25 Used as a Shield
y submit to this prince As long as you are well-behaved, I will ensure that those outside can leave with their lives intact."The Princess Changle gritted her teeth and suddenly got up to rush towards...The Capital's Ode 25. Being Used as a Shield
25. Being Used as a Shield
After nearly two hours of competition, the winners in each skill category were finally determined. Ye Ying's performance was slightly worse than last year; despite her later showcasing an aerial fairy dance and tying with Princess QiXia for first place, her performance was vetoed by Feng San, who is known as the capital’s best pianist, leaving her second to Lady Liu Ruyun from the Liu family. Afterward, she managed a third in poetry composition but could not hide her aggrieved disappointment. On the other hand, Princess QiXia, an outsider, shone in subsequent competitions, securing third place in piano skills, first in calligraphy, and second in chess, becoming the overall champion of this Hundred Flowers Festival with two firsts, one second, and one third.
Princess Zhao Yang was clearly very pleased with this result. The judges on the viewing platform also expressed more admiration for this foreign princess. Just as Grand Elder Su Zhuo was about to announce the results of the Hundred Flowers Festival, Princess QiXia leaned over to whisper something in Princess Zhao Yang's ear and then stood up apologetically towards Old Lord Su, turning to look at Ye Ying on stage with a gloomy expression, her eyebrows hinting at a sneer.
"Please forgive me, I request a re-match with Miss Ye Si." Princess QiXia announced loudly, causing an immediate uproar in the auditorium.
Feng Zhiyao lazily leaned back in his chair and smiled as he looked at Princess QiXia: "I believe everyone here would be delighted to see you and our capital's top beauty dance again. Only... I wonder why a re-match is necessary"
Princess QiXia raised her head proudly, saying, "Isn't it true that in your Central Plains, there's no first place for literature and no second place for martial arts Although this dance isn’t the same as martial arts, I am not accustomed to being on par with anyone." She disdainfully glanced at Ye Ying in the process. It was just short of saying outright that Ye Ying wasn't worthy to be ranked alongside her. Ye Ying's complexion instantly paled and she swayed where she stood. The audience couldn’t help but feel that Princess QiXia had gone too far. However, Princess QiXia ignored everyone’s gazes, focusing solely on Ye Ying.
Feng Zhiyao swept his lazy gaze over the dark-faced Mo Jingli seated to one side and smiled: "His Excellency Prince Li, what do you think After all... Miss Ye Si is your fiancée."
Mo Jingli glanced at Ye Ying on stage. His cold eyes flickered with some movement as he said in a faint tone, "Is Princess QiXia dissatisfied with the judgment of Yaorui"
Siao Yao smiled gracefully, causing a hundred charms to bloom instantly. "If Princess QiXia has a more beautiful dance, I naturally would be willing to appreciate it. It’s just that I’m not sure if I have the honor."
Murphy Jingli remained silent. Although he wasn’t very knowledgeable about dancing, Murphy Jingli knew from Yao Jie's previous judgment that Ye Ying and Princess QiXia’s dance skills were equally matched. However, dancing was an art form to be enjoyed with one's eyes. Even if both dancers had comparable skills, Princess QiXia’s passionate performance clearly moved people more than Ye Ying’s graceful elegance. This situation might also be called "playing high-pitched music when few can follow along." If Ye Ying were to lose again to Princess QiXia… Murphy Jingli’s handsome sword-like eyebrows gradually furrowed.
Seeing him silent, the Chief Seat's Long Princess Zhao Yang frowned slightly in displeasure. “Jingli.”
"Ah…"
A low exclamation from below was followed by a crisp sound of shattered porcelain. Everyone looked over to see Ye Ying’s maidservant kneeling on the ground, pleading for mercy as Ye Ying held her left arm, her face pale.
“Ying’er…” Murphy Jingli stood up and jumped down from the platform to embrace Ye Ying in his arms, kicking away the kneeling maidservant. "Get out!"
The Long Princess’s face on stage instantly turned ashen; Murphy Jingli had kicked one of her princess mansion's maidservants. “Someone, please call a doctor to treat Miss Ye.”
Seeing this sudden turn of events, the ladies present were momentarily stunned. While each lady tried their best to maintain the demeanor befitting a maiden from a prominent family, it did not prevent them from privately exchanging opinions in various ways.
