Chapter 12

The Dance Performance

Yang Mama’s words brought to Mei Xue’s mind the image of the figure beneath the tree, playing the flute alone and thinking of his mother. Over the past few days, she had often thought about that day of their meeting and recalled his promise to help her. She had always believed that Li Shimin had long since forgotten about her, but to her surprise, he had remembered all along and had truly found an opportunity to help her.

“This is a rare opportunity, Mei Xue. You must seize it,” Yang Mama said before leaving.

Once she had gone, Jiang Caiping excitedly took Mei Xue’s hand and said, “This is amazing! You’ll be fantastic, Wu sister! You dance so well, the governor will definitely like you. Just wait and see how Chun Xiu will behave then.” She then pretended to be angry and said, “Sister, you really kept it a secret from me. You knew the Second Young Master but never said a word about it, making me worry about you this whole time.”

Mei Xue, afraid that Jiang Caiping might misunderstand, hurriedly replied, “I truly only met the Second Young Master once. I never expected he would really help me. Yun Yi was with me at the time, so if you don’t believe me, you can ask her.”

Jiang Caiping laughed and said, “Sister, why are you so nervous? I wasn’t really upset with you, just joking with you. Anyway, I’m truly happy that you have this chance.”

Mei Xue nodded excitedly. Just then, Yun Yi walked over and said, “Mei Xue, may I ask a favor of you?”

Mei Xue was about to ask what it was, when she suddenly remembered what Yun Yi had said before. “You want to go to Song Tao Pavilion with me tonight?”

Yun Yi nodded. Jiang Caiping, puzzled, asked, “Wu sister is going to perform the dance, so what do you want to do?”

Yun Yi ignored her question and instead kneeled, saying, “Please, Mei Xue, help me with this.”

From the moment Mei Xue first met Yun Yi, she had felt a sense of familiarity. Now seeing her so earnestly pleading, Mei Xue felt a pang of sympathy. After thinking for a while, she bit her lip and said, “Alright, I’ll speak to Yang Mama about it. If she doesn’t allow it, there’s nothing we can do.”

Yun Yi’s heart lifted with joy, and she quickly said, “If you speak on my behalf, Yang Mama will definitely agree.”

This was it—she finally had a chance to kill Li Yuan. But... with this, she feared that Mei Xue, who was taking her to Song Tao Pavilion, might get involved.

As this thought crossed her mind, a slight hesitation crept into her heart, but she quickly suppressed it. She had risked everything to come here for one purpose: to end Li Yuan’s life. Now that she finally had the chance, how could she give it up just because of someone like Wu Mei Xue? If she were to blame anyone, it would be herself for trusting people too easily. With her nature, even if she survived this time, she would eventually perish in the midst of lies and deceit.

After forcing herself to harden her heart, Yun Yi took the opportunity to leave and began preparing for the assassination that evening. As for Mei Xue, she remained completely unaware, not realizing that she had become a pawn in someone else’s game. With a few hours left before her dance performance, she practiced her dance moves with the company of Jiang Caiping and the others, hoping to make her performance flawless.

In the evening, Mei Xue found Yang Mama and told her that she wished to bring Yun Yi to the Song Tao Pavilion to assist with her changing and makeup. Although this request was somewhat unconventional, it was not a major issue, and Yang Mama readily agreed. Besides Yun Yi, she also sent another maid to accompany them, to ensure nothing was overlooked. Yang Mama truly treated Mei Xue well.

In the private hall of Song Tao Pavilion, Yun Yi and the maid helped Mei Xue dress and prepare. Her hair was styled into a double-ringed “Wang Xian” bun, with a peacock-feathered hairpin in the front. Her hair was adorned with beads and jewels that sparkled like stars. She wore a light green, sheer gown with flowing sleeves that fluttered as she moved. The hem of her dress brushed the ground, and a long scarf was wrapped around her arms. As she moved, the scarf danced, creating a beautiful and graceful effect.

Upon seeing Mei Xue’s finished appearance, the maid smiled and said, “Miss Wu, you look so beautiful, like a fairy.”

“You’re too flattering,” Mei Xue laughed and scolded playfully. At that moment, a servant entered and urged them to hurry. After Yun Yi adjusted Mei Xue’s attire, she said, “Let me help you to the hall.”

Mei Xue placed her hand over her chest and nervously said, “Yun Yi, I’m so nervous. What if I make a mistake or dance poorly?”

Yun Yi comforted her, saying, “You’ve practiced the ‘Green Waist’ dance countless times. How could you make a mistake? As for dancing poorly, there’s no such thing. Don’t scare yourself. Your performance will surely amaze everyone and show them that Chun Xiu is no match for you.”

Her words calmed Mei Xue’s nerves slightly. Taking a deep breath, Mei Xue walked toward the main hall with Yun Yi’s assistance. Once inside, Yun Yi quickly scanned the room. At the head of the table sat a middle-aged man in a green silk robe, with a matching belt and black boots, his short beard giving him a dignified appearance. This was likely Li Yuan. Beside him sat a woman in luxurious clothing, with a radiant complexion, it was the Second Madam, Wan Shi, whom they had met before. Two other women were seated next to her, but Yun Yi didn’t know them; they were probably also concubines of Li Yuan.

Aside from them, there were several other people seated, but Yun Yi only recognized the eldest son, Li Jiancheng, and the second son, Li Shimin.

While Yun Yi surveyed the room, Mei Xue had already lowered her body and bowed. “This humble servant, Wu Mei Xue, greets the Governor and all present!”

It was then that Yun Yi realized they had entered the hall. She lowered her head slightly to hide her thoughts and followed Mei Xue in bowing.

“Mei Xue?” A pleasant voice rang out in the vast hall. “Please, raise your head.”

At the sound of the woman’s voice, Mei Xue nervously lifted her head. The woman glanced at her and said, “I remember you. Over a month ago, you were practicing dance with Chun Xiu and the others at the dance academy. But when you performed, Yang Mama said you were ill. How are you now? Have you recovered?”

Mei Xue was surprised and grateful for the concern, replying, “Thank you, Second Madam, for your concern. I am fine now.”

Li Yuan smiled and said, “Shimin said your dancing surpasses that of Feng Chun Xiu, which piqued my curiosity. Since we have guests today, why not perform a dance and let us see if Shimin’s words were exaggerated?”

Mei Xue was startled by Li Shimin’s support, and looked at him with gratitude. Li Shimin was also looking at her, their gazes meeting briefly.

Though it was just a fleeting moment, Mei Xue’s heart raced, like a little deer in a wild frenzy.

One of the women beside Wan Shi cooed, “Governor, I’m already eager to see Mei Xue’s dance and see if it really is as outstanding as the Second Young Master said.”

“Very well,” Li Yuan nodded, and the sound of silk music began to play. Yun Yi stepped back, leaving only Mei Xue in the center.

As the music grew louder, Mei Xue raised her arms and gracefully began to dance. At first, her movements were slow and flowing, her waist swaying like a green bird or a flowing dragon, light and elegant. As the rhythm picked up, the pace quickened. The ornaments on her body shimmered, and her gown swirled around her as if she were chasing after a startled bird, poised to fly on the wind.

As Yun Yi had said, Mei Xue had practiced the “Green Waist” dance so many times that it had become second nature. She didn’t need to think about the steps at all; she simply followed the music and danced effortlessly.