Making you a son-in-law is not about making you conquer the world.

In the main hall, everyone held their breath, speechless, staring at Jiang Hongling with shining eyes.

Her light body sometimes twirled, sometimes leaped, sometimes resembled a lively sprite, and sometimes an elegant white swan.

Compared to them, the eight women dressed in brightly colored clothes seemed like ordinary, vulgar women, mere supporting characters, while Jiang Hongling was like a lotus flower rising from the mud, untainted by its surroundings.

When the music, as sharp as tearing silk, abruptly stopped, her swirling dance steps also abruptly halted.

The entire hall suddenly fell silent; even the sounds of breathing and heartbeats could be heard clearly.

Pairs of eyes, still savoring the moment, gazed intently, their hearts clenching with anticipation.

The dance seemed unfinished, and they wanted Jiang Hongling to finish it.

I also feel that realizing the essence of the dance at its most exquisite moment is a superior skill, as if taking one more step would ruin the artistic conception of the dance.

clap clap clap...

The king clapped his hands in praise, a smile on his face, and said, "This birthday gift is excellent. I like it very much. What is your name? I will reward you handsomely."

At first, the king disliked that Jiang Hongling was dressed too thinly, but now his opinion is completely different.

Others wear revealing clothes to show off, but she wears them for art; there's a world of difference between the two.

"This humble woman is Jiang Hongling."

Jiang Hongling leaned forward, her gentle voice as soothing as a spring breeze and drizzle.

She is beautiful, dances beautifully, and even her name is beautiful.

This is how everyone evaluates Jiang Hongling. They have forgotten that Jiang Hongling is just a dancer in the Jiaofangsi, of lowly status. Many young talents even have restless thoughts.

"Effective immediately, Jiang Hongling is promoted to Left Shao Dancer of the Jiaofangsi."

The king announced loudly.

The Jiaofangsi (Imperial Music Bureau) was in charge of all the actors and performers in the country. Although its official rank was not high, it wielded considerable power.

Zuo Shaowu was the second-in-command of the Jiaofangsi (Imperial Music Bureau), second only to Feng Luan, and was also the top female dancer in the country.

In other words, Jiang Hongling went from an unknown dancer to an official, her status rising several times over.

The leading ladies of those brothels all aspired to enter the Imperial Music Bureau as their lifelong goal, which was the proper path.

Although Jiang Hongling was the most beautiful courtesan in Xiaoxiang Garden, her status was not as high as that of the most ordinary dancer in the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment institution).

Zuo Shaowu's titles were enough to elevate her to a high position and make her a phoenix.

The king's decree further stirred up those ambitious young talents who harbored improper thoughts.

This status was enough to make her a suitable match for the sons of some ministers, and at the very least, she wouldn't be ashamed of marrying a dancer.

"I am a free spirit and cannot bear the many constraints in the palace. I am truly not qualified to serve as the Left Shaowu."

Jiang Hongling answered without hesitation, her words neither humble nor arrogant.

This is a position that every dancer in the world dreams of, and now that it's placed in front of Jiang Hongling, she refuses it so decisively.

Moreover, the king's words are decrees and orders, and disobeying them is punishable by death.

Everyone was on tenterhooks for her, and even Lin Ping looked on in surprise.

What exactly is her purpose?

He stared intently at the other person.

Lin Ping first met Jiang Hongling in Xiaoxiang Courtyard, where he was attracted by her elegant zither playing and free-spirited personality.

Later, when she learned that she had entered the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment institution), she realized that she was just an ordinary woman who would rather be a caged canary than a phoenix soaring through the sky.

This is understandable, after all, none of the famous courtesans in history had a good ending.

But now, Zuo Shaowu's position is right in front of her, yet she easily refuses it, even at the cost of defying the imperial decree.

Her clear, unfathomable eyes left Lin Ping unable to understand her for a moment.

"Do you know who you're talking to?" The king's eyes gradually turned cold.

Ultimately, the king looked down on these dancers. Giving her the position of Zuo Shaowu was a sign of respect, but she was so ungrateful.

All the civil and military officials were startled by the king's cold and gloomy aura. Even though they wanted to plead for Jiang Hongling, they didn't have the courage.

Lin Ping frowned and cast a pleading look at Xia Linglong.

She was, after all, a princess; she could resolve the crisis with just a word.

The other person turned her head away, deliberately avoiding looking at Lin Ping, and her pouting lips made her attitude clear.

Every woman gets jealous, and Xia Linglong is no exception.

Left with no other choice, Lin Ping kept winking at Jiang Hongling, hoping she would immediately change her mind, since the king had given her a chance.

"This young lady is speaking to the king."

Jiang Hongling bowed slightly and answered with a smile, seemingly unaware of the hidden danger.

"Haha, you are truly a heroine, neither humble nor arrogant. Since you don't like being restrained, then you can register your name in the Jiaofangsi instead of staying in the palace."

The king's gloomy face suddenly broke into a smile, clearly indicating that his attitude towards Jiang Hongling had improved considerably.

A figurehead for Zuo Shaowu? There doesn't seem to be any precedent for that.

The crowd gasped in surprise again, not expecting the king to value Jiang Hongling so highly.

Lin Ping also breathed a sigh of relief, hoping that Jiang Hongling could leave quickly to avoid any further unpleasantness.

“Hongling thanks Your Majesty, but I have another request,” Jiang Hongling continued.

You want something from me? You're really pushing your luck.

