Chapter 48 The Final Subject

Lin Xuelan said with worry, "First Sister, once the Second Aunt learns that you are taking the dance examination, there is no telling what she might do to stop you from participating in the final round of the selection. You must be careful, First Sister."

"Given the current situation in the Lin family, even the Second Aunt is not foolish enough to do anything directly to me. If she does make a move, it means someone is pulling the strings from behind the scenes. She only dares to touch me because someone is backing her up. Otherwise, with the pitifully meager power the second branch has left, how could she ever dare to offend me, let alone the Grand Matron?" Lin Yuejiao said indifferently. "The very purpose of letting this news out is to use her to reach the person pulling the strings."

Lin Xuelan was no fool either and immediately caught on. "I understand. First Sister is waiting for that person to make a move."

"Enemies are terrifying only when they remain hidden in the shadows; once they step out into the light, they are no longer frightening," Lin Yuejiao murmured, pressing her lips together. "Only when I lose all hope of participating in the final examination will those people feel at ease. Otherwise, who knows how many plots and schemes they would concoct against me. So, I am simply giving them an opportunity to act. Lan'er, you only need to pass this news on to Han Bing. You need not worry about the rest."

Lin Xuelan nodded. "Since First Sister has her own arrangements, I am relieved."

In truth, Lin Yuejiao could not dance at all.

The great fire in her past life had not only disfigured her face but also left her body severely burned. Although her wounds eventually healed, her physique could no longer perform the demanding and intricate movements required in dance, leaving her completely ignorant of the art.

Although she did not know the exact identity of the person who had bribed Han Bing, Lin Yuejiao had already made a good guess.

Lin Yuejiao lowered her gaze to look at her own jade-like feet, as if recalling something amusing, and a meaningful smile curved the corners of her lips. "Iris, summon Kongqing."

*

On the eve of the third round of selections, Lian Shi'er hosted a gathering, inviting all the young ladies who had attended the Qionglang Banquet previously, along with several young gentlemen and scholars currently staying in Xinzhou, to go on a spring excursion and hunt in the Western Hills outside the city.

The Lin sisters were naturally among the invitees.

That day, the spring breeze was gentle and the sun was bright. The green forests of the Western Hills were lush, filled with the singing of birds and the fragrance of flowers. The grand procession of young scholars and noble ladies entered the Western Hills, kicking up clouds of dust along the official road.

"Lady Lin, I am deeply grateful for your hospitality at the last Qionglang Banquet, though I never had the chance to thank you in person. I heard you fell fast asleep from exhaustion the moment you finished cooking. You truly worked hard. Since you prepared a full Manchu-Han banquet for all of us, it is only proper that I return the favor, which is why I specially invited everyone here today for hunting and barbecuing," Lian Shi'er said, looking at Lin Yuejiao with a smile. "Fortunately, Lady Lin honored us with your presence; otherwise, I would have had to go to your residence to fetch you myself."

The corners of Lin Yuejiao's plain yet delicate lips curved slightly. "Lady Lian flatters me. Everything last time was arranged by the Prince. Being able to prepare the Qionglang Banquet was my honor."

"Tomorrow is the final round of selections, and I am truly looking forward to competing with Lady Lin," Lian Shi'er said with a smile.

Shi Xianyue immediately chimed in with flattery, "Lady Lian's Konghou performance will surely win the top token. Anyone who has ever heard Lady Lian play the Konghou knows it is no less exquisite than the art of the zither."

"Xianyue, don't talk nonsense. I hold Lady Lin in the highest regard. If Lady Lin wins the final top token, I will concede defeat with utmost conviction," Lian Shi'er said with a modest expression.

Yi Qinxue asked with curiosity, "Everyone knows Lady Lian is taking the Konghou for her final subject, but we still don't know what Lady Lin has chosen."

"Lady Yi, you shouldn't ask such questions casually. Lady Lin hasn't made a fuss about it, so naturally, it cannot be casually discussed," Lian Shi'er remarked.

At this, Lin Yuejiao smiled. "Lady Lian is being too serious; there is really nothing that cannot be said. It's just that no one asked me. For my final subject, I intend to take the dance examination."

