Upon seeing Du Xiaoli, Qiao Zhu quickly came over and said, “Mistress. You’re finally back.”

“Qiao Zhu, were there any troubles?” Du Xiaoli asked when she saw Qiao Zhu pacing to and fro in the distance.

Qiao Zhu replied, “There’s no trouble, but Eunuch Shan is waiting for you inside. He’s been there for quite a long while now.”

“Eunuch Shan? What is he here for?” Du Xiaoli asked as she walked into the courtyard. Before she even reached the reception room, she heard the sound of Eunuch Shan talking to someone. Then when she stepped inside, she saw that—aside from Eunuch Shan—Du Yunhan and Han Mingyi were also present.

The three of them were talking amongst themselves when they saw Du Xiaoli walk in. Before she could even speak, Eunuch Shan said, “My little ancestor, you’re finally back! This humble one was almost worried to death.”

“Um, I went outside for a while as I had some matters to attend to. Had I known Eunuch Shan was waiting, I definitely would’ve returned sooner,” Du Xiaoli said apologetically with a bow. “Does Eunuch Shan have some business here?”

“Indeed, and it’s a big matter that needs to be taken care of by Du Xiaoli,” Eunuch Shan said this and then took out an imperial edict. He gave it to Du Xiaoli and stated, “This is a secret decree from the Emperor.”

A secret decree from the Emperor didn’t need to be read aloud as an announcement.

Du Xiaoli accepted the secret decree. She quickly skimmed it over before raising her head in shock, exclaiming, “The Emperor wants me to participate in the dance competition?!”

“Yes. This was a decision that the Emperor just made tonight,” Eunuch Shan replied.

“But I didn’t sign up or express that I want to participate in the dance competition. Why does the Emperor want me to take part?” Du Xiaoli didn’t understand.

“The matter is like this…”

It turned out that earlier today, an envoy brought Zhao Zhen into the palace to meet Han Mingze. Originally, this matter had nothing to do with Du Xiaoli. Nonetheless, as Zhao Zhen was about to leave the evening banquet, he—perhaps intentionally or otherwise— mentioned the competitions and learned that the dance contest, the final event of the competitions, was being held the next day. Consequently, he brought up how he’d heard that Du Xiaoli had defeated Lu Junqi. Then he mentioned to the Emperor that there was a young lady in Northern Yuan whose dancing skills surpassed even those of Lu Junqi. Zhao Zhen stated that this young lady had long heard of Du Xiaoli and wanted to compare her skills against Du Xiaoli’s. He even said that the young lady had stated she was confident in winning against Du Xiaoli.

***

“My younger cousin has always been a little too proud. Ever since she invented a new dance, she’s become even more unbridled. This one has warned her previously not to embarrass herself as the ladies in Feng Ming all know how to sing and dance. As a result, she actually said something as outrageous as... if the young lady cannot defeat her in dance, then the men of Feng Ming would also lose to Northern Yuan on the battlefield. This one’s younger cousin is accustomed to being pampered since she was young. I too wish for the future Princess Consort Ding to participate in the competition this time. Perhaps if my younger cousin were to lose once, it would serve as an experience to temper herself. Otherwise, she’ll continue to think of everyone as being below her, even daring to treat the fates of Northern Yuan and Feng Ming as a joke.”

On the surface, Zhao Zhen was making a request toward Feng Ming, but his tone clearly showed his opinion leaned toward his younger cousin’s. Although he didn’t say it directly, his words and sentences seemed to imply that Feng Ming was inferior to Northern Yuan. He even elevated the significance of the dance contest into a comparison between the two countries, particularly with that line he claimed was said by his cousin. If Feng Ming were unable to win over Northern Yuan in this dance contest, then it’s tantamount to saying that their troops were also inferior to Northern Yuan’s and that Feng Ming would sooner or later be overtaken by Northern Yuan.

The princesses who were famed for their dancing were Eastern Li’s Lu Junqi and Northern Qi’s Beiling Yu. It was unheard of that Northern Yuan also had an exceptional dancer. Yet now, looking at Zhao Zhen’s face that was full of confidence, the Northern Yuan must have a person who was even more skilled than the two princesses. Seeing how there had never been any news of this, they must’ve been waiting for this moment!

Since Zhao Zhen had already spoken to this extent, Han Mingze had no choice but to take the bait. In any case, Du Xiaoli’s dancing skills were indeed pretty good. If it weren’t for the fact that she had to take care of arrangements for this competition, she would’ve been signed up to participate long ago. Faced with Northern Yuan’s provocation, he would also feel more at ease if she were the one competing. Thus, he waved his hand and said, “Since Marquis Zhen has spoken, Du Xiaoli shall participate in the competition. This should fulfill your younger cousin’s request.”

“Then, many thanks to Your Majesty, the Emperor.” Zhao Zhen raised his wine cup and toasted Han Mingze. “Since it’s like this, shall we make a small wager?”

“What kind of wager is the Marquis thinking of?” Han Mingze asked.

Zhao Zhen thought about it and said, “If the future Princess Consort Ding wins, this one will bestow upon her two thousand pieces of gold. However, if this one’s younger cousin gets lucky and wins, then may Your Majesty fulfill a wish of hers.”

“What wish?” Han Mingze asked.

Han Mingyi, who had remained silent this entire time, saw the glance Zhao Zhen sent his way. Subconsciously, he furrowed his brows while a foreboding feeling began to form in his heart.

When Zhao Zhen saw Han Mingyi’s expression, the corners of his mouth lifted as he said, “My younger cousin has always admired Prince Ding’s heroic appearance, and it has been her long-time wish to marry him and become his imperial concubine. If she somehow has the good fortune to win, will Your Majesty grant her this small request?”

“Marry Prince Ding?” Han Mingze uttered before looking at Han Mingyi, whose surroundings had suddenly become icy. He said, “I, Zhen

, once promised Prince Ding that Zhen will not interfere with his marriage, so this matter has to gain his approval first.”

Han Mingze had just finished speaking, and Han Mingyi wasted no time to voice his rejection: “This Prince does not agree.”

“This one heard prior to coming here that Prince Ding has vowed to marry only one person in this lifetime. But my younger cousin only wishes to marry Prince Ding. Even if it’s as the Second Imperial Concubine or Third Imperial Concubine, she doesn’t mind.”

“This Prince minds,” Han Mingyi said.

“Is it that Princess Consort Ding cannot accept any other women?” Zhao Zhen said with a smile. His words were full of derision for Han Mingyi.

References

MoonWhisperer, Cubic's Thoughts

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