The Reborn Noble Girl is Hard to Find | Chapter 44: Deliberate Malice
Chapter 44: Deliberate Malice
Hanyan gave an indifferent glance, easily guessing what schemes Zhuang Yushan and Li Jiaqi might be plotting. However, under such a public setting, what could they realistically do? Although her expression remained calm and composed, she was internally vigilant.
Deng Chan nudged her arm. “Look!”
Hanyan raised her head and realized she had been too preoccupied with Zhuang Yushan to notice that Princess Yunmi had already started her dance.
Accompanied by the melody played by her maids, Yunmi performed an upbeat and lively dance. Dressed in vibrant attire, she moved with grace, her delicate steps in rhythm with the beat as she spun and leaped, holding a tambourine in her hand. Her slender fingers lightly struck the drumhead as she twirled elegantly.
Hanyan quickly discerned the nature of the performance—it was none other than the long-lost Victory Dance of the royal family. This dance had been created by the late Emperor’s mother to celebrate military triumphs. It was said that the performance had captured the heart of the Emperor’s father. For Yunmi to recreate it now left the entire court, including the Emperor and Empress, amazed and in awe.
Hanyan watched the young girl perform. Despite her youthful appearance and cheeks flushed with exertion, she was undeniably charming and radiant. The most striking part was her innocence and spontaneity. Yunmi’s every gesture and smile exuded a natural joy that was utterly captivating. Her golden skirt shimmered, and her jewels jingled melodiously with her movements.
What piqued Hanyan’s curiosity was Yunmi’s subtle yet intentional glances toward the men’s seats. Following her gaze, Hanyan noticed the object of Yunmi’s attention—a tall, stoic man, General Cheng Lei.
Could it be that Princess Yunmi harbored feelings for General Cheng?
Sneaking another look at Cheng Lei, Hanyan saw no signs of interest from him. He appeared indifferent, focused on chatting and drinking with his peers. Yunmi, however, seemed bashful, her eyes filled with longing. A classic case of unrequited love, it seemed.
As Hanyan observed, she was unaware that her own subtle actions had drawn someone else’s attention.
Across the banquet, Helian Yu kept his gaze fixed on her. “She’s truly intriguing. I wonder which family she belongs to.”
A man in white sitting beside him, his voice calm and measured, replied, “If you fancy her, why not propose marriage?”
Helian Yu nearly choked. “Spare me. That girl dared to threaten your nephew. If I brought her into my home, she’d have the backyard in chaos. Besides,”—he cast a dismissive glance toward Hanyan—”she’s just a naive little girl. What’s there to admire?”
“Naive little girl?” The man in white, Fu Yunxi, raised an eyebrow, as though he had just heard a great joke. The girl’s cunning, he thought, would put many seasoned women to shame.
Seeing his friend’s unyielding stare, Helian Yu’s curiosity was piqued. He teased, “Don’t tell me you’re interested in her? Hmm, now that I think about it, you two are oddly suited. One’s icy, and the other’s full of schemes. If you were to marry, who knows who’d outwit whom? But if she comes from a good family, it could be a perfect match.”
Fu Yunxi’s expression remained impassive as he replied dryly, “If you’d like another stint locked in the ancestral shrine, go ahead and keep talking.”
Helian Yu instantly shut his mouth, a bead of sweat forming on his brow. He knew better than to provoke his father’s wrath again.
Hanyan resumed watching Yunmi’s dance with appreciation. Witnessing the revival of the long-lost Victory Dance felt like a privilege. Meanwhile, Zhu Hong, standing nearby, observed Li Jiaqi exchanging a conspiratorial glance with Zhuang Yushan, who then cast a sinister smirk toward Hanyan.
The dance came to an end, and the room erupted into applause and praises. Even the Emperor, visibly delighted, laughed heartily. “Yunmi, your dance was wonderful. I’m pleased. Such dedication deserves reward. You shall have gold and a pair of jade ruyi scepters.”
Yunmi stepped forward gracefully to bow. “Thank you for your generosity, Father.” As she returned to her seat among the women, she sneaked another glance at Cheng Lei, only to see him remain utterly unmoved. Disappointment flickered briefly across her face.
At this moment, Zhuang Yushan approached Hanyan and Deng Chan with a teacup in hand. Smiling sweetly, she said, “I’ve yet to properly greet Miss Deng tonight. Allow me to offer you a cup of tea as an apology.”
Caught off guard, Deng Chan instinctively reached for the cup, ignoring Hanyan’s attempt to stop her. Alarm bells rang in Hanyan’s mind. Deng Chan, sheltered and naive due to her father’s doting, failed to see the potential malice behind Zhuang Yushan’s gesture.
Zhuang Yushan’s intentions were clear—she had no good reason to approach Deng Chan, especially in such a calculated manner. Yet, in the presence of so many distinguished ladies, Deng Chan couldn’t decline without appearing rude.
In the blink of an eye, Hanyan connected the dots. She caught Li Jiaqi’s malicious gaze, confirming her suspicions. Just as Zhuang Yushan tilted the cup, a full stream of steaming hot tea was about to spill onto Deng Chan. Reacting swiftly, Hanyan shoved Deng Chan aside and blocked the scalding liquid with her own hand.
“Hanyan!” Deng Chan cried in alarm. She rushed to check on her friend, only to find Hanyan’s hand red and swollen, her sleeve damp from the spilled tea.
The tea had been boiling hot!
Zhuang Yushan froze, realizing the severity of the situation. Her lips quivered, and tears quickly welled up in her eyes. “Sister, are you alright? I didn’t mean to… Shall I call a doctor?”
Her trembling voice and pitiful demeanor painted her as the victim. Anyone unaware of the full story might have thought she was the one injured.
Deng Chan, however, was enraged. “What’s wrong with you? Hanyan’s hand is burned!”
Zhuang Yushan, now sobbing, stammered, “I-I didn’t mean to! Sister Hanyan, please don’t be angry. If there’s anything I can do to make amends, just say the word.”
Hanyan’s lips curled into a cold smile. Zhuang Yushan’s performance was transparent—she was insinuating that Hanyan was a tyrannical elder sister who abused her authority, reducing her pitiful stepsister to tears over a minor mistake. How laughable.
Despite her disdain, Hanyan knew better than to escalate the matter in front of the Emperor. Keeping her tone light, she replied, “You’re overthinking, Sister Yushan. There’s no need for you to be so flustered. I’m not one to take offense so easily.”
The subtle jab in her words didn’t escape those who were paying attention. Hanyan’s calm demeanor diffused the tension while subtly exposing Zhuang Yushan’s insincerity. She wouldn’t allow herself to be dragged into a petty squabble that might tarnish her or Deng Chan’s reputation.
