Chapter 3: The Banquet Disturbance

The grand hall of Lu Manor had never been this lively.

Musicians sat beneath carved pillars playing soft melodies. Noble guests from neighboring towns filled the estate with endless chatter. Servants moved hurriedly between tables carrying wine and delicacies.

Outside, red lanterns swayed gently beneath the morning wind.

Everyone smiled.

Everyone laughed.

At least on the surface.

Because beneath the celebration, many eyes continuously drifted toward one person.

Or rather—

Toward the person who had yet to appear.

Inside the eastern pavilion, Lu Meirong sat before a bronze mirror while maids adjusted her hair ornaments.

Beautiful.

Elegant.

Perfect.

Yet her expression remained dark.

"The Crown Prince's envoy is still asking questions?"

A servant immediately knelt.

"Y-Yes, Second Young Lady."

Lu Meirong's fingers slowly tightened.

"About what?"

The servant hesitated.

"He... asked whether the eldest daughter of Lu Manor possesses talent."

Silence.

Crack.

The jade hairpin in Lu Meirong's hand snapped in half.

The surrounding maids immediately lowered their heads.

No one dared speak.

Because everyone knew Lu Meirong hated one thing above all else:

Being overshadowed.

Especially by her.

Lu Yinyin.

The illegitimate daughter.

The jinx.

The stain on Lu Manor.

Lu Meirong's eyes narrowed.

"Why would royal people suddenly care about her?"

No one answered.

Because no one knew.

Meanwhile...

Ghost Yard remained peaceful.

Far too peaceful.

Lu Yinyin still sat beneath the old osmanthus tree.

Motionless.

Completely motionless.

Xiao Qing looked at her in despair.

"...Miss."

No response.

"...Miss."

Nothing.

"...MISS!"

Lu Yinyin slowly blinked.

Xiao Qing nearly cried.

"Everyone in the manor is busy today! Why are you sitting here staring at leaves?!"

Lu Yinyin looked upward.

Several leaves drifted through the air.

"...They were falling."

Xiao Qing stared.

Silence.

"...So?"

"...I wanted to see where they landed."

Xiao Qing nearly fainted.

Again.

Always strange things.

Others her age discussed embroidery, handsome young masters, cultivation talents...

Meanwhile, her young miss observed falling leaves.

Sometimes for an entire afternoon.

Suddenly—

Footsteps approached.

Several servants entered the courtyard.

At their front stood Steward Sun.

The old man looked around before his gaze landed on Lu Yinyin.

Displeasure instantly flashed across his face.

"Third Miss."

Lu Yinyin looked over.

Silence.

Steward Sun frowned.

"...The master requests your presence."

Xiao Qing froze.

Master?

Requesting her young miss?

Impossible.

Since childhood, Lord Lu rarely acknowledged Lu Yinyin's existence.

Outside necessary appearances, he practically treated her as invisible.

Today of all days?

Something felt wrong.

Lu Yinyin stood slowly.

"...Why?"

Steward Sun's expression stiffened.

"I do not know."

A lie.

A very obvious lie.

But Lu Yinyin merely nodded.

"...Oh."

That was all.

No suspicion.

No curiosity.

No concern.

Because if she did not understand emotions very well...

Schemes naturally became harder to notice too.

A short while later—

Lu Yinyin entered the grand hall.

And instantly—

Silence.

The noisy hall suddenly quieted.

Countless eyes turned.

Some carried ridicule.

Some curiosity.

Some disgust.

Lu Yinyin stopped walking.

She blinked.

Why were they staring?

Had something happened?

She looked down at herself.

Nothing seemed strange.

Her blue robes remained plain.

Her sleeves remained clean.

Silence spread through the hall.

Because despite everything—

Despite her status.

Despite being called a jinx.

Lu Yinyin was beautiful.

Too beautiful.

Clear eyes.

Snow-like skin.

Delicate features untouched by arrogance.

She carried no ornaments.

No expensive jewelry.

Yet simply standing there made others strangely unable to look away.

At the head seat, Lord Lu's expression darkened slightly.

For years he had hidden this daughter away.

Today of all days—

Too many people were seeing her.

Beside him, Lu Meirong nearly cracked her nails.

Hatred flashed briefly through her eyes.

Then vanished.

A moment later—

Laughter suddenly sounded.

A richly dressed young noble sneered.

"So this is Lu Manor's famous jinx?"

Several nobles laughed quietly.

Another added:

"I heard disasters follow wherever she goes."

"Is it true?"

"Should we sit farther away?"

Laughter spread.

Xiao Qing clenched her fists.

Too much.

They had gone too far.

Yet Lu Yinyin simply stood there.

Silently.

Then after several moments—

"...What is funny?"

The laughter abruptly stopped.

Silence.

The young noble stared.

"...What?"

Lu Yinyin looked genuinely puzzled.

"You laughed."

Silence.

"...So I asked."

No anger.

No embarrassment.

No hurt.

Only confusion.

Because she truly wanted to understand.

And somehow...

That made the atmosphere even stranger.

Several guests exchanged looks.

Something felt off.

Very off.

Then—

A voice suddenly echoed from outside:

"The Crown Prince's envoy has arrived!"

Instantly, everyone stood.

Footsteps approached.

One.

Two.

Three.

A man wearing royal robes entered the hall.

His gaze calmly swept across everyone.

Then—

Paused.

Directly on Lu Yinyin.

Silence.

The envoy stared.

Then stared longer.

A strange expression gradually appeared on his face.

Shock.

Disbelief.

Confusion.

Because hanging at his waist was a spiritual artifact.

An artifact capable of sensing unusual qi fluctuations.

And just now—

For one brief moment—

The artifact had reacted.

Toward her.

Toward the girl everyone called...

The jinx.

Far away, several thousand li beyond Lu Manor—

The War God suddenly opened his eyes.

Again.

That foreign aura.

This time—

Clearer than ever.

His golden gaze darkened.

Because now...

He had found the direction.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***