“Since he’s so powerful, then why didn’t he become the Emperor?” Du Xiaoli was puzzled.

Since ancient times, most men yearned for power. Zhao Zhen was capable, and he had the means and even the opportunity. If he had crowned himself the Emperor, no one would have dared to say anything.

“I don’t know. Perhaps he is not interested in the position, or maybe he wants to ascend in a proper fashion,” Han Mingyi said, shaking his head.

“Ai, let’s put him aside for now. Do you know what is the specialty of his younger cousin?” Du Xiaoli asked.

“Mm, I’ve sent people to investigate. Zhao Zirui is indeed skilled in calligraphy, but her strongest point is dancing. She can even dance and draw at the same time,” Han Mingyi replied.

“That is her specialty?” Du Xiaoli asked.

“Yes,” Han Mingyi replied. “How is it? Are you confident in winning?”

“I’ve never seen her dance before, so I can’t make any conclusions right now. Since she draws, then I will also try drawing, although it remains to be seen whether I can beat her,” Du Xiaoli said truthfully.

“En, all you have to do is focus on competing. Don’t worry about anything else,” Han Mingyi said in reassurance.

Du Xiaoli let out a heavy sigh and said, “I know. Dad, Xiao Yi-gege, you guys head back first. It’s late, so get some rest. I have to get ready for tomorrow’s contest.”

“Do you need anything? Should I help?” Han Mingyi asked.

“No need, no need. I can take care of it myself. You both should go.” Du Xiaoli waved her hand and kicked Du Yunhan and Han Mingyi out of the room.

Once Du Yunhan and Han Mingyi left, Du Xiaoli ordered Xia Yuan and the others to prepare some things. She then practiced the dance twice. Her posture and movements shocked Xia Yuan and Ying Ge into a stupor. It was only when the sky began to brighten that she headed to bed to rest.

Since Han Mingze ordered her to enter the competition, Du Xiaoli didn’t need to worry about any of the arrangements for the contest. Sure enough, on the morning of the second day, Meng Weiren came to find her.

“Uncle Meng, why have you come over so early in the morning? There’s still a while before the competition starts,” Du Xiaoli said when she entered the reception room and saw Meng Weiren standing with his hands behind his back.

“Last night, I received an imperial edict saying the Emperor is having you enter the dance competition. I’ve already arranged everything, so I came here to notify you about it. We transferred Chen Yue’s quota over to you. Since you are the sixteenth contestant and will be performing last, you can head over to the site a little later,” Meng Weiren explained.

“Thank you, Uncle Meng,” Du Xiaoli said. She invited Meng Weiren to sit and had Xia Yuan serve tea before asking, “Uncle Meng, may I ask when Zhao Zirui of Northern Yuan will be performing?”

“She’s the fourteenth contestant, just two spots before you,” Meng Weiren stated. “I heard that the contest between the two of you will affect the affairs between the two countries. Do your best. With your ability, winning should be no problem.”

“En, en. I’ll try my best,” Du Xiaoli said with a smile.

“There’s only a month left before Jiang Zhuo is set to marry. After the competition, you should go visit her if you have time,” Meng Weiren pointed out suddenly.

“I will. I also hate to part with Jiang Zhuo-jiejie. Although it hasn’t been long since I came to the capital, I've received her help all this time. It was my good fortune to be able to meet her,” Du Xiaoli said.

“To be able to meet you before getting married is also Jiang Zhuo’s fortune. Alright then, you should go prepare. I’ll be leaving first. The Emperor and Marquis Zhen might visit the competition today, so take care to arrive on time,” Meng Weiren said as he stood up.

Du Xiaoli got up with him and said, “Thank you, Uncle Meng. I’ll get there earlier.”

During the previous contests, she had always gone late and returned early, but that’s because she hadn’t been competing in any of them. This time was different. Since she was a participant, she couldn’t be as capricious as before.

After Meng Weiren left, Du Xiaoli idled around in the court for a while. Then when it was about time for the competition to start, Fu Yalan came to visit with her guqin.

“Xiaoli, what did you call me here in such a hurry for?” Fu Yalan asked and had her maidservant place her guqin onto the table.

“I have some matters that I want your help with…” Du Xiaoli answered.

Just as Meng Weiren said earlier, Han Mingze and Zhao Zhen both came that day, along with some officials from the Imperial Court. Quite a few ministers had attended the evening banquet the previous night, so the matter of this competition wasn’t exactly a secret. Everyone had some objection toward how a state affair was being settled through an Academy competition—for example, Du Yunhan, who had a long face all day, appeared as if everyone owed him money. Yet since this matter was already set in stone, they could only place their hopes on Du Xiaoli and hope she could defeat her opponent. Even if she couldn’t get first place, she had to at least beat Zhao Zirui from Northern Yuan.

“Greeting Your Majesty!”

At the competition site, the people of Feng Ming knelt down. The contestants from other countries also stood up and bowed toward Han Mingze.

“Everyone, rise,” Han Mingze said with a wave of his hand.

“We thank Your Majesty.”

Everyone got up and stood by their seats.

“Today is the last day of the Academy’s competition. Zhen, Northern Yuan’s Marquis Zhen, and the present noblemen and ministers have all come to watch the competition. There is no need to be nervous, just act as you normally would. Zhen prays for all of you to perform well!” Han Mingze spoke a few words of encouragement before heading to the viewing area with Marquis Zhen and the others.

MoonWhisperer, Cubic's Thoughts

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