an opportunity she can't lose.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
The final day arrived quietly— but the tension it carried was anything but quiet.
The training hall had been completely rearranged.
At the front— three seats had been placed.
For three judges.
1 Master Du Du Fu.
2 Master Zhao Liang.
And— the last
Madam.
The moment the girls entered and saw her seated there, dressed elegantly, her expression calm and unreadable— the air changed instantly.
No one whispered. No one smiled.
Even breathing became careful.
"Host… this just became serious, are you sure what you prepared is okay?" Vira asked, obviously worried.
Minhwa said nothing, she didn't reply.
Her eyes swept across the room once— then lowered.
"Before we begin," Madam's voice rang out, smooth and controlled, "some of you… will not be performing today."
A ripple of confusion passed through the girls.
Madam lifted her hand slightly.
A guard stepped forward with a list.
Names were called.
One by one.
Girls stepped forward— only to be dismissed.
"Your face does not suit the stage." Was the only thing she said
No second chances. No other explanations.
Just— elimination.
Some girls froze in disbelief. Some lowered their heads, faces burning with humiliation.
Some clenched their fists— but none dared argue.
Within minutes— the number of competitors had been cut down.
Silence returned. Heavier this time.
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.
After a while —
"Begin," Master Du Du Fu ordered.
The competition started.
Level One through level 6 went first. One by one—they stepped forward.
Danced.Hoped. And were rejected.
"Too stiff."
"No presence."
"Forgettable."
Some didn't even finish before being stopped. Tears welled in eyes.
Dreams shattered quickly. Efficiently
Minhwa watched everything from where she stood.
" Host the judges are so mean", Vira couldn't help but say.
But Minhwa gave no reply.
Then— It was time for those at Level Seven.
A girl was called first, Her name - Lin Yue.
She stepped forward. She bowed gracefully.
Then— began.
Her movements were smooth.
Elegant.
Her sleeves flowed like drifting clouds. Each step was precise, each turn controlled.
Her expression— gentle, yet captivating.
For a moment— the room softened.
When she finished— silence lingered.
Master Zhao Liang nodded slightly.
Master Du Du Fu did not speak.
Madam's gaze rested on her for a few seconds longer than the others.
Then— "Stand aside."
Not rejection ,Not acceptance either.
But acknowledgment.
A spark of hope lit up in Lin Yue's eyes.
"Yes madam", she said and obediently did as she was told.
"Host is she chosen... just like that?" Vira couldn't help but ask.
"No, she isn't good enough" was the only reply Minwha gave
Then—four names were called after Linyue
Four more girls performed. All Level Seven.
All tried. All failed.
It was either "lacking depth."
Or there was "no impact."
Or it was "Empty".
Each one were dismissed harshly.
Then— the name "Dunluo." was called.
Dunluo stepped forward.
Her hands trembled slightly—but her eyes were determined.
She danced.
Her movements were lively.
Expressive. Full of effort.
There was emotion in it—clear and sincere.
But— something was missing.
When she finished— she looked at the judges.
Hopeful. Breathless.
Master Du Du Fu shook his head.
"Below expectations."
The light in Dunluo's eyes flickered—then disappeared completely. She stepped back slowly, her steps heavier than before.
"Next." Another name was called. That one too failed instantly.
Lin Yue, standing at the side, felt her confidence rise.
"It's mine, she thought".
Even Madam's expression had not changed since earlier.
Then— the next name was called
"Minhwa."
The name fell quietly— but it seemed to echo.
Minhwa stepped forward calmly, Her face showed no expression.
Unhurried. She bowed.
Then— she began.
Silence.
Her first movement— was slow.
Almost too slow.
But then— it shifted.
Her body moved like flowing water— yet carried the sharpness of a blade.
Her sleeves swept through the air, not randomly—but with intention, tracing invisible patterns.
Each step—perfectly placed.
Each turn—effortless.
It wasn't just a dance. It was—a story.
It felt ancient—elegant, yet layered with quiet complexity..
Her movements carried layers— softness hiding strength, grace hiding control.
Her expression changed with each transition— subtle, but precise.
Even the air seemed to follow her rhythm.
Master Zhao Liang straightened. Master Du Du Fu's eyes sharpened.
Madam— leaned forward slightly.
Host…you...you... what is this… how can you dance like this? Vira whispered, stunned.
Minhwa did not stop.
She spun— her sleeves flaring like blooming petals.
Then slowed— like falling leaves in autumn.
Every movement connected.
Nothing wasted. Nothing excessive.
It was beautiful.
But more than that— It was unforgettable.
Halfway through— Madam spoke.
"Enough."
Minhwa stopped instantly. Her breathing steady. Her expression calm.
Silence filled the hall.
Then— "Accepted."
The word fell simply but it carried weight.
A shock ran through the room.
Lin Yue's face turned pale. Dunluo stared, stunned.
Master Du Du Fu nodded once.
Master Zhao Liang gave a small approving hum.
Madam's gaze remained on Minhwa.
"You will perform." She continued.
And just like that— It was decided.
The special stage— belonged to Minhwa.