The oars began to move, and the surrounding scenery changed. The view of Mingyue Lake unfolded like a classical painting scroll.
"Is Qiu Niang satisfied with this pleasure boat?" Jiang Si asked as she personally poured tea for her.
Unsure of Jiang Si's intentions for the invitation, Qiu Shuzhi played along: "The boat is exquisite and very nice."
As the fragrance of tea slowly wafted through the air, the corner of Jiang Si's lips curved up slightly: "There's something even better." She clapped her hands, and the pearl curtains behind them rustled as several young and beautiful boys filed out. The one in the lead was a youth of exceptional beauty with extremely alluring eyes.
"This servant Rui Zhu greets the two ladies," he said.
"What's this?" Qiu Shuzhi hadn't expected Jiang Si to arrange such a scene. She couldn't help feeling nervous, as if she could already see Qin Shu's fate beckoning to her.
Jiang Si smiled nonchalantly: "How can a lake trip be without the company of beauties? Don't worry, he's a boy who sells his art, not his body."
"That's not what I meant. Please ask him to leave. I don't enjoy song and dance," Qiu Shuzhi explained.
Jiang Si sighed: "What a pity. I promised this boy that if he could dance for you, I'd reward him with ten taels of gold. Since you're unwilling, forget it then. You may leave!"
Rui Zhu immediately knelt before Qiu Shuzhi, pleading in a delicate voice: "My lady, please allow this servant to dance for you. This servant's family is poor and I have a young sister. Mother said if I can't earn money again, she'll sell me and my brothers to a brothel. Please save this servant!"
Qiu Shuzhi understood that she had been set up by Jiang Si, but she really couldn't harden her heart to do such a thing as 'forcing an honest person into prostitution'. It was just a dance after all. She could explain to the Emperor later.
"Stand up," Qiu Shuzhi gestured for him to rise.
Rui Zhu looked at her with tearful eyes: "Do you agree?"
Qiu Shuzhi nodded, and Rui Zhu was overjoyed. The young men behind him prepared to pick up their instruments to accompany him.
Taking advantage of this moment, Qiu Shuzhi asked him: "Rui Zhu sounds like a vulgar stage name. It's probably not your real name. What's your birth name?"
Rui Zhu timidly nodded: "You're right, my lady. Rui Zhu is the name the madam at the house gave me. This servant's birth name is Zhao Mei."
Qiu Shuzhi's eyes widened slightly: "What are your other brothers called?"
"Si Mei, Pan Mei, Lai Mei."
She was left speechless. Jiang Si observed her reaction closely, her expression thoughtful.
When all the instruments were ready, Rui Zhu took his position at the bow of the boat. His posture was graceful and nimble, his young face bearing a maturity and allure beyond his years.
Just as the music began and he was about to start dancing, several guards in tight-fitting clothes leapt onto the bow of the boat. They wore golden imperial tokens at their waists, clearly marked with the three characters for "Embroidered Uniform Guard".
The smile in Jiang Si's eyes turned cold as she slowly walked out to the bow and bowed with cupped hands towards the approaching pleasure boat: "Crown Princess, what a coincidence!"
Qiu Shuzhi followed her out and saw Yue Guanyi standing on the opposite pleasure boat, facing the wind. Today he wasn't wearing his official robes, but a white outfit that made him look otherworldly as he stood there. His long hair, black as ink, was loosely tied up with a white jade hairpin. His cold eyes were slightly lowered, lacking some of the domineering aura he had in court, replaced by a hint of ethereal charm.
A path was laid between the two boats, and Yue Guanyi slowly walked over. He appeared calm and aloof, but no one knew how tormented he felt inside at that moment. Sitting in the pleasure boat, he had watched the dancer at the bow performing an extremely seductive dance for Qiu Shuzhi.
In that instant, all his restraint and considerations vanished. He became nothing more than an unreasonable, jealous husband, determined to intervene no matter what.
"This prince was enjoying the lake scenery today when I heard the sound of music from afar and wanted to appreciate it together. Do Lady Jiang and Official Qiu mind?" Yue Guanyi's voice was cold and clear.
Jiang Si smiled enigmatically: "It's our honor to have Your Highness the Crown Princess grace us with your presence."
Yue Guanyi's lowered gaze fell on Qiu Shuzhi, his tone unconsciously softening: "What about Official Qiu?"
"Of course I don't mind. Please, Your Highness, take the seat of honor!"
She was actually glad Yue Guanyi had intervened.
Yue Guanyi sat down gracefully. Knowing Yue Guanyi's identity, Rui Zhu was so frightened he didn't know what to do.
Qiu Shuzhi knew Yue Guanyi had a bad reputation among the common people, so she said gently: "Please continue. Just dance as you normally would in practice."
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