Chunxiu secretly glanced at Meixue on the other side, who was massaging her legs. As for Yunyi, she seemed to be busy with something and wasn’t visible. Nanny Yang and several others were also absent.

After a full day of practice, everyone’s legs were somewhat sore. This performance of “Dragon Pool Music” particularly emphasized light dance steps and graceful posture, but lightness didn’t mean ease—on the contrary, it required dancers to use more strength to control their legs in order to display that light, graceful bearing.

Chunxiu carried the stew pot to Meixue and inquired, “Are you alright?”

Her sudden concern made Meixue look up in surprise. After coming to her senses, she said somewhat uncomfortably, “I’m fine. I’ll be better after resting a while.”

Chunxiu sat down beside her and said softly, “Are you… blaming me?”

Meixue asked puzzledly, “What do you mean by that?”

Chunxiu sighed lightly and said, “Actually, that day I really didn’t mean to trip you—it was an accident. But later, because of this incident, that maid who’s close to you spoke rudely to me. I was angry, which is why I gave you trouble afterward. Now thinking back, I really shouldn’t have done that. Meixue, can you… forgive me?”

Meixue looked at Chunxiu with surprise and uncertainty, never expecting that she would actually come forward to seek reconciliation, when she had always found her displeasing.

Seeing that she didn’t speak, Chunxiu asked nervously, “Are you unwilling to forgive me?”

Meixue came back to her senses and shook her head. “No, I’m just somewhat surprised. Actually…” She paused and smiled gently. “There’s no deep hatred between us, and we grew up together. There’s really no need to talk about forgiveness. As for what happened before, let’s let it pass. Neither of us should mention it again in the future.”

If Yunyi had been there, she would have certainly reminded Meixue not to trust Chunxiu. A leopard cannot change its spots—how could someone accustomed to being arrogant and domineering suddenly change?

Chunxiu nodded with a face full of shame. “You’re really good. Compared to you, I’ve been too excessive.”

Meixue smiled and said, “We said we wouldn’t mention it anymore, yet you insist on bringing it up. Do you really want me to scold you to be happy?”

Chunxiu lowered her head and smiled. “Alright, we won’t mention it anymore. But speaking of which, Meixue, your dance is beautiful and your comprehension is high. Nanny Yang will definitely choose you as the lead dancer.”

“Everything depends on Nanny Yang’s decision. We just need to do our best.” Facing Meixue’s words, Chunxiu sneered inwardly but appeared to agree completely, saying, “That’s right. Oh, I just had someone stew some ginseng soup to replenish my strength. You should drink some too, so you’ll have the energy to continue dancing.” As she spoke, she ladled a bowl of ginseng soup from the stew pot and handed it to Meixue.

Hearing it was ginseng soup, Meixue was greatly surprised and hurriedly declined, “This is too precious. You should drink it yourself—I’m fine.”

“I already drank a bowl earlier, and I really can’t drink any more.” Seeing that Meixue still shook her head in refusal, she said, “You wouldn’t think I stole this ginseng soup from somewhere, would you? Rest assured, I bought it with my own money when I went out today, hoping to dance better tomorrow.” Then she added, “If you won’t drink it, are you still angry with me? Does that mean what you said earlier was false?”

“I don’t mean that, it’s just…” Before Meixue could finish, Chunxiu said, “If you don’t mean that, then you wouldn’t be so formal with me over a bowl of ginseng soup. Or are you afraid I’ll harm you?” Saying this, she picked up the ginseng soup and took a sip, then said coldly, “Look clearly—it’s not poisoned!”

“I don’t mean that at all.” Seeing Chunxiu remain silent, Meixue sighed and said, “Alright, I’ll drink it. Please don’t be angry.”

This sentence made Chunxiu’s anger turn to joy. After watching Meixue finish the bowl of ginseng soup, she ladled out all the remaining soup from the stew pot and persuaded Meixue to drink it all.

Unable to resist her persuasion, Meixue had to drink that bowl as well, then frowned and shook her head, “This ginseng soup is really bitter, and my stomach feels like there’s a fire burning inside.”

Chunxiu smiled deeply and said, “The more bitter it is, the better the ginseng soup’s effects. After drinking these two bowls of ginseng soup, you’ll definitely dance extremely well tomorrow.”

At this moment, Nanny Yang came out, signaling everyone to continue practicing and announcing that the lead dancer would be selected in one hour.

Jiang Caiping used the spinning dance steps to come to Meixue’s side. “Sister, why did that Chunxiu suddenly change her nature? Instead of opposing you, she’s giving you ginseng soup to drink?”

While dancing, Meixue replied, “I don’t know either, but having one more friend is better than having one more enemy, don’t you think?”

Jiang Caiping nodded, “It would be good if that’s really the case.”

An hour later, everyone competed in their skills to select the lead dancer. In the end, Meixue won with her exceptional dancing and became tomorrow’s lead dancer for the performance.

Some envied this result, some were jealous, and others came to flatter Meixue, including many who had previously disdained her.

Nanny Yang had originally been most worried about Chunxiu, who had been competing with Meixue ever since entering the household. Fortunately, Chunxiu said nothing about this, apparently understanding that the matter was settled and further争论 would be useless.

As for Meixue, although she had gained the lead dancer qualification, she felt little joy, because from just now she had been feeling feverish and hot all over, indescribably uncomfortable.

After finally dealing with the people surrounding her, Meixue walked toward her quarters. On the way, she encountered Yunyi, who saw her flushed cheeks and asked in surprise, “Meixue, why is your face so red?”

Meixue touched her face and shook her head, “I don’t know either. I’ve been feeling very hot since just now. I wonder if it’s because of the hot weather.”

“Hot weather?” Yunyi looked at the sky in confusion. It was already October, and today was overcast without a trace of sunlight—how could it be hot?

Before she could speak, Meixue said again, “I won’t talk with you anymore. I’m going to bathe and change clothes—perhaps I’ll feel better.”

Seeing that she was about to leave, Yunyi quickly grabbed her arm, “Meixue, are you leading the dance performance tomorrow?”

Enduring the burning heat in her body, Meixue said, “That’s right. What’s the matter?”

“I’ve grown up this much and stayed in the household for so many days, but I’ve never seen the Governor. I really want to know what the Governor looks like, so… tomorrow, could you help me ask Nanny Yang to let me go with you?”

“Go with me?” Meixue looked at her in surprise, not expecting Yunyi to make such a request. After thinking for a while, she said with difficulty, “This might be inconvenient, after all, this kind of thing isn’t something I can decide.”

Yunyi hurriedly said, “I know this request will put you in a difficult position, but this has been my wish all along. Please help me fulfill it!”

“This…” Meixue thought for a long time, finally feeling unable to bear refusing, “I’ll try my best, but if Nanny Yang doesn’t agree, there’s nothing I can do.”