Pei You was momentarily dazed by this sudden question. Her porcelain-white face looked soft and gentle, entirely devoid of any defensive edge. "Miss Shang is right. Being able to earn the respect of others through one's own abilities is what’s truly impressive."
This was her own dream as well. Even though she had been the clumsiest and dullest child back in the village, she still wanted to become strong enough to protect those she cared about.
To her surprise, Shang Tinghuan saw in Pei You’s clear, crystalline apricot eyes the joy of finding a kindred spirit, and felt as revolted as if she had swallowed a fly.
She cast a look of utter disdain toward Chen Yunxin; both of the Wangyuan Marquis Manor’s daughters, whether the real one or the fake one, had their own unique ways of being foolish.
"His Majesty and the Empress have arrived!"
Following the eunuch’s announcement, everyone in the hall knelt in unison. "Long live our Emperor, may you live for ten thousand years. Long live the Empress, may you live for a thousand years."
Pei You knelt along with the crowd. As she slightly raised her head, she caught sight of the Ninth Prince, Cheng Yunyin, sitting on his wheelchair with a relaxed air, not even setting down his teacup.
"Rise."
At Emperor Chengyuan’s command, the courtiers stood and returned to their seats. The music of strings and flutes resumed, and dancers in light gauze drifted across the floor—a scene of peace and prosperity.
Shang Tinghuan sat straight at her seat, having no interest in speaking further with Pei You. Chen Yunxin, meanwhile, was happy to watch Pei You make a fool of herself while she chatted with a few noble ladies she was friendly with.
Pei You propped her chin on her hands, watching the dance with listless boredom. The court music was formal but uninspiring, the dancers' movements were graceful but rigid, and the dishes of cold food on the table did nothing to stir her appetite.
Lost in her boredom, she was unaware that she had become the subject of someone else's observation. The Crown Prince, Cheng Yunshi, had taken in every bit of her lethargy.
Dressed in a scalloped-edge robe the color of young leeks, the woman looked like pure, translucent glass—untouched by the grime of the world. With her chin resting on her palms and her gaze drifting vacantly, she was clearly lost in thought.
"Minister Chen, this sister of yours seems quite interesting."
Facing the Crown Prince’s query, Chen Yunyan, who sat nearby, gently flicked his feathered fan. His fox-like eyes curved into a soft smile, and as his gaze swept across the nearby female seating area, it caused many noble ladies to blush.
"Has Your Highness had too much rich fare lately, and now wishes to taste some simple porridge and side dishes?"
Cheng Yunshi chuckled, revealing two canine teeth; his entire being radiated the spirit of youth. "I just think that this 'real' sister of yours has an extraordinary air about her—much better than that fake one."
Everyone in the Capital knew that the three young masters of the Wangyuan Marquis Manor doted on their sister, and that Miss Chen Yunxin lived in the lap of luxury. Yet, faced with the Crown Prince’s near-slanderous words about Chen Yunxin, Chen Yunyan only smiled.
"If Your Highness likes such a face, why not take a look at me?"
Cheng Yunshi instinctively glanced at Chen Yunyan’s "bewitchingly handsome" face and pursed his lips in distaste. "I hate foxes the most."
Chen Yunyan laughed, raised his wine cup for a sip, and let his gaze fall unobtrusively onto Pei You. Seeing those clear, almond-shaped eyes, his hand tightened slightly on his cup.
Pei You’s eyes were exactly like those of his late grandmother.
"On this Cold Food Festival, your servant wishes to offer a musical performance, praying for the Emperor and Empress's health and longevity!"
Pei You looked up and saw that Shang Tinghuan, who had been sitting next to her, was already performing a bow before the dais.
High above, the Empress, with her beautiful features and elegant temperament, wore a gentle smile. "Granted."
As a famous zither was brought into the hall, Pei You sat up straight, watching with rapt attention as this sister—who shared her taste—began to perform.
When the piece concluded, the hall erupted in praise. Shang Tinghuan looked toward the seat below the Emperor with hidden anticipation, but the refined Chancellor Cen Ranchen was merely drinking alone, his expression calm, seemingly having paid no attention to her performance at all.
The Empress graciously bestowed a reward, prompting other noble ladies to compete in offering performances. Chen Yunxin also went up to dance, and all those who received praise were gifted various pieces of jewelry.
Pei You found it increasingly boring. She was on the verge of falling asleep, her head nodding, when she jerked awake to hear her own name called.
"I hear Miss Pei You has just returned to the Marquis Manor. Surely you have some talent you would like to showcase for everyone?"
