Chapter Fifteen: The Banquet Unveils the Conspiracy

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Qu Wanqing clenched the piece of cloth stained with soil, her gaze sharp as a blade. The texture and color of the fabric were unlike the clothes worn by the servants in the mansion.

“It seems the real show is just beginning tonight,” she murmured with a slight, cold smile that never reached her eyes.

Inside the banquet hall, glasses clinked amid laughter and music, a scene of joyous celebration. Yet Qu Wanqing moved silently through the crowd like a keen predator, seeking out the hidden prey lurking in the shadows.

Following the trail backstage, she arrived at the mansion’s rear garden. The garden was filled with rockeries and lush foliage; under the moonlight, shadows intertwined, as if concealing countless secrets—much like the conspiracy unfolding here. The air carried a faint scent of earth, identical to that clinging to the cloth.

Her heart pounded wildly; she felt herself drawing closer to the truth. Circling around a dense thicket, she spotted Steward Qian furtively conversing with a man dressed in black. Their voices were hushed, plotting something in secret.

“How is the matter progressing?” The black-clad man’s hoarse voice was as piercing as an owl’s call.

“Everything is proceeding as planned, but…” Steward Qian’s face twisted with unease. “That Qu Wanqing is too cunning—she has seen through my scheme.”

“Useless!” The man in black sneered harshly. “If you can’t handle such a simple task, what good are you?”

Qu Wanqing held her breath, straining to catch every word.

“So someone truly is pulling the strings behind the scenes,” she thought grimly. “Let’s see who dares to challenge the heavens!”

Suddenly, Steward Qian seemed to sense something and spun around sharply, his eyes sharp as a hawk’s. He immediately spotted Qu Wanqing hiding behind the bushes.

“Who’s there?!” he barked.

Discovered! Qu Wanqing cursed silently but remained composed. She knew escape was no longer an option.

With a cold smile, she stepped out from the cover of the bushes.

“Steward Qian, what are you sneaking around here so late for?” she asked coolly.

Steward Qian’s face paled; he hadn’t expected her presence. Realizing his plot was exposed, his eyes flickered with ruthlessness.

“Seize her!”

The man in black lunged at Qu Wanqing. She dodged nimbly and dashed away.

Meanwhile, the guests in the banquet hall were still reveling in fine wine and food, oblivious to the dark currents swirling in the rear garden.

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Qu Wanqing used the complex layout of the banquet hall to evade Steward Qian and the man in black. The steward pressed forward relentlessly, nearly capturing her...

“Madam!” A familiar voice called out.

At the critical moment, Jiang Yu appeared like a god descending from the heavens, the leaves rustling in the breeze he summoned. With a precise spinning kick, he struck Steward Qian squarely in the face, sending him flying backward like a kite cut loose, crashing into a thicket.

“Don’t panic, Madam, I’m here!” he teased with a wink, yet moved with extraordinary agility, quickly leading Steward Qian and the man in black to the far side of the rockery.

“Brother’s here!” Jiang Yu dodged their attacks with ease, all the while cracking jokes with a playful charm that was impossible to resist.

Steward Qian fumed in frustration but could only watch helplessly as Jiang Yu and the man in black retreated farther away.

Once free from pursuit, Qu Wanqing returned to the previous spot and searched carefully.

Sure enough, deep within the bushes, she found a small, exquisite brocade box.

Inside, there lay a letter and a jade pendant. The letter detailed in full how Madam Chen and Miss Zhao conspired to frame her, and revealed their mastermind—Young Master Shen! The jade pendant was Shen’s personal token, undeniable proof in hand—justice was hers at last!

“After searching high and low with no luck, it comes to me effortlessly! Now let’s see what excuses you have left!” Qu Wanqing rejoiced inwardly. The grievances of being wronged flooded her mind like a tide. She recalled the helplessness she felt when misunderstood and swore to make these conspirators pay dearly.

Carefully tucking the box away, she turned to return to the banquet hall.

At that moment, Jiang Yu returned. Their eyes met, and time seemed to stand still.

Jiang Yu gently brushed Qu Wanqing’s cheek, his gaze filled with love and concern.

“Wanqing, are you alright? Are you hurt?”

Qu Wanqing grasped his hand tightly, her eyes brimming with trust and reliance.

“I’m fine, thanks to you arriving just in time.”

Jiang Yu smiled tenderly, drawing her into his embrace. The air around them seemed infused with love, and their bond reached an unprecedented peak.

“The real drama is only just beginning…” Qu Wanqing’s lips curved into a meaningful smile.

With the brocade box in hand, she strode confidently back to the center of the banquet hall.

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Under the lights, she was elegant and composed, like a queen in full command.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please allow me to interrupt this joyous occasion, for there are matters you all must know,” her clear voice echoed through the lively hall, instantly capturing everyone’s attention.

“Tonight, I endured a carefully plotted conspiracy, and the mastermind behind it lurks among us!” She paused, scanning the crowd before fixing her gaze on the pale-faced Madam Chen and Miss Zhao.

“Madam Chen, Miss Zhao, and Steward Qian, congratulations on your hard work in staging this deceitful performance.”

Qu Wanqing opened the brocade box, revealing the letter and the jade pendant for all to see.

“This letter documents in detail how they colluded to frame me and exposes their instigator—Young Master Shen! This pendant is Shen’s personal belonging. The evidence is irrefutable!” Her tone was firm and resolute; every word struck like a bombshell reverberating through the banquet hall.

Steward Qian’s face drained of color, sweat pouring down as he stammered weakly, his voice strangled and incoherent. Madam Chen’s lips trembled, unable to speak, opening and closing like a fish out of water. Miss Zhao clutched her dress tightly, eyes wide with terror, trembling as if she might collapse at any moment.

The surrounding nobles whispered among themselves, casting disdainful glances their way.

“Appearances can be deceiving!”

“I never imagined they were capable of such treachery!”

One nobleman dropped his wine glass with a clatter, spilling wine onto his robe, oblivious as he stared wide-eyed at the evidence in Qu Wanqing’s hands.

“Young Master Shen, with both witness and evidence presented, what do you have to say for yourself?” Qu Wanqing’s gaze turned sharply to Shen, her voice cutting.

Shen’s face darkened to iron, and he could not utter a word.

Lady Hu broke the silence first, stepping forward to commend Qu Wanqing.

“Madam Qu, you rival any man with your wisdom and courage—truly admirable!” Other noblewomen quickly echoed her praise, expressing their deep respect.

Jiang Yu stood nearby, a lifetime of martial arts experience and years wandering the martial world honing exceptional skills. Though often carefree in demeanor, his heart was righteous, and his devotion to Qu Wanqing profound. His eyes never left her, filled with pride and love.

He knew his Wanqing had triumphed once again.