Sure, I can help with that. Here is the translation of the provided Chinese text into English, adhering to your strict guidelines:
As Liu Shinian had said, upon exiting, I turned left and found a moving staircase.
The moment I stepped inside, a crowd surged in, pushing me into a corner.
I had to push my way through the throng to expose my face and tell the attendant,
"Take me to the top floor."
The attendant pulled a lever, and the staircase began to ascend slowly.
It paused at each floor.
After a long while, we finally reached the top.
Before leaving, the attendant bowed politely to me.
Then he descended.
I let out a long sigh and, coming to my senses, realized how unusually quiet it was on the top floor.
Not a single extraneous sound.
At that moment, my hand felt suddenly light.
Looking down, I saw that my plate, which I hadn't noticed before, was now spotlessly clean.
I could even faintly see a trace of saliva clinging to it.
Disgusted, I held it up in the air, grumbling,
"Which shameless person was so hungry they ate it all so cleanly?"
Though somewhat indignant, I couldn't just discard it anywhere.
So, I carried the empty plate, searching for Zhang Tianshi.
This vast top floor was devoid of people.
Nor could I hear any voices, so I searched aimlessly.
After wandering around in a daze,
I suddenly spotted a man in yellow.
Holding a folding fan, he was a handsome gentleman with an elegant demeanor,
standing by the corridor, admiring the view below.
After walking for so long, I finally saw someone, and my heart filled with excitement.
I hurried over and politely asked him,
"Sir, do you know where Zhang Tianshi is?"
The handsome gentleman turned around, smiled at me, and after a moment's thought, said with mock seriousness,
"Zhang Tianshi? I think I've heard that name somewhere."
I reminded him with great anticipation,
"He's likely the one you've heard of. I need to find him for something.
I heard he was on the top floor, so I came up to look, but I can't find him anywhere."
"Is that so?"
Upon seeing me, he immediately guessed that I was a first-time visitor to the Qianji Palace.
Seeing that no one else was around, he chuckled inwardly, thinking to tease me.
He then leaned down slightly, coming closer to me, and said,
"Miss, you smell so fragrant."
My face flushed with embarrassment, and I quickly took a step back.
I tugged at my clothes, worried he might have improper intentions.
Clearing my throat a few times, I dismissed it as a joke.
"You are quite the joker, sir. I'm busy looking for Zhang Tianshi.
If you know where he is, please tell me."
He propped up his chin, thought seriously, and then said,
"I'm not entirely sure, but I can take you to look for him."
"Really?"
I thanked him excitedly.
"Thank you, sir."
"It's nothing, just follow me."
"Alright."
As he spoke, he led the way, and I followed behind him. He asked me,
"May I know your name, miss?"
"I am Liu Muye, and you, sir?"
"My name is Fang Yu."
"Fang Yu? That's a lovely name, a good name."
He smiled again upon hearing my praise and said softly,
"You don't seem like someone from Nanhai City. Where are you from?"
"I'm from Nanshan."
"Nanshan? That's quite far from here. You must have traveled for a long time."
"Yes, it was quite arduous."
He slowly slowed his pace, waiting for me to walk alongside him.
Fanning himself, he playfully said,
"Although Qianji Palace is a fine place, most of the women here are rather common.
After seeing too many, they become quite uninteresting. You, however, are simple and unadorned."
His sudden compliment made me a little shy, and I laughed,
"Hahaha, I'm just a country girl, I don't understand all this makeup and beauty.
Compared to the people here, I don't measure up."
He shook his head and said,
"I don't think so. You are fresh and refined."
His praise made me feel a bit giddy, and I thought to myself,
"Am I really that fresh and refined?"
But I also felt a bit embarrassed. As we chatted, we arrived in front of a room.
He opened the door without hesitation. Inside, it was empty, with nothing at all.
He looked disappointed and said,
"It seems Zhang Tianshi isn't here.
This is a place where many distinguished guests gather; he should be here."
"It's alright, let's look elsewhere."
He nodded slightly.
Then he led me to the next room, asking as we walked,
"Miss, do you already have someone you fancy?"
I thought about it but wasn't entirely sure, so I replied,
"Not yet, perhaps in the future."
He smiled faintly and suddenly asked,
"What kind of man do you like, miss?"
"Gentle, considerate, kind, and lovely."
"And what do you think of me, miss?"
He suddenly stopped and asked me.
I thought he was just asking casually and answered just as casually,
"You are handsome and kind, sir. You seem like a very warm person."
He was very happy to hear my words.
He hadn't expected to be understood so well after knowing me for such a short time.
