Yunyi bit her lip hard, as if making some resolution, “Nanny, perhaps… I shouldn’t stay here anymore.”

Nanny Yang said in astonishment, “You want to leave the music hall?”

“Yes, I’ve thought it over. I can go find Steward Lin and have him arrange for me to work elsewhere. That way I won’t have daily conflicts with Chunxiu anymore.”

“But then you’d have to do manual labor—can you handle it? And your monthly wages would be much less than now.” Faced with Nanny Yang’s words, Yunyi smiled, “I’ve been doing chores at home since I was little, so I’m used to it. Besides, when I first entered the Governor’s residence, I was prepared to do manual labor. I never expected to end up selected for this music hall. As for wages… actually, ordinary servants in the Governor’s residence don’t get paid poorly, and with room and board provided, there’s not much need for money day to day. Most importantly, this way you won’t have to be caught in the middle anymore, Nanny. It’s just that Caiping… she has a straightforward nature and doesn’t know how to be tactful. She’ll inevitably offend people in the future, so I hope you can help her out when the time comes. Meixue thanks you in advance.” With that, she bowed to Nanny Yang again.

Her words greatly moved Nanny Yang, who grasped Yunyi’s hand and said with pity, “You, always thinking of this and that, but never considering yourself.”

“That’s not true.” Yunyi forced a smile, but her reddened eyes betrayed her, “I did think of myself. Rather than stumbling along day after day like this, it’s better to change places. Though it may be harder, at least…” She choked up and couldn’t continue, but Nanny Yang understood her meaning perfectly.

Meixue leaving the music hall would indeed avoid confrontation with Chunxiu and restore peace to the music hall, but she was well aware that the real troublemaker was Chunxiu. This person was narrow-minded—even if Meixue were gone, there was no guarantee she wouldn’t antagonize others in the future.

In contrast, Meixue had always been modest since entering the music hall and extremely respectful toward her. She hadn’t forgotten that the pair of jade ruyi at the bottom of her chest was a gift from Meixue.

Furthermore, Meixue had saved First Young Master’s life and was quite close to Second Young Master. If either young master happened to ask about this matter, she wouldn’t know how to answer.

Weighing both sides, Nanny Yang made her decision, her eyes turning cold as she said, “You’re right—someone should indeed leave the music hall, but that person is not you!”

The corner of Yunyi’s mouth curved in an almost imperceptible arc, while her face showed alarm, “Nanny, you mean…” Before Nanny Yang could speak, she waved her hands repeatedly, “No, this won’t do. Chunxiu won’t agree to it. I should be the one to leave, Nanny, I…”

“She has no choice in the matter!” Nanny Yang’s voice was ice-cold as she interrupted her, then continued, “Enough, I know what I’m doing. You needn’t say more. Go back and rest quickly—you still have to practice dance early tomorrow morning.”

Seeing her speak thus, Yunyi had no choice but to comply and leave. Upon hearing the door close behind her, Yunyi paused in her steps, looked up at the winter sun that appeared and disappeared behind clouds, and her lips curved in a cold smile.

Ever since Feng Chunxiu had killed Meixue by mistake, she had harbored murderous intent toward her, not to mention that during this period, Feng Chunxiu had been stirring up trouble daily, long since wearing away what little patience she had left.

If not for her sensing that Li Shimin’s suspicions about her hadn’t been completely eliminated, and having felt like she was being secretly watched these past days, she would have already killed Feng Chunxiu—why go through all this trouble?

Given the current situation, she could only first have Feng Chunxiu expelled from the music hall, then find an opportunity to deal with her later. After all, Li Yuan and his sons were her most important targets—exposing her identity over someone like Feng Chunxiu wasn’t worth it.

The next day, the women went to practice dance after washing up as usual. When they arrived, since Nanny Yang hadn’t arrived yet, they chatted in small groups.

Zhang Shi smiled with pursed lips, “Sister, guess whether Jiang Caiping practiced spinning after going back yesterday? Just thinking of how she spun all askew yesterday makes me want to laugh.”

Another person chimed in, “Exactly! She fell to the ground several times—it was truly amusing.”

Chunxiu said coldly, “Whether she practices or not is her business. At least we’re not the ones making fools of ourselves.” As soon as she finished speaking, she heard Zhang Shi say, “Sister, look, they’re here.”

Looking up, they indeed saw Yunyi and Jiang Caiping entering. They glanced at Chunxiu once, then walked to the side on their own.

The woman who had spoken earlier said, “Look at them—they clearly don’t regard Sister Chunxiu with any respect.”

Her words made Chunxiu’s eyes turn cold. Just as she was about to walk over, her arm was firmly grasped by someone—it was Jirong, who said quietly, “Don’t cause any more trouble.”

Chunxiu said, “I just wanted to go over and ask a question—how is that causing trouble?”

Jirong glared at her, “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re thinking. Haven’t you caused enough trouble these past few days? In any case, you’re not allowed to go!”

Zhang Shi was quite supportive of Chunxiu, saying, “The ones causing trouble have always been Wu Meixue and her companion. They’re deliberately opposing Sister Chunxiu, and even I can’t stand it.”

Jirong looked at her and said coldly, “Since you can’t stand it, why don’t I see you dealing with them? You always talk but never act?”

Zhang Shi was left speechless by her question and could only stand there awkwardly. This delay allowed Nanny Yang to arrive, so Chunxiu, though unwilling, had to give up and bow to Nanny Yang along with the others.

“Please rise, young ladies.” Nanny Yang’s gaze swept over the women as she said, “Before today’s dance practice, I have something to announce.”

The women looked at each other in confusion. Zhang Shi asked curiously, “Nanny, what is it? Are you arranging for us to perform a dance?”

Nanny Yang ignored her and stared directly at Chunxiu, “From today onwards, Feng Chunxiu is no longer a dancer in my music hall. She must leave the Governor’s residence immediately and is not permitted to linger!”

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone was stunned, especially Chunxiu, whose face turned pale as paper. Expel her from the residence? Why would they suddenly expel her from the residence? This made no sense at all—it was impossible, impossible!

Thinking this, Chunxiu forced out a smile, “Nanny, you’re joking with me, aren’t you? I…”

“No one is joking with you!” Nanny Yang coldly interrupted her, “Go pack your things immediately. If you haven’t left the Governor’s residence by nightfall, don’t blame me for being impolite!”

This statement drained what little color remained from Chunxiu’s face. She stood there at a loss, while Jirong was the first to recover, saying, “Nanny, what did Chunxiu do wrong that you’re expelling her from the residence?”

Nanny Yang said indifferently, “Since becoming lead dancer, Chunxiu has repeatedly stirred up trouble, causing constant unrest in the music hall. Such behavior—how can she deserve to continue staying in the Governor’s residence?”