The sound of sobbing filled the lavish room, as Lin Hua clutched a silk handkerchief to her eyes, her shoulders trembling. Madame, seated beside her daughter, exuded an air of calm but beneath it was the cold calculation that only years of living in a place like this could hone. She gently patted Lin Hua's back.
"Mother, she ruined everything!" Lin Hua cried, her voice thick with desperation. "He was supposed to choose me! But now, now everyone looks down on me. Jin Yue… it's all because of her!"
Madame's eyes flickered, sharp like the edge of a blade hidden behind her soothing demeanor. "Hush, Hua'er," she cooed softly. "I know you're hurting, but don't let this upset you too much. This is but a small setback."
Lin Hua looked up, her tear-streaked face filled with frustration. "Small setback? He's the son of the emperor, the most powerful family in Western Qi, and now… I've lost him because of her!"Lin Hua has forgotten her original marriage proposal, even without jinyue it will not be her turn to be chosen as a prince wife.
Madame's expression hardened for just a moment before returning to its soft, maternal mask. "Jin Yue has always been a thorn in our side," she murmured, a slight edge to her voice. "But I have a way to deal with her. Trust your mother, Lin Hua. By the time I'm done, Jin Yue will never cause you trouble again."
Lin Hua sniffled, looking at her mother with a mixture of hope and disbelief. "What are you going to do?"
Madame's smile didn't reach her eyes. "Leave that to me, Hua'er. Just focus on yourself, and the rest will fall into place."
As Lin Hua leaned into her mother's embrace, a cold satisfaction settled over the Madam. Jin Yue may have made her move, but the game was far from over.
___
Jin Yue sat quietly in her courtyard, the cool breeze brushing against her face as she gazed up at the sky. The faint fragrance of plum blossoms lingered in the air, mixing with the earthy scent of damp grass. It was a rare moment of peace amidst the chaos that often surrounded her life in the manor.
Her thoughts drifted back to the map she had hidden away, her fingers itching to unravel its secrets. But just as she was about to stand and return to her room, a servant hurried towards her, bowing deeply before speaking.
"Miss Jin Yue," the servant said, her voice soft yet urgent. "The Master has ordered all of his daughters to meet him at the pavilion immediately."
Jin Yue's eyes narrowed slightly. Her father rarely called for all of his daughters at once, and such a summons was unusual. She stood, smoothing her robes, and nodded to the servant. "Very well, lead the way."
The walk to the pavilion was silent, save for the faint rustle of her robes as she followed the servant. As they approached, Jin Yue could see her sisters...Lin Hua and Lin Mei,arriving, their expressions a mix of curiosity and impatience. The pavilion itself, a grand structure adorned with intricate carvings, was nestled among the lush greenery of the manor's gardens, the perfect place for private discussions of importance.
Lin Zhao, her father, stood at the head of the pavilion, his hands clasped behind his back. His expression was unreadable, though there was a sense of gravity in the air. She joined her sisters, exchanging only the briefest of glances with them. Lin Hua, still bitter from their last encounter, shot her a cold look before turning her attention to their father. It's not that advisor Lin has no sons, he has two sons...one from Madame and the other from a deceased concubine.
The Madame, wang meili is not about to let a concubine with a son live...the reason she did not touch the other daughters and the concubines is to not draw attention to herself as well as thinking that they rely on her for food and other necessities so there is no reason to kill them, as for the second son...she will finish him off when the time comes.
However, she overlooked jinyue as she didn't pay attention to her allowing her to grow so beautiful, even daring to compete with her daughters...she won't allow it!
---
Once all of the daughters were assembled, Lin Zhao cleared his throat and looked over each of them with a calculating gaze.
"I have called you here for an important matter," he began, his tone steady and commanding. "His Majesty is hosting a banquet tomorrow, and he has extended an invitation to the most prominent young ladies of the realm. You, my daughters, have been chosen to accompany me to this banquet."
Lin Hua's eyes brightened instantly, a smug smile tugging at her lips, while Lin Mei gave a small, satisfied nod. They clearly saw this as an opportunity to further their own prospects, particularly in front of the nobility. Jin Yue, however, remained calm.
A banquet at the palace meant entering a world of politics, where appearances mattered and every action would be scrutinized. Jin Yue knew that attending such an event would be a test, not just of social graces but of wit and strategy. There was no telling what opportunities or dangers awaited her there.
"Prepare yourselves accordingly," Lin Zhao continued, his gaze briefly flickering to Jin Yue before moving to his favored daughters. "This is a chance for each of you to make a good impression on His Majesty and the nobles present. I expect nothing less than perfection from all of you."
Lin Hua beamed, clearly relishing the idea of being in the spotlight. "Father, I will not disappoint you," she said sweetly, casting a pointed look at Jin Yue, as if to challenge her to do the same.
Jin Yue inclined her head slightly, offering a polite smile. "Of course, Father," she said, her voice measured. Inside, she knew this banquet could be both an opportunity and a trap, depending on how she played her cards.
As the meeting concluded, Lin Zhao dismissed them, but before Jin Yue could leave, he stopped her with a raised hand. "Jin Yue, a word."
Her sisters exchanged knowing looks and smirks as they left, leaving Jin Yue standing before her father.
"You have not forgotten your place, I hope," Lin Zhao said, his voice low, his eyes cold. "This banquet will be crucial for your sisters, especially Lin Hua. Do not think of doing anything to overshadow them."
Jin Yue met his gaze evenly. "I have no intention of overshadowing anyone, Father. I know my place."
Lin Zhao studied her for a moment longer, as if searching for any hint of rebellion, then gave a curt nod. "Good. Do not forget it."
With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Jin Yue standing alone in the pavilion. Her hands clenched into fists beneath the long sleeves of her robe. She knew better than to trust his words, but the banquet would be her chance to observe the larger game at play.
Tomorrow would be no simple banquet it would be a battlefield of a different kind.