After nearly two hours of competition, the winners of each category were finally determined. Ye Ying’s performance was slightly inferior to last year’s. Though she later managed to tie for first place with Princess Qixia in dance with a desperate performance of the Flying Immortal Dance, her zither skills were rejected by Third Young Master Feng, known as the capital’s zither master, and she lost to Liu Family’s daughter Liu Ruyun, taking second place. She later achieved third place in poetry, but this couldn’t hide her frustrated and wronged expression. Princess Qixia, as an outsider, shone brilliantly in the later competitions, achieving third in zither, first in calligraphy, and second in chess. Thus, Princess Qixia became the overall champion of this Hundred Flowers Gathering with two firsts, one second, and one-third place.

Princess Imperial Zhaoyang was very satisfied with this result, and the judges on stage showed increased appreciation for this foreign princess. Just as Elder Su Zhe was about to announce the results of the Hundred Flowers Gathering, Princess Qixia whispered something in Princess Imperial Zhaoyang’s ear, then stood up and apologetically bowed slightly to Elder Su, before turning to look at the dejected Ye Ying below, a cold smile flashing across her brow.

“Everyone’s pardon, Qixia requests another dance competition with Fourth Young Lady Ye,” Princess Qixia announced loudly, causing an immediate commotion in the venue.

Feng Zhiyao lounged lazily in his chair, smiling at Princess Qixia, “Everyone would surely be delighted to witness another dance by the Princess and the capital’s premier beauty. However… may I ask why a rematch is necessary?”

Princess Qixia lifted her chin proudly, “Don’t you Central Plains people say there’s no absolute first in literature and no absolute second in martial arts? Though dance isn’t martial arts, this princess doesn’t like sharing first place.” As she spoke, she cast a disdainful glance at Ye Ying, barely stopping short of saying outright that Ye Ying wasn’t worthy of sharing the position. Below the stage, Ye Ying’s face turned deathly pale, her delicate figure swaying. Those present felt Princess Qixia was being too harsh. However, Princess Qixia paid no attention to others’ views, just staring fixedly at Ye Ying.

Feng Zhiyao’s lazy phoenix eyes swept over Mo Jingli, who sat to the side with a dark expression, and smiled, “Prince Li, what do you think? After all… Fourth Young Lady Ye is your fiancée.”

Mo Jingli glanced at Ye Ying below the stage, his cold eyes showing a ripple of emotion as he said flatly, “Is Princess Qixia dissatisfied with Yaoji’s judging?”

Yaoji smiled charmingly, instantly radiating allure, “If Princess Qixia has an even more beautiful dance, Yaoji would naturally love to appreciate it. Though I wonder if I’ll have that honor.”

Mo Jingli remained silent. Though not particularly knowledgeable about dance, he naturally knew from Yaoji’s previous scoring that Ye Ying and Princess Qixia’s dance skills were closely matched. But dance was an art form appreciated by the eyes. Even if their technical skills were similar, Princess Qixia’s passionate performance moved people more than Ye Ying’s graceful otherworldliness. This situation could be called “too refined for common taste.” If Ye Ying lost to Princess Qixia again… Mo Jingli’s handsome sword-like eyebrows gradually furrowed.

Seeing his silence, Princess Imperial Zhaoyang on the main seat frowned in displeasure, “Jingli.”

“Ah!”

A low cry came from below, followed by the crisp sound of porcelain breaking. Everyone looked toward the sound to see Ye Ying’s maid prostrating herself on the ground begging forgiveness, while Ye Ying clutched her left arm, face pale. Her left sleeve was soaked through. The maid had accidentally spilled tea on Ye Ying while serving.

“Ying’er…” Mo Jingli jumped down from the stage and pulled Ye Ying into his arms, kicking away the kneeling maid, “Get out!”

The Princess Imperial’s face instantly turned ashen – Mo Jingli had kicked her household’s maid. “Someone come, summon the Imperial Physician to treat Young Lady Ye.”

The young ladies present were all somewhat stunned by this sudden turn of events. Though each tried their best to maintain their noble lady composure, it didn’t prevent them from exchanging opinions in various ways.