Dance.

As soon as these words were spoken, the gathered young ladies and scholars finally learned that Lin Yuejiao had chosen dance for her final subject.

Lian Shi'er's expression shifted slightly.

"Since Lady Lin has chosen dance, she must be utterly confident and certain to win that final top token," Yi Qinxue smiled and said.

Lin Yuejiao waved her hand. "Not at all, not at all. Even passing is going to be difficult."

And that was the truth.

If she were truly forced to take a dance examination, she wouldn't even be able to secure a middle-tier token.

Hearing this from the side, Mu Jieyue smiled and said, "Lady Lin shouldn't be so modest. The rest of us are eagerly anticipating it. Whether it is dance or the Konghou, tomorrow's Jinghua Palace examination will surely be a dazzling spectacle."

"Indeed, indeed."

The young ladies and scholars chimed in with agreement.

"Lady Lin, it is a rare occasion for us to come out today. How about the sisters among us have a little friendly competition? Let's see who can catch the first prey, and whoever returns to the camp with their prey wins," Lian Shi'er proposed with a smile. "All the young ladies who know how to ride and shoot, please join in. I have already prepared the prize: a set of South Sea pearl jewelry."

Shi Xianyue exclaimed in surprise, "South Sea pearls are tribute items! Lady Lian is truly generous."

"We are all out to enjoy ourselves, and happiness is what matters most. A mere set of jewelry cannot compare to the honor of my sisters gracing this with your presence," Lian Shi'er waved her hand magnanimously, then turned her gaze to Lin Yuejiao and asked, "Lady Lin, you know how to ride and shoot, don't you?"

Before Lin Yuejiao could reply, Shi Xianyue had already cut in, "Lady Lin managed to win seven top tokens; someone so formidable could possibly not know how to ride a horse, right?"

"The twelve subjects of the selection have nothing to do with riding and archery," Lin Zijin immediately interjected, casting a worried look toward Lin Yuejiao.

Lin Yuejiao's phoenix eyes flashed with a hint of amusement as she said, "My horsemanship is mediocre, but since Lady Lian has so warmly invited me, I shall accompany you all and risk making a fool of myself, lest I ruin everyone's fun."

Seeing Lin Yuejiao agree with complete lack of precaution, Lian Shi'er was secretly overjoyed.

Lin Zijin tugged at Lin Yuejiao's sleeve, a look of lingering worry in her eyes.

Lin Yuejiao offered her a reassuring smile. "Zijin, just stay here and wait for my return. I'll go play a round with Lady Lian and the others."

Lin Zijin did not know how to ride or shoot—in truth, very few noble ladies did—but for women of Lian Shi'er and Lin Yuejiao's caliber, mastering a wide range of accomplishments was expected to maintain their status.

If they could not, it would actually be a loss of face.

A dozen young ladies mounted their horses amidst cheerful chatter, riding off like a streak of dust into the dense forest.

Ever since Lian Shi'er's invitation, Lin Yuejiao had realized that she was the one pulling the strings behind Han Bing.

All this grand fanfare today was aimed entirely at her.

As long as she fell from her horse and crippled herself, she wouldn't even need to take tomorrow's dance examination—how could a person with a limp dance?

Lin Yuejiao saw that the path ahead was about to make a turn, and she made up her mind to fall from her horse right here. She looked around—wait?

There were no eyewitnesses; that simply wouldn't do.

Right at that moment, the sound of rhythmic hoofbeats echoed from behind. The moment Lin Yuejiao heard it, she knew someone was coming. Without caring who it was trailing behind, she intentionally feigned instability as she rounded the bend, swaying unsteadily as if she were about to plunge off her mount at any second.

"Fourth Miss!" an anxious voice shouted from behind. "Hold onto the reins, I'm coming to save you!"

Lin Yuejiao glanced back. Wen Zeyuan?

Seeing that Wen Zeyuan was urging his horse forward to catch up, Lin Yuejiao did not hesitate any longer. She smoothly slipped from her saddle, executing a fall with exceptionally vivid and convincing expressions and movements.

