The mont the head chef pointed at Lin Xu, the entire hall turned to her.
Every whisper fell silent.
Every pair of eyes fixed on her.
Lin Xu slowly lifted her head, confusion flashing across her face.
Then—
A loud, shrill voice shattered the silence.
"So it was you!" Chu Ming shouted as she stood up so fast her chair nearly fell. "You were the one in charge of today’s dishes, and yet nothing is ready? Have you no sha?!"
She pointed her trembling finger accusingly at Lin Xu, her voice laced with triumph and venom.
"Lady san entrusted you with this, and you ruined everything! So this is how you repay the Mo residence?!"
Lin Xu narrowed her eyes.
Before she could speak, Lady Fu slamd her fan onto the table, the sound echoing like a whip crack.
"Lady Lin Xu," she said coldly, "you were the one instructed to oversee the dishes today. Yet the food is not ready. Do you have anything to say for yourself?"
The hall held its breath.
Lin Xu rose slowly, her movents calm despite the storm around her.
"I do," she said simply.
Chu Ming scoffed loudly. "Of course you do. You’re good with words, aren’t you? But your actions—"
"Shut your mouth," Mo Ying snapped without even looking at her, as if he were shooing away a barking dog.
Chu Ming stiffened, her face turning pale with humiliation.
Lady Fu straightened and glared at Lin Xu. "Explain yourself. Because right now, the only conclusion I can draw is that you failed your duty."
On the side, San Na remained quiet, elegantly sipping her tea.
Her eyes were lowered, her expression unreadable.
Only her slight smirk betrayed her satisfaction.
Then she spoke in a soft, gentle tone—
"Lady Fu is correct. If Lady Xu was tasked with preparing the food... then failing to have it ready is indeed a serious mistake."
It was only a single sentence, but the weight behind it was heavy and deliberate.
Lin Xu lifted her gaze and t San Na’s eyes.
Her lips curved, not into a smile, but sothing colder.
"I see," she said quietly. "So in the end, everything is my fault?"
The whispers started again.
"She can’t deny it now..."
"She embarrassed Lady Fu!"
"How irresponsible..."
Chu Ming folded her arms proudly, chin tilted. "You finally understand. Good. Now—apologize to Lady Fu and accept your punishnt—"
But she didn’t finish.
Because Lin Xu turned her head toward the entrance...
and smiled.
A calm, confident smile.
Everyone followed her gaze.
And then—
The doors to the banquet hall swung open.
Gasps filled the air.
Yan i marched in, her expression serious and calm, followed by Rulan and a full line of servants—
all carrying large trays covered in steaming dishes.
Dishes that slled so rich, so fresh, so delicious that the entire hall instantly filled with mouthwatering aromas.
Everyone froze.
Lady Fu blinked.
Chu Ming’s jaw dropped.
San Na’s fingers halted mid-stir of her tea.
Mo Ying smirked as if he had known all along.
And the head chef was so shocked he almost fell on his face.
Lin Xu slowly stepped to the side, her voice soft but cutting through the stunned silence.
"Lady Fu," she said gracefully, "here are the dishes I prepared."
Yan i bowed deeply. "Everything is properly cooked, seasoned, and arranged according to the capital’s banquet standards. Nothing is missing."
Rulan added, "We had to move everything to a separate room to prevent interference. That’s why it took longer. Please forgive us."
Lady Fu stared, dumbfounded, at the perfectly presented dishes now being placed before her.
Stead fish with jade vegetables.
Braised lotus roots in honey glaze.
Golden fried rolls with aromatic herbs.
Delicate soup bowls shimring with warmth.
Every dish beautiful.
Every aroma enticing.
Every plate... flawless.
Lin Xu stepped forward slightly.
"I apologize if it seed the food was delayed," she said gently. "But I would rather take a few more monts to ensure everything is perfect... than serve sothing rushed and disgrace the hall."
Chu Ming was speechless.
Her face went red, then white, then green all at once.
She sputtered, pointing weakly at Lin Xu, unable to form a single coherent word.
Lady Fu slowly sat down again, her angry expression shifting into sothing complicated—annoyance, surprise, and... admiration?
"This..." she muttered, staring at the dishes. "These are far better than what the main kitchen usually prepares."
The head chef nodded so fast his hat almost fell off. "Y-Yes! Lady Xu handled everything herself! The flavors... the presentation... everything surpasses our standards!"
Mo Ying leaned toward Lin Xu and whispered, unable to hide his smile.
"I told you not to worry."
She elbowed him again, cheeks warming.