Everyone glanced at the king out of the corner of their eye, fearing his fury.

"Speak freely, I will certainly satisfy you," the king replied with a half-smile.

This expression contained many meanings. As the king, directly refusing Jiang Hongling's request would seem petty, but if she went too far, he would have to teach her a lesson.

The king hoped that Jiang Hongling would know when to stop.

Lin Ping kept shaking his head at Jiang Hongling, truly worried about her intelligence.

Perhaps a beautiful appearance and a clever mind are inherently incompatible.

That's not right either. Isn't he himself a combination of a handsome man and a talented man?

Jiang Hongling returned Lin Ping's faint smile before looking up and replying, "Hongling has been choreographing for many years, and my ankle has developed a chronic ailment that often aches. I implore the imperial physicians of the Imperial Hospital to take action."

Hearing this, Lin Ping finally breathed a sigh of relief.

This request was not excessive; if it weren't for celebrating the king's birthday, she wouldn't have needed to choreograph dances day and night.

The chronic ankle ailment is somewhat related to the monarch, and the royal physician should be sent to treat it.

However, Jiang Hongling's eerie smile left him somewhat bewildered, as if he had been tricked.

"What's so difficult about that? There's a little miracle doctor down there whose medical skills far surpass those of the imperial physicians. He can treat you."

The king answered cheerfully, his eyes unconsciously glancing at Lin Ping.

"To be called a little miracle doctor by His Majesty must mean that one's medical skills are extraordinary. This is a great blessing for me."

As Jiang Hongling answered, she looked at Lin Ping, her smiling eyes clearly captivating.

"Dr. Lin, hurry up and treat Miss Jiang. You can't let me down."

The king reminded him.

Lin Ping's eyeliner turned black, and he realized that he had been tricked by Jiang Hongling.

It's strange, how did the other side know that the king would send him to make a move?

The news that he had cured Xia Linglong of the plague did not seem to spread. Lu Zhan even mistakenly thought that Xia Linglong was still suffering from the plague, so he deliberately kept his distance from her.

Regardless, Lin Ping had no choice but to bite the bullet and walk to Jiang Hongling's side, asking softly, "Miss Jiang, could you please describe the condition of your ankle?"

The woman's ankles were considered a private area, so Lin Ping dared not look at them directly.

"The little miracle doctor will know at a glance."

Jiang Hongling smiled gently and took off her shoes and socks, revealing a perfectly white and pink foot to Lin Ping.

Everyone was shocked again, craning their necks and standing on tiptoe to look in this direction, their eyes almost popping out of their sockets.

Lin Ping was taken aback, realizing that he would be led by the nose by Jiang Hongling tonight.

This is pushing him into the abyss; at the very least, he will become the public enemy of all the civil and military officials.

He was initially angry, but was shocked when he saw the other person's swollen ankle.

This is more than just a chronic ailment; it's clearly edema caused by a dislocation.

Judging from the degree of edema, even walking normally is difficult.

He didn't know how Jiang Hongling endured the pain to finish the entire dance, without even frowning.

"Is Young Master satisfied with Hongling's dance?" Jiang Hongling whispered in Lin Ping's ear.

The words struck Lin Ping like an electric current coursing through his body.

His heart tightened, filled with bitterness and self-blame.

With Jiang Hongling's looks and dance moves, she could easily win everyone's favor and please the king with just a few swaying movements.

The reason she went to such lengths to perform the dance perfectly was purely to please Lin Ping.

If he hadn't taught Jiang Hongling ballet, she wouldn't have practiced so desperately, wouldn't have twisted her ankle, and wouldn't have danced so recklessly at this banquet.

"The other foot," Lin Ping commanded.

"Oh……"

Jiang Hongling, like a docile kitten, immediately exposed her other ankle, making the situation even worse.

If both ankles are swollen, is it really possible to walk?

Lin Ping had no idea how the other person had managed to persevere.

He ignored the envy and hostility of the crowd, grabbed Jiang Hongling's ankle with his large hand, and said seriously, "Bear with it, it hurts!"

This seems a bit redundant. If Jiang Hongling were truly afraid of pain, how could she have finished dancing despite her injury?

Lin Ping suddenly exerted force, and a crisp sound came from Jiang Hongling's ankle as the dislocated bone finally returned to its place.

Then it was the other ankle.

He then took out a leather bag, took out a silver needle, and pricked her ankle a few times to quickly reduce the swelling.

Throughout the entire process, Lin Ping's eyes remained completely focused, and his earnest demeanor captivated Jiang Hongling.

One should not avoid seeking medical treatment when ill, especially since Lin Ping had no frivolous intentions whatsoever. Even though these ministers were extremely envious, they dared not slander his reputation.

"Dr. Lin is indeed a miracle worker. He not only cured my foot injury, but also cured most of my long-standing ailment."

Jiang Hongling kept bowing and thanking them, her attitude much more respectful than before.

In comparison, Zuo Shaowu's title is practically meaningless.

The king looked slightly embarrassed. It was indeed a good thing that the little miracle doctor he recommended was being praised, but was Zuo Shaowu's job really so insignificant that it couldn't even earn a smile from a beauty?

Lin Ping slunk back, realizing he had been tricked by this woman again.

"Now that Miss Lu's foot injury has healed, why not perform another dance and show everyone what a skillful performance you can do?"

At that moment, Lu Jie, who was sitting at the very front, suddenly stood up.