"Tsk, Ah Li, you have to be careful; this sister of yours is quite ruthless." After hours of sitting still, Murong Ting had progressed from calling Ye Li "Miss Ye" and "Ye Li" to the intimate "Ah Li." If it really was an accident where a servant carelessly spilled tea on Ye Ying, even without her love for reading, Murong Ting wouldn’t believe it. How coincidental would it be that Princess QiXia just issued a challenge, and right then Ye Ying got burned
Hua Tianxi frowned and said, "I don’t know why, but I have a bad feeling."
Ye Li raised an eyebrow. Before she could say anything, she heard Ye Ying’s weak yet regretful voice from where she was leaning on Mo Jingli: "Princess, I’m truly sorry. Ye Ying is afraid that I won’t be able to compete with you. Since the princess doesn’t feel like… why don’t you ask my sister to take my place She is the legitimate daughter of the Shangshu Mansion and shouldn’t disgrace yourself. Sister, isn’t it"
Upon hearing this, Ye Li’s usually calm expression darkened. How could Ye Ying not know that she didn’t know how to dance If she lost, it would mean that Ye Li was useless and had disgraced the Shangshu Mansion, rather than Ye Ying being inferior to Princess Qixia. In one move, she avoided the possibility of losing to Princess Qixia while successfully making Ye Li lose face on her first outing. Indeed, a good plan.
"Just as Ying兒 said!" Mo Jingli impatiently ordered without waiting for a doctor to arrive; he carried Ye Ying and prepared to leave the venue.
The Primogenial Princess’s eyes darkened at the sight of Mo Jingli’s resolute departure. After a moment, she spoke in a low voice: "If it must be so, then Miss Ye Three shall take Miss Ye Four’s place."
Ye Li was speechless: Was there really no one who thought to ask if she knew how to dance
The eyes of almost everyone present fell on Ye Li. Qin Zheng and the others also looked at her anxiously. Although they had previously egged Ye Li on to fight for a place, they didn’t genuinely wish to force her into it. Not only were they newly acquainted friends, but their future relationship with Qin Zheng meant that they couldn’t harm her.
Princess Qixia was furious over Mo Jingli’s favoritism toward Ye Ying; since Ye Li had been thrust upon her by Mo Jingli as a replacement for Ye Ying and was also his ex-fiancée, she directed all of her rage at Ye Li. She raised her delicate eyebrows: "Miss Ye, please go ahead."
Ye Li stood up helplessly and met Princess Qixia’s resentful gaze. After some thought, she said, "I concede.
Everyone, including Princess Qixia, was taken aback. It took a while for Princess Qixia to regain her composure and glare at Ye Li: "Do you look down on this princess I don’t need your concession!"
Ye Li shook his head helplessly. "I didn’t yield to the princess, I genuinely admitted defeat."
"Giving up without competing is considered unsportsmanlike even if you win," said Princess Qixia.
Was forcing someone who couldn't dance to compete any more sportsmanlike Ye Li sighed and looked sincerely at the furious Princess Qixia. "Princess, I can’t dance."
"Heh heh, replacing a dancer with one who can’t dance is quite creative of Prince Li and his future princess consort," said Feng Zhiyao lazily from the sidelines, clearly enjoying this situation.
Princess Qixia was taken aback. "Why can't you dance"
"Because dancing isn’t a required course for girls in Da Chu," Ye Li answered straightforwardly. "I believe many of the ladies here wouldn’t know how to dance."
If Ye Li had already stated that she didn’t know how to dance, forcing her to do so would be unreasonable. Princess Qixia realized that she was being toyed with and could only suppress her anger for now. She stared at the calm, demurely smiling young woman in green on stage and said, "I didn’t see Miss Ye step onto the stage just now. Since Miss Fourth is so confident in your sister, why don’t you show us what else you can do Or... are there no other skills that you have"
Ye Li bowed her head for a moment and then looked at Princess Qixia with indifference. "In that case, Ye Li will take the stage."their most powerful period, and as the only daughter of her generation, she was also exceptionally beautiful. Back then, the Os family really doted on her, otherwise they wouldn’t have raised such an...