Chapter 26

📖 CHAPTER 26: A WOLF IN SILK ROBES

The morning sun filtered through the delicate silk curtains of Gu Qingyan's chamber, casting a golden glow over the polished wood floors. She sat before her vanity, her long, ink-black hair cascading over her shoulders as Xiaomei carefully braided a portion of it.

"Miss, the invitations for the Mid-Autumn Banquet have arrived," Xiaomei said hesitantly, her fingers tightening around the silver hairpin in her hands.

Gu Qingyan's gaze flickered toward the tray on her desk. The imperial seal glimmered under the soft morning light.

A summons.

Her fingers traced the black jade pendant hidden beneath her sleeve.

Feng Liyan moved faster than she expected.

"Who else received one?" she asked, her voice steady.

"The usual nobles and court officials… but this year, the Second Prince has returned from the border and will also be attending."

Gu Qingyan's fingers paused.

The Second Prince… Feng Yusheng.

A war hero. A man known for his discipline and unwavering loyalty to the emperor.

A man who had no patience for court politics.

And yet, he was coming now.

The timing was too convenient.

[Ding! New Hidden Mission Activated: 'Survive the Imperial Banquet.']

She smiled faintly. "Another survival mission?"

[Host, this event will be dangerous. Many eyes will be on you, and external forces may intervene.]

"External forces?"

[…Details unknown. But the probability of conflict is high.]

Gu Qingyan exhaled softly. A storm was coming.

She turned to Xiaomei, her silver eyes gleaming coldly.

"Prepare my best robes. If they want a spectacle…" Her lips curved. "I will give them one."

---

📍 Imperial Palace – The Emperor's Hall

Golden lanterns swayed gently from the high ceiling, casting soft shadows over the gathered nobility. The Mid-Autumn Banquet was an event of beauty, elegance, and carefully hidden tensions.

Seated on a raised platform, Emperor Feng Zhaotian surveyed the hall with an unreadable gaze. To his right sat the empress, her expression calm yet distant. To his left—

Feng Liyan, dressed in dark silk embroidered with golden dragons, lounged in his seat, fingers idly tracing the rim of his wine cup.

He had been watching the entrance for the past few minutes.

Waiting.

And then—

She arrived.

A vision in pale violet robes, embroidered with silver lotuses that shimmered under the lantern light. Her long hair was half-pinned, revealing the delicate curve of her neck, and her silver eyes held the cold brilliance of the moon.

Gu Qingyan moved with effortless grace, unhurried, untouched by the weight of the gazes upon her.

The nobles whispered.

"The Prime Minister's daughter… she looks different."

"More… confident."

"There is a dangerous air about her."

Feng Liyan smirked.

Yes. Dangerous.

His golden eyes darkened with intrigue.

She had stepped into the lion's den without fear.

But did she truly know what she was walking into?

---

📍 The Banquet – A New Player Appears

As Gu Qingyan took her seat among the noble daughters, a deep voice suddenly echoed through the hall.

"It seems I have returned at an interesting time."

The room fell silent.

Gu Qingyan lifted her gaze—

And met the piercing eyes of Feng Yusheng, the Second Prince.

Dressed in the heavy armor of a seasoned warrior, he exuded a presence vastly different from Feng Liyan's languid charm. His sharp features were set in a mask of indifference, but his eyes…

They studied her with unnerving intensity.

[Ding! Warning: Unknown Variable Detected.]

Gu Qingyan's fingers curled slightly against her sleeve.

Another player had entered the game.

And he was looking directly at her.