Li Fengfeng herself expected to be chosen as the wife of a prince. She had her eye on the second prince, despite her father's desire for her to be wed to the Crown Prince.
If she married the Crown Prince, she could only be a concubine, as he was already wed to a Jurchen princess. She preferred to be the first wife; it suited her personality better...
"It's a pleasure to meet you Miss Li. My brothers have spoken to me of you, and your brother Li Pei. I hear you're both very talented," she said tactfully.
What her brothers had actually said was, 'watch out for them both, they're snakes in the grass'.
Li Fengfeng knew full well the Mei brothers would have nothing nice to say about her, or her family.
She was determined to unseat this shy little nothing who had somehow secured the prince's attention and now sat by his side. The girl's reputation as talentless and ugly meant that shouldn't be too difficult.
"Miss Mei, we've never had the pleasure of your company before. Please do us the honour of entertaining the prince and princess and these young ladies with a dance," Li Fengfeng put her on the spot.
It was proper and expected for young ladies who had come of age to showcase their talents at such an event. In fact, it was an honour to be given the opportunity to do so. Who knew whose eye you might catch?
"What a wonderful idea," said the prince smoothly. "Miss Mei, would you do us the honour?"
"Oh, please do Miss Mei," seconded the princess.
She could tell from her walk that the lovely young girl would be a graceful dancer.
Meili blinked at them all, would it be proper to take this chance to showcase her talents ahead of all of the other young women in attendance?
The prince stood and pulled back her chair, before she could think too much about it and try to demur.
Manni, who had been rigorously briefed by the Madam on what to do if this happened, hurried over to prepare her young mistress for the dance.
She removed the light shawl that covered Meili's shoulders, handing her an oversized fan that matched her pale gold dress. It was adorned with ombré dipped gold silk, flowing in pretty ruffles. A matching golden silk square, embroidered with pink blossoms, was held in her other hand. Manni removed her shoes, where little gold dancing sockettes already graced her feet.
Her maidservant hurried across to brief the musicians.
"Flower Lantern Dance please, gentlemen."
This was the dance the Madam had chosen for her young miss for today.
It was a folk dance, but it was just right for her mistress in Manni's opinion.
Pretty and bright with some acrobatic elements and a constantly moving fluttering fan.
Only a petite young girl could carry this dance off.
Meili walked onto the stage. She was not at all anxious, having performed many times for her family.
In fact, she really loved performing. She felt as though she was a different person when she danced, transported away as she watched her audience being entertained by the music and pretty movement that told a story.
This was a medium where she knew her power. Her dancing, singing and music always seemed to mesmerise her family. She suddenly hoped it wasn't just because they loved her.
The music started and Meili came to life, like a lively kitten chasing a feathered stick.
Her fan fluttered like it was a living thing, her graceful arms swinging prettily in the sassy opening steps which she imbued with attitude, like she truly was a village girl sauntering past the local lads, tormenting them with her cheeky walk.
Li Fengfeng frowned. It was instantly clear she was a very talented dancer.
The music continued and the dance progressed to the part where Meili swung her hips to and fro, as though sashaying down the main street of a small village.
The three young men in the audience were each in a reverie, overlaying the dance with their memories from a not-very-far-removed dawn morning on a rooftop.
The men stared unabashedly, each of them unconsciously leaning forward in their seats.
Oh no, thought Tan Bowen, who knew this dance well, now comes the part where she poses like a swan and slides her pretty feet to match the pose, followed by the full split arabesque and the leap where the toes touch the back of your head.
Sure enough, the elegant poses showed off her figure to best effect, and those jumps played havoc with the male imagination.
Who chose this dance? thought the prince in alarm. Probably her mother was unaware any men would be present in the audience... At a flower viewing afternoon, that would usually be accurate...
He wiped his brow as sweat started to bead at his temples.
Bai Li now wore an instinctively predatory look. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat and the princess glanced over at him.
Oh dear, she thought. The commander looked like he might eat Miss Mei alive. Or perhaps kill anyone in the audience who got between him and his prey. She looked furtively at her brother. His face told her he was already too far gone to ever be recoverable.
Her anxiety started to grow. She peeped over at Tan Bowen.
Oh lord, the man was mesmerised, sweat pouring down his forehead, mouth agape. She motioned to Tan Wentian, who nudged her brother to close his mouth.
A breeze blew across the lake, adding to the beauty of the dance as the silk square and fan blew delicately.
Meili's long hair fanned out behind her like a mythical mermaid had just popped out of the water and grown legs.
Unfortunately, the breeze lifted her veil and blew it right off her ears; she had no chance to catch it as her hands were otherwise occupied.