Chasing the Startling Swan

The Great Yu imperial house unified the world with its powerful dance, and the three neighboring kingdoms bowed in submission. Under the treaty, the small border states sent more than thirty dancing girls to the Great Yu court each year as tribute.

Whenever the three kingdoms presented their spring tribute, green clouds of hair buns drifted and lovely faces blossomed like flowers. But this year’s spring tribute included an unusual dancer. Born into a poor, low-ranking family, she was plain-looking and petite, standing out like a chicken among cranes.

The Great Yu prince, Xi Wenhan, raised his phoenix eyes. “Who is that girl below?”

“Fu Xundong of the Fushi clan of Chaodong.”

Short? Ugly? Poor family? What could stop her?

Amid a chorus of snickers, Fu Xundong danced with graceful, fluttering movements, her body like a swimming dragon and her sleeves like white feathers. When the dance ended, all four corners of the hall were stirred.

Theme: Short? Ugly? Poor family? What could stop her?