Chapter 5

The morning dawned with a crisp chill, the kind that bit at your skin and made every breath feel sharper. I dressed quickly, the rough fabric of my clothes a far cry from the tailored suits of my past life. Today was the day I would take my first real step forward, and the weight of it pressed against my chest like a stone.

The feast would resume in the evening, and the guild's delegation would once again be the center of attention. Between now and then, I needed to execute my plan with precision. There was no room for error—not in a world where a single misstep could cost you everything.

'Confidence and subtlety,' I thought, straightening my posture. 'Act like you belong, and people will believe you do.'

The storage overseer greeted me with his usual sour expression as I approached the textiles section of the warehouse. He didn't bother questioning me this time, likely too preoccupied with his own duties to care about mine. That suited me just fine.

I moved to the section I'd found the day before, where the practical fabrics were stored. The deep gray material caught my eye again, its coarse texture speaking of durability rather than elegance. It wasn't the kind of fabric you'd see draped across noble shoulders, but it had potential.

Carefully, I selected a bolt and unrolled a small section. The fibers were tightly woven, the kind of craftsmanship that could withstand wear and tear. It was perfect for sails, tents, and other applications the guild might need.

'This is it,' I thought, my heart racing. 'Now I just need to convince someone to listen.'

The estate bustled with activity as preparations for the evening feast ramped up. Servants scurried across the courtyard, carrying trays of food and pitchers of wine. Guards stood at their posts, their expressions stoic but watchful.

I made my way to the kitchen, where the head cook was shouting orders at a harried line of assistants. The heat and noise were almost overwhelming, but I forced myself to focus.

"Excuse me," I said, approaching the cook cautiously.

She glanced at me, her face a mixture of irritation and exhaustion. "What do you want?"

"I was told to ensure the textiles for the guild's inspection are ready," I lied smoothly. "Do you know who I should speak to about that?"

The cook frowned, clearly suspicious, but she gestured toward a servant standing near the doorway. "Talk to him. He's handling the logistics for tonight."

I nodded my thanks and crossed the room, my heart pounding. The servant was a lanky man with a perpetually anxious expression, his hands clutching a clipboard as he muttered to himself.

"Excuse me," I said again, keeping my tone polite. "I was told to assist with the guild's textile inspection. Do you have a list of what's being presented?"

The man blinked at me, clearly startled. "Textiles? Oh, yes, of course. The silks are being prepared in the eastern storage hall. They're the finest we have—Master Liang was very specific about that."

I nodded thoughtfully. "What about the durable fabrics? The ones stored in the western hall?"

The man hesitated, his brow furrowing. "Durable fabrics? I don't think those are being presented. They're not exactly... impressive."

"That's a mistake," I said firmly, leaning in slightly. "The guild values practicality as much as luxury. If we overlook those fabrics, we could lose an opportunity to strengthen the deal."

The servant's eyes widened, his anxiety deepening. "I—uh—maybe you're right. But Master Liang didn't mention them."

"Master Liang has a lot on his plate," I said smoothly. "It wouldn't hurt to include them, just in case. Better to be overprepared than underprepared, right?"

He nodded slowly, my words clearly striking a chord. "I'll see what I can do."

As evening fell, the main hall buzzed with activity. The guild's delegation was seated at the long table, their faces illuminated by the flickering glow of candlelight. Master Lu sat at the center, his bejeweled fingers drumming lightly against the table as he spoke with Xiao Liang.

I lingered near the edges of the room, careful to keep my presence unobtrusive. The fabrics I'd insisted on including had been placed discreetly among the other textiles, their rough texture a stark contrast to the vibrant silks.

Xiao Liang, oblivious to their inclusion, began the presentation with an air of smug confidence. Servants brought forth the finest silks, each bolt unrolled to showcase its shimmering beauty. The guild members murmured appreciatively, but Master Lu's expression remained unreadable.

"Impressive," he said, his tone polite but noncommittal. "Your family's silk is truly exceptional."

Xiao Liang puffed up like a peacock. "Of course. The Xiao family prides itself on quality above all else."

A servant hesitated, then stepped forward with the durable fabrics I'd insisted on including. Xiao Liang's brow furrowed as the rougher textiles were presented, his annoyance barely concealed.

"What is this?" he snapped, glaring at the servant.

"Forgive me, Master Liang," the servant stammered. "These fabrics were included as an additional offering. They're... practical."

Master Lu's eyes narrowed slightly, his fingers stilling. He reached out to touch the fabric, his expression shifting as he examined it.

"Interesting," he murmured. "This material is sturdy, well-made. Perfect for sails, perhaps."

The other guild members leaned in, their interest piqued. Xiao Liang's annoyance deepened, but he forced a strained smile. "Of course. The Xiao family produces a wide range of textiles to suit all needs."

I bit back a smirk, satisfaction curling in my chest. The gamble had paid off. The guild's interest in the durable fabrics was evident, and Xiao Liang's attempt to dismiss them had only made their value more apparent.

As the feast continued, I slipped out of the hall, my heart pounding with a mix of exhilaration and nervous energy. I'd taken a risk, and it had worked. The guild now saw the Xiao family as more than just a luxury silk supplier, and I'd positioned myself as someone capable of identifying opportunities others overlooked.

'This is only the beginning,' I thought, the cool night air washing over me as I made my way back to the servants' quarters. 'If I can build on this momentum, I'll carve out a place for myself in this world—and no one will see it coming.'

The stars above seemed brighter that night, their light cutting through the darkness like a beacon. I closed my eyes, letting the determination settle deep in my bones.

"Tomorrow," I murmured to myself, "I take the next step."