Chapter 465 - 355. Four Dreams of Bianliang
The Ning Dynasty’s Imperial Music Bureau is divided into the North and the South.
The Northern Imperial Music Bureau is in the Imperial Capital, while the Southern Imperial Music Bureau is in Jinling. The Northern Imperial Music Bureau retains a Danbi Grand Music Hall, nurturing some actors to perform plays and music, maintaining some dignity; the Southern Imperial Music Bureau, however, has thoroughly degenerated into an official brothel.
The Northern Imperial Music Bureau is further divided into the North Courtyard and the South Courtyard. The North Courtyard is the Danbi Grand Music Hall, a place for rituals and music; the South Courtyard is a suite of brocade corridors, a place for romance and leisure.
Chen Ji walked alone into the North Courtyard, and the clerk at the entrance of the Imperial Music Bureau politely asked, "May I ask this lord’s official position?"
Chen Ji casually answered, "Hundred Households of the Yulin Army."
The clerk cupped his hands and said, "My lord, our Imperial Music Bureau has a rule; only civil servants of secondary fifth-rank or above wearing red robes are allowed to enter."
Chen Ji took out Qi Zhenwu’s invitation from his sleeve and handed it to the clerk.
The clerk unfolded the tassel and, after just a glance, hastily bowed down: "I didn’t realize you were Lord Qi’s guest, please come in."
He returned the invitation to Chen Ji, but Chen Ji did not take it back and directly walked into the Imperial Music Bureau.
Chen Ji slowly walked through the dim corridor, and suddenly the view opened up. A carpeted path extended inward, and inside the halls, candles hung high, the lights dazzling.