Still drowsy, Pei You followed the voice to find a stranger's face; she vaguely remembered this girl chatting with Chen Yunxin at the start of the banquet.
Chen Yunxin rose gracefully and bowed. "Your Majesty, Empress, please forgive her. Pei You has just arrived from the countryside and was never properly schooled from a young age; she has no special skills."
The Ninth Prince, Cheng Yunyin, was about to speak, but Emperor Chengyuan signaled him to hold his tongue.
The Emperor looked into Pei You’s clear, limpid eyes, sensing that anyone the Ninth Prince approved of could not be as simple as she appeared. "Pei You, is there anything you can do?"
The Emperor was only in his forties, but the imperial aura he projected was overwhelming; a timid girl would likely have been moved to tears.
Pei You rose and bowed. "In reply to Your Majesty, this servant truly has no special skills, save for a dance I learned from a neighbor, Auntie Wang, which everyone in our village knows."
Once these words were spoken, most in the hall looked at Pei You with contempt. Even if she was the "real" daughter, what of it? Raised in such a desolate place, she was surely ruined. No wonder the Wangyuan Marquis Manor still favored their adopted daughter.
"Song and dance are meant to be enjoyed by all. You may try." With the Emperor’s words, all discussion in the hall ceased.
Pei You answered in the affirmative. Even though Auntie Wang always said she was clumsy, she felt she could probably dance better than those who had just performed.
She held a length of pale green silk in her hands and began to dance to the rhythm.
Her supple waist concealed infinite strength. The silk ribbons lifted from her fair hands like a gentle breeze, or perhaps like a curved blade flashing before the eyes.
This *Jinghong Dance* displayed the resilience of a woman to the utmost degree. As she turned and moved, she was like a delicate lotus in a clear stream, her soft waist resisting the flowing water—it was truly a dance that startled the soul! As the final drumbeat fell, Pei You cast all the light silk into the air, and the people in the hall remained stunned, still lost in the dance.
It was not until the Emperor laughed twice that they snapped out of it. "Good, good, good! Reward her!"
Chancellor Cen Ranchen had knocked over his wine cup. As he felt the Emperor’s gaze shift toward him, the scholar in blue robes rose to his feet.
"Your Majesty, jewelry is somewhat common. I have a famous zither in my collection called *Suiyu*, and I wish to gift it to Miss Pei."
Everyone knew that the late zither master, Fuyin, had left behind only two instruments: *Mingfeng*, which had been held by Princess Taiping, and *Suiyu*, now in the hands of Chancellor Cen. He had always prized *Suiyu* immensely; even when the Fifth Princess had tried to claim it, he had refused. Now, he was offering it up voluntarily.
Emperor Chengyuan looked at Cen Ranchen with meaningful eyes. "You are quite generous today, Minister."
Cen Ranchen bowed without arrogance. "Having witnessed Miss Pei’s *Jinghong Dance* today, I feel that *Suiyu* would not be wasted in her hands."
"This *Jinghong Dance* has not been seen since the days of Princess Taiping, and it is unforgettable," the Emperor remarked. "However, since you are giving it away, I shall not. I will grant you one hundred taels of silver and five bolts of sharkskin silk instead. How is that?"
Pei You bowed respectfully. "Many thanks for your favor, Your Majesty, and many thanks to you, Chancellor."
Though she didn't understand why the Chancellor was looking at her so strangely.
After receiving her reward, Pei You returned to her seat. Shang Tinghuan, however, clenched her hands so tightly upon seeing the *Suiyu* zither that her sharp nails pierced her palms.
No one in the hall dared to question the seemingly harmless Pei You again. The *Jinghong Dance* had made Princess Taiping famous across the world, and after she retired from public life, the dance had been lost. Yet today, people had caught a glimpse of that same shadow in Miss Pei.
The older officials, in particular, were teary-eyed after witnessing the dance.
"The Wangyuan Marquis Manor certainly knows how to cast a brick to attract jade," the Ninth Prince, Cheng Yunyin, who had been silent until now, remarked with a cold scoff.
"Casting a brick to attract jade"—was he not saying that the Manor had used Chen Yunxin’s performance as the "brick" to draw out Pei You’s "jade"?
Chen Yunxin, understanding the implication, turned deathly pale. It wasn't just the insult; it was the realization that this calculating woman, Pei You, possessed such great skill, yet had humbly claimed to know nothing.
Unexpectedly, upon hearing this remark, Pei You tilted her head. "The *Jinghong Dance*? Isn't this just the dance we use in our village to keep fit?"