The palace had not held a banquet in months.
But tonight, lanterns lined the walkways, musicians tuned their instruments, and the grand Hall of Eternal Splendor glowed with gold and crimson light.
Xiao An fussed around Lin Yue anxiously.
"My Lady, everyone will be there — the Empress, the Empress Dowager, Noble Consort Xue… even the ministers!"
Lin Yue adjusted the lavender robe the Empress had given her.
"I know."
"And they'll all be staring at you!"
"I know."
Xiao An groaned. "How are you so calm?"
Lin Yue touched the jade hairpin in her hair.
"Because I must be."
Entering the Banquet Hall
The moment Lin Yue stepped inside, the hall fell into a hush.
Dozens of eyes turned toward her.
Whispers rippled like wind through silk.
"That's her…"
"The new Noble Lady…"
"She's beautiful…"
"No wonder His Majesty—"
"Hush!"
Lin Yue walked forward with steady steps, her posture graceful, her expression serene.
The Empress sat at the center, watching her with unreadable eyes.
The Empress Dowager observed her quietly, as if evaluating every movement.
And then—
A soft, elegant laugh echoed from the right side of the hall.
Lin Yue turned.
A woman in crimson silk approached, her beauty striking, her presence commanding.
Nobel Consort Xue
Her smile was warm, but her eyes were cold.
"So you are Lin Yue," she said.
Lin Yue bowed. "Greetings, Noble Consort Xue."
Xue's gaze swept over her, assessing, calculating.
"You're lovelier than the rumors say."
Lin Yue smiled politely. "Rumors are rarely accurate."
Xue's smile sharpened. "Indeed. Which is why I prefer to judge people myself."
The Empress Dowager's fan snapped open — a subtle warning.
The Empress cleared her throat. "Noble Consort Xue, the banquet is about to begin."
Xue stepped aside gracefully. "Of course."
But as Lin Yue passed her, Xue whispered:
"Enjoy tonight, Noble Lady. The palace shines brightest before it burns."
Lin Yue didn't flinch.
She simply walked to her seat.
The Emperor Arrives
The hall rose as the emperor entered, dressed in black and gold, his presence commanding instant silence.
But his gaze didn't sweep the room.
It went straight to Lin Yue.
And softened.
Noble Consort Xue noticed.
Her smile froze.
The emperor took his seat, then spoke.
"Let the banquet begin."
Music filled the hall. Dancers moved gracefully. Servants poured wine.
But the tension was thick.
A Subtle Attack
Halfway through the banquet, a maid approached Lin Yue with a tray of wine.
"Noble Lady Lin, this was sent to you."
Lin Yue frowned. "By whom?"
The maid hesitated. "She… did not say."
Xiao An whispered urgently, "My Lady, don't drink it!"
Lin Yue lifted the cup, examining it.
The wine was clear. Fragrant. Harmless.
But the timing was not.
Across the hall, Noble Consort Xue watched her with a serene smile.
Lin Yue set the cup down untouched.
A moment later, the emperor's voice cut through the hall.
"Lin Yue."
She looked up.
He gestured for her to come forward.
Whispers erupted.
She rose and approached him, bowing.
The emperor took her hand — in front of everyone — and guided her to sit beside him.
Gasps filled the hall.
Noble Consort Xue's smile cracked.
The Empress's fingers tightened around her cup.
The Empress Dowager's eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
The emperor spoke calmly, but his voice carried through the hall.
"You belong here."
Lin Yue's heart trembled.
But she kept her expression composed.
After the Banquet
As the hall emptied, Noble Consort Xue approached again, her smile brittle.
"You must be very proud," she said softly. "Sitting beside him like that."
Lin Yue met her gaze. "I did nothing."
"That," Xue said, "is exactly why you're dangerous."
She leaned in, her voice a whisper of silk and venom.
"Enjoy his favor while it lasts. The palace has a way of devouring girls like you."
Lin Yue's voice was calm.
"I survived worse before I came here."
Xue blinked — surprised.
Lin Yue continued, "And I will survive you."
For the first time, Noble Consort Xue's smile vanished.
Returning to the Moonlit Courtyard
Xiao An nearly exploded with excitement.
"My Lady! You sat beside His Majesty! Everyone saw!"
Lin Yue removed her hairpin slowly.
"That wasn't a victory."
Xiao An blinked. "It wasn't?"
Lin Yue looked out at the magnolia tree, petals drifting in the night breeze.
"It was a declaration."
Xiao An swallowed. "From who?"
Lin Yue's voice was soft, steady.
"From him."
And somewhere in the palace, Noble Consort Xue was already planning her next move.