However, the moment she hit the ground, instead of the hard, solid earth she expected, she collided squarely against someone's body.

The instant Lin Yuejiao fell, Wen Zeyuan slapped his saddle, leaped into the air, and exerted every ounce of strength to reach her before she hit the ground. Acting as a human cushion, he grabbed her tightly and caught her, both of them rolling twice from the momentum of the descent before coming to a halt.

"Fourth Miss, are you alright?"

Lin Yuejiao looked at him in astonishment, only then reacting. "I'm fine. You—how are you?"

"I'm quite alright." Seeing that she claimed to be unhurt, Wen Zeyuan let out a breath of relief, a radiant smile blooming on his face. "You scared the wits out of me just now. It's good that Fourth Miss is unhurt."

He was dressed in a magnificent blue brocade robe, the auspicious circular patterns marking him as extraordinary and wealthy, but right now, the garment was smudged with dust, and a thin layer of cold sweat beaded his forehead—frightened out of him by her fall. He looked slightly disheveled, yet his eyes shone brightly, and a brilliant smile lit up his handsome face.

"Fourth Miss, please get up." Once he stood, Wen Zeyuan extended a hand toward Lin Yuejiao.

Lin Yuejiao placed her hand in his and made to rise, but suddenly catching sight of Lian Shi'er and the others riding into view, she knitted her brows and said, "I can't seem to exert any strength in my leg. I can't stand up."

"What?" Wen Zeyuan's expression shifted, and he asked with deep concern, "Is your leg injured? Let me see."

Lin Yuejiao was taken aback.

"Ahem, I didn't mean it that way..." Wen Zeyuan realized how that sounded, explained with slight awkwardness, and scratched the back of his head. "Well, Fourth Miss, how does your leg feel? Does it hurt?"

Lin Yuejiao shook her head. "It doesn't hurt, I just can't use any strength. I must have hurt it when I fell from the horse."

"That shouldn't be right, I clearly cushioned you..." Wen Zeyuan frowned. Given his straightforward temperament, however, he never doubted Lin Yuejiao's words and muttered in self-reproach, "To think I let you get hurt right under my nose."

Lian Shi'er and the others arrived just in time to witness this scene, and everyone looked shocked.

"Lady Lin, what happened to you?" Lian Shi'er asked with staged concern.

Yi Qinxue remarked, "By the looks of it, could you have fallen from your horse?"

"Fourth Miss just tumbled from her mount. I failed to catch her in time and still let her get hurt," Wen Zeyuan frowned deeply.

Lian Shi'er was momentarily stunned. The trap she had carefully prepared hadn't even been sprung yet—how had Lin Yuejiao managed to get injured beforehand?

"It's nothing, my leg just won't cooperate. I'll just go back and have a physician look at it," Lin Yuejiao said.

Lian Shi'er immediately chimed in, "Lady Lin, we cannot let this wait. I have a physician traveling with us; let him examine you right away."

"There is no need to trouble Lady Lian..." Lin Yuejiao said politely.

Wen Zeyuan had already interrupted her. "Quickly, go fetch the physician. Fourth Miss, injuries cannot be neglected; the sooner it's treated, the better."

"Young Master Wen is right," others chorused in agreement.

Before long, the physician hurried over. After taking her pulse and pressing a few times along her leg, he frowned and said, "The meridians in Lady Lin's leg have suffered a sprain, blocking the circulation of vital energy so she cannot exert force. Fortunately, it is nothing too serious. She only needs to rest quietly for half a month, accompanied by medication to relax the tendons and invigorate the blood."

"Half a month? Are you joking, physician? Fourth Miss has to dance tomorrow!" Wen Zeyuan panicked.

Lian Shi'er felt a surge of secret joy, though her face remained heavily burdened with worry. "Is it really that severe? Can't you administer some emergency treatment so that at least Fourth Miss can participate in tomorrow's dance examination?"

"Forget about dancing; with this kind of injury, she won't even be able to stand on her leg tomorrow. It will take at least seven days just to regain strength in her leg, and a full half-month to recover completely. Furthermore, since bone and tendon injuries take a hundred days to heal, it is best she avoids dancing altogether within those hundred days to prevent aggravating the injury," the physician declared.

