Chapter 4

Competing for the Lead Dancer

By chance, Yùnyí was also assigned to work at the Dance Studio, which allowed her and Meixue to look out for each other. Perhaps due to their similar appearances, Yùnyí felt a closeness to Meixue that she didn’t feel with the others.

One day, they were performing a dance to the tune of Spring Warbler’s Song. Meixue, wearing a long-sleeved dance costume, danced gracefully with the other women. She seemed like a vibrant kingfisher or a graceful dragon swimming through the air, her sleeves fluttering, and her ornaments swaying, captivating the audience.

Yang Mamma was very pleased with her. It was undeniable that Meixue had an extraordinary talent for dancing. No matter how difficult the dance steps were, after being taught a few times, she could perform them perfectly. Given time, her skills would surely surpass even her teacher’s. Although Chunxiu’s dancing was also good, it was still a bit lacking compared to Meixue’s. With only seven days left until the performance, Yang Mamma was already considering making Meixue the lead dancer.

At that moment, a startled cry was heard, followed by the sight of Meixue suddenly falling to the ground, clutching her ankle. The other women immediately stopped dancing and looked at her in surprise.

Yang Mamma walked over and asked, “What happened? Why did you suddenly fall?”

Meixue lowered her voice, “I’m not sure, it felt like someone tripped me, and I lost my balance and fell.”

Before Yang Mamma could respond, a coquettish voice rang out, “I was the one closest to you just now. Are you saying that I tripped you?” The voice belonged to none other than Chunxiu, and Yùnyí clearly saw that it was Chunxiu who had deliberately tripped Meixue, causing her to fall.

Meixue glanced at her and quietly said, “No, that’s not what I meant.”

Chunxiu sneered coldly, “It’s fine as long as that’s not what you meant. I certainly didn’t trip you.”

Yang Mamma gave her a sharp look before turning to Meixue and asking, “Can you still dance?”

Meixue tried moving her ankle but was immediately struck by a sharp pain. She sighed and said, “My foot hurts a lot. I’m afraid I can’t dance anymore for now.”

Yang Mamma nodded slightly and said, “In that case, I’ll have someone help you back to your room to rest. Let’s see if it feels better tomorrow.”

Before Yang Mamma could give further instructions, Yùnyí stepped forward and said, “Mamma, please allow me to help Miss Meixue back to her room.” After receiving Yang Mamma’s approval, Yùnyí assisted the limping Meixue out of the room.

The place where Meixue and the others stayed was slightly better than where Yùnyí and the others were housed—four women to a room, with all the necessary furniture and furnishings. After helping Meixue sit down, Yùnyí gently asked, “Meixue, how are you feeling?”

Meixue furrowed her beautiful brows and said, “My foot still hurts a lot. I think I might have strained something. I’m not sure if it will get better tomorrow. If it doesn’t, I don’t know how I’ll be able to perform.”

Yùnyí hesitated for a moment before saying, “Before I came to the mansion, I learned some massage techniques from a traveling doctor. Would you like me to try? It might help.”

Meixue’s eyes brightened. “That would be wonderful. I’ll leave it to you.”

Yùnyí removed Meixue’s shoes and socks, then gently massaged the painful area, starting lightly and gradually increasing the pressure. After a while, Meixue tested her ankle and was pleasantly surprised, “It really doesn’t hurt as much anymore. You’re quite skilled.”

Yùnyí smiled softly, “It’s just a little trick I know, nothing special. But from now on, you really shouldn’t be so polite with Chunxiu. She’s jealous that Yang Mamma favors you, and this isn’t the first time she’s tried to make things difficult for you.”

Meixue smiled and said, “Forget it, she’s just like that. As long as we do our own work well, that’s enough.”

Yùnyí shook her head and said, “You’re too kind. If it were me, I wouldn’t let her bully me like that.”

“My father always taught me that suffering is a blessing. Sometimes, you shouldn’t be too particular about things. If you feel stuck, just take a step back, and you’ll find a wider path ahead.”

Yùnyí was silent for a moment, then replied, “You are kind-hearted, but not everyone thinks that way. The more you step back, the more they will push forward, until they drive you into a corner with no way out.”

Meixue smiled and said, “Yùnyí, you think too badly of people. It’s said that human nature is inherently good. As long as you treat others with kindness, they will treat you kindly in return. Just like now, aren’t we getting along well?”

Yùnyí sighed and didn’t say anything further. Meixue’s personality would likely get her into trouble in the mansion one day. But everyone had their own way of thinking, and she didn’t want to say too much. After all, in the end, she and Meixue were merely strangers who happened to meet.

As night fell, Yùnyí returned to Meixue’s room to massage her injured ankle and relieve the pain. From what Yùnyí judged, Meixue should be able to recover in time for the performance.