San Na finally lowered her cup, her expression smooth as always but her eyes darkened just a bit.
Her plan had failed.
Lin Xu’s face, however, was bright and calm.
She bowed politely to Lady Fu.
"I hope the dishes please you."
Lady Fu huffed once, then nodded reluctantly.
"...Serve them."
And with that single command, the banquet resud, but this ti, all eyes were on Lin Xu.
So in awe.
So in envy.
So in admiration.
And so... in burning jealousy.
After the food was served, the atmosphere around the table was heavy. Chu Ming was still upset from earlier, her pride had taken a hit, and she clearly hadn’t forgotten it. Her expression remained tight as she forced a smile and stood up.
"To honor Lady Fu," she said, her voice overly sweet, "I have prepared a small gift."
Lady Fu, who had been looking at Chu Ming with thinly veiled disgust since the mont she arrived, raised a brow. She clearly expected sothing impressive—sothing that would redeem Chu Ming’s earlier embarrassnt.
But when the door opened and the "gift" walked in, her smile froze.
A group of dancers entered...
But their clothes were too revealing.
Their steps were too bold.
And the music that started playing was unmistakably inappropriate for respectable guests.
These were not perforrs ant for family banquets.
These were the kind of dancers usually hired by rich young masters—certainly not for noble ladies.
An echo of gasps spread across the hall.
Lady Fu’s eyes widened in horror.
Madam Mo nearly choked.
Grandma Mo’s hand slapped the table.
Even Mo Ying’s expression darkened sharply.
And Lin Xu...
Lin Xu calmly lifted her teacup and sipped, her face unreadable.
Because this was revenge.
Her revenge.
Chu Ming’s hands shook as she realized, too late.. that she had been set up.
Lady Fu slamd her palm on the table.
"CHU MING! What, what exactly are you trying to imply?! You dare present this to ?!"
Madam Mo stood up imdiately, scandalized.
"Chu Ming ! What is the aning of this?! Have you lost your senses?!"
Grandma Mo was trembling with anger.
"This is the Mo family, not so filthy gathering house! Stop this at once!"
Mo Ying’s voice was cold, sharp enough to cut.
"Chu Ming... you’ve grown bold."
Chu Ming dropped to her knees instantly, her voice cracking.
"N–no! I—I didn’t know! I really didn’t know! These dancers aren’t the ones I ordered! Soone changed them!"
But no one believed her.
Because no one saw Lin Xu quietly lowering her teacup, her lips curving ever so slightly.
Her retaliation was clean And devastating.
Just as she intended.
Lady Fu was shaking with fury, her face twisted in rage.
"SLAP HER!" she barked. "Three tis. Hard."
The guards didn’t hesitate.
PAH!
The first slap echoed loudly in the hall.
Chu Ming gasped, her head snapping to the side, tears springing instantly to her eyes.
PAH!
The second blow made her fall forward, catching herself on trembling hands.
PAH!
The third one sent her completely to the ground.
Lady Fu sneered. "Disgusting girl. Drag her out of my sight."
Madam Mo closed her eyes in sha.
Grandma Mo looked utterly disappointed.
Mo Ying didn’t say a word, his expression was cold enough to freeze the entire room.
He turned to the head maid.
"Take her back to her quarters and lock her in. No one is allowed to let her out without my permission."
"Yes, Young Master."
Two servants grabbed Chu Ming by the arms. She struggled, but she was far too weak and shaken to break free.
"No—no, please! I didn’t do anything wrong!" Chu Ming cried as she was dragged away. "It wasn’t ! It wasn’t !"
Her voice cracked, turning shrill.
"It was Lin Xu! And San Na! They’re the ones who... who I didn’t an any of this!"Lin Xu didn’t even spare her a glance. She simply continued eating, indifferent, as if Chu Ming’s humiliation had nothing to do with her.
She brought this against herself, next ti she should surely think twice before ssing with her.
San Na lowered her head, pretending she wasn’t involved.
Chu Ming thrashed weakly as she was pulled toward the door.
"Lin Xu! San Na! I swear.. I swear I didn’t an it!" she sobbed. "Why are you doing this to ?!"
Her cries grew more distant as she was dragged down the corridor, disappearing from sight.
The hall fell silent.
Lady Fu scoffed, settling back in her seat. "Trash."
Madam Mo whispered a shaky apology.
Grandma Mo nodded stiffly.
Mo Ying’s gaze swept the room... and finally landed on Lin Xu.
"Miss feisty is brutal... i love her even more!"
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