Chapter 12: A Dance of Schemes and Etiquette

As the saying goes, while lovers perceive beauty, rivals only see a fool. A single glance confirmed it: this was precisely the person I longed to strike.

The moment their gazes locked, both men’s expressions plummeted faster than a roller coaster. A vein pulsed on Yun Jingping’s forehead, while Lan Wu Xi’s face twitched uncontrollably.

Lost in his own thoughts, Lan Wu Xi, as if by some mischievous impulse, offered Yun Jingping a benevolent smile, perhaps hoping this gesture would soften the protagonist’s prejudiced perception of him.

Yet, this simple gesture took on an entirely different meaning in Yun Jingping’s eyes. The Lan Wu Xi he perceived now wore a ‘cunning, triumphant’ smile, as if subtly asserting his complete control over the situation. Consequently, Yun Jingping’s caution deepened; he couldn’t shake the feeling that Lan Wu Xi had spies everywhere, and a single misstep could lead him directly into a meticulously laid snare.

Naturally, with Lan Wu Xi having initiated such a clear provocation, Yun Jingping was not about to grant him an easy victory. He returned Lan Wu Xi’s smile with an equally subtle one, a silent declaration that he welcomed any plot or machination, utterly devoid of fear.

‘He just smiled? At me!’

Upon witnessing Yun Jingping reciprocate with a ‘smile’ of his own, Lan Wu Xi felt a surge of triumph, believing he had finally shifted the protagonist’s perception, however slightly. This, he mused, was the crucial first step towards a positive development, and indeed, a significant stride in his desperate bid to evade the impending death curse.

‘Yun Gege, which lovely lady has captured your attention so completely?’

Yun Feiyan, ever astute, had observed the subtle exchange between Yun Jingping and Lan Wu Xi the moment their eyes met, noting every minute detail. Her deliberate inquiry now served as a delicate probe into their relationship; she was wary of directly questioning her Yun Gege, fearing he might perceive her as meddlesome.

‘Hmm? No, not at all. I merely spotted a familiar face. Come, Yun’er, let us make our way inside.’

With that, Lan Wu Xi and Yun Feiyan moved towards the heart of the grand hall, quickly becoming enveloped by the swirling throngs of people.

Yun Jingping now stood as a truly influential figure within the Yunxiao Kingdom. His formidable strength, coupled with the esteemed background of the Yun family, made him one of the most distinguished and captivating personalities at the banquet. Even Yun Tianqi, known for his inherent pride and belief in his own invincibility, proactively approached him. After all, Yun Jingping’s rapid ascent to the Xuanlun realm was an achievement even Yun Tianqi conceded he could not replicate.

‘You must be Young Master Yun. I have long heard of your renown but never had the pleasure of an introduction. To meet you today confirms all I’ve heard; you are indeed a paragon of talent, truly befitting the future leader of the Yun family.’

At these words, a collective gasp rippled through the assembled guests. The unspoken meaning behind Yun Tianqi’s statement was clear: he had unequivocally recognized Yun Jingping’s formidable strength and, by extension, pledged his full support for Yun Jingping’s ascension to the Yun family patriarch. A mutually beneficial alliance was thus subtly forged between them.

Yun Jingping accepted Yun Tianqi’s extended ‘olive branch’ without hesitation. He then cupped his fists and exchanged a series of polite formalities with Yun Tianqi.

‘Your Highness is too kind. My humble abilities pale in comparison to your exceptional talents, both civil and martial. I fear I might prove unworthy of such a heavy mantle.’

‘Ah, Young Master Yun, why such false modesty? To break through to the Xuanlun realm in such a short span is an extraordinary feat, one that few mortals could achieve. Even I harbor sincere admiration for your prowess.’

What followed was a familiar dance of polite, self-serving compliments. The underlying message was transparent: a quid pro quo. He would aid Yun Jingping in securing the position of Yun family patriarch, and in return, Yun Jingping would lend his support to Yun Tianqi’s bid for the throne.

As time wore on, Yun Feiyan grew increasingly restless. She had finally managed to see her beloved Yun Gege, whom she thought of day and night, only for her bothersome brother to monopolize his attention, leaving her feeling utterly neglected as they conversed with fervent intensity. This simply would not do.

Like a tenacious sloth, Yun Feiyan clung tightly to Yun Jingping’s arm, her fair, flushed cheek resting against his. She then cast a disgruntled gaze towards Yun Tianqi.

