TRT – Chapter 13 Farewell

“Today is Minmin’s last performance for everyone. This song, Hongyan (Red Beauty), will be my farewell piece. I hope it pleases you all.”

The audience below erupted into an uproar!

At the VIP table, the man in the yellow robe slapped the table and stood up. Yet the man in white beside him said nothing—only fixed his sharp eyes on me, eyes like a hunting serpent, never once leaving me. His gaze was so piercing that I felt like a frog being stared at. As Wei Feng would say—and not just any frog, but a fat bullfrog!

It seemed everyone’s emotions were stirred… “Hey, you there! Don’t climb onto the stage! …And you! Put down that antique vase! I paid two hundred taels of silver for it…” (This is what you call only slightly emotional?!)

“Everyone, calm down, don’t panic!” Why did it feel like I was running a fire evacuation drill? I raised my voice. “Ladies and gentlemen, could you allow Minmin to finish her words? Please, just give me a moment.”

Gradually, the crowd quieted down…

“Minmin would like to use this occasion to do one last thing.

Today is the birthday of a friend of mine.

This friend has tasted fortune, and also endured hardship.

People often say: if you cannot keep happiness forever, perhaps it is better never to have experienced it at all.

…I had no idea what nonsense was spilling from my mouth—only that I kept spouting sentimental lines fit for a righteous heroine in some sappy drama.

My friend is still just a boy, yet he has already suffered the ruin of his family and the fall of prosperity into decline. The desolation and helplessness of such a fate, perhaps no one else could ever truly understand…

I lifted my eyes, searching for the one these words were meant for. In a shadowy corner, I caught a blurred side profile of him…

I smiled faintly, shifting my tone: “But I do not pity him, nor do I sympathize. Because—I believe in him.

Even if he is weak now, even if he is destitute, I believe that one day he will fight his way through hardship into sweetness, and become a hero who shakes the world!

Yes, I have no proof. It is only a premonition. If you ask me why I believe this, I can only glare stubbornly like a rogue and say: I just do! What are you going to do about it?

I don’t know about other things, but I know that what he needs most right now is this belief, this support.

He has been beaten down to the bottom of the cliff by life’s blows. I cannot give him a rope to climb out with. The only thing I can give him… is the courage to climb out himself.

This song is for you.” I glanced again toward the corner where his profile remained motionless. Stamping my foot, I shouted: “Hey, brat! You’d better listen carefully!!”

That silhouette trembled in disbelief at my roar, then turned his head to stare at me, half-crying, half-laughing…

Satisfied, I began to sing, voice following the gentle melody flowing softly around us~~

(She sings a heartfelt ballad about hope, resilience, and always being by someone’s side.)

I turned softly, singing lightly. No elaborate dance, no grand accompaniment. Only my clear, tender voice, echoing beneath the starry sky—echoing in someone’s heart.

I don’t know why, maybe because I was truly moved, but I felt this was the most beautiful performance I had ever given. I had never realized the lyrics of this song were so good, so fitting, so moving!

Everyone listened quietly. Each seemed lost in thought.

After all, who in life doesn’t encounter setbacks? Smooth sailing forever… that’s only a wishful dream.

Perhaps, only by holding onto a belief, a persistence, can people endure all those storms…

(The song repeats, full of emotion.)

Qingqing and Xiaotao released a hundred rainbow-colored lanterns into the night sky.

The tiny glowing lights rose gently around me. Under countless silent gazes, they carried hopes and feelings up into the vast night.

…When morning comes, will there be a rainbow?

……

“Miss Minmin, I am Xu Lin of the Ministry of Rites.” Before I could declare my departure, a scholar in a blue robe stepped forward and bowed.

“I have long admired Miss Minmin’s character and talent. Since you intend to leave Cangchun Brothel, might you consider residing at my humble estate for a while?”

The moment he said this, the crowd exploded again! Quarreling and shouting filled the air…

“No… Mr. Xu, I—” I hurriedly shook my head. I was leaving Cangchun Brothel because I had saved enough silver to search for a way to reverse transmigration. What sense would it make to move into his house?

Seeing me shake my head, Xu Lin immediately declared loudly: “If Minmin is willing to come with me, I will offer ten thousand taels of gold!”

“Ten thousand taels of gold?!” My jaw dropped.

Spending that much money just to keep a concubine? Was he crazy, or was I out of touch with the times?

Ten thousand taels of gold… I felt sorry for these men!

Worse, bids immediately rose from all sides! My “selling price” skyrocketed.

When it hit three hundred thousand taels of gold, I could stand it no longer!

With a cold laugh, I said: “Hmph! Do you gentlemen think Minmin lacks money?”

The hall fell silent. In their eyes, wasn’t a performer always after wealth?

Too bad—they were wrong. In this world, what I want most is not money.

If it were money, I could earn however much I wanted here at Cangchun Brothel! I am leaving because what I want… none of you can give me.

No sooner had I finished speaking than a colorful, weeping figure clung to the edge of the stage, wailing:

“Minmin—ah Minmin! Mama treated you well, how can you be so heartless? Leaving behind so many mouths at Cangchun Brothel—you have no conscience!”

It was the madam. Back when I wasn’t famous, she mocked me daily. After I rose to fame, she only wanted to squeeze me like a money tree. Now she cried so hard her makeup ran down her face…

I had no choice but to help her up gently: “Mama, my decision is made. Don’t be too sad. In this past year, Minmin has earned Cangchun Brothel both money and reputation. With your skills, the future won’t be difficult. Please, let me go.”

But she suddenly shoved me away, shouting: “Minmin! Don’t be shameless! Do you think you can leave just because you’re famous now? Don’t forget—your contract of sale is still in my hands! You can’t just walk away!”

