#156: A Graceful Dance

After Ah Jin put away the money, Li Xuanba glanced around and asked, “Are there only the two of you in this household? Where’s Ah Jin’s father?”

At this, the elderly woman’s smile faded, and she sighed. “He went to the county office. He should be back soon.”

Li Xuanba frowned. “The county office? Did he get into trouble?”

She shook her head. “No. Today is the final deadline for conscription. He went to register and will leave tomorrow. Whether he’ll return or not… who knows.”

Hearing it was related to conscription, Li Xuanba didn’t know how to comfort them and could only sigh. He then said, “Please take good care of Feng Li. Once I’ve handled matters at the residence, I’ll come to fetch him. Also, please keep Feng Li’s identity strictly confidential.”

“We understand, Third Young Master. Rest assured.” After Ah Jin’s assurance, Li Xuanba left their home. As he reached the Taishou’s gate, he coincidentally saw Li Shimin and Yunyi returning, chatting and laughing. Spotting her, Li Xuanba’s gaze sharpened, coldness flickering in his eyes.

At this moment, Li Shimin also noticed him and walked over, asking, “Xuanba, have you completed the tasks I entrusted to you before leaving?”

Li Xuanba concealed the coldness in his eyes and calmly replied, “I just met a friend and chatted for a bit. I haven’t yet gone to Qingyang County Office.”

Li Shimin frowned slightly. “That matter is quite urgent. Go immediately and try to resolve it as soon as possible to avoid delays causing trouble.”

After waiting a moment without hearing Li Xuanba’s response, Li Shimin asked, puzzled, “What’s wrong? Is there something else?”

Li Xuanba glanced swiftly at Yunyi and shook his head. “No, I’ll go now.”

Watching Li Xuanba’s departing figure, Yunyi pondered. His earlier gaze at her was strange—could he know something?

“Traveling back and forth all day, you must be tired. Go rest,” Li Shimin’s voice interrupted Yunyi’s thoughts. Nodding in agreement, she parted ways with him and returned to her room. Jiang Caiping was absentmindedly embroidering inside. Seeing her enter, she quickly set aside her embroidery frame and greeted her. “Sister, you’re back. How’s Uncle Wu? Did you find that household registry?”

Yunyi smiled. “Second Young Master has found the registry. It confirms Father is over fifty and exempt from conscription. Lu Sheng, Li Feng, and others have been detained awaiting punishment.”

After hearing Yunyi recount the events, Jiang Caiping frowned. “I never expected Li Feng to be so stubborn, refusing to reveal the registry’s location even unto death. Fortunately, Second Young Master’s wisdom uncovered clues from Mrs. Li’s words.”

Yunyi nodded. “Yes, we owe Second Young Master greatly. I feel terrible about him suffering Li Feng’s spittle.”

“Second Young Master is broad-minded and likely won’t dwell on it. Sister, don’t worry too much.” Jiang Caiping paused thoughtfully before adding, “Come to think of it, ever since Sister entered the residence, Second Young Master has treated you exceptionally well, almost granting every request. If only… he weren’t the Taishou’s second son and wasn’t betrothed.”

“Why bring this up out of the blue?” Yunyi looked at Jiang Caiping, who avoided her gaze, and cautiously probed, “Are you still hung up on Third Young Master?”

Jiang Caiping bitterly replied, “Whether I let go or not, the outcome is the same.”

“Caiping…” Before Yunyi could continue, Jiang Caiping forced a smile. “Sister, don’t worry. I’m fine.” Picking up her embroidery frame, she asked, “Sister, look—how’s my pomegranate embroidery?”

Realizing Jiang Caiping didn’t wish to discuss Li Xuanba, Yunyi humored her and carefully examined the embroidery. “You’ve only just started. It’s too early to tell if it’s good or not. But I remember you mentioned liking Lady Fang’s embroidered handkerchief with rhododendrons and wanted to make one yourself. Why did you suddenly switch to pomegranates?”

Jiang Caiping smiled without answering, then picked up a plate of preserved plums. “Sister, try these.”

Yunyi obediently took one and tasted it. “Sweet and sour—very appetizing. Are these from Mother Li again?”

Jiang Caiping nodded. “When I fetched lunch today, Mother Li gave me these plums, saying they were pickled by her daughter-in-law. She also mentioned her daughter-in-law is pregnant and due in a few months. Thinking about how Mother Li has always taken care of us, I decided to embroider a pomegranate bellyband for her, wishing her many children and a prosperous family.”

Yunyi thought for a moment. “Mother Li has indeed cared for us a lot. Now that Father is safe, I’ll embroider one too.”

Jiang Caiping naturally agreed. After finding embroidery frames and silk, Yunyi threaded a long silk strand through the needle’s eye and began embroidering carefully. She chose to stitch a tiger—the king of beasts, believed to ward off evil and protect infants.

Over the next two days, whenever they had free time, the two diligently worked on the bellybands, quickly shaping them. One day, after returning from dance practice, Yunyi embroidered for a while before preparing to fetch lunch. Just then, Zhang Jiu from Jifeng Pavilion approached and addressed her. “Miss Wu, Third Young Master requests your presence in the rear garden.”

“Me?” Yunyi was surprised. “What does Third Young Master want with me?”

“I’m not sure. Miss Wu, please follow me.” At Zhang Jiu’s gesture, Yunyi nodded and told Jiang Caiping, “You go ahead and fetch lunch. I’ll be back shortly.”

After Jiang Caiping nodded, Yunyi followed Zhang Jiu. Upon reaching the rear garden, she saw Li Xuanba—and Li Shimin as well. Spotting Yunyi, the latter looked puzzled. “Xuanba, why did you call Meixue here?”

Li Xuanba smiled. “Ever since seeing Miss Wu perform Lü Yao the other day, I’ve been unable to forget it. Unfortunately, the performance was cut short due to the assassin incident. Taking advantage of today’s leisure, I invited Miss Wu to perform Lü Yao again, hoping to feast my eyes!”

Li Shimin chuckled. “Since when did you develop an interest in music and dance? I thought you only cared for martial arts.”

“Beautiful things appeal to everyone.” Turning to Yunyi, Li Xuanba said, “Miss Wu, would you grace us with a performance for my brother and me?”

Yunyi lowered her gaze and smiled. “It’s my honor to perform for both Young Masters.”

“Good!” Li Xuanba clapped his hands, and several musicians arrived with their instruments. Once seated, the sound of strings and flutes filled the rear garden.

After bowing to the two, Yunyi stepped back and began to dance gracefully to the music amidst the lush grass, chirping birds, and blooming flowers. Her movements were like a gliding dragon or a startled swan, her elegant and light steps forming the most beautiful sight under the bright spring sun!