Aina’s scheme (2).

The thunderous applause for Aina startled Ling Yue out of her memories.

Aina bathed in the attention that was given her, her face full of shyness, masking the arrogance and pride underneath.

She might as well enjoy it while she has it, Ling Yue would undermine her efforts piece by piece. The woman won't even realize what was happening until her surroundings all crumble.

The Emperor smiled benevolently, a calculating look passing though his eyes as he considered the possibilities of this pawn in the future.

"Chancellor Ruan Bao, to think you've hidden this precious gem away from my eyes all these years! You've trained you grand-daughter well; servants, award Aina Yue three Black Pearls and a yard of Qing Silk!"

Aina gladly kneeled down: "I bid thee thanks, my generous Emperor! Such precious gifts Aina dare not receive, Aina merely wanted to entertain the Emperor and the Lords..."

"...But, there is one request Aina wanted to make..." She suddenly said.

Ruan Bao, who had been grinning widely and accepting his peers' praise, suddenly blanched as his grin fell.

Ungrateful fool! She should've received the gifts and returned to her seat!

The Emperor is not someone she could ask for favors so easily. One wrong word and everything is ruined!

The Emperor's smile faltered around the corners as he squinted his eyes. Aina sensed the shift in the atmosphere. Sweat rolled down her forehead as she remained kneeled in the middle of the Hall.

She gritted her teeth, she had gone too far to back down now. Her snake-like eyes held a cruelty in them as she discreetly glared at Ling Yue, filled with such jealousy and hatred as if she wanted to eat Ling Yue's flesh and drink her blood.

Ling Yue elegantly raised an eyebrow, her chin resting on her delicate hands. What was this leech planning? She had a feeling this Aina wanted to drag her into this mess.

She could almost guess what the girl would ask for.

She returned Aina's glare with a cool smile, twirling the strand of black hair that fell on her chest, mouthing: 'come at me.'

Aina's back straightened as fire-hot rage clogged her brains and clouded her eyes. This bitch, this bastard of the Yue Clan, this Imbecile! How dare she!

"My Emperor, please don't misunderstand Aina, this humble servant asks for nothing great. It's just that Aina has heard of the many rumors surrounding my dear cousin, Ling Yue, and wish to refute it in front of everyone.

Lady Yue is actually very talented at the Guqin also; Aina is sure she also has something prepared for today's celebration…"Aina meekly said, her voice soft and shaky, her body swaying.

Kneeling in the middle of the hall, she looked fragile, like a wounded bird, making people want to hug her and comfort her.

Noblemen started covering their mocking grins as soon as they heard Aina's request.

Everyone sat back, wine in hand as they prepared themselves for good drama.

Most just wanted to laugh at the Imbecile, the Ladies reminding themselves of Ling Yue's worthlessness, and that her beauty didn't count as a penny.

The Imbecile, skilled at the Guqin? Ha!

If she knew it at all, she would have showed it off already to salvage some of that terrible reputation of hers.

Everyone was certain Ling Yue was dumb and slow as a rock.

Concubine Fu's smile instantly widened as she sat straight in her golden seat. Well done, Aina! The opportunity has come to retaliate! She'd show the Imbecile and Hong Yue the price for going up against her!

She glanced at the Emperor charmingly: "My Emperor, I too have been admiring the Lady Yue's talents! I can't wait to see what ingenious gifts she's been hiding all this time. Aina's request is but a trivial matter; will you grant us the satisfaction of seeing the Lady Yue perform?"

The Emperor glanced at Ling Yue.

The Imbecile, performing in front of the noblemen?

Ha, he himself wanted to see her shame. That Hong Yue and the Yue Clan, never bending to his will. It is time to show them some warnings.

A smooth smile returned to his face as he told Aina to stand up: "Very well! I have not seen the Lady Yue's performance in the four arts, but such praise is getting me excited already. Ling Yue, come up and show everyone your studies."

Aina shot Ling Yue a satisfied glare as she returned to her seat.

Ling Yue stared at Aina with contemn, her slight, cold smile never wavering, making the girl shiver for an unknown reason.

Aina instinctively averted her eyes, then scolded herself for doing so. She almost ripped her handkerchief in rage, but quickly comforted herself thinking Ling Yue would be shamed before the whole capital's noblemen in no time.

Ha, so this was Aina's scheme.

She wanted to embarrass Ling Yue in front of the Emperor and the noblemen of the capital.

Hong Yue slammed his wine cup on the table, cracking the precious wooden surface. The sound startled many as their laughter faltered from their faces.

They chided themselves for forgetting Hong Yue.

What if the Yue Clan Master held a grudge against them for mocking his daughter? With his power, it wouldn't be pleasant going up against him.

The Emperor frowned, a hint of rage bubbling beneath the surface. Hong Yue's defiant actions against his orders were testing his patience.

Ling Yue's small hand gently patted her father's thick, muscled arm