Chapter Twenty-Eight: The Dance Beyond the Dance

The Crown Prince unexpectedly visited the Jiang residence, prompting Lord Jiang to receive him with great ceremony alongside the household. As tea was served and laughter flowed, the Crown Prince remarked with a smile, “Would not our enjoyment be greatly enhanced with music and dance?”

Lord Jiang’s face showed discomfort; he was unaccustomed to keeping singers or dancers in his household. Standing at the side of the hall, Ming Wan heard this and stepped forward, bowing gracefully. “Father, though your daughter’s skills are modest, I am willing to perform a dance for the Crown Prince.”

Lord Jiang frowned and looked at her. “I have only heard of Ming Rou’s exceptional dancing, not yours.”

Ming Wan smiled, suppressing the irony that flashed in her eyes.

“Very well, let me see the dance of the Jiang family’s daughter,” the Crown Prince clapped his hands.

“Since Ming Wan is to perform, Chu’er, you will accompany her on the zither,” Lord Jiang said.

Ming Chu inwardly groaned—her own level was hardly fit to accompany her fourth sister’s dance, and she feared ruining it. Yet, she could only steel herself and agree.

Ming Wan changed into a flowing white gown, her brows adorned with peach blossom motifs. She drifted elegantly into the hall. The dance she chose was “Everlasting Longing,” and Ming Chu accompanied her with the melody of the same name.

The zither’s notes poured forth, distant and ancient as pine and cypress.

Ming Wan whirled and spun, her slender waist undulating like distant mountains rising and falling; her sleeves swept out like clouds descending. With a smile, she lifted her gaze—she seemed not a woman of this mortal world. Her ceaseless movements unfolded: flicking her sleeves, lifting her legs, spinning in dizzying succession.

The Crown Prince applauded again and again.

Ming Chu was mesmerized. She thought, her fourth sister seemed a celestial maiden. Distracted, her fingers slipped and struck the wrong string, but she kept a calm face and changed to a new chord.

Only Jiang Zhenyuan looked unimpressed. He had never liked Ming Wan; as a child, she was timid and fearful, which he found extremely distasteful. Now, even occasional conversation with her unsettled him—he felt she was always somewhat affected.

Ming Wan glanced gratefully at the Crown Prince, but in that moment lost her footing and nearly fell.

She immediately panicked, kneeling to beg forgiveness, appearing plaintive and delicate, her watery eyes unconsciously sweeping over the Crown Prince—a sight that stirred his heart.

The Crown Prince nodded, lingering in his appreciation. “Your dance was excellent. I am most pleased.”

Ming Wan thanked him repeatedly.

Ming Rou walked slowly back to Lianzi Pavilion and asked in a casual tone,

Afterwards, the Crown Prince and Lord Jiang withdrew to a private chamber for discussion.

The Crown Prince said, “My father’s health has been deteriorating lately; it truly worries me.”

Lord Jiang pondered a moment. “Your Highness, you must be especially cautious these days, and guard against the Second Prince’s deliberate machinations.”

“I know. I have been staying by my father’s side, handling affairs of state.”

“Good. I will fully support Your Highness, ensuring the Second Prince finds no opportunity. But his power is great; his wings must be clipped one by one.”

The Crown Prince asked, “What do you mean?”

“Identify all of the Second Prince’s allies, whether in the open or hidden,” Lord Jiang said firmly.

“Hidden?”

“Yes. Most of the court ministers’ loyalties remain unclear. Who knows if they have already pledged themselves in secret?”

“In that case, there are many suspects,” the Crown Prince said gravely. “We’ll proceed as you suggest.”

“There’s another matter. Some days ago, Magistrate Du Zhong of the Supreme Court sought an audience with His Majesty. I was present. He reported the Song family murder in Jiangzhou directly, but lacked sufficient evidence. His Majesty, trusting the Second Prince, was about to demote Du Zhong. I persuaded him, reminding His Majesty of Du Zhong’s years of impartial service and steadfast duty. Only then was the punishment spared.”

Lord Jiang mused for a while. “Du Zhong has played a dangerous hand.”

The Crown Prince agreed. Having finished their serious talk, the mood lightened somewhat. The Crown Prince joked, “The lord’s daughters are all quite remarkable.”

“The fourth, Ming Wan, truly dazzled in her dance, though my youngest, Ming Chu, is less adept at the zither.”

The Crown Prince waved his hand. “The fourth young lady’s dance was indeed exquisite, but at the first sign of trouble she lost composure—an ordinary girl. The fifth young lady, however, made three mistakes on the zither and calmly corrected each one, never flustered. She has the spirit of a heroine.”

“Oh?” Lord Jiang was a little surprised.

Ming Wan walked slowly toward Lianzi Pavilion, with Cui Yi following in small steps behind.

She asked in a casual tone, “Cui Yi, how do I compare to Chu’er?”

Cui Yi bit her lip and answered carefully, “Miss is skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and a beauty as well. The fifth young lady cannot compare.”

Ming Wan’s lips curved into a smile, yet it never reached her eyes.

Cui Yi glanced up, nervously observing Ming Wan’s expression. Her gaze was full of apprehension. She had served Ming Wan for years and knew well her gloomy temperament, especially in recent times—prone to violent outbursts, lashing out over the slightest thing.

Seeing Ming Wan smile, Cui Yi still could not relax. Her mistress’s temperament was ever elusive. She seemed to belong to the Jiang household, yet was always aloof, never involved in matters that did not concern her. Though she appeared close to the fifth young lady, their hearts had long been estranged.

Ming Wan stopped, her expression suddenly shadowed. “Yet in such an important moment, I made a mistake.”

“Miss needn’t worry. In my eyes, the Crown Prince greatly admired your dancing. He watched you intently the whole time.”

“Truly?”

“I dare not lie.”

Ming Wan smiled, her lips curving, “Then my years of diligent practice have not been in vain.”

Cui Yi breathed a quiet sigh of relief, a sudden thought flashing through her mind. Why did Miss care so much about the Crown Prince’s opinion? She recalled the ambition in Miss’s eyes when she volunteered to dance.

Looking at the rare smile on Ming Wan’s face, she vaguely understood what it was she desired.

Ming Wan was already walking quickly ahead, and Cui Yi hurried to follow. She watched Ming Wan’s slender figure and shook her head helplessly.