Li Xi Rui is now sitting at the only empty place in the hall. But she herself didn't mind to be placed beside Princess Long. The sitting arrangements is truly biased. With the Empress naturally at the center on a low stage, the other guests are sitting below. But what shows unfairness was Mu Jiu Jiu is seated at the left side near to the Empress while the Empress own daughter, the 8th princess is seated beside her further away than the Empress. Princess Long is seated at the right side of the Empress and Li Xi Rui is seated beside her.

Who is Mu Jiu Jiu? She is the only person that didn't hold any title. She is just a noble daughter. If it was the other life time, Li Xi Rui might have been provoked but not in this life. She still hates the heroine but she wouldn't deliberately do something that might implicate her family later. So, she leisurely drinks and chats with Princess Long, while the Empress chatted with Mu Jiu Jiu. The only one didn't speaks is the 8th Princess, Long Ruolan. But from the corner of her eyes, Li Xi Rui occasionally caught the 8th Princess is peeking at her. Li Xi Rui could only let the princess do what she wants. It was only peeking after all; her value would not deteriorate from being stared too much.

"Xi Rui, your performance during the Moonlight Banquet was truly brilliant. This Empress never see such a valiant dance before", the Empress suddenly paid attention to Li Xi Rui.

Li Xi Rui could only smile and answered, "Thanking the Empress. This princess is untalented and still needed guidance. Forgive this princess for showing such unsightly dance". Li Xi Rui has mastered the art of pretending. If Li Xi Rui thanked the Empress without showing shame, the Empress would deem her as arrogant. If she only asked for forgiveness for showing something unsightly, the Empress would deem her as discourteous. Isn't it tiring for always trying to beat around the bush?

"Not at all. Xi Rui's performance was truly brilliant", the Empress smiled. A fake smile.

"Yes Xi Rui. Don't be too humble. The dance was truly enchanting. Would Xi Rui share where did you learn such heroic dance?", Mu Jiu Jiu asked. There is no enmity detected under her tone. It was like the heroine truly is curious.

But was it only curiosity? Li Xi Rui didn't bought the act at all. She hadn't forgotten how this woman wreaking havoc in her life. A transmigrated person? Why would someone who didn't belong in their world is allowed to make such a mess? She, a transmigrated person, would never understand their life, their way of living and their rules. If that woman was born in this era, would she still be the way she is today? Maybe yes and maybe no. It couldn't be help, since a person's personality and thought process are influenced by the way they're brought up.

"Miss Mu, I had a chance to encounter a woman travelling and manage to watch such a wonderful performance. I was so engrossed with the dance that I tried practicing the art", Li Xi Rui replied. Of course it was not a complete truth. The woman Li Xi Rui encountered was actually Mu Jiu Jiu herself. And it is true that Mu Jiu Jiu is a travelling woman. The sword's dance was originally Mu Jiu Jiu's dance. In her last lifetime, Mu Jiu Jiu had showed the dance in the brothel house while disguised as a man. In short, Li Xi Rui had stolen the dance from Mu Jiu Jiu. In this life, Mu Jiu Jiu hadn't showed the dance. It was precisely this dance that captured Long Qing's heart. Li Xi Rui not only mastered the art of pretending, she also mastered the art of stealing talents from Mu Jiu Jiu.

"So it was like that. Xi Rui is truly talented for grasping the art of sword's dancing in one glance", Mu Jiu Jiu praised Li Xi Rui while in her heart, she is mocking her. 'Just an ancient woman without degree but dare to show off in front of me; a 21st century modern woman?', Mu Jiu Jiu thought. Mu Jiu Jiu never put Li Xi Rui in her eyes. She never thought that such an insignificant woman could showed her brilliance in front of herself.

Who is Mu Jiu Jiu? She is the un-favored ninth daughter of a low ranking minister. Her mother was the legal wife of Minister Mu but died in childbirth. So from birth, Mu Jiu Jiu had been neglected and abused by her step mothers and siblings. Exactly on her fifteenth birthday, Mu Jiu Jiu died from being poisoned. That was the turning point when a woman from 21st century transmigrated into her body. The heroine life is truly tragic. It was a cliché story that Li Xi Rui couldn't help but snickered.

It was not Li Xi Rui who poisoned her. It was not Li Xi Rui that harmed her. Li Xi Rui and Mu Jiu Jiu never crossed path up until the woman transmigrated into the useless body. So why did Li Xi Rui fallen prey to such woman? Well, it's because the thought process of the 21st century woman is an anomaly. Would such woman truly suitable to live in ancient time with the futuristic way of thinking? Maybe yes, maybe no. If the transmigrated Mu Jiu Jiu truly a talented and a pure woman, no innocent lives will be implicated. But this Mu Jiu Jiu only have herself to think about. In the end, all Mu Jiu Jiu want is to gain popularity and be above all but one. After all, that is what she deserved. A 21st century woman is much cleverer than the ancient woman; thus, she deserves all the glory that come with it.

P/s: If anyone could guess Mu Jiu Jiu's real identity in the 21st century, I will publish another chapter. (Hint: a profession/ job)