Music filled the hall.
One by one, noble ladies stepped forward, their movements graceful, practiced, perfect.
Applause followed each performance.
Xueying sat still.
Her hands cold.
Her mind blank.
She had never learned this.
Not properly.
Not like them.
"Princess Xueying."
Her name echoed.
Too loud.
Too final.
She stood.
Every step toward the center felt like walking into fire.
The music began.
Soft.
Flowing.
Waiting.
Xueying moved.
Slowly.
Carefully.
But it wasn't enough.
Her steps lacked refinement.
Her turns were slightly off.
The rhythm—
Not quite right.
Whispers started almost immediately.
"…What is she doing?"
"This is embarrassing…"
"She really is just a servant…"
A quiet laugh echoed.
Then another.
Xueying's chest tightened.
Her movements faltered.
Just for a second—
But it was enough.
Her foot caught the edge of her dress—
And she fell.
Gasps filled the hall.
Silence followed.
Heavy.
Crushing.
Xueying stayed on the ground for a moment.
Her hands pressed against the cold floor.
Her heart pounding loudly in her ears.
"Get up," someone whispered.
But her body didn't move.
Because the laughter—
It had already begun.
Soft.
Then louder.
Then impossible to ignore.
—
At the side of the hall—
Zhao Meilin smiled.
Satisfied.
—
Xueying slowly lifted her head.
And that's when she saw him.
Gu Yichen.
Standing.
Watching.
Not laughing.
Not looking away.
Just—
Watching her.
Something in her chest twisted.
She pushed herself up.
Forced her body to move again.
To finish.
Even if it was broken.
Even if it hurt.
When the music ended—
There was no applause.
Only silence.
—
"Enough."
The voice cut sharply through the hall.
Li Jianhong stood.
His expression unreadable.
"That will be all for today."
The banquet ended abruptly.
But the damage—
Had already been done.