Soon it was Yu Sangzi's turn to take the stage and perform her dance. All the musicians were dismissed, sparking whispers and speculation among the audience.
Then two graceful beauties appeared simultaneously. Yu Sangning held a Qin zither in her arms, while Yu Sangzi had changed into a light white gauze dress with a white veil covering her face.
Her black hair cascaded like a waterfall, her white dress pure as snow. Half her face was concealed, revealing only a full, jade-like forehead and eyes clear as autumn water. Between her brows was a crimson peach blossom Hua Dian, creating an ethereal beauty that made her appear like a celestial being descending to earth.
Originally somewhat nervous, Yu Sangzi felt her confidence surge instantly under the weight of countless admiring gazes.
The sisters exchanged a slight nod. Yu Sangning, having set up her zither, wore a gentle smile as her slender fingers plucked the strings, releasing a clear, melodious tune. As her music transitioned between passionate urgency and delicate grace, Yu Sangzi began her elegant dance.
Compared to the heart-stirring drum dance, the powerful yet graceful Hu spin dance, and the versatile Hu teng dance that preceded it, the sisters' coordination was seamless, perfectly showcasing the unique soft beauty of women.
Like a snowflake drifting over vast plateaus, their performance embodied refreshing beauty and pure clarity—another form of supreme artistry.
Setting aside other considerations and focusing solely on the dance and music, Shen Xihe truly felt this was an audiovisual feast.
Everyone present, regardless of gender, watched enthralled.
When the dance concluded, thunderous applause erupted. Even the Empress Dowager praised it repeatedly. Seeing her appreciation, the Youning Emperor summoned both sisters for an audience.
"This dance is quite novel. Was it choreographed by you two sisters?" asked the Youning Emperor.
Yu Sangning tactfully positioned herself half a step behind Yu Sangzi, who glanced at her sister before replying: "Your Majesty, this dance came to me by inspiration. My younger sister composed the music after watching it just once."
She didn't claim sole credit, even thoughtfully mentioning Yu Sangning, perfectly demonstrating both the grace of a noble lady and the upbringing of caring for younger siblings.
The Youning Emperor nodded with satisfaction. "Why do you still wear a veil?"
"Your Majesty, I developed a rash due to unforeseen circumstances and dare not appear disrespectful before you. I beg Your Majesty to pardon my impropriety." Yu Sangzi performed a graceful bow.
"How is performing while unwell disrespectful?" The Youning Emperor smiled kindly. "I had heard rumors of discord between the legitimate and secondary branches in Pingyao Marquis' household, and of the legitimate mother's unkindness. Now it seems one cannot believe all rumors."
He cast a faint glance toward the Censorate, which had recently impeached Pingyao Marquis for lax household management and moral failings. "Does this dance have a name?"
"Your Majesty, it does not," Yu Sangzi replied calmly, suppressing her excitement.
The Youning Emperor looked at the Yu sisters thoughtfully for a moment. "Shall we name it 'Twin Blossoms'?"
"We humbly thank Your Majesty for bestowing this name." Both Yu Sangzi and Yu Sangning knelt in gratitude.
Watching the Yu sisters steal the spotlight before the Emperor, Shen Xihe gently twirled her water cup. Although Tao Zhuanxian hadn't personally impeached Pingyao Marquis, he headed the Censorate, so the Emperor's warning was clearly directed at him.
Since His Majesty was warning her maternal grandfather, she naturally needed to respond appropriately.
Her gaze swept indifferently over Yu Sangning, who had been obediently following behind Yu Sangzi.
As if sensing something, Yu Sangning turned and met Shen Xihe's eyes, immediately lowering her gaze and shrinking back.
"Clever, far-sighted, adaptable—her future prospects are limitless." Shen Xihe chuckled softly.If her deductions were correct, the verbena on Yu Sangzi must have been Yu Sangning's doing. However, few knew that prolonged exposure to verbena under the sun could cause rashes. Yu Sangning had already prepared a scapegoat—the person who gifted Yu Sangzi the sachet.
Under the guise of kindly reminding Yu Sangzi, she secretly applied verbena to her. Because Yu Sangzi disliked her and suspected ulterior motives, when the rash erupted, Yu Sangning not only refrained from replacing Yu Sangzi in the dance performance but instead devoted herself to planning, making Yu Sangzi's dance even more stunning while ensuring she herself still had a chance to shine.
Afterward, she acted humbly. Through this incident, not only did the two sisters gain great renown, but Yu Sangzi likely began to reflect on her past harsh treatment of Yu Sangning and might even protect her in the marquis estate in the future.
Moreover, the sisters' display of mutual respect and affection before His Majesty helped cleanse the Pingyao Marquis of the criticisms he had faced recently.
First, she risked her life to save the Pingyao Marquis' mother, and now she successfully won over both the marquis' eldest daughter and the marquis himself, firmly establishing her position in the Pingyao Marquis estate.
Ever since she accidentally met Shen Xihe's gaze, Yu Sangning had grown tense. Though Shen Xihe's eyes revealed no discernible emotion, Yu Sangning couldn't shake the feeling that this unfathomable princess had seen through her scheme.
Returning to her seat among the Pingyao Marquis' family, she repeatedly reviewed her plan, convinced it was flawless and impossible to decipher. Yet her heart remained unsettled, fearing Shen Xihe might speak up at any moment.
Shen Xihe had no idea how much pressure her glance had inflicted. She had been playing the role of a mere spectator all along.
As night fell, the banquet concluded, though this did not mark the end. Instead, a variety of performances and games were scattered throughout the garden, with guards stationed along the paths. Guests were free to roam and enjoy the festivities, much like strolling through a lively market.
"Sister, let's go over there." Shen Yungan never called Shen Xihe by her milk name in public.
"Xihe sister, come with me! I want to go this way." Xue Jinqiao, who had been clinging to her, tugged at Shen Xihe's wide sleeve.
Since learning of Xue Jinqiao's childhood hardships and seeing Shen Yungan's compassion toward her, Shen Xihe had become more tolerant of Xue Jinqiao. In the past, no one would have been able to even touch the hem of her garment.
"I want to go that way!" Shen Yungan glared.
Xue Jinqiao ignored him, fixing her innocent, pitiful eyes solely on Shen Xihe. "Xihe sister, I want to go this way."
In short, she insisted on the opposite direction from Shen Yungan.
Shen Xihe glanced left and right, then took a step back. "You two go together—first one way, then the other. I'm tired and not particularly interested in these activities. I'll wait here for you."
Shen Yungan was about to refuse when Shen Xihe shot him a look that forbade objection. He wisely held his tongue.
Noticing Shen Xihe's warning glance at Shen Yungan, Xue Jinqiao swallowed her own refusal, snorted lightly at Shen Yungan, turned, and strode off toward her desired direction.
"No manners," Shen Yungan muttered, rubbing his nose.
Shen Xihe pretended not to hear, smiling faintly at him.
Remembering Shen Xihe's plans, Shen Yungan composed himself and cautioned, "Be careful."
"Just watch the show," Shen Xihe mouthed silently.Shen Yunan left with lingering unease, and soon their figures were swallowed by the crowd. Withdrawing her gaze, Shen Xihe deliberately found a quiet spot to sit. Before long, an unremarkable young palace maid hurried over, bowed to Shen Xihe, and said, "Your Highness, the Fourth Princess has sent this humble servant to request an audience with you."
Finally, it had come!
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