After a while, Jiang Caiping, who shared the room with Meixue, came back. When she learned that Yùnyí could massage and had helped Meixue, she was very happy and said gratefully, “We really owe you this time. Otherwise, Meixue sister would be in trouble.”

Jiang Caiping was a charming young woman, one year younger than Meixue. After being assigned to the same room, she and Meixue became quite close and soon called each other sisters.

“Miss Jiang, you flatter me,” Yùnyí replied, then bowed and prepared to leave. Jiang Caiping, somewhat puzzled, said, “This person is really strange. It seems like she doesn’t want to talk to me. She only said one sentence and rushed off.”

Meixue smiled and said, “That’s not true. I think she’s a good person. On the first day we registered at the mansion, she even helped me. She must have rushed off because she had other things to do.”

Jiang Caiping nodded and then worriedly asked, “By the way, sister, are you really alright? The performance is in seven days at Songtao Residence.”

Meixue gently patted her cheek and said, “With Yùnyí’s massage, I believe I’ll be fine by tomorrow. Don’t worry.”

Jiang Caiping wrinkled her little nose and said, “That’s good. But you mustn’t let Chunxiu take the spotlight. If you become the lead dancer, she will surely be upset.”

As she said this, she leaned in close to Meixue’s ear and whispered, “I’ve heard others say that on the day of the Governor’s birthday, all the young masters will be there. If you dance well, you might catch the eye of one of them.”

Meixue’s face turned pink at her words. She lightly scolded, “You’re talking nonsense. If someone hears you, they’ll laugh. Stop saying such things.”

Just then, the other two women who shared the room with them entered. Jiang Caiping lowered her voice and said, “What’s wrong with that? Even if others don’t say it, everyone thinks the same way. Being a dance girl is good, but we’re still just servants. You never know what tomorrow will bring. Only if you become someone’s woman will you truly have support.”

Meixue’s face turned even redder. She scolded, “I’ve already told you to stop, but you keep going on. Instead of talking so much, you should practice dancing properly and compete for the lead dancer position.”

Jiang Caiping made a face and said, “I can’t compete with you, sister, so I won’t practice.”

Chapter 5: Li Shimin

The next morning, Yùnyí was about to start her tasks when she was unexpectedly blocked by someone. It was Chūnxiù, with Jì Róng and another woman standing beside her.

Chūnxiù glanced at Yùnyí and said, “I heard that Meixue’s ankle injury was eased by you massaging her. Is that true?”

“Yes,” Yùnyí replied softly, lowering her head. Chūnxiù circled around her and said coldly, “I didn’t expect you to have such skills. I remember your name is Shěn Yùnyí, isn’t it?”

“Yes.” As soon as Yùnyí spoke, Chūnxiù’s previously friendly expression suddenly darkened. She asked sharply, “Tell me, what is your relationship with Meixue?”

“Miss Feng, that’s a strange question. Meixue and I have no relationship other than being acquainted,” Yùnyí replied calmly. “If Miss Feng has no other matters, I need to go about my tasks.”

Chūnxiù glanced at the woman standing next to her, who nodded in understanding and stepped forward to block Yùnyí, saying, “We haven’t finished our questions, and you dare to leave? Such courage.”

Yùnyí suppressed her displeasure, lowering her head and asking, “Is there something else?”

Chūnxiù slightly curled her lips and said, “I don’t know if it’s from practicing dance for so long, but my feet are a bit uncomfortable. You should come and massage them for me.”

Yùnyí realized that Chūnxiù was deliberately causing trouble because she was displeased with Yùnyí helping Meixue. She replied, “I saw Miss Feng walking just fine earlier, and it didn’t seem like there was anything wrong with your feet.”

Chūnxiù’s gaze turned cold, and she snapped, “What do you mean by that? Are you calling me a liar?”

“I wouldn’t dare,” Yùnyí replied just as Chūnxiù continued, “If you wouldn’t dare, then do a good job massaging my feet. If you do well, I might reward you.” Seeing that Yùnyí was still standing still, Chūnxiù’s expression darkened, and she shouted, “Are your ears deaf or your brain dumb? Didn’t you hear what I said? Hurry up!”

If Yùnyí were an ordinary maid, she might have simply agreed, thinking it was better to avoid trouble. But Yùnyí was not that kind of person. She met Chūnxiù’s gaze without changing her expression and said, “Miss Feng seems to have forgotten something. You are not the master of this house, and you have no right to order me around. If the second mistress or any other master sees you acting like this, do you think you’ll be allowed to stay in the Governor’s mansion?”

Chūnxiù didn’t expect Yùnyí to speak like that. She glared at Yùnyí and coldly said, “Are you threatening me?”