Chapter 274: New Year...
"Her graceful neck extended, her fair beauty exposed. Fragrant without embellishment, unadorned by makeup. Hair in lofty coils, eyebrows finely arched..."
The elegant singing of Ysabeau and Joan floated gently through the grand hall. Their movements flowed with the rhythm of the music; at times, their sleeves fluttered like waves stirred by a sudden wind across a calm lake, and at other times, they twirled like drifting autumn leaves. Their dance steps were light and graceful, like spring swallows taking flight, sometimes quick like the pulse of drums, other times slow like the toll of a distant bell. In moments of brilliance, they sparkled like dancing fireflies, while in sorrowful passages they wilted like falling petals.
As they danced, Ysabeau and Joan occasionally cast glances toward Simon, their shy expressions lending a delicate charm to the performance.
Simon had not expected their performance to be so breathtaking. He, too, became lost in the beauty of it.
The dance was ’The Swan Dance,’ choreographed by Simon himself and set to the lyrics of ’Ode to the River Goddess.’ He had personally sketched the choreography beforehand, and the girls’ execution of it left him thoroughly impressed. Even the assembled officials and generals were entranced.
When the song and dance ended, Ysabeau and Joan bowed gracefully before Simon and retreated from the hall.
Baldwin sighed in amazement. "Even within the imperial castle, such exquisite music and dance are rarely seen. This rendition of Ode to the River Goddess, set to such a moving melody, is truly divine. As the saying goes, ’This song belongs in Heaven; how rare to hear it on Earth.’
Aiden added. "Sir Baldwin is right. But I must say, the tune has some similarities to the Brambleford military anthem. Your Highness, might this composition be of your own creation?"
Lancelot chimed in, blunt as always. "You bookworms are too fussy. Your Highness, this song and dance were both great to watch and great to hear!
Baldwin and Aiden shook their heads with a chuckle. Simon smiled and admitted. "Yes, the melody is mine. The dance is called ’The Swan Dance.’"
The tune and choreography were adapted from the television drama Queen of the Castle of his past life, whose instrumental soundtrack relied heavily on traditional instruments. Thus, the music could be recreated with ease in this era.
Judging by the captivated reactions of his audience, Simon felt his efforts had paid off. He had chosen this combination of dance and poetry as an entry point for introducing his own cultural movement within the territory. As a soft yet powerful beginning to a broader cultural renaissance, it was perfect.
While everyone was still immersed in the elegance of the performance, two more actors stepped onto the stage, an old man and a young girl, both dressed in shabby clothes.
Suddenly, the girl sang out. "The north wind blows, the snowflakes fall, snowflakes drifting, the new year arrives..."
The officials looked at each other in confusion. What was this? But when they saw Simon’s calm expression, they focused their attention again.
After the girl finished singing, the old man began to speak. The drama began.
Simon watched from above with a satisfied smile. What they were performing was a heavily adapted version of the modern drama ’The White-Haired Girl.’ But in this version, it was localized to the customs of the Eldorian Empire. The girl’s father, originally a peasant oppressed by a landlord, had become a poor tenant crushed under the heel of Brambleford’s former aristocrats.
The play still depicted the young girl being sold and exploited by the rich, but unlike the original tragic ending, this version concluded with the Brambleford army arriving to drive out the corrupt elites, leading to a joyful resolution.
Simon paid close attention to the reactions in the hall. Lancelot and others were clearly drawn in, clenching their fists and gritting their teeth at the right moments. Meanwhile, Baldwin and Aiden seemed to be deep in thought.
As the drama ended, Lancelot suddenly leapt to his feet and shouted. "That bastard deserves a beating!"
Before he could storm off, Benjamin quickly pulled him back into his seat. "You fool, it’s just a play! Don’t take it so seriously."
Lancelot finally realized, and chuckled sheepishly. The actor playing, however, looked thoroughly alarmed.
When the drama concluded, Baldwin said. "My Lord, I’ve never seen a play quite like this. It’s unpretentious, straightforward, and it will surely resonate deeply with the common people."
"No kidding, I thought it was real!" Lancelot added with a laugh.
Simon looked around and asked. "What do you all think about sending this play on tour throughout the territory?"
Aiden responded. "The people will certainly come to despise their local tyrants and appreciate Your Highness for removing the aristocrats from Brambleford. But if I may speak frankly, this isn’t just about Brambleford, is it? I suspect Your Highness intends for this play to be seen in other cities."
Simon raised an eyebrow in surprise. Aiden had seen through him completely.
Indeed, the true purpose of this play wasn’t to win more hearts within Brambleford; his achievements were already widely known. The real goal was to spread it into the neighboring regions.
Its messages, resentment toward local tyrants, and admiration for Brambleford’s justice would take root among the people of other domains. It would entice refugees to migrate to Brambleford and allow Simon to establish a grassroots reputation in far-off lands, useful for any future plans.
Such drama would also become the foundation of a broader cultural awakening. In the future, Simon planned to adapt other tales, simple stories that taught powerful lessons.
He knew that ordinary folk didn’t respond well to flowery speech or lofty treatises. A direct, emotional play would lodge itself in their hearts and minds far more easily.
Simon smiled faintly. "My intentions are pure, Aiden. Don’t overthink it."
Aiden caught the hint immediately and nodded. "Of course, My Lord. We’ve never even seen such a play before."
Baldwin laughed heartily, quickly catching on.
Meanwhile, Benjamin and Lancelot looked at each other, utterly confused. They had no idea what any of that was about.
The earlier dance had been brief, but this drama lasted a long while. When it finally ended, the night was already deep.
Simon rose and said. "Let us raise one last glass. After tonight, a new year begins. I ask you all, let us strive forward together."
Benjamin and Baldwin took the lead, lifting their cups with solemn reverence. "We pledge our lives to assist Your Highness in revitalizing Brambleford!"
"Cheers!"
Simon, stirred with emotion, drank the wine in his cup in one gulp. In his heart, he whispered:
"The 18th century, I’m ready."