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“Yes, Your Royal Highness.”

“The horse on which I rode to the market, Muchén, had left it in a stable,” Xiaoming said.

“There’s only one stable in the market. Please follow me this way, Your Royal Highness,” Lu Bojing said. Xiaoming walked away with him. Liu Jin Yu took a breath of relief upon seeing them leave.

She decided to run away and slowly stepped back when she stopped.

“Where are you leaving?” A well-dressed lady in her late thirties asked Liu Jin Yu. “Stand straight in your place if you don’t want to get punished,” she reprimanded Liu Jin Yu.

“But I do not-”

“Are you talking back? Don’t forget your manners,” the lady told her. The few young ladies around her looked at her which made her feel awkward. She had forgotten when she was scolded last time.

“What’s happening over there?” The lady at the front had worn a red Hanfu dress which had black borders embroidered with golden color. She was called Lady Gu Yen. Gao Bing and Lianying also looked in that direction.

.....

“Nothing, my lady,” the lady in her late thirties said and bowed.

“We need to leave for the palace earlier,” Lady Gu Yen said as she looked at the beautiful young ladies in front of her.

Liu Jin Yu widened her eyes. They had to go to the palace! But why?

“I would like to tell you all before leaving for the palace. A dancer’s bodily movements are necessary to capture the heart of the audience in front of him or her. Today, you all need to give your best performance because all the Royal Family members will be present,” Lady Gu Yen explained to them.

“We understand, Lady Gu Yen.” All the young women said in unison. Liu Jin Yu got worried when he heard her. She could not go to the palace. She looked around and found the soldiers a few meters away from them.

‘If I try to leave, then they may get suspicious. Let’s do this then. I will follow them to the palace. In the palace, many will be present, so hardly anyone will notice me when I sneak out.’ Liu Jin Yu decided and took a deep breath.

Lady Gu Yen turned to look at the Eunuchs. “His and Her Royal Majesty will surely like today’s performance along with the other regal family members,” Lady Gu Yen assured them who were delighted to know that.

She turned back to look at those young women when her eyes fell on Liu Jin Yu. “Why aren’t you dressed well? What is wrong with your hair?”

Everyone looked in her direction and she looked at herself. She had worn a fine silk dress, but her hair had turned messier after running so much.

“Min Su, take her inside. Get her ready within ten minutes,” Lady Gu Yen instructed the lady who was standing near Liu Jin Yu. She bowed and gestured to Liu Jin Yu to follow her.

They entered the residence and silently followed Min Su.

Min Su clapped once and a servant entered. “Give the white hanfu dress with broad pink strips,” she ordered the servant, who bowed and after a while, brought that dress.

Liu Jin Yu wore that dress. Min Su applied light makeup on her face and then asked another servant to brush Liu Jin Yu’s hair. Min Su looked at the silk dress which Jin Yu had worn earlier.

“It seemed you got this dress as a present from a nobleman,” Min Su deduced. Jin Yu nodded her head and fiddled with her fingers. She felt her head getting heavier as the hair accessories kept increasing.

For a moment, she was puzzled to see her reflection in the mirror. “Follow me,” Min Su said. Liu Jin Yu again followed her out. Eunuch Gao Bing’s eyes fell on her and he asked Lady Gu Yen to keep Liu Jin Yu in the center.

“Yes, Eunuch Gao Bing,” Lady Gu Yen said.

Liu Jin Ye, for the first time in her life, felt scared. She told herself nothing would happen, but her heart kept getting restless. She ignored it and went back to her place.

~~~~~

Eunuch Lishi was relieved to see Xiaoming, who removed the fake mustache and threw it away. Eunuch Lishi found that Xiaoming was again in a bad mood.

“Prepare the bathhouse. Keep the water cold,” Xiaoming ordered Eunuch Lishi, who bowed and quickly walked out. Xiaoming opened the knot of the hat under his chin and put it on the table. He was so close to her.

“I cannot believe a woman defeated me twice,” Xiaoming murmured and unbuttoned the overcoat from his shoulder. That somersault flashed in front of his eyes. “She is highly trained in martial arts,” he muttered and opened the sash that was tied around his waist.

The dress loosened and he settled on the broad chair. “Give me water,” Xiaoming told a maidservant present in his chamber. She quickly filled the glass with water and handed it to Xiaoming.

He drank the water and asked for another glass. His head was spinning not because of that scorching heat but because of that woman, who made him question his strength.

He handed the glass to the maidservant and pinched the skin between his brows. “How can someone be so powerful?” Xiaoming kept thinking about Liu Jin Yu when Eunuch Lishi interrupted his thoughts.

“Your Royal Highness, the bathhouse is ready to use,” Eunuch Lishi informed Xiaoming.

Xiaoming rose to his feet and left for the bathhouse. Eunuch Lishi helped the Crown Prince remove his clothes. Xiaoming put on a thin silk robe and got into the bathtub.

“His Royal Highness didn’t even have his lunch meal. I am afraid if-”

“Eunuch Lishi, wait outside,” Xiaoming interrupted him in the middle, who silently left the bathhouse.

“Liu Jin Yu, the next time, I will have my hands on you,” Xiaoming pledged himself.