Ah, so the true face comes out.

I smiled faintly. “Sorry, Mama. That contract? I accidentally burned it long ago… Oh, and by accident, I also burned Qingqing and Xiaotao’s too. Alas… the weather is so dry these days…” I even made a regretful expression.

Qingqing and Xiaotao covered their mouths, stifling laughter.

The madam was stunned pale! “You—you… how did you know where the contracts were kept?!” Her fearful eyes darted toward the VIP seats…

Hmph, with skills like mine, how else do you think I got this far? But why was she looking there? Her expression was like a guilty subordinate seeking approval from a superior… Today’s VIPs were the Third Prince and King Luo. Could it be… this brothel is royal property?! What a way to run the economy!

But never mind, not my business…

I turned to leave, but the madam roared: “Stop her! Guards, seize her!”

Two black shadows leapt onto the stage—two hulking men with gleaming blades, belts embroidered with the brothel’s insignia. Clearly hired enforcers.

Accustomed, no doubt, to dragging back runaway girls, they moved in smoothly, one to each arm.

I was just about to kick them away with a spinning move when a shadow fell over me! Looking up, I saw dazzling swordlight. Petals of falling cherry blossoms rained down, two guards stumbling back clutching their shoulders—minus their arms! Blood sprayed across the stage.

The audience, who’d only expected song and dance, now saw limbs flying! Screams filled the hall as chaos broke loose.

It was my first time seeing someone cut down so close. To watch arms severed like vegetables—it felt unreal. Especially the swordsman himself, descending gracefully amidst falling petals like a handsome manga hero. I clapped furiously. “So cool! Amazing! Yeah—!”

His eye twitched at me…

Wait… why did he look so familiar… really familiar…

Catching a falling petal, I examined it. My heart shrieked: Xiao Shou—!!

That’s right! Even with his face covered, I’d recognize those painted brows anywhere! And those cherry blossoms… were shredded pieces of twelve silk kimonos!!! Wastrel! That was money!! I’ll kill him!!

“Go! I’ll hold them off!” he barked, sword in hand.

I snapped out of it—now wasn’t the time to argue. With more guards charging in, I cleared my throat, put on an imposing act, and said coolly:

“Mama, you’d best be sensible. If I dared announce my departure publicly, I naturally prepared everything in advance. This swordsman is just the appetizer—cutting off two arms was only a warning. If you insist on stopping me, I’ll serve you the main course!”

The guards and the madam all flinched, hesitating.

I grabbed my “appetizer” and bolted backstage. “Qingqing, Xiaotao—follow me! Otherwise, you might trigger traps and die without knowing how!”

Sure enough, that made the pursuers falter even more. Only the madam shrieked: “At the doors! Block her!”

A mass of people poured out at the exit—my fellow performers.

Yesterday, we were still singing, dancing, sewing costumes, eating together, laughing together…

These were my brothers and sisters-in-arms.

“Big Sis Minmin, are you really leaving us?” Little Ya looked at me with teary eyes.

“Ah? I—I’m… I’m sorry…”

Why? Why was I apologizing? Why did guilt prick my heart? Why did it feel like I was abandoning them? No—I wasn’t wrong! My goal was to find a way back, to return to my own world. That was what I was supposed to do. And yet… why did it feel like this?

I bent down, ruffling Little Ya’s messy hair. The style looked oddly familiar—oh, he copied mine. Warmth spread in my chest.

“Little Ya… Sis Minmin has something she must do. Everyone has things they want, and things they must do. When you grow up, you’ll understand. There is no feast that lasts forever. Even though I’m reluctant, I… I have to go.”

Yes. I had something I must do. I raised my head, eyes sweeping over my comrades.

“You cannot stop me. Those closest to me know what I’m capable of! If I, Minmin, wish to leave, no one in this brothel can keep me! Remember that!” My final words rang through the courtyard. Out of the corner of my eye, I thought I saw the man in white smile…

Softening my tone, I continued: “But though I must go, I am not without feeling. I’ve already arranged future paths for the troupe. From now on, follow Sister Ziyan’s lead. I don’t know when we’ll meet again, but… I hope that many years from now, you’ll still remember me, Minmin.” My voice cracked, nose stinging. What the hell? Since when did I get so sentimental?!

“What are you all waiting for?!” the madam shrieked. “Seize her! If she escapes today, none of you will live it down!”

The crowd stirred—then Ziyan suddenly knelt down.

“Big Sis Minmin, without your care I’d have been ruined forever. I’ll never forget your kindness. I can’t repay you, so let me kowtow now. May your journey be safe!”

“Zi—Ziyan! What are you doing?! Quick, get up…” My heart lurched. In my world of equality, such kneeling rituals terrified me. I scrambled to help her up, but before I could, another dropped to his knees.

“Miss Minmin! Without your help, I would have been sold into slavery after my father’s death. You never looked down on us servants. Thank you for your care this past year! Safe travels! If you ever need anything, I, Little Tiger, will fight to the death for you!”

“Y-you—please, get up! This is killing me…” But with two kneeling, the others followed like dominoes—Little Ya, Little Hong, Cuiying… One after another, they kowtowed, until a whole sea of people bowed before me.

I’d never seen such a sight in my life. Flustered beyond words, I didn’t know what to do.

“Miss Minmin, we all know you don’t belong here. We knew this day would come sooner or later. We’ll never forget you.”

“You all…” I sniffled, both panicked and comforted. Fighting back my tears, I puffed up my chest and said:

“You’d better mean it! If any of you dare forget me, when I come back I’ll smack you all flat like dumplings!”