‘Ah, what a lapse in my memory! I completely forgot the most important dance was about to begin. My apologies, Brother Yun, I shall not impose on you and my sister any further.’

Following their exchange, the two men had already begun addressing each other as sworn brothers, appearing for all the world like long-lost kin. Yun Feiyan, however, was far too perceptive to miss the teasing undertone in Yun Tianqi’s words; a blush, vibrant as the morning sun, already graced her cheeks. With a blissful, furtive glance, she stole a look at Yun Jingping’s reaction.

Yun Jingping’s expression remained utterly unchanged, which, upon reflection, was hardly surprising. As the protagonist, his emotional intelligence was, by design, rather lacking. One could strip naked before him, and he would likely perceive it as a mere acrobatic display, utterly devoid of any romantic implication—dull, rigid, and completely oblivious to nuance.

Indeed, this very trait served as a crucial catalyst for the protagonist’s future harem. By perpetually maintaining an ambiguous dance with every woman, always circling without ever crossing a definitive line, the path to a flourishing harem would inevitably unfold.

‘Idiot?’

‘Hmm? What are you calling your husband for?’

Lan Wu Xi, convinced that his relationship with the protagonist had taken a turn for the better, found himself in exceptionally high spirits. His appetite, too, surged with his mood. With an array of rare and exquisite delicacies now gracing the tables, Lan Wu Xi, having long since abandoned all pretense, launched into a veritable feast, devouring and imbibing with gusto, a stark contrast to the refined demeanor of those around him.

‘Must you eat so boorishly? Could you not exercise a modicum of restraint? And your manner of drinking is entirely improper; who holds a wine glass like that? Is this truly your first time at such a banquet?’

Huang Yao Yue rubbed her temples in exasperation. Her ostensible fiancé truly was a handful. While his appearance was admittedly decent, every other aspect of his behavior fell far short of her expectations.

‘Heh heh, you’ve caught me. Usually, I just have to maintain a cool, aloof facade until the banquet concludes. This is, in fact, my very first time attending such an elaborate event.’

Lan Wu Xi awkwardly rubbed the back of his head. In his previous life, he had been nothing more than a shut-in; formal banquets were utterly foreign to him. He felt precisely like a country bumpkin venturing into the city for the first time, a complete rustic.

‘Oh, fine. Allow me to instruct you.’

Without a word, Huang Yao Yue sighed softly and leaned closer, patiently beginning to instruct the bewildered Lan Wu Xi. Her gentle whispers, combined with a voice as melodious as a nightingale’s, immediately created a feeling of profound tranquility and delight.

Watching Huang Yao Yue gently instruct him, much like a mother guiding her child, Lan Wu Xi found himself momentarily stunned. Was this truly the same Huang Yao Yue he knew?

‘The most common way to hold a red wine glass is by the stem, cradling it between your thumb, index, and middle fingers, allowing your other fingers to rest naturally. As you hold it, you may gently swirl the glass, observing the wine’s color and texture within.’

‘Mm-hmm.’

‘Furthermore, when offering a toast, firmly grasp the base of the stem with your thumb, ring finger, and pinky, while your middle finger supports the stem, and your index finger delicately rests where the stem meets the bowl. Extend your fingers as much as possible to accentuate the elegant curve of your hand.’

‘Mm-hmm, like this?’

‘Exactly! And crucially, when pouring red wine, it’s best to fill the glass only a quarter full; this allows for the optimal appreciation of its bouquet. Champagne, however, may be filled to the brim.’

‘Ah, I see!’

It was then that Huang Yao Yue realized how unusually agreeable Lan Wu Xi had become. She lifted her gaze to meet his, only to find him staring back, his eyes holding a profound serenity she had never witnessed before, as if her image alone filled their depths.

‘You… don’t look at me like that… It’s not as if I specifically wanted to teach you… It was just a momentary impulse… Yes! Merely a whim.’

A deep blush crept up Huang Yao Yue’s neck as she suddenly realized she had been overcome with an almost maternal tenderness. She stammered out a flustered explanation, her small eyes darting nervously, unwilling to meet Lan Wu Xi’s gaze once more.

‘My apologies, my apologies. I simply never imagined you possessed such a gentle side. It appears you aren’t entirely devoid of redeeming qualities after all.’

