Canvas Academy ,a popular art school in the Imperial Capital had kept its legacy of producing the best painters over the years. Since it was established three decades ago by Mai Chenghuo,the ink immortal,the academy's alumni were among well known painters making names for themselves with their craft.
After Mai Chenghuo's death,the position of Chancellor was inherited by one of his best disciples- Yin Yue. Yin Yue was the only one he thought worthy of entrusting to the task of continuing the academy's legacy. Apart from talent Yin Yue was quite good looking and was still in his prime,with his talent and chivalrous behaviour he was the epitome of a perfect young sophisticated man.
However Yin Yue didn't manage the academy all by himself. He had an assistant but a lazy one - his junior brother ,Shen Wu. They were only two three years apart but they joined the academy at the same time , studying under the same roof sharing everything as a result of sharing the smallest space possible and naturally over the years,a strong brotherly bond had developed between them.
Despite their slightly differing personalities , they still got along very well. In terms of appearance and talent,Shen Wu was far much better than Yin Yue but he still remained humble towards his senior brother. Shen Wu rarely showcased his talent in public because fame and popularity didn't matter to him however he couldn't get rid of the fact that he was rated the most handsome man to ever exist in the capital. He hated how young ladies would quickly gather around him immediately he stepped outside the carriage just to admire his face.
"ShenShen you brat... you promised to accompany me to the palace and now you're going back on your word,"Yin Yue complained to his junior brother. Shen Wu was still stalling while getting ready in his room. He was reluctant about going to the palace. Yin Yue stood behind him to prevent Shen Wu from playing tricks in attempt to back out of his promise.
"Yue Da-ge with my handsome face I can't risk going to the palace. What if one of the princesses falls in love with me and demands to marry me? Just a word from her mouth and I will be in red robes tying the knot with her and end up being tortured my whole life,"Shen Wu whined.
"You arrogant brat,"Yin Yue chuckled in amusement."You think every lady will fall for you just because you're handsome?"he snorted in disbelief - "Besides we have been attending all the birthday banquets at the palace and I have never seen any princess clinging to you,"Yin Yue mocked him.
*****
Meanwhile at the palace, Longyue Hall was already decorated and guests had already started arriving at the venue all donned in classy attire. The banquet was designed to take place from noon. The weather was favourable - a great indication that the event would run smoothly without weather restraints. It was also a great opportunity for people to dress up in fancy and flashy attire - they didn't have to worry about their clothes getting stained by mud or struggling to manœuvre any muddy lanes.
"Mei mei you look very beautiful,"Yang Mei complimented her younger sister Yang Hua. Yang Hua was wearing a dress Consort He had sent over to her. As planned Consort He had chosen a beautiful flashy dress for her own daughter.
"Thank you,"Yang Hua curtseyed slightly.
Yang Hua was calm and collected and getting into arguments was way out of her league. She knew that Yang Mei was being sarcastic but she ignored it. The two sisters were standing on a junction formed by four walk paths ,one of which led to Longyue Hall. But before they left,Yang Hua's eyes caught something interesting. Yang Zhi was walking towards them wearing the fancy dress she had bought herself the previous day.
Yang Mei , seeing Yang Hua's reaction ,she turned around and followed her gaze. Her expression darkened as she measured the approaching fairy in a gown from head to toe,her eyes drooping with jealousy. Her hatred towards Yang Zhi grew even more. Yang Zhi had totally stolen her spotlight.
"Mei Jie Jie,Hua Jie Jie"she curtseyed facing Yang Mei and turned to curtsey at her other sister,"it's good to see you both"Yang Zhi spoke in a polite tone ,her lips twisting into a gentle smile. Yang Hua responded to the greeting by curtseying back while Yang Mei was flooded with anger and jealousy that she felt her heart pounding hard against her tiny chest threatening to come out of her expensive dress.
"My mother thought you had nothing to wear apart from your military armors and sent you a dress. It's a pity that her kindness has gone to waste,"Yang Mei started pretending to be offended on behalf of her mother."Anyway I'm still surprised you dressed like a girl,"she added her face displaying nothing but total disdain.
"I've been away for years so mother must have forgotten my size. The dress couldn't fit me,"Yang Zhi said dragging the syllables at each word lazily to irritate Yang Mei.
