Chapter 21: The Skyward Dance

Shen Residence.

Shen He returned from the palace to find the main hall bustling with voices, the candlelight bright and lively, as if many people had gathered there.

As soon as she entered the courtyard, Xiaoshu hurried over: “Miss, you’re back! The matriarch and the others are discussing the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet.”

Shen He followed Xiaoshu leisurely toward the main hall. “Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet? What’s going on?”

Xiaoshu said excitedly, “I heard this time the dance house has something special planned—they want to select dancers from among the noble families’ children to perform at the banquet. Everyone’s debating who from our Shen family should go. If you ask me, only you, Miss, are qualified.”

Shen He frowned slightly, a ripple stirring within her heart.

In her past life, the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet had been quite conventional—no such segment existed. Why was this suddenly added this year?

Indeed, this was a considerable sensation. No official’s daughter would refuse such a chance to shine. Winning first place would only strengthen her position in choosing a husband.

If this had been in her past life, she would have insisted on going. But now she understood that securing an advantage for herself was most important, and matters of public display could be left to others.

“Don’t say that lightly. When it comes to dancing, I can’t compare to Shen Yan,” Shen He quickly reminded Xiaoshu.

“Third Miss has indeed practiced a lot, but after all, she is a concubine’s daughter...” Guyu muttered nearby.

“We’re all striving to bring honor to the Shen family; being a concubine’s daughter shouldn’t matter,” Shen He said softly.

By then, they had arrived at the main hall, where Matriarch Shen, Shen Huai’an, Shan Zhuyu, Shen Jiao, Lady Lin, and Shen Yan were all present.

Shen Yan’s face was flushed red. She lowered her head timidly, but a faint excitement was hard to conceal.

“Grandmother, Father, Eldest Sister-in-law, Linglong returned late. Is there something important?” Shen He greeted them politely.

Everyone knew she had just paid respects to the Empress Dowager in the palace, so no one pressed further.

Shen Huai’an waved for Shen He to sit down. Once she was seated, he said, “This time, the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet wants to recruit dancers from the official families’ children to perform, and His Majesty has agreed. Each family will register candidates, then the dance house instructors will select from them. We’re discussing who from our family should go.”

Looking at his daughter, knowing her well, Shen Huai’an believed she would want to participate. Having trained carefully since childhood, her dance would surely captivate the capital.

Shan Zhuyu lifted her teacup, blew on it before sipping, then covered it with the lid to block Shen Huai’an’s view, signaling Shen Jiao.

Clearing her throat, Shen Jiao said, “Eldest Sister, this is a great opportunity to bring honor to the Shen family. Any of the three sisters going would be a proud matter, but if we don’t even pass the dance house’s selection, that would be embarrassing.”

Shen He nodded. “Second sister makes a good point.”

Shen Jiao smiled with relief. “Eldest Sister, here’s my thought: Third Sister, though born to a concubine, has indeed improved her martial arts skills more than the two of us over the years. Why don’t we let her represent the Shen family this time? What do you think?”

Shen He glanced at Shen Yan, who looked almost overwhelmed with nervousness and worry.

Shen Yan knew very well that if Shen He insisted on participating, Shen Huai’an would naturally favor Shen He. Only if Shen He stepped back would Shen Yan have a chance.

Being a concubine’s daughter, raised under pressure from Shan Zhuyu and Shen Jiao, Shen Yan understood that if the matriarch displeased the main wife, her fate as a concubine’s daughter was sealed, and even her mother, Lady Lin, could do nothing.

Now, with such an opportunity before her, if she could make a mark and earn a good reputation in the capital, she might avoid becoming a concubine and possibly marry well.

Shen He looked at Shen Yan and smiled gently. “Indeed, Third Sister’s dancing surpasses ours by far. Let her go.”

Everyone in the hall was stunned. No one expected Shen He to so easily yield the chance to Shen Yan.

Tears immediately trickled down Shen Yan’s cheeks. “Is what Eldest Sister said true?”

Even Lady Lin sat up in shock, quickly glancing at Shen Huai’an.

Shen Huai’an asked somewhat doubtfully, “Ahe, don’t you want to try?”

Seeing this, Shen Yan clenched the handkerchief tightly, knotting it in her fist.

Calmly, Shen He replied, “Second sister is right. Our Shen family is one body—one’s glory is ours, and one’s loss is ours. If Third Sister truly dazzles at the banquet, we all benefit. It will also help her secure a better marriage in the future.”

Those words struck a chord with Lady Lin and Shen Yan.

Shen Huai’an nodded. “Very well, then let Yan’er go. Tomorrow, we’ll send the invitation to the dance house.”

Shen Yan breathed a sigh of relief and stepped forward cautiously. “Thank you, Father. Thank you, Grandmother. I will not disappoint you and will bring honor to the Shen family.”

Back in her room, Guyu and Xiaoshu couldn’t help but murmur, “Miss, why did you give this chance to Third Miss? Clearly, your dancing is the most stunning.”

Seated at her dressing table, Shen He let Guyu and Xiaoshu remove her makeup and loosen her hair.

“Haven’t you heard the saying? When things happen unusually, there’s always a reason. I can’t shake the feeling that something’s off here,” she said.

Guyu put down a hairpin, and Shen He’s long hair cascaded like a waterfall. “What do you mean, Miss?”

Looking at her reflection in the mirror—an oval face, willow-leaf brows, delicate skin like a freshly peeled egg, her features still youthful—her long black hair flowing like ink reminded her of the old memories when she had let her hair down, pleading with Xiao Jingren to spare her.

Closing her eyes briefly, she opened them again. “It’s strange that Shen Jiao doesn’t compete or object to this, and so humbly lets Shen Yan take the opportunity. That’s already suspicious. What’s more, I sense this is the matriarch’s doing. Though I don’t understand the reason, it’s clear they’re deliberately pushing Shen Yan forward. I feel uneasy about it.”

Most importantly, such a thing never happened in her past life. This sudden turn of events left Shen He uncertain how to respond. Perhaps it was best to watch from afar and see how things unfolded.

Xiaoshu suddenly understood. “Yes, I was wondering why Second Miss was so kind today, willing to let Third Miss have this chance to shine before the noble youth of the capital. Usually, she always outshines Third Miss in everything.”

“Precisely. Sometimes missing out isn’t a bad thing. Alright, you two may go now.” Rising from the dressing table, she sat on the bed.

The two maids lowered the bed curtains and quietly withdrew.

Once they had left, Shen He rose and approached the window, softly calling, “Qinyi, are you there?”

Within moments, a graceful figure landed outside the window. “Miss, I’m here.”

Qin Yi was Shen Liqin’s covert guard. Since Shen He had taken over Qin Ying’s duties, Qin Yi had been silently watching over her.

Though a woman, Qin Yi’s martial skills were such that ten men could not approach her.

Lowering her voice, Shen He said, “Help me investigate something.”

“Just say the word, Miss!”

Leaning close, Shen He whispered a few words. Qin Yi nodded and vanished without a trace, as if she had never been there.

The night was truly dark.