Chapter Fourteen: Breaking the Cycle with an Unconventional Move

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The banquet hall was ablaze with light, soft music drifting through the air, and guests laughing and chatting merrily. Yet behind the lively crowd, Wanqing’s eyes were sharp as blades, continually scanning her surroundings. She sensed a hidden undercurrent in the atmosphere, a subtle warning stirring within her.

“This Mr. Shen seems quite interested in you,” Jiang Yu whispered, his gaze laced with concern.

“Hmph, men are all visual creatures,” Wanqing said nonchalantly, toying with the wine glass in her hand, though a flicker of coldness gleamed in her eyes. “But I have no interest in him.”

“Be careful with him. I have a feeling something’s off.”

“Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.” A playful smile curved her lips as a cunning light flashed in her eyes. She took a small sip of the wine and immediately caught an unusual scent. Alarm bells rang silently in her mind. Without showing a hint of disturbance, she set the glass down and cast a cold, piercing glance across the hall, finally resting on Mr. Shen. He raised his glass from afar, a meaning-laden smile playing on his lips, clearly harboring ill intentions.

“Jiang Yu,” Wanqing lowered her voice, “I think we’ve been marked…”

Jiang Yu nodded, his eyes resolute and supportive. The two exchanged a knowing look, their silent understanding perfectly in sync.

Just then, Mr. Shen strolled over, his face wearing a courteous smile. “Miss Wanqing, might I have the honor of inviting you for a dance?” His voice was gentle and refined, yet Wanqing sensed the malice hidden beneath.

The guests fell silent, their eyes fixed expectantly on the scene. Many wished to see Wanqing humiliated on the dance floor, especially those noble ladies and misses with ill intentions.

Wanqing sneered inwardly. Did Mr. Shen really think she was so easy to manipulate? She quickly reviewed the techniques she had practiced for handling sudden situations while dancing. Today, she would show this scheming man that humiliating her was nothing but a futile wish. She rapidly formulated a strategy, aware that this was a trap—but also an opportunity.

“Mr. Shen, you are too kind,” Wanqing smiled lightly, accepting the invitation. The atmosphere instantly thickened with tension as everyone held their breath, watching the pair step onto the dance floor.

“Watch your step—don’t let them succeed,” Jiang Yu whispered.

“Rest assured,” Wanqing’s eyes gleamed with determination. “I know exactly what to do.”

As they entered the dance floor, the music began, and all eyes focused on them. Wanqing’s every movement was precise and flowing like a cloud drifting in the wind. Yet Mr. Shen’s gaze grew increasingly impatient, as if waiting for something.

At the climax of the music, Mr. Shen suddenly and deliberately stepped on Wanqing’s foot, attempting to throw her off balance. But Wanqing was prepared. She gracefully twisted and deftly avoided the trap, instead using the motion to cause Mr. Shen to stumble.

A ripple of astonishment swept through the crowd. The ladies covered their mouths, stifling laughter, while the noblewomen’s faces darkened.

Wanqing smiled lightly and murmured, “Mr. Shen, are we dancing, or fighting?”

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Mr. Shen’s face instantly darkened, the whispered murmurs around him making him restless. The banquet hall’s atmosphere tightened; everyone held their breath, awaiting the next move.

Wanqing smiled faintly, a cunning spark in her eyes as she continued to dance with elegance. At that moment, her gaze met Jiang Yu’s, and a warm feeling blossomed in her heart. Yet she did not pause, calmly navigating the undercurrents of the banquet.

“Jiang Yu, enjoy the show,” Wanqing whispered, a victorious smile tugging at her lips.

### Chapter 14: Unmasking the Conspiracy, Turning the Tables

At that moment, Madame Chen, witnessing the scene, was filled with resentment. Secretly, she urged Miss Zhao to spread rumors about Wanqing to tarnish her reputation.

Miss Zhao, acting coy, stood at the center of the crowd, feigning innocence. “I heard Miss Wanqing once lost face at a banquet, bringing shame to her family.”

The guests whispered among themselves, casting glances toward Wanqing. Yet she appeared unaffected, her expression calm and composed.

She approached Madame Hu sincerely. “Madame Hu, I have indeed heard these rumors. But I believe you are a just woman and hope you will allow me to explain what truly happened.”

Madame Hu, moved by Wanqing’s earnestness, nodded gently. “Please, go ahead. I am listening.”

Wanqing recounted her experience patiently, expressing her trust in Madame Hu’s fairness.

After hearing her out, Madame Hu stood and sternly halted the spread of the rumors, publicly reprimanding Madame Chen and Miss Zhao.

“Madame Chen, Miss Zhao, maliciously slandering others is not only disgraceful but will earn you the contempt of all!” Madame Hu’s voice was firm and commanding, leaving Chen and Zhao visibly furious.

Wanqing smiled gracefully as the crowd admired her wit. Those who had hoped to witness her downfall now found themselves admiring her poise.

Wanqing approached Miss Zhao, her tone seemingly gentle yet sharp. “Miss Zhao, fabricating rumors is best avoided. I was able to defuse it today, but next time, it might not be so easy.”

“Jiang Yu,” Wanqing whispered, her eyes shimmering with triumph, “it’s your turn now.”

Jiang Yu smiled and nodded, filled with admiration and love for her.

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“My lady truly stole the show!” he thought, stepping beside Wanqing and naturally taking her hand, their fingers interlacing. Wanqing felt the warmth of Jiang Yu’s palm, her cheeks flushing slightly, though her smile could not be contained.

The guests around them sighed at the couple’s sweetness, calling them a perfect match.

“Now, watch me,” Jiang Yu whispered in her ear, a hint of mystery in his voice.

Master Qian lurked in the shadows, his face dark with fury. His two schemes had failed, leaving him humiliated and enraged. Gritting his teeth, he resolved to unleash his ultimate move during the final performance.

He sneaked backstage and swapped the originally prepared props for another set, rigging them to cause Wanqing to falter.

However, Wanqing had already sensed Master Qian’s machinations. Calmly observing her surroundings, she sneered inwardly: “Such petty tricks, daring to show off before an expert?”

When the music began, she abandoned the planned routine and improvised instead. Her performance unfolded like a vivid dream, weaving simple dance steps with unique spins and leaps. Each movement seemed to tell an ancient tale. Her skirt billowed like blooming flowers, captivating the guests utterly, who forgot entirely about the lurking conspiracy.

The crowd watched enthralled, oblivious to the undercurrents swirling beneath the surface.

Master Qian stood dumbfounded, as if seeing a ghost. He never imagined Wanqing would be so clever as to completely shatter his plan.

After the performance, Wanqing returned backstage. Though she had successfully averted the crisis, unease lingered in her heart. She sensed the matter was far from over—that a greater conspiracy remained hidden.

Inspecting every corner of the backstage area, she suddenly found a piece of cloth stained with mud in a dark corner...

To her, the banquet hall’s lights no longer shone brilliantly, but cast eerie shadows instead.