Lian Shi'er's mind was completely put at ease, though her expression remained full of solicitude. "Whatever shall we do? Lady Lin, can you still choose a different minor subject?"

"Among the minor subjects, only dance was one where I had any confidence in securing a top token. For the others, I can only try my luck and hope to pass," Lin Yuejiao said, her expression desolate and deeply stricken.

Hearing this, the surrounding young ladies reacted with a mix of surprise, pity, and undisguised schadenfreude.

"This—this is truly bad luck. The selections are tomorrow, yet an accident like this happens today," Yi Qinxue sighed. "Lady Lin, you mustn't take it too hard. Try to look on the bright side."

Lian Shi'er also offered hypocritical comfort. "Indeed, just focus on preparing for the examinations of the other minor subjects. As long as you secure one more passing grade, you can still enter Chaohuang Academy."

In truth, she was so delighted she could hardly keep from smiling.

"Thank you all for your concern, I am quite alright," Lin Yuejiao forced a smile. "I will return to the Lin residence first. Everyone please continue enjoying yourselves; do not let my misfortune ruin your fun."

Seeing Lin Yuejiao in such a state, Wen Zeyuan felt a tight constriction in his chest and said, "I'll escort you back."

"I wouldn't dare trouble Young Master Wen," Lin Yuejiao refused.

Wen Zeyuan felt thoroughly depressed. "It's all because I was a step too slow. If only I had caught you a split second sooner, you wouldn't have injured your leg."

"It was entirely my own fault for stubbornly riding when I didn't know how; it has nothing to do with Young Master Wen," Lin Yuejiao told him. "Thank you for saving me just now, Young Master Wen."

Blaming himself, Wen Zeyuan helped Lin Yuejiao to her feet and said, "I didn't even manage to catch you properly, so I don't deserve your thanks. Come, I'll send you back."

Accepting no refusal, Lin Yuejiao allowed Wen Zeyuan to support her as she limped all the way back to the camp.

Seeing her in this condition, Lin Zijin was struck with dismay. "First Sister, you're injured?"

"Mm, I accidentally fell and broke my leg," Lin Yuejiao replied in a desolate tone.

Just as Lin Zijin was about to speak, Lin Yuejiao shook her head at her. "Let's go, let's head home first."

The entourage boarded the Lin family carriage and returned home, whereupon the others learned that Lin Yuejiao had unfortunately suffered a fall and injured herself.

All the way to the gates of the Lin residence, Wen Zeyuan said, "Fourth Miss, do not lose heart. I will go find the Prince and ask him to send his divine physician to examine you. I refuse to believe there is no way to make you stand again."

"I appreciate Young Master Wen's kind intentions. However, it is merely a minor matter; there is no need to trouble divine physician Sai." Lin Yuejiao replied.

Before her voice had even faded, old doctor Sai's voice rang out from nearby. "Fourth Miss, I have arrived. Let this old man feel your pulse."

Lin Yuejiao was dumbfounded.

The news of her falling from a horse and getting injured had barely spread, and Rong Yu had already whipped horses to dispatch divine physician Sai to her side.

"Divine Physician Sai?" Lin Yuejiao was bewildered. *This won't do—the moment the old man takes one look, my ruse will be exposed.*

Kongqing's medical skills had all been learned from him, and this particular method of faking an injury was the old physician's exclusive secret technique. While an ordinary person couldn't tell the difference, divine physician Sai was even more adept at it than Kongqing; the moment he took her pulse, the game would be up.

"This..." While Lin Yuejiao hesitated, Wen Zeyuan had already eagerly grabbed her hand and offered it to divine physician Sai, saying,

"Quickly, please take a look! Divine Physician Sai, please examine Fourth Miss and see if this leg can be healed as soon as possible."

Divine physician Sai pressed his fingers against Lin Yuejiao's pulse point. His expression turned bizarre, and the look he cast toward Lin Yuejiao was exceedingly peculiar.