‘Hmph~, what do you mean I have no redeeming qualities… Hey? Don’t gulp it down like that! Is this your first time drinking alcohol as well?’

‘Is that not allowed?’

‘Certainly not! This particular wine boasts an exceptionally high alcohol content and a potent aftertaste. For a novice like yourself, it’s absolutely imperative not to down it in a single gulp!’

‘Eh? No wonder I kept wondering why I hadn’t felt the slightest bit tipsy despite drinking so much. So how am I supposed to—’

Before he could complete his thought, a sudden ‘bang’ echoed through the hall, and the banquet lights abruptly extinguished, plunging the entire space into a soft, instant dimness.

‘Hmm? Why did the lights suddenly go out…’

‘Yun Gege, let’s go dance!’

‘Hey… slow down, you’ll trip.’

A colossal beam of light then pierced the dimness, illuminating the very heart of the grand banquet. As if from nowhere, a dedicated court orchestra emerged, their instruments weaving a beautiful waltz that enveloped the entire hall.

Immediately, everyone instinctively began to seek out their dance partners. Couples, arm-in-arm, glided gracefully into the center of the floor, twirling in elegant harmony. Numerous unpartnered nobles, meanwhile, embarked on a quest for their desired companions; the handsome and refined gentlemen, predictably, quickly captivated the hearts of the delicate young ladies. Before long, the dancing throng swelled, and at the very heart of this vibrant spectacle were, of course, Yun Jingping and Yun Feiyan.

Whether it was the influence of a protagonist’s halo or not, Yun Jingping and Yun Feiyan’s dance was undeniably the most captivating of the evening. All other dancers seemed to fade into mere foliage, serving only to highlight the blooming flowers. Every eye in the hall was drawn to the stunning pair, and even Lan Wu Xi had to concede that, in that moment, they exuded an unparalleled charm.

Naturally, this particular dance was not Lan Wu Xi’s forte. After all, not everyone had the privilege of learning such refined arts as Yun Jingping. As a young master of an illustrious family, such accomplishments were simply commonplace for him.

Among the many who remained on the sidelines, observing the dance, Lan Wu Xi could discern faint traces of spiritual energy emanating from a significant number of them. He felt certain that these individuals were, for the most part, the cultivators invited to this grand banquet.

He even recognized several familiar faces—the very individuals who had, moments ago, secretly mocked him as a mere country bumpkin. It seemed they, too, had invested considerable effort in preparing for this banquet.

Yet, a swan remains a swan. As for these unworldly toads, no matter how meticulously they attempted to masquerade as elegant swans, their true nature would inevitably be revealed.

‘Hey.’

‘What is it?’

Standing beside him, Huang Yao Yue suddenly tugged at his sleeve. It seemed several persistent young noblemen, still undeterred, wished to invite her to dance. Such an activity, involving physical proximity, could significantly boost mutual favor, and the unattached Huang Yao Yue was naturally their prime target.

‘Help me block them. It’s eight spirit crystals…’

‘Stand behind me! Consider this my repayment for your earlier lesson in etiquette!’

‘Hmm?’

Before Huang Yao Yue could fully react, Lan Wu Xi stepped forward, shielding her behind him. His face grim, he addressed the displeased men.

‘What are you still doing here? Can’t you see my fiancée and I are enjoying the dance?’

‘You may have misunderstood. We merely observed Miss Huang standing alone and wished to invite her for a dance. Everyone at a ball has the right to invite another; surely Miss Huang wouldn’t be so cruel as to refuse?’

This statement was, undeniably, double-edged. If Miss Huang refused, she would be branded arrogant and contemptuous. If she accepted, it would be a stinging slap to Lan Wu Xi, avenging their earlier grievances.

‘Help me, I don’t want to with them…’

Huang Yao Yue whispered, her voice barely audible, pressed against Lan Wu Xi’s back. She had no desire for physical contact with these repulsive men; she would rather dance with Lan Wu Xi himself.

‘Forget it. Give up.’

‘What did you say?!’

‘I said, give up. She won’t be dancing with any of you.’

‘Heh heh, does Miss Huang truly look down upon us so much?’

‘Are you deaf, boy? Do you not understand my words?’

Seemingly unwilling to prolong the conversation, Lan Wu Xi idly picked at his ear, then spoke each word with disdain.

‘Whether she wants to dance with you or not, I don’t know. But I am unilaterally forcing her not to dance with you.’