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She had studied abroad in the UK and, having seen the broader world, was well aware of the challenges women faced. If she truly became the thirteenth concubine, she could forget about ever singing on stage again.

The Western clock hanging on the wall chimed.

Guo Fengdan released her legs and, suddenly recalling something, turned to knock on the door, pleading, "Cailiuh, Mister Jin Wu specifically requested to see my performance. We've prepared for two weeks. You know that if I don't sing for a few shows, everyone in the opera troupe will suffer. Can you let me out, please?"

Mister Jin Wu was a notorious tycoon in Hong Kong. If she didn't go, the opera troupe would surely be ruined. She couldn't bear to see her friends endure hardship.

It was a perilous situation—before her was a wolf, behind her a tiger.

Guo Fengdan felt exhausted too.

"I promise you, I'll come back after finishing these performances."

Cailiu originally refused, but under Guo Fengdan's persistent begging, she reluctantly said, "Miss, Commander Sun is still waiting for you in the front hall. Why not deal with him first?"

Guo Fengdan agreed and hurried to the front hall to meet Commander Sun.

In the living room, Commander Sun continually belittled Guo Fengdan, referring to her as nothing more than an actress.

He sat majestically in the main seat, his lecherous gaze continually flickering towards Guo Fengdan. "Fengdan, once you're married, you can't be an actress anymore. Actors are inherently lowly; they're born to be ridiculed. Do you understand?"

Guo Fengdan remained expressionless and silent.

Guo Xiang hurried to smooth things over. "General, you're right. We originally didn't approve of our daughter pursuing a career in opera. Why isn't there a better occupation for her after returning from abroad?"

"My friend runs an import-export business, but she refuses to work there. She insists on learning to sing opera."

"A profession considered beneath us is somehow her passion, her... dream. Sigh."

Guo Xiang let out a heavy sigh. After the opening of Hong Kong, international trade became more accessible, and as a businessman, he made some extra money. Seeing others sending their children overseas, he followed suit.

With Guo Fengdan as his only daughter, he naturally cherished her deeply, eagerly awaiting her return across the sea after her studies.

But instead of indulging in the fashionable Western pianos, she wanted to learn Cantonese opera.

And that's how General Dashuai Sun, a formidable warlord, entered their lives.

How could an ordinary citizen compete with a ruthless military ruler?

"Oh? Fengdan actually studied abroad?" Dashuai Sun's interest piqued, his gaze lingering lecherously on Guo Fengdan.

Captain Guo subtly signaled to his wife to take their daughter back to their room. He then turned to placate the general with a smile, "She went to England, hoping to broaden her horizons. Who could have foreseen this...?"

The Guo residence was vast.

There was a large garden separating the front hall from the backyard.

Madam Guo personally accompanied her daughter to her room and sighed as she took in her matured and graceful child, "Fengdan, I know you feel wronged and don't want to marry Dashuai Sun. But alas, he holds a high position with great power."

She held onto Guo Fengdan's hand tightly.

The Guo parents didn't wish for Fengdan to be in the public eye as an actress, nor did they want her to fall victim to Dashuai Sun's abuse.

This formidable warlord was notorious in the north as a vicious beast. With already twelve consorts in his household, how could Guo Fengdan, as the youngest, expect any favor?

"Your father is also trying to find a solution. These past few days, he has discreetly introduced many people to Dashuai Sun, hoping he might forget about you."

"Promise me, dear, that you'll never mention singing again. With your experience abroad, you can have plenty of career opportunities. After this matter with Dashuai Sun passes, we'll find a good family for you."

"Mother... I truly love performing in operas," Guo Fengdan pleaded, holding her mother's hand. "Not everything abroad is admirable. They stole so many of China's treasures, yet they admire our culture while mocking our backwardness."

"Mother, opera needs to be passed down. I don't wish to see Western musicals flourish worldwide while our Chinese folk melodies fade into obscurity."

Tears cascaded down Guo Fengdan's cheeks.

Seeing her only daughter weep, Mrs. Guo couldn't bear it, forcefully pushing away Guo Fengdan's hand and turning her face aside. "This is the way of the world. A woman like you, stepping into the limelight, would risk being scorned by your future husband's family. You should just give up on such aspirations."

"Can't women have dreams too?" Guo Fengdan wondered, confused.

Surely, both she and her mother were women. The world had already imposed numerous constraints on men; must women then shackle one another as well?

"Only a man of valor can aspire to dreams. We, as women, should stay at home, attend to our husbands, raise our children, and serve our in-laws. Listen to your mother, my dear. Stay at home obediently. When this is all over, find a good family to marry into."

Feeling that her words were too harsh, Madam Guo tried to justify herself. "You may not understand my intentions now, but you will in the future."

"Chai Liu! Lock the door!"

Chai Liu held the copper lock, gritted her teeth, and said, "Miss, I apologize for this."

After speaking, the maid pushed Guo Fengdan into the room and quickly locked the brass lock on the door.

Madam Guo's face was filled with worry as she sighed deeply.

In this day and age, it was considered highly disrespectful for a woman to have aspirations beyond her station.

While other women were busy attending to their husbands and raising their children, Guo Fengdan pursued her dream through acting, making her an outlier in society.

Her involvement in the theater was already looked down upon by other high-class ladies; she would undoubtedly face ostracism.

Madam Guo had only one daughter, and all she wished was for her to live comfortably, not to endure hardships.

"Dan Dan, Mother truly has your best interests at heart."

Wiping away her tears with a handkerchief, Madam Guo instructed Cailiuyu, "Make sure the young lady doesn't escape, but also don't keep her cooped up. You girls should accompany her and engage in conversation more often, do you understand?"

Cailiuyu nodded in agreement. "Yes, Madam."

With a worried expression, Madam Guo left the room, taking small, hurried steps.

She intended to seek Guo Xiang's counsel on how to deal with Dashuai Sun.

Half an hour later.

Cailiu peered cautiously at the entrance. Seeing that neither the master nor the madam had emerged, she stealthily unlocked the door and beckoned. "Miss, hurry up."

Guo Fengdan pushed the door open and, holding her floor-length cheongsam, quietly peered in the direction of the main hall. Satisfied that it was safe, she tiptoed out.