Chapter 81: Echoes of Schemes
The tea ceremony unfolded in perfect silence, every clink of porcelain echoing through the grand hall. Su Yanyue felt each pair of eyes on her as she raised her cup with steady hands, savoring the faint floral fragrance of the marquis's prized brew. She knew this was no simple courtesy; every gesture, every word, was a test.
The marquis's wife, Madam He, elegantly robed in pale blue silk, studied Yanyue with a soft smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Miss Su, such confidence is rare. Tell us—did you always dream of being a businesswoman?"
Yanyue's fingers tightened around the cup, but her voice remained calm. "I only wished to survive and build a life where I can protect what's mine."
Madam He's gaze sharpened at Yanyue's unflinching tone, while quiet whispers rippled among the other noblewomen in attendance. A few looked intrigued; others wore open scorn.
Yu Shiming sat beside Yanyue, back straight, eyes cold. When a minor official snorted derisively, he fixed the man with a look so cutting the official paled and bowed his head. The marquis's lips curved slightly, as if amused by Yu Shiming's silent dominance.
A young man stepped forward then—a tall, handsome figure with a polished manner. His embroidered robe bore the insignia of a powerful clan, and his eyes flicked between Yanyue and Shiming with thinly veiled calculation.
"Miss Su, I am Wei Ling, advisor to the marquis," he said, voice smooth as velvet. "Forgive my boldness, but I wonder: do you truly believe a small tea shop can thrive without noble protection?"
The hall grew tense.
Yanyue set her cup down with a soft clink, meeting Wei Ling's gaze evenly. "I believe if the tea is good enough and the people are honest, it will thrive regardless of who stands behind it."
Murmurs rose again, but the marquis merely sipped his tea, hiding any reaction behind his cup.
Yu Shiming's eyes darkened, his patience thinning. He placed a protective hand on the table beside Yanyue's, fingers brushing hers for the briefest moment—a subtle yet unmistakable claim. Wei Ling's eyes narrowed at the motion, but he said nothing more.
A servant entered then, bowing low. "Marquis, the evening feast is prepared."
"Excellent," the marquis said, rising gracefully. His gaze swept over Yanyue once more, curious yet unreadable. "Miss Su, Sir Yu—join us. We have much to discuss."
They followed the marquis through a labyrinth of corridors lit by lanterns. Ornate doors opened onto an opulent dining hall where long tables overflowed with dishes: roasted duck glistening under honey glaze, jade-green vegetables artfully arranged, delicate pastries layered with sweet bean paste.
But despite the feast, the air was heavy with unspoken threats. Every smile seemed edged, every toast layered with double meanings.
Yanyue forced herself to eat, matching polite conversation with the nobles seated near her, even as she felt the marquis's gaze weigh her down like a mountain. Beside her, Yu Shiming never let his guard slip, intercepting probing questions with curt replies and shielding her from subtle insults with pointed silence.
As the evening wore on, Yanyue's mind raced. This house was a nest of shifting alliances and veiled ambitions—and if she and Shiming weren't careful, they could be devoured before they even understood the game.