Yunyi interjected, “Has the eldest young master’s temper always been this bad?”

Li Shimin sighed and said, “Elder brother originally had a very good temperament and was kind to people. The reason he became like this is all due to his foot ailment. Clearly, elder brother’s body had always been healthy, yet I don’t know why he contracted such a strange illness. So many renowned physicians have been helpless against it.” Speaking to this point, he glanced at the sky and said, “It’s getting late. You should help Miss Wu back. By the way, has a physician been summoned to examine her?”

“Nanny Yang has already invited a physician and obtained a prescription.” Yunyi’s answer put Li Shimin’s mind at ease, and he said, “Since that’s the case, return quickly.”

When departing, Meixue turned back to look several times, and Li Shimin also remained standing in place until he could no longer see the figures of Meixue and the others, only then turning to leave.

This encounter seemed like a chance meeting, yet it simultaneously stirred ripples in both their hearts.

After attending to Meixue taking her medicine, Yunyi headed toward “Songtao Residence” where Li Yuan lived. She was unwilling to let the opportunity she had worked so hard to obtain be ruined by Chunxiu, wanting to seek a chance to see if she could slip inside. Unfortunately, upon reaching the vicinity, she discovered people standing guard everywhere. Before she could get close, she had already been questioned several times and simply couldn’t get inside. After evading the last person who questioned her, Yunyi dared not venture forward rashly and retreated to the dance quarters.

That night, Songtao Residence was brightly lit with music and strings playing continuously, extremely lively. Everyone waited until the second watch before returning. As soon as Jiang Caiping entered, she rushed to Meixue’s bedside and asked with concern, “Sister, how are you? Have you taken your medicine?”

Meixue forced a faint smile and said, “I’ve taken it and already feel much better. After resting for two more days, there should be no major problem.”

Jiang Caiping breathed a light sigh of relief, saying, “That’s good. Have you had your evening meal? If not, I’ll go fetch some pastries.”

“Yunyi just took the dishes away. Don’t worry, I’m fine.” Saying this, she turned and asked, “Tonight’s dance performance… was everything well?”

Jiang Caiping nodded, then said nervously, “Sister, don’t think about these things. Believe me, you’re such a good person and so beautiful, you’ll have an opportunity sooner or later.”

At this moment, a mocking voice came from behind Jiang Caiping: “Sooner or later… who knows how late that will be—five years or ten years? By then, I’m afraid she’ll already have gray hair and be driven out of this Governor’s residence.” The speaker was none other than Zhang Shi, who had always been close to Chunxiu.

Jiang Caiping said angrily, “What nonsense are you talking? Perhaps tomorrow Sister Wu will go perform a dance.”

Zhang Shi laughed mockingly, “Really? Then we’ll keep our eyes wide open and watch. But I’m truly worried that even when I die, I won’t live to see that day.”

Hearing her words, Jiang Caiping laughed instead of getting angry, “You won’t live to see it because you’ll die soon!”

“You!” Zhang Shi was so angry she became incoherent, walked over and raised her hand to slap Jiang Caiping across the face. The latter never expected her to actually hit someone. After coming to her senses, she was so angry she nearly went mad, pointing at Zhang Shi and shrieking, “You… you hit me?”

Zhang Shi said dismissively, “So what if I hit you? Who told you to speak nonsense and curse me to die? You thoroughly deserve it!”

“You!” Jiang Caiping was so angry she was about to hit back when Meixue quickly grabbed her and advised, “Don’t use your hands. Don’t be so impulsive.”

Jiang Caiping said indignantly, “She hit me! She… what right does she have to hit me?!”

Meixue held her tightly and said, “Forget it. It’s better to have one less matter than one more. There’s no need to keep arguing.”

The more Jiang Caiping thought about it, the angrier she became. She really wanted to slap back regardless of everything, but helplessly her arm was held by Meixue, who refused to let go.

Zhang Shi smiled coldly and said, “It seems she doesn’t dare to hit back—truly gutless. Fine, let’s go.”

Only after they had gone far away did Wu Shi finally release her hand. Jiang Caiping said both angrily and resentfully, “Sister, why didn’t you let me teach Zhang Shi a lesson just now? Look at that face of hers—it’s as detestable as can be. Besides, why should I have to take her slap for nothing?”

“I know this wronged you, but now that Chunxiu has become the lead dancer, by rank she’s one level above us. If you had hit back just now, Zhang Shi would certainly have told Chunxiu and made things difficult for you. In the end, you would be the one to suffer.”

Jiang Caiping knew she was right, but still said somewhat unwillingly while touching her face, “According to sister’s words, this matter ends here? But I really can’t swallow this insult.”

Meixue sighed and said, “What else can we do? Forget it, don’t think about it anymore. You’ve also had a tiring day today. Hurry and wash up, then rest.” Seeing Jiang Caiping not moving, she added, “Be obedient. Don’t throw a child’s tantrum.”

Under her persuasion, Jiang Caiping finally nodded, though this night was destined to be sleepless for them. The next morning, Chunxiu appeared before everyone with a smug expression. She had finally gotten her wish and become the lead dancer. Last night she had received many rewards from Wan Shi and others.

In the following days, everyone officially became dance performers for the Governor’s residence. They practiced dance moves daily, which wasn’t much different from the previous month, except that Chunxiu and her group often took opportunities to make things difficult, causing Meixue and her companions to have rather unpleasant days. However, amid such unpleasantness, the three of them grew closer and closer.

On this day, the three sat in the courtyard talking when they suddenly saw Nanny Yang approaching. They quickly stood up, lowered their eyes and said, “Greetings to Nanny.”

“Rise.” Saying this, Nanny Yang walked to Meixue’s front and said with a beaming smile as she curtsied, “Congratulations, Miss Wu! Great joy for Miss Wu!”

This statement left Meixue completely bewildered. She asked in confusion, “Nanny, what joy is there?”

Nanny Yang smiled and said, “Second Madam has sent word that guests are coming to the residence tonight. Meixue is to perform a dance at Songtao Residence tonight. Isn’t this great joy?”

Meixue was so shocked by this sudden surprise that she didn’t know what to do. It was Jiang Caiping who reacted first, saying joyfully, “Wonderful! Sister can finally perform a dance before the Governor!”

Meixue came to her senses and asked cautiously, “Nanny, is this true? Has the Governor really summoned me to perform a dance? You’re not deceiving me, are you?”

Nanny Yang immediately said, “Other matters can be joked about, but how could one speak falsely about such things? You are fortunate—though you missed the last lead dance, there’s now a turn for the better.”

Hearing Nanny Yang’s definitive words, Meixue wept tears of joy. After Yunyi comforted her with a few words, she asked in confusion, “Nanny, how would the Governor know of Meixue and specifically designate her to perform a dance?”

Nanny Yang responded with a question instead of answering, “Does Meixue know Second Young Master?”

Meixue nodded and said, “I wouldn’t say I know him, but we’ve met once.”

Nanny Yang said with sudden understanding, “Then that explains it. I heard that this dance performance was suggested by Second Young Master to the Governor, and Meixue was also recommended by Second Young Master.”