Princess Helena glanced in the direction of Cai Wei, then suddenly stood up and said to the empress, "Your Highness, I have heard that at today’s banquet, a daughter of a low-ranking scholar has been invited to participate. Such an ordinary scholar’s daughter must possess extraordinary skills to capture the Empress’s favor. Why not ask her to perform for us, so that we could broaden our horizons? What do you think, Empress?"
Princess Helena did not report to Jin Guifei but to the empress, indicating that in her heart, the empress still held the highest position.
Empress Mo smiled faintly, very pleased with Helena’s flattery.
Empress Mo spoke decisively, and her Chief Eunuch, Li Zequan, immediately left the Waterside Pavilion, stood in the gallery, and shouted with a high pitch, "The Empress has a decree, summoning Lady Mu Caiwei to perform—"
Upon hearing this, Cai Wei was not too surprised. She had anticipated that she would be targeted, and fortunately, she had already practiced the "Flying Sky" dance taught by her mother. Even if they tried to discredit her skills, it would be in vain!
She stood up and gracefully walked to the front of the Waterside Pavilion, bowed respectfully to the people inside the pavilion, and politely said, "I will perform the ’Flying Sky’ dance for everyone. I seek the Empress’s permission to change into my dance costume."
Empress Mo slightly nodded, "Approved."
Cai Wei bowed again and was about to leave with Du Wanru when Helena suddenly said, "Wait, Your Highness, I would like to challenge Miss Mu to a dance competition. I ask the Empress and the ladies to judge."
Empress Mu looked at the graceful and charming Cai Wei outside the Waterside Pavilion and said, "What do you think, Miss Mu?"
Cai Wei responded modestly, her eyes downcast, "I will abide by the Empress’s decision."
She could neither agree nor refuse in order to prevent the Empress from playing any tricks. Therefore, she returned the decision to the Empress.
The Empress said, "Since Miss Mu has no objections, let’s do it."
Having said that, she took off a red blood jade bracelet from her wrist and placed it on the table.
"Since it’s a competition, let’s take this as the prize. You may go and prepare."
Cai Wei and Helena responded, and under the leadership of two palace maids, went to change their dance costumes.
Just after they left, Jin Guifei began to laugh, and said, "What a rare beauty, truly unparalleled in the world. It’s no wonder that King Qin, for her sake, refuses to marry Miss Li and has even fought with Princess Zhao Yang!"
Upon hearing this, Li Ruizhu stiffened and looked utterly embarrassed.
Empress Mo glanced at Jin Guifei and said coldly, "Concubine Jin, you can eat whatever you want, but you cannot make careless remarks. Which eye of yours saw Yi’er fighting Zhao Yang for her? And which ear heard that Yi’er refused to marry Rui Zhu?"
Jin Guifei slowly wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, lazily smiling, "True or not, Her Majesty knows everything. Everyone else also understands everything. Why does Your Highness have to hide? It only makes you look guilty instead!"
The Empress sneered, "It seems the Concubine Jin has been keeping a close eye on His Highness and me!"
Jin Guifei laughed, "I am tasked with managing the six palaces, naturally I give priority to the Empress’s affairs, and I do not dare to neglect them. The Empress is the official wife of His Majesty, and King Qin is the legitimate son, so it is only logical that I pay more attention to them. Otherwise, if something were to happen to the Empress or His Highness King Qin, I wouldn’t be able to bear it!"
Upon hearing this, Empress Mo’s face darkened immediately. Her aloof countenance grew even more icy, and the official blue and white teacup in her hand nearly shattered in her grasp.