“Tsk, A-Li, you better be careful, this sister of yours is quite vicious.” After several hours of sitting together, Murong Ting’s form of address for Ye Li had evolved from Young Lady Ye to Ye Li to the intimate A-Li. If anyone claimed the maid had accidentally spilled water on Ye Ying, Murong Ting would bet her not-so-scholarly brain that it wasn’t true. What a coincidence that right after Princess Qixia issued her challenge, Ye Ying gets scalded!

Hua Tianxiang frowned, “I don’t know why, but I have an ominous feeling.”

Ye Li raised an eyebrow but before she could speak, she heard Ye Ying, still leaning in Mo Jingli’s embrace, say weakly and regretfully to Princess Qixia, “Princess, I’m truly sorry. I’m afraid I cannot compete with you. Since the Princess is unsatisfied… perhaps my sister could substitute for me. My sister is the Minister’s legitimate daughter, surely she won’t embarrass the Princess. Sister, don’t you agree?”

Hearing this, Ye Li’s usually calm expression darkened. How could Ye Ying not know she couldn’t dance? If she lost, it would naturally be Ye Li being useless and bringing shame to the Minister’s household, not Ye Ying being inferior to Princess Qixia. This way, she both avoided the possibility of losing to Princess Qixia herself and successfully ensured Ye Li would lose face at her first gathering. Truly a clever scheme.

“We’ll do as Ying’er says!” Mo Jingli ordered impatiently, not waiting for the Imperial Physician before carrying Ye Ying away from the venue.

Watching Mo Jingli’s departing figure without hesitation, the Princess Imperial’s eyes darkened, and after a long moment she said heavily, “In that case, let Third Young Lady Ye substitute for Fourth Young Lady Ye.”

Ye Li was speechless: Did no one think to ask if she could dance?

Almost everyone’s gaze fell on Ye Li, including the anxious looks from Qin Zhong and the others. Though they had earlier urged Ye Li to compete for a place, they hadn’t truly meant to force her. Not only were they newly made friends, but considering Qin Zhong’s future relationship with Ye Li, they couldn’t harm her.

Princess Qixia, burning with anger over Mo Jingli’s concern for Ye Ying, now focused her rage on Ye Li, Mo Jingli’s former fiancée who had been pushed forward as a substitute. She raised her delicate willow eyebrows, “Young Lady Ye, please proceed first.”

Ye Li stood up helplessly, meeting Princess Qixia’s hate-filled gaze, and after consideration said, “I concede.”

Everyone, including Princess Qixia, was stunned. After a while, Princess Qixia recovered and glared at Ye Li, “Are you looking down on this princess? This princess doesn’t need your concession!”

Ye Li shook her head helplessly, “I’m not conceding to the Princess, I’m genuinely admitting defeat.”

“Conceding without competing, even if you won wouldn’t be honorable.”

Isn’t forcing someone who can’t dance to compete even less honorable? Ye Li sighed lightly, looking sincerely at the angry-eyed Princess Qixia above, “Princess, I cannot dance.” So, you’ve been manipulated by Ye Ying.

“Hehe, having someone who can’t dance substitute, Prince Li and his future Princess are quite creative indeed,” Feng Zhiyao’s lazy voice rang out, full of schadenfreude.

Princess Qixia was also startled, “Why can’t you dance!”

“Because dance isn’t a required subject for Da Chu’s noble ladies. I believe many ladies present cannot dance,” Ye Li answered matter-of-factly. Not knowing how to dance wasn’t shameful; in fact, very few noble ladies in Da Chu specifically learned dance unless they particularly enjoyed it or their families possibly intended to send them to the palace.

Since Ye Li had clearly stated she had never learned to dance, forcing her to dance would be unreasonable. Princess Qixia also realized she had been manipulated by Ye Ying and could only temporarily suppress her anger. She stared at the calm, elegantly smiling young lady in blue below, her eyes flickering as she said, “We didn’t see Young Lady Ye perform earlier. Since Fourth Young Lady Ye has such confidence in her sister, perhaps Young Lady Ye could demonstrate her talents in other areas. Or…” she looked at Ye Li with an ambiguous smile, pausing slightly before raising her voice, “Or is Young Lady Ye skilled at nothing?”

Ye Li lowered her head in silence for a moment, then raised it to look calmly at Princess Qixia, “In that case, I shall humbly demonstrate.”