Enemy

Mingyao walked into Jin Lan Pavilion, her eyes scanning for the figure that Mo Yan had sketched for her.

The atmosphere was brimming with vibrant energy. Women moved about, patrons conversed as they sipped wine, and the stage was prepared, waiting for the upcoming event.

Mingyao tried to put into practice what Mo Yan had advised. She attempted to mimic the graceful walking style of the various beautiful women around her.

"Walk with grace," she muttered to herself.

Her target, Chen Xiao, was a few tables away, already surrounded by plenty of companions. How could she compete with women who were clearly masters at the craft?

It didn't matter. She was going to try, one step at a time, she thought, as she imitated their movements. In her mind, she felt as if she were mirroring the grace and seduction of the women around her. But to those watching, it was quite the spectacle.

Soft murmurs and giggles filled the air. Instead of the grace of a swallow that Mingyao was trying to imitate, it was the clumsiness of a goose she seemed to match. But this didn't register to Mingyao, or maybe it did—it just didn't matter. All eyes, including Chen Xiao's, were now on her.

Mingyao continued her awkward walk toward Chen Xiao's table. Just as she was inches away, her left foot misstepped, causing her to stomp the hem of her robes to the ground. This led to an unfortunate tumble that landed her right on top of Chen Xiao's table.

The scene was comical. Everyone who witnessed the event couldn't help but burst into laughter. Xiulan, seeing everything unfold, quickly stood from her seat, ready to help Mingyao. But Mingyao gave her a subtle head shake, signaling her not to intervene.

Mingyao wasn't sure how she was going to recover from the embarrassment. The whole display had been far from graceful, but she shook off the thoughts, determined to face the shame head-on. She was going to complete this mission one way or another.

Just as Mingyao was preparing to pick herself up, a masculine hand reached out to her.

"Are you alright, miss?" Chen Xiao's soothing, melodious voice rang out.

Mingyao lifted her face to him, using the extended hand to help herself up. His features were a marvel—eyes like the moon, hair like flowing rivers, and a face like the sun. He was beautiful. Yes, Mingyao had seen it in the sketch, but the sketch didn't do his face justice.

His pale skin, high-bridged nose, large eyes, and impressive height elevated his entire physique—he was simply handsome.

"Wow, what a handsome man," the other Mingyao in her mind exclaimed. "I want to embrace him."

Immediately, upon hearing this, Mingyao pulled herself away from his grasp, afraid of what her ghost sister might do. The patrons were watching intently, excited to see what would happen next. The faces of the women seated with Chen Xiao were clearly annoyed by the new competition.

"Lady Hua Ci, do you mind helping the young miss here? She has stained her robes. Perhaps you could provide her with new ones?" Chen Xiao said, gesturing toward Mingyao.

Hua Ci stood up, looked at Mingyao with a plastic smile, and then answered, "Oh, I would love to, but unfortunately, we can't offer anything to her, young master."

"And why is that?" Chen Xiao asked.

"Well, she is not one of our own, so we can't do anything to help. The other masters are very particular about what we use."

"Are you serious right now?"

"It's okay, young master," Mingyao interrupted, "It doesn't matter how I look, as long as I get to do what I set out to do today."

"Oh? Are you here for the poetry competition?"

"Why yes, how did you know?"

"Well, what other reason would a lady like yourself have for visiting this establishment?"

"Women can also appreciate other women," Mingyao joked

"That's news to me, but you learn something new every day. Would you like to join me as we wait for the poetry competition to start?"

"I wouldn't want to intrude..."

"Being in the presence of such a delicate flower would never be uncomfortable. You radiate such divine energy, my lady, and I would love to partake."

"Quite the glib tongue you have, young master. You must have broken many maidens' hearts."

"I know not how to break hearts, only how to fill them."

Mingyao gave a light chuckle before accepting Chen Xiao's invitation.

Mingyao understood why so many women fell for this playboy. He was tall, handsome, wealthy, and quite honey-tongued. What woman wouldn't fall for his charms? But not her. She wasn't a woman but a man inside a woman's body. It didn't matter if he was handsome and well-spoken—Mingyao's mission to seduce Chen Xiao was underway.

A young woman stepped onto the stage, as beautiful as all the other women in the place.

"Greetings, everyone. It is time to begin this week's Golden Orchid Verse Gathering."

The audience cheered, clearly excited.

"Do we have anyone who would like to take the stage?"

Everyone in the audience looked around, scanning for a volunteer. There was nobody.

"Does no one want to compose a poem?"

The audience remained silent until a middle-aged man stood up.

"I will give it a try," he said.

"We have our first poet of the day! Sir, please come up and recite your poem. And remember, the best poem will be sung. No one has yet defeated our young master in composing poems, but if you do, we will gift the new champion a jar of our most expensive wine—the Dragon's Amber Nectar."

This stirred excitement throughout the crowd. The Dragon's Amber Nectar was legendary, known for bearing the loyalty of everyone who tasted it.

The middle-aged man took the stage and began reciting his poem:

"A cup of fine wine reflects the setting sun,

Sitting alone at the pavilion, I laugh in delight.

I care not for worldly affairs, let them drift with the wind,

Pour another cup, and then I'll think again!"

The crowd appreciated the poem—it was a good one. More people volunteered, with poems ranging from beautiful to bad, and everything in between. Then, Chen Xiao volunteered, defending his title as the master poet.

Chen Xiao rose, walking to the stage. The anticipation from the audience was palpable. They knew they were about to hear another masterpiece. His compositions always brought awe, whether from those who understood them or those who didn't.

Chen Xiao stood on the stage, his long black hair flowing from an invisible breeze. His gray eyes scanned the audience before returning to his table. Then he began:

"The autumn wind rises, osmanthus gently drifts,

A petal falls, buried deep in the yellow earth.

Seeds awaken, time silently slips by,

Beneath the moon, osmanthus fragrance, accompanied by wine.

Past memories, like dreams, murmur long beneath the tree,

You have returned to the soil, and I drink in silence."

With the completion of Chen Xiao's poem, the audience cheered. Another masterpiece by the poet Chen. From his poem, Mingyao grasped an idea. She now knew how to turn her enemy.