'I can do both' was what echoed in Yang Zhi's beautiful mind. That day she wanted to prove to everyone that she was quite good at playing the savage gamine general who wouldn't hesitate to unsheathe her sword and at the same time she could easily shift into a young demure lady able to enchant others with just her gentle smile, polite language and soft lustful gaze.
Military armors weren't the only ones meant for her, dresses were made especially for her beautiful slender body. Any dress getting in contact with her body would obey the shape of her body bringing out the best features in her. Her long black silky hair was tied up in a traditional updo with an appropriate number of hairpins holding each strand of hair in place. Yang Hua stood a few inches away from them absorbing her younger sister's beauty. She had long admired her and continued doing it silently.
"HuaHua let's go inside,"Yang Zhi's voice snapped her out of her thoughts and she composed herself before following them inside.
The hall was divided into three sections; on the right where the males settled,the left for females and the raised dais where there were three seats for Empress Chen, Emperor Yang and Consort He. Consort Bi and the princesses were supposed to occupy the space nearest to the raised platform.
Yang Mei was the first to walk inside among the trio,she wanted to show off first before Yang Zhi could steal her spotlight. She enjoyed the attention and the young men's greedy gazes on her as she walked towards her seat.
"Is she the second princess?"Shen Wu whispered to his senior brother.
"Yes she is,"Yin Yue confirmed.
"She's beautiful,"Shen Wu remarked but changed his mind when Yang Zhi walked in with Yang Hua beside her. Everyone's eyes fell on her but she held her gaze at Yang Mei studying her reaction.
"She's the most beautiful,"Shen Wu remarked referring to Yang Zhi.
"So you no longer have a problem with them falling for you?"Yin Yue whispered teasing him.
"Maybe yes maybe not,"Shen Wu replied nonchalantly.
When everyone arrived including the man whose birthday was to be celebrated,the banquet started with music. A group of female dancers danced beautifully along the hallway entertaining the guests who applauded from time to time while sipping their drinks slowly.
"Father I also want to perform a dance for you," Yang Mei suddenly stood up earning everyone's attention.
"Go ahead,"Emperor Yang smiled slightly.
Yang Mei borrowed the qin from one of the musicians and she handed it to Yin Yue requesting him to play any tune and she would dance to it.
"Young Master Yin,I heard you play the qin well. Can you play me a tune?"She requested politely.
Yin Yue had no choice but to do it. Shen Wu thanked God internally nobody knew of his great instrument playing skills otherwise he would have been the target.
Yin Yue proceeded to play the tune to which the girl danced beautifully on the dancefloor. Her movements were gentle and demure lining with the theme of the song whose tune was being played.
After her dance performance,she thanked the appointed instrumentalist but instead of settling down she did something unexpected.
"Father Ah-Zhi has a dance to perform too but she's shy to say it,"She said shamelessly.
"Oh?"Emperor Yang responded sounding unconvinced. As far as he knew Yang Zhi only knew how to play with the sword,other girlish things like dancing and singing were definitely not her forte.
Yang Zhi could not believe her sister's audacity to do what she did. She knew it was Yang Mei's way to embarrass her in front of the guests to prove she was better than her.
Yang Zhi stood up confidently and walked towards the so called dance floor to prove she didn't just wield her sword at the border.
"I will play the tune for her ,"Shen Wu suddenly offered taking the qin from the adjacent table.
Shen Wu placed the qin in front of him and began running his fingers along the strings. As his nimble fingers caressed the qin's hitting the right notes to produce a desirable tune,Yang Zhi started wriggling her body sexily, raising her hands in the air twisting her fingers erotically while gliding a lustful gaze along the sleeves of her dress. She hid her face behind her sleeve and twirled around the dance floor maintaining her balance.
As the tune progressed,her movements became more agile with hidden eroticism. Once in a while she glanced in Shen Wu's direction and once their gazes met she smiled at him. To avoid arousing suspicion,she directed her lustful glances at several other men while swinging her body. Despite her erotic and aggressive dance there was still a hint of elegance - something that intrigued and mesmerized everyone and got them applauding her more than Yang Mei. Yang Mei was consumed by fury and she was on the verge of dragging Yang Zhi from the dance floor and squeeze life out of her to quench her jealousy.