Chapter Four: Superb Acting!

“Excellent, excellent, excellent! The Prime Minister’s daughter is truly a woman of exceptional talent. Someone, reward her handsomely!” Before the Empress could speak, the Emperor had already uttered his praise three times in succession.

Sitting at the place of honor on the left, Su Hong could not contain the joy on his face. He hurried forward and, together with Su Lilu, knelt in thanks. “Your servant thanks Your Majesty for your generous reward.”

“When did Su Lilu learn to dance? I’ve never seen it before.”

“It seems we underestimated her before. Her performance today was truly eye-opening!”

Su Baizhi had intended for Su Lilu to embarrass herself before the assembled guests, but who could have predicted that Su Lilu’s dance would astonish everyone? Even Yun Fengxiao’s gaze now held a trace of admiration for her, which left Su Baizhi seething.

Having accepted her reward, Su Lilu retreated to her seat in the corner, contentedly waiting for Su Baizhi to take the stage.

Did Su Baizhi not wish to see her make a fool of herself? Now, she would see who would end up looking worse.

Before stepping onto the stage, Su Baizhi shot Su Lilu a resentful glare.

Her own performance was also a dance she excelled in, but the other young ladies and gentlemen had seen it many times before. And with Su Lilu’s dazzling display preceding her, their interest was naturally diminished.

The more Su Baizhi danced, the less enthusiasm she felt. She had hoped to shock the entire gathering and make a name for herself—perhaps even catch the Crown Prince’s eye. Now, however, Su Lilu had stolen all the limelight.

Yet once on stage, there was no turning back. No matter how she felt, she had to finish the dance. Dropping to her knees, slightly panting, she announced, “Your servant’s performance is concluded.”

“You may rise. Return to your seat,” the Empress said, far more amiable toward Su Baizhi than she had been to Su Lilu. Su Baizhi’s earlier anger dissipated by half; as long as she could win the Empress’s favor, she was certain entry into the Eastern Palace was within her grasp.

“Your servant obeys!” Su Baizhi returned to her seat as whispers swirled around her, but she looked only at Yun Fengxiao. Seeing that he was unmoved by the gossip and still did not look favorably upon Su Lilu, she felt relieved.

Just as the next official’s daughter was about to begin her performance, a commotion erupted at the palace doors, drawing everyone’s gaze. Su Lilu followed the others’ eyes and saw, amidst the shifting light, a figure approaching.

Clad in a purple brocade robe and crowned with jade, Yun Yanyi’s high-bridged nose and thin, lightly colored lips lent him an air of aloofness. His long, almond-shaped eyes seemed as if, at any moment, they might reveal a trace of feeling.

More than a few young ladies blushed, unable to tear their gaze from Yun Yanyi.

As he drew closer, his features grew clearer: save for a pallor reminiscent of lingering illness, every aspect of his appearance was flawless.

Yun Yanyi paid no heed to the admiring glances; such attention was nothing new to him. He respectfully bowed to the man seated above. “Your servant greets Your Majesty.”

His voice was low and magnetic, pulling the daydreaming daughters of officials back into reality and silencing them all.

For all his peerless looks, it was said that Prince Yi’s health was frail, and he suffered from a hidden ailment. What young lady would willingly marry him?

With this thought, many looked to Su Baizhi, who had long since been betrothed to Prince Yi by imperial decree.

“Where have you been wandering, royal brother? Today is a day for monarch and ministers to celebrate together—why do you not appear the least bit happy?” The Emperor’s manner was gentle, like that of a caring brother, but there was a deeper meaning to his words.

“Your Majesty, forgive me. I merely walked a bit farther in the imperial garden and did not expect to return so late. It was my lack of forethought that dampened Your Majesty’s spirits.” Yun Yanyi immediately bowed low in apology, lowering his head so that no one could see his expression.

Watching the man kneeling in the center of the hall, Su Lilu could not help but curl her lips in a mocking smile. Such a master of pretense—what a pity he hadn’t taken up acting.

“Do not wander so much in the future,” the Emperor said. “Your health is already poor. Later, the Imperial Medical Academy will have to attend to you again.” The note of reproach in his words made the court officials keep silent. Catching the cold glint in the Emperor’s eyes, Su Lilu felt a chill in her heart.

Yun Yanyi agreed to every word, and the Emperor, growing impatient, waved him off to take his seat.

Su Lilu watched coldly as Yun Yanyi returned to his place, the corners of her lips turning up ever so slightly.

When she came to herself, she realized Yun Yanyi had sat down right beside her. “What are you doing? This isn’t your seat!”

Yun Yanyi’s expression did not change; his gaze remained on the stage. “Miss Su, why should I not sit here?”

Su Lilu had not expected him to answer her with a question, leaving her momentarily speechless. Quickly regaining her composure, she lowered her voice, her words laced with mockery. “For a prince of your stature, isn’t it rather beneath you to sit in such a remote corner?”

Yun Yanyi’s face darkened for an instant. Before he could reply, a soft cough escaped him. Su Lilu shot him a glance, silently scoffing, then turned her attention, feigning interest in the performances on stage.

“After witnessing such a spectacle today, I wonder, Miss Su, what sort of reward do you think the actors deserve?” Hearing him bring up the past, Su Lilu’s eyes flickered with calculation. Was he trying to persuade her to join forces against Su Baizhi and Yun Fengxiao?

But before she could answer, the song and dance on stage ended. The Emperor rose, offering auspicious words. All present knelt in unison, offering their blessings.

“Respectfully seeing off His Majesty, Her Majesty the Empress, and the Noble Consort!” With the departure of the three most important figures, the remaining guests exchanged pleasantries and began to take their leave.

“Prince Yi, you are clever and surely already have a plan. Why not share your thoughts? I will certainly cooperate with you,” Su Lilu said, realizing that allying with Yun Yanyi would benefit her more than making an enemy of him.

“My heart is narrower than a needle’s eye, and my memory lasts longer than most. Miss Su, I have yet to settle our previous accounts, and now you’ve added new ones.” With that, Yun Yanyi stood, his attendant following with an icy face as they departed.

Su Lilu watched his retreating back in bewilderment. She had gone so far as to play the sycophant—how had she managed to offend him again?

Following her family, Su Lilu returned to the Prime Minister’s residence.

The young servant at the gate did not greet her nor address her with proper respect, simply ignoring her presence. Su Lilu did not take it to heart—after all, in the Prime Minister’s residence, she might as well have been invisible. Were it not for her status as the Crown Prince’s betrothed, she would not even have been qualified to attend that banquet.