Bai Yusheng walked to the center of the hall at a leisurely pace. Yu Yan glanced at her, her eyes filled with resentment. Bai Yusheng... this person was born to be her rival.
"This subject, Bai Yusheng, pays her respects to the Empress Dowager and His Majesty." Bai Yusheng curtsied obediently. She was, indeed, the epitome of a well-bred lady.
"Princess Yan's dancing is exquisite. This subject is ashamed of her own inferiority and dares not to judge. However, this subject also has a dance she wishes to offer to the Empress Dowager and His Majesty today," Bai Yusheng said gently.
"Oh? Then this empress shall have a good look today." The Empress Dowager seemed very interested.
"Yes, but Empress Dowager, this subject wishes to change her attire first." It was clear Bai Yusheng had come prepared. Yu Yan, standing nearby, looked as if she could spit fire.
"Very well, go and prepare. Princess Yan, you may also return to your seat. Since you both excel in dance, you can learn from each other." The Empress Dowager seemed to be unusually talkative today. The Imperial Consort watched the two below, lost in thought. Why did the Empress Dowager feel so strange today?
As Bai Yusheng curtsied and withdrew, she bumped into Yu Yan. "Bai Yusheng, do you have to oppose me at every turn?"
"Why does the Princess say such a thing? This subject merely wishes to dance. So many have already performed. Did the Princess not dance as well? Is it too much for this subject to dance once?" Bai Yusheng smiled softly.
"Bai Yusheng, I warn you, put away that pretense, or this Princess will not let you off!" Yu Yan lowered her voice before returning to her seat.
From the moment Bai Yusheng appeared, Yu Jingchen's attention seemed to have shifted from Nan Zhiyun. He... remembered this Bai Yusheng. In his previous life, after entering the palace, she was one of the closest to Nan Zhiyun.
In his previous life, he had truly believed Bai Yusheng and Nan Zhiyun were good friends. Now, it seemed she had hidden her true intentions quite well... After Nan Zhiyun's death, he had investigated many matters, and Bai Yusheng had been involved in quite a few.
Her father, General Bai, Bai Yi, was originally one of Nan Su's men. He had achieved many victories on the battlefield and had become a general in recent years. After Nan Su relinquished his military power, some of it had fallen into his hands.
Yu Jingchen lowered his head and looked again at Nan Zhiyun in his arms. In this life, all he needed to change was Nan Zhiyun's destiny. Some things would still unfold as they should... Yu Jingchen did not intend to alter the individuals who entered the palace in his previous life; their entry was not solely due to the imperial selection.
When Bai Yusheng reappeared, she was in a red dancing dress, simply adorned. This time, she would perform a sword dance. As the daughter of a military family, she was different from Nan Zhiyun. Although not a martial artist, she possessed some skill.
Bai Yusheng's dance was breathtaking. Yu Yan's eyes flashed with resentment as she watched her. Bai Yusheng absolutely must not enter the palace!
Nan Zhiyun had been sleeping soundly in Yu Jingchen's arms. However, perhaps because Bai Yusheng's dance was quite intense, the music at the scene also became tense, carrying an aura of a thousand troops clashing. Consequently, Nan Zhiyun became restless. Yu Jingchen raised an eyebrow. Was this girl finally going to wake up?
He did not disturb Nan Zhiyun, simply watching to see how she would react. He was so engrossed that he completely overlooked Bai Yusheng below.