Li Ying and Lu Xun exchanged a knowing look. They knew that everything was ready, but others were kept in the dark, wondering what tricks they were up to.
A Man was an impatient girl. After waiting for a few days, she could no longer contain her curiosity. She grabbed Li Ying's hand and asked eagerly, "Dear sister, have you already set up a trap and are just waiting for the Imperial Textile Commissioner Cao to fall into it?"
Seeing her impatient look, Li Ying teased her mysteriously, "Shh, A Man, the secret must not be revealed."
A Man was itching with curiosity but knew she wouldn't get an answer. She forced a smile.
"Sister, you've gone to so much trouble to find so many peacocks. Why not just make them into kesi tapestries and offer them as birthday gifts for the Empress Dowager? It's sure to outshine that Commissioner Cao!"
Lu Xun had already overstepped his bounds by privately opening and inspecting the Empress Dowager's birthday gifts.
They wouldn't allow Commissioner Cao to deliberately frame and harm them. However, when it came to retaliating, they had to be careful to keep themselves out of trouble.
The Lu family mustn't have anything to do with the "Peacock Gold Robe"!
After Li Ying explained the whole story, A Man suddenly understood but still couldn't help asking further.
"Sister, then what birthday gift has Brother - in - law Lu prepared?"
Li Ying smiled faintly and turned her gaze to a bird and a cat chasing and playing in the courtyard.
The green peacock brought back by A Man was very spiritual, and Maomao was extremely intelligent. Both little fellows were at an active and playful age.
Most of the birds and beasts in the capital were like caged canaries. Even the hawks and falcons that once roamed the mountains had to wear ankle - rings and stand obediently on the shoulders of dandies.
The green peacock was born in the mountains, absorbing the essence of heaven and earth, and had grown into a bird that outshone all others. With its proud nature, how could it play with these dependent sparrows?
Over time, it and Maomao chased each other. One day, it would pull out a tuft of Maomao's fur, and the next day, Maomao would peck at a couple of its feathers. They even developed a kind of "comradely friendship" out of "mutual appreciation".
Li Ying confidently stroked the peacock's neck, which was dotted like dragon scales, and patted Maomao's little head that was raised. She said with a smile, "Although the Peacock Gold Robe is good, it's just an inanimate object. In terms of vitality, how can it compare to this living peacock, the dragon - bird?"
A Man stared at her in disbelief. "Sister, is Brother - in - law Lu going to offer the peacock as a gift? No, no! This peacock is only so tame because it's familiar with us. If it's sent into the palace and suddenly attacks someone, what should we do?"
She had also heard that peacocks had a fierce nature. If this magnificent bird entered the imperial city and couldn't bear the confined life, and died out of anger, it would be such a pity!
Li Ying remained calm. After she finished voicing her concerns, Li Ying shook her head with a smile.
"A Man, this little dragon - bird is willing to enter the palace on its own."
She didn't want such a beautiful spirit to fall into the mortal world either.
It was Maomao that "clattered" over, rubbing against her ankle and meowing continuously, that made her realize that this green peacock had reached the mating season.
The green peacock population was small, and the number of female peacocks was pitifully few. There was no "fated mate" it longed for.
This little peacock, somehow knowing that there were many green peacocks raised in the imperial zoo, volunteered to ask Maomao to convey a message that it wanted to try its luck in the palace.
Although Li Ying agreed, she still couldn't help giving a few instructions.
The little peacock puffed out its chest, flapped its wings, and chirped a few times, as if agreeing.
A Man, however, felt quite reluctant to part with the little peacock, knowing that it would soon be sent into the palace as a gift.
Li Ying smiled and patted her on the shoulder.
"A Man, since you like this peacock so much, why not stay at my mansion for a few more days? Firstly, you can accompany the bird well. Secondly, there's something I'd like to ask of you regarding the dance performance at the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet."
When A Man heard the words "dance performance", she suddenly came to her senses and frowned tightly.
She had almost forgotten about this important matter!
A few days ago, as soon as she returned to the capital, she received a message that someone from the Queen's palace had come to order her to perform a dance to celebrate the Empress Dowager's birthday.
The messenger repeatedly emphasized that she must amaze everyone this time, which could show the Queen's filial piety to the Empress Dowager and demonstrate the authority of the middle palace.
A Man knew that her current fame in the capital was only due to the Hu Xuan Dance taught to her by Li Ying at the opening of the fishing - village night market.
But now, this Hu Xuan Dance had been mastered to perfection by the music workshops and dancers in the capital. If she repeated it, it definitely wouldn't have the same stunning effect as when she first took the stage.
"Sister, right! A Man is just asking you for advice. What dance should I perform at the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet? Sister, save me!"
Seeing the little girl sweating anxiously, Li Ying stopped being mysterious. She picked up the magnificent green peacock and placed it in A Man's arms with a smile.
"It's right in front of you, A Man. How about you perform the 'Peacock Dance'?"
The Peacock Dance?
A Man showed a bit of hesitation and looked at the little peacock.
The little peacock fluttered down and strutted a few steps. Its long legs and fluttering feathers made it look like a celestial being, truly having an other - worldly appearance.
A Man was a smart girl. Her eyes immediately lit up.
"Sister, do you mean for me to imitate the peacock in my dance?"
Li Ying nodded.
In her previous life, the master of the Peacock Dance performed "Spirit of the Peacock", which was dreamy, sacred, pure, and beautifully magnificent.
She was fortunate enough to witness the master's performance in person. The dancer constantly changed and flexed her fingers, wrists, long arms, chest, waist, and abdomen to show the graceful posture of the peacock. All the audiences present were extremely impressed.
A Man had a flexible waist and was good at singing and dancing. She had also been getting along with this little peacock day and night. If she imitated the peacock, it would surely be vivid and ingenious!
Li Ying tried hard to recall the shocking stage scenes she had seen in her previous life and explained everything in detail to A Man. The little peacock was strolling leisurely in the courtyard.
A Man frowned, observing the little peacock's posture. She picked up the "sketch" drawn by Li Ying and studied it carefully. After a long time, she finally clapped her hands, and her eyes lit up.
"Sister, I understand!"
She didn't bother to say more to Li Ying and rushed back to her room excitedly. Presumably, she was going to dance in front of the mirror and carefully choreograph the dance.
Li Ying watched her back with a look of relief in her eyes.
A Man had grown a lot.
She was no longer the innocent girl who only knew how to follow her around and do as she was told.
This girl only needed a little guidance from her to perform a stunning dance that would amaze everyone. Once the Peacock Dance was performed at the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, A Man would surely take a further step and gain fame all over the world!
She withdrew her gaze from following A Man. She slowly spread out a piece of gilded paper, pondered for a while, and slowly wrote down the few dishes for the birthday banquet that she had planned in her mind.