What fate! He turned around, took my hand, and pressed further,
"Miss, do you truly feel that way?"
I nodded.
He was overjoyed and then boldly expressed his feelings,
"I don't know why, but the moment I saw you, I fell deeply in love.
This must be love at first sight. So, miss, will you marry me?"
Hearing his words, my mind went completely blank. I couldn't process what he was saying.
Thinking I hadn't heard him clearly, he repeated himself.
"Miss, will you marry me?"
Only then did I react, my mouth agape in surprise.
"What! Marry! Marry you?"
"Yes, I fell in love with you at first sight.
To prevent you from falling for someone else later, please marry me."
My mind was in a whirlwind, still unable to comprehend it. I thought to myself,
"Oh my goodness! Someone is proposing to me! Is this real? Is it really?"
Although I was quite moved, I had only just met him.
Getting married so soon after meeting felt wrong, so I decisively refused,
"You are a very good man, sir.
If this were in the past, I would have gladly married you.
But now, I have my own matters to attend to.
I don't wish to marry so soon, so please look for someone else."
Upon hearing my refusal, his face, full of happiness and expectation, suddenly fell.
But he still tried to encourage himself, believing that persistence would eventually win me over.
He then grabbed my hand again and confessed,
"Miss, I am willing to wait for you.
I will wait for you until you are willing to marry me."
My heart was already blooming with joy, and I secretly chuckled.
"Do I have this much charm? Hahaha."
However, my reason told me I had to refuse, so I refused him again,
"Sir, we are not suited for each other. Please find another bride."
"Miss, please reconsider."
I shook my head.
"Sir, please look for another young lady. I need to find Zhang Tianshi. Perhaps we'll meet again."
With that, I turned and left. He watched my retreating back with a touch of melancholy,
but he didn't leave immediately, instead, he quietly followed me.
Seeing him still following, I decided to break his resolve and ran.
After running for a long time, I looked back. Seeing that he wasn't pursuing me, I breathed a sigh of relief.
Leaning against the doorframe, I started to laugh happily, teasing myself,
"I never imagined I had such charm that someone would propose to me!
I'm so happy, hahaha."
"If you're so happy, then accept my proposal."
Hearing the voice, I cautiously looked up and saw the familiar yellow attire.
Slowly looking up, I saw the same handsome gentleman from before.
Standing right in front of me, a smile on his face.
I asked confusedly,
"How did you get here?"
"I just walked over."
I asked him curiously,
"Young Master Fang, we just met. Why are you so insistent on marrying me?"
He replied,
"I don't know either. My heart just started pounding.
Perhaps my heart is telling me that you are the one destined for me."
Hearing his explanation, I couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"Hahaha, you haven't fallen for anyone before, have you?"
He shook his head and said,
"I have seen many beautiful women.
But none of them have captivated me at first sight like you do."
I told him with a smile,
"I'm just a type you haven't encountered before. You don't truly like me.
It's just curiosity, a game. You'll get tired of me after a while."
"Is that so? Are you skilled in that regard?"
"No, I've just felt the same way you do before."
He laughed heartily and said,
"Then we are quite alike. I won't tease you anymore.
That was just a joke because I found you very cute."
I smiled foolishly and said,
"I knew it would be like this. Good thing I didn't fall for it.
Young Master Fang, do you know where Zhang Tianshi is?"
"I don't know. He's probably with the owner of Qianji Palace."
"Qianji Palace owner?"
"Yes. Since you won't agree to me, I'll be going now."
I bid him farewell, saying,
"Yes, I hope you truly find someone you love."
"You too. I hope you find Zhang Tianshi soon as well."
"I will."
"Then goodbye."
"Goodbye."
With that, he turned and left.
After this playful young master departed,
I was left alone to search for Zhang Tianshi.
But after searching for a long time, all I found were empty corridors and silent, vacant rooms.
There was nothing else.
Just as I was at a loss, I suddenly heard faint sounds of a quarrel.
I followed the sound and came to a doorway.
Carefully, I leaned by the door to eavesdrop, trying to hear if Zhang Tianshi's voice was among them.
Suddenly, a peculiar floral fragrance wafted towards me.
It was like the cold spring plum blossoms of February, refreshing the heart.
My brow furrowed slightly; I found it rather strange.
In a daze, I heard the pleasant sound of bells coming from the end of the corridor.
It sounded like someone was approaching.
I quickly moved away and found a corner to hide, peeking to see who was coming.
Then, a cascade of snow-like pear blossoms seemed to fall from the air.
Immediately after, I heard a woman's gentle recitation of a poem:
"Ten thousand flowers compete on moonlit branches, only this solitary snow blooms in the distant cold."
"Who could it be?"
As I was wondering,
I suddenly glimpsed several maids escorting a woman slowly forward.
The maids were all dressed in green long skirts, their small feet treading lightly.
The woman at the front was veiled with a piece of white gauze.
Her silver hair was coiled at the back of her head, and she wore a flowing, wide-sleeved robe like frost and snow.
On her feet were red wooden clogs, with ankle bells attached.
Each step was slow, graceful, and dignified.
However, it was strange.
Even though she wore a veil, she held a white paper fan to shield her face,
as if afraid of being seen.
She gently moved to the door and said softly,
"Esteemed lords, this humble woman is busy today and cannot attend to you all. I beg your pardon."
Her voice was as gentle as rain, giving a feeling of cold plum blossoms in winter, a refreshing breeze.
Those inside immediately quieted down upon hearing her voice.
Satisfied, she then lifted her foot and departed.
Hiding in the corner, I savored her sweet voice.
It made my entire body feel tingly and numb, leaving a lingering impression.
I couldn't help but think that even as a girl, I felt inferior.
Just hearing her voice could stir affection.
If it were a man, they would surely be captivated and lose all composure.
Thinking this, such a charming person
could only be Liu Shinian's beloved old flame, Xue Ji.
With that thought, it was no wonder Liu Shinian was so infatuated with her that he drowned himself in drink daily.
I shook my head, snapping out of my dreamy reverie.
Remembering my purpose for being here, I continued my search for Zhang Tianshi.
After searching round and round, I still found nothing.
At that moment, I suddenly spotted a maid bringing refreshments.
I quickly caught her and asked,
"Have you seen a man with messy hair and disheveled clothes?"
Hearing my description, she immediately understood and asked,
"Are you referring to Zhang Tianshi?"
"Precisely. Do you know where he is?"
I was overjoyed. Finally, I had found this elusive old man.
"He's downstairs. Soon there will be Xue Ji's Thousand Year Dance."
"That's wonderful, thank you so much."
"You're welcome."
After thanking her, I hurried downstairs.
I rushed back to the room to find A Li and Liu Shinian.
To my surprise, the room was already empty, not a soul in sight.
I hadn't expected these two disloyal rascals to have already left.
Suddenly, I remembered what the person had said earlier,
"Soon there will be Xue Ji's Thousand Year Dance."
Perhaps they had already gone downstairs?
I leaned over the railing by the window and looked down. A crowd had gathered below.
It was then I discovered that in the backyard of Qianji Palace, there was a large open space.
To the north of this open space stood a huge circular stage painted with red plum blossoms.
In front of this grand stage was a small market, bustling with people.
I surmised that Liu Shinian and A Li must be down there.
So, I immediately went out and hurried downstairs.
Liu Shinian was strolling with A Li downstairs. A Li worriedly asked him,
"Brother Liu, do we really not need to wait for Muye?"
"No need. If she can't find anyone, she'll come down herself."
That's what he said, but A Li still felt it was rather disloyal not to wait for Muye.
Liu Shinian glanced casually and saw a small stall.
A man dressed in lavish clothes, half a head shorter than him, was eating heartily.
He immediately recognized him as a wealthy individual.
Coincidentally, his own empty stomach had only been filled with some desserts.
Seeing the man eating so heartily, his appetite was immediately whetted.
Liu Shinian naturally walked over and patted the man's back, saying,
"We meet again."
The man looked back at him with a confused expression and asked,
"Have we met before?"
"Yes, we have. You often come to this Qianji Palace.
I'm here often too, but I've never had the chance to speak with you."
The man stopped what he was doing and tried to recall carefully.
But he still couldn't remember anything.
Liu Shinian prompted him,
"Everyone in Nanhai City knows Liu Shinian is devoted to Xue Ji. You must have heard of it."
Hearing Liu Shinian say this, he finally remembered.
"Oh, I know of him. Everyone says he's a devoted lover."
Liu Shinian laughed heartily and said,
"I am Liu Shinian."
Xue Ji:
"Ten thousand flowers compete on moonlit branches, only this solitary snow blooms in the distant cold."
Xue Ji, originally a wanderer from the frigid northern lands.
Her true form was that of the ancient divine beast, the Nine-Tailed Fox clan. She was exceptionally beautiful, surpassing all others in elegance.
In her youth, she met the wandering Jin Yu Lan in the cold northern lands.
Under Jin Yu Lan's persuasion, she followed him to Nanhai City,
and became the unparalleled, peerless dancer of this era.