Nanny Yang had already received instructions from Wan Shi and was supervising the women to practice more intensively, especially Yunyi, who as the lead dancer carried the heaviest burden. This time they were performing “The Prince of Lanling,” with twelve dancers total. Unlike the usual soft and graceful dance music, this time they also had to display a brisk, lively rhythm, with one sequence of spins where Yunyi had to turn a full twenty times.

During a brief rest between dances, the women gathered in small groups of twos and threes, talking about those for whom they would perform tonight. One woman whispered: “I heard from a relative in the capital that if high officials and nobles in the capital take a fancy to any dancing girl, they’ll take her away and make her a concubine.”

Someone nearby laughed softly: “What’s this? The people haven’t even been seen yet and you’re already thinking about being made a concubine?”

The first person spat: “I’m just telling you what I know. You’re the one thinking too much. Of course it would be good to be favored by those lords, but one must have that fate. Otherwise, no amount of thinking is useful.”

The women nodded, and the previous speaker continued: “By the way, I heard that actually three lords came this time, and one of them is an imperial physician.”

Yunyi, who was resting not far away, heard the words “imperial physician” and her expression changed slightly. An imperial physician? Why would an imperial physician come to the residence?

Thinking this, she walked over and said: “Sister Zhao, do you know what surname this imperial physician has?”

“What surname?” Zhao Shi thought carefully and said uncertainly: “It seems to be surnamed Zhu. I heard His Majesty specially sent him to treat the Governor’s illness.”

Imperial Physician Zhu… Yunyi pressed her lips tightly together. She knew this person – he was the imperial physician her father trusted most. He had seen her more than once, and if he saw her, he would definitely recognize her. Then not only would she be unable to continue staying in the Governor’s residence, but she would also bring trouble to her father, going against her original intention in coming here.

No, she absolutely couldn’t let Imperial Physician Zhu see her. Yunyi thought it over and concluded that only feigning illness could help her avoid Imperial Physician Zhu.

“Sister!” Jiang Caiping suddenly called loudly in her ear, startling her. Still shaken, she pressed her chest and said: “What are you doing? You scared me to death!”

Jiang Caiping giggled and held up something in her hand: “Look, isn’t it beautiful?”

Yunyi looked carefully and said in surprise: “A mask? What are you doing with this?”

“Nanny Yang gave them to us. Sister, this one is the most beautiful.” Seeing Yunyi’s puzzled expression, she laughed sweetly: “Sister forgot – the Prince of Lanling wears a mask, so we must also wear masks. It’s just that the masks weren’t finished before, so we didn’t wear them.”

Hearing this, Yunyi came to her senses and nodded repeatedly: “Yes, look at my memory – I actually forgot about this.” As she spoke, Yunyi took her mask from Jiang Caiping’s hands. It was a rather exquisitely crafted gilded mask with fine crystals adorning both sides and a diamond-shaped red crystal at the center of the brow, emanating a hint of bewitching, feminine beauty.

At this moment, Jiang Caiping had already put on her mask and said playfully: “Isn’t it beautiful?”

Yunyi looked carefully and discovered that this mask could cover about two-thirds of the face, leaving only the eyes and chin exposed. With the mask’s concealment, she believed that even if she were only inches away from Imperial Physician Zhu, he wouldn’t recognize her. Thinking this, Yunyi’s heart settled, and she smiled in reply: “Beautiful!”

Yunyi’s answer made Jiang Caiping very happy, and she skipped over to the bronze mirror to look left and right. By now, the others had also put on their masks and were conducting final rehearsals as the sky gradually darkened.

Under the night sky, Lanyue Tower blazed with brilliant lights like stars, overflowing with flowing colors, illuminating the place like a heavenly palace. Inside the tower, cups and goblets were raised in toasts as Li Shimin and his brother repeatedly toasted Wang Wei and the others, creating an extremely lively atmosphere.

After three rounds of wine, Yunyi and the others entered gracefully to the sound of silk music. As they danced, their sleeves fluttered, and pairs of jade feet in embroidered shoes as thin as cicada wings spun and danced, making their long skirts fly up, captivating hearts under the bright lights. Especially the woman in red in the center – her dance was absolutely beautiful, making everyone’s hearts race.

It wasn’t until long after the music and dance had stopped that everyone in Lanyue Tower came back to their senses and applauded repeatedly. Not only did Wang Wei praise it repeatedly, but even Gao Junya, who had been stern-faced all along, showed a hint of a smile.

Li Shimin laughed: “Can this catch the eyes of you two lords and Imperial Physician Zhu?”

Wang Wei laughed heartily: “Not only can it catch our eyes – it’s simply spectacular! I’ve seen quite a few musical performances, but apart from the palace performances, none can compare to what we’ve seen tonight.”

“Lord Wang is too kind.” Saying this, Li Shimin raised his wine cup: “Come, let Shimin toast you all once more.”

“Thank you, Second Young Master.” After drinking the wine in his cup, Wang Wei looked at Yunyi with great interest: “What is this woman’s name?”

Li Shimin’s eyes flickered slightly as he smiled: “This is a dancing girl in the residence, surnamed Wu, called Wu Meixue.”

“Meixue… that’s a nice name.” Then he said to Yunyi: “Take off your mask.”

His words made Yunyi’s hands hanging at her sides immediately clench into fists. She lowered her head and said: “Meixue’s plain appearance would not dare pollute my lord’s eyes.”

Gao Junya said coldly: “When told to remove it, just remove it. Where do all these words come from?”

Yunyi secretly gritted her teeth. Imperial Physician Zhu was right there – if she removed her mask at this moment, wouldn’t she let him see her clearly? But looking at Wang Wei and the other’s attitude, she probably had no choice but to remove it. What should she do?

Just as Yunyi was caught in a dilemma, Li Shimin laughed: “You two lords don’t know – though this woman dances well, her appearance is quite ugly and hard to look at. Better not let her spoil your good mood.” Saying this, he said to the women still standing in the center: “Why don’t you withdraw quickly?”

“Wait.” Wang Wei stopped them with a smile: “Second Young Master saying this has truly aroused my curiosity. I must see what this woman looks like.”

“But…” Before Li Shimin could continue, Wang Wei was already staring at Yunyi: “Remove your mask!”

Behind her mask, Yunyi glared hatefully at Wang Wei. What “see what she looks like” – this old lecher was clearly thinking lustful thoughts after being well-fed! She never imagined that someone her father trusted would be such a hypocrite. When she returned to the capital, she would definitely tell her father Wang Wei’s true nature.

Li Shimin wasn’t the only one who noticed this. He called Duan Zhihong over and whispered a few words in his ear. The latter nodded and quietly left.

Under Wang Wei’s repeated urging, Yunyi could only helplessly raise her hand and slowly remove her mask. In this situation, she could only take it step by step and hope Imperial Physician Zhu wouldn’t recognize her.

Just as the mask was about to be removed, the tightly closed carved vermillion doors were suddenly pushed open, and immediately a heart-refreshing fragrant breeze filled the entire tower. Two beautiful women with apricot eyes and peach cheeks walked in gracefully. Both wore peach-red brocade robes scattered with flowers, with golden embroidered long skirts underneath. What was surprising was that these two women’s faces were exactly alike, as if carved from the same mold.