Nanny Yang’s words made Meixue’s mind conjure up that figure who stood alone under the tree playing the flute while thinking of his mother. These past days, she would occasionally recall that day’s encounter and remember his words about helping her. But she had always thought Li Shimin had long forgotten about her, never expecting that he had always remembered and truly found an opportunity to help her.
“It’s rare to have this opportunity. Meixue must grasp it well.” After saying this, Nanny Yang left.
After she had gone far away, Jiang Caiping excitedly grasped Meixue’s hand and said, “Wonderful! Sister Wu, this is wonderful! You dance so well, you’ll definitely win the Governor’s favor. When that happens, let’s see how Chunxiu can still be so smug.” Speaking thus, she feigned anger and said, “Sister, you hid it so well! You clearly knew Second Young Master yet never breathed a word, causing me to worry for you all along.”
Meixue feared she might misunderstand and hurriedly said, “I truly only had one encounter with Second Young Master. I really didn’t expect he would actually help me. Yunyi was also there at the time—you can ask her if you don’t believe me.”
Jiang Caiping laughed with a “puchi” sound, “Sister, why are you so nervous? I wasn’t really blaming you—I was just joking with you. In any case, I’m truly happy for you that you have this opportunity.”
Meixue nodded excitedly. At this moment, Yunyi walked over and said, “Meixue, may I ask you for a favor?”
Meixue was about to inquire when she suddenly remembered what Yunyi had said to her before, “You want to go to Songtao Residence with me tonight?”
Yunyi nodded. Jiang Caiping asked in confusion, “Sister Wu is going to perform a dance—what are you going for?”
Yunyi ignored her words and only knelt down, saying, “Please, Meixue, fulfill my request.”
From the first moment she saw Yunyi, Meixue had felt somewhat close to her. Now seeing her plead so earnestly, she felt compassion. After pondering for a long while, she bit her white teeth lightly and said, “Very well, I’ll help you speak to Nanny Yang. If she doesn’t permit it, then there’s no other way.”
Yunyi’s heart filled with joy, and she quickly said, “With you speaking up, Nanny Yang will surely agree.”
Excellent—she finally had the chance to kill Li Yuan. However… this would likely implicate Meixue, who was taking her to Songtao Residence.
Thinking of this, she felt a moment of wavering, but quickly suppressed it. She had staked everything on this risky venture to take Li Yuan’s life. Now that she finally had this opportunity, how could she give it up because of one Wu Meixue? If blame were to be assigned… it would be because she was too trusting of others. With such a nature, even if she didn’t die this time, she would sooner or later perish amid schemes and deceptions.
After forcing herself to harden her heart, Yunyi took the opportunity to leave and began preparing for the evening’s assassination. As for Meixue, she was completely unaware and had no idea she had become a pawn in someone else’s hands. Taking advantage of the few hours remaining before the dance performance, she practiced her dance skills in the company of Jiang Caiping and the other, hoping that the evening’s performance would be as perfect as possible.
When evening arrived, Meixue sought out Nanny Yang and spoke to her about wanting to bring Yunyi to Songtao Residence to attend to her dressing and makeup. Though this was somewhat irregular, it wasn’t a major matter, so Nanny Yang immediately agreed. In addition to Yunyi, she also sent another maid to attend together to avoid any oversights—she was truly good to Meixue.
Yunyi and the other maid helped Meixue wash and dress in a side hall of Songtao Residence. Her hair was styled in a double-ring celestial bun, adorned with a peacock-spreading-tail hairpin at the front, with pearls and jade ornaments like stars atop the bun. She wore a light green gossamer dress with wide sleeves that fluttered gracefully, the hem sweeping the floor, with silk scarves wrapped around both arms. As she walked, the scarves danced in the air, extremely beautiful.
Seeing Meixue’s completed ensemble, the maid smiled and said, “Miss Wu, you truly look beautiful—just like a celestial maiden.”
“Flatterer,” Meixue laughed and scolded. At this moment, a servant came in to urge them along. After Yunyi adjusted Meixue’s clothing, she said, “Let me escort you over.”
Meixue pressed her chest and said anxiously, “Yunyi, I’m so nervous. What if I make a mistake or dance poorly?”
Yunyi comforted her, “You’ve practiced the ‘Green Waist’ dance countless times—how could you make a mistake? As for dancing poorly, that’s even more impossible. You shouldn’t frighten yourself anymore. Your dance will surely amaze everyone and let them know that Chunxiu is simply no match for you.”
Her words helped settle Meixue’s nerves somewhat. Taking a deep breath, she walked toward the main hall with Yunyi’s support. Upon entering the hall, Yunyi quickly scanned the surroundings. Seated in the place of honor at the center was a middle-aged man wearing an azure silk robe with a matching belt and black leather boots, sporting a short beard—this must be Li Yuan. Beside him sat a woman in gorgeous clothing with pearl and jade ornaments, her face like a peach blossom in full bloom—this was Second Madam Wan Shi, whom they had seen that day. Next to her were two other women of unknown identity, presumably also Li Yuan’s concubines.
Besides these, many others sat on both sides, though Yunyi only recognized eldest son Li Jiancheng and second son Li Shimin.
While she surveyed the surroundings, Meixue had already curtsied deeply, “Your servant Wu Meixue greets the Governor and all present!”
Only then did Yunyi realize she had arrived in the hall. She lowered her head slightly to conceal her thoughts and curtsied along with Meixue, while still pondering secretly in her heart.
“Meixue?” A pleasant voice rang out in the spacious hall. “Raise your head.”
At the woman’s words, Meixue tremblingly raised her head. The woman looked her over and said, “I remember you. Over a month ago, you went to the dance quarters with Chunxiu and the others to learn dancing. However, when the dance was performed some days ago, Nanny Yang said you were ill. How are you now—all better?”
Meixue said with some surprise at the honor, “Thank you for your concern, Second Madam. Your servant is completely well now.”
Li Yuan smiled and said, “Shimin says your dancing surpasses even Feng Chunxiu’s, which makes this official quite curious. It just so happens that we have guests today, so perform a dance well and let us see if Shimin’s words are excessive.”
“Your servant is terrified by such praise.” Meixue hadn’t expected Li Shimin to speak up for her this way. She looked at him gratefully, and Li Shimin was also looking at her. Their gazes crossed in mid-air.
Though it was only a brief moment of eye contact, Meixue’s heartbeat involuntarily quickened, like a young deer running wild inside her chest.
The woman beside Wan Shi said in a delicate voice, “Governor, your concubine is already somewhat impatient to see Meixue’s dancing skills—to see if they’re truly as outstanding as Second Young Master claims.”
“Good.” With Li Yuan’s nod, the sound of silk and bamboo instruments rose melodiously. Yunyi also retreated to one side, leaving only Wu Shi alone in the center of the hall.
As the music gradually swelled, Meixue moved her sleeves and began dancing gracefully. Initially, her movements were gentle and flowing, her waist swaying like a jade bird or a flowing dragon, incomparably light and elegant. Later, as the rhythm changed from slow to fast, her ornaments swayed and her robes fluttered as if she would ride the wind away, chasing after startled wild geese.
Just as Yunyi had said, Meixue had practiced this “Green Waist” dance countless times until it was thoroughly familiar. She didn’t need to think about the steps—she simply needed to dance along with the music.