Chapter Seventeen: Truly an Embarrassment

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“Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, before I dance this piece, I know that Prince Zhan’s sworn sister, Shen Yi, can also dance. How about the two of us each perform a dance, and then everyone can judge which is better? What does Your Majesty think?”

Upon hearing Zhao Jiayi’s proposal to compete with Shen Yi in dancing, the Empress Dowager smiled.

“That sounds wonderful. But since it’s a contest, there must be a wager. I will offer my personal jade pendant as the stake. What do you think?”

Zhao Jiayi replied excitedly, “Thank you, Your Majesty!”

Shen Yi stood by, stunned.

Did she really agree to this?

And why was Zhao Jiayi targeting her for no reason?

According to the plot, Zhao Jiayi should have been targeting Jiang Nansheng.

What was she—dragging me into this mess?

Not only was Shen Yi dumbfounded, but Jiang Nansheng was also taken aback.

The Flower Viewing Banquet was the first grand event since she married Xiao Huaijin.

Logically, those who bore ill will toward her would seize this opportunity to make trouble for her.

Yet, why was Shen Yi the one being targeted, when she was the Princess Consort of the Zhan Prince?

Could it be that Shen Yi was taking the fall for her?

Impossible. Absolutely impossible!

Shen Yi knew that in such a setting, she hardly had the right to refuse.

Since that was the case, she might as well enjoy the show and see what tricks Zhao Jiayi had up her sleeve.

As Shen Yi’s gaze settled on Zhao Jiayi, the latter smiled confidently and said, “Please excuse my poor performance!”

Soon, to the sound of the guqin, Zhao Jiayi danced gracefully.

At times lively, at times ethereal.

Her bright red dress made her resemble a large crimson butterfly—truly captivating!

If only there were sunflower seeds and beer nearby, Shen Yi might have even applauded.

When Zhao Jiayi finished, a round of applause followed.

The greatest difference between women and men was their restraint.

If men were present, they would have cheered enthusiastically by now.

The Empress Dowager praised, “Princess Jiayi truly lives up to her reputation as a celebrated talent of the capital. She is skilled in all arts—music, chess, calligraphy, painting—and even her dancing is exquisitely flawless!”

Zhao Jiayi responded, “Thank you for your kind words, Your Majesty!”

After returning to her seat, she turned to Shen Yi.

“I wonder, in the eyes of a dance connoisseur like Sister Shen Yi, how did you find my performance?”

Shen Yi lifted her eyelids slightly, somewhat indifferent.

“It was indeed a poor show.”

A hush fell over the room, but soon some could not contain their laughter.

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Jiang Nansheng stared at Shen Yi in astonishment. How did she know this joke?

However, two people present wore extremely unpleasant expressions.

One was Zhao Jiayi herself, and the other was the Empress Dowager.

Zhao Jiayi’s face was naturally sour, as the dance was her own performance.

The Empress Dowager’s displeasure stemmed from having just praised the dance, only to have Shen Yi slight it. It seemed Shen Yi was determined not to survive in the palace.

Burning with rage, Zhao Jiayi declared, “Since Sister Shen Yi disdains my dance, allow your humble sister to show you how elegance and excellence truly look!”

At this moment, Zhao Jiayi had resolved that no matter how Shen Yi danced, after her turn she would be ruthlessly belittled.

She even planned to compose a poem to mock her.

Shen Yi remained casual, even biting into a fruit.

She said ambiguously, “You have won.”

Zhao Jiayi smiled, but quickly sensed something was amiss.

Shen Yi hadn’t even danced—how could she have won?

If winning was so effortless, there’d be no need to try.

Shen Yi rose and addressed the Empress Dowager.

“Your Majesty, I am not skilled in dance, so this round goes to Princess Jiayi.”

Just as Zhao Jiayi prepared to argue, the Empress Dowager interjected.

“Shen Yi, are you mocking me?”

Shen Yi, with a black cloud over her mind, hurriedly explained.

“I dare not, Your Majesty. I truly cannot dance; please forgive me!”

The Empress Dowager slammed her hand on the armrest, her tone sharp.

“What if I insist that you dance?”

Jiang Nansheng prepared to step forward.

Not because she was especially close to Shen Yi, but because Shen Yi belonged to the Zhan Prince’s household.

If she didn’t stand with Shen Yi now, Xiao Huaijin might scold her later for lacking sense.

Shen Yi understood she could not refuse the Empress Dowager’s command.

Though reluctant, she had no choice.

She said, “Since Your Majesty wishes to see it, I shall obey.”

Standing amid the crowd, Shen Yi hesitated.

She had never danced before. In her previous life, as a weary office worker, she would sometimes go to karaoke alone late at night.

She would sing until two or three in the morning before going to bed.

Dancing was truly a challenge for her.

Fortunately, she thought moving about counted as dancing, and she need not be too precise.

Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Shen Yi began performing the national elementary school’s eighth set of broadcast calisthenics.

But as she started, everyone’s eyes widened in disbelief.

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Is this dancing?

When Shen Yi reached the chest expansion exercise, the Empress Dowager frowned.

“Stop! That’s enough!”

Shen Yi returned to her seat, while Jiang Nansheng glanced over.

“How do you know the Rainbow Sunshine routine?”

Shen Yi suddenly recalled Jiang Nansheng was also a time traveler and would know this set of exercises.

She replied, “I learned it watching you at the prince’s mansion.”

Then she added, “Well? Not bad, right?”

Seeing Shen Yi’s smug expression, Jiang Nansheng scowled.

Not bad my foot. It was a mess.

Shen Yi was like one of those mischievous students in school who never did the moves properly.

And Jiang Nansheng was the lead instructor!

Once Shen Yi got through that, she felt much relieved.

Naturally, the Empress Dowager’s jade pendant was awarded to Princess Jiayi.

Zhao Jiayi also earned another honor.

With this pendant, anyone wishing to meet the Empress Dowager could be directly escorted by the attendant eunuch beside her.

Shen Yi rolled her eyes inwardly. What a grand honor!

Does your family have the throne to inherit?

As it turned out, the Empress Dowager’s family really did have a claim to the throne.

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Elsewhere, Qin Xuanbai, heir of the Duke of Qin, stood beside Xiao Huaijin.

Their eyes were fixed on the women’s side.

Qin Xuanbai said, “Your Highness, is that your sworn sister, Shen Yi?”

Xiao Huaijin’s heart skipped a beat, feeling inexplicably nervous.

But since Shen Yi was publicly his sworn sister, he did not deny it.

“Yes, she is my sworn sister, Shen Yi.”

Qin Xuanbai opened his fan, his demeanor serious.

“If Your Highness would marry Miss Shen Yi to me, the Qin family guarantees to become your most steadfast supporter.”

Xiao Huaijin stared in Shen Yi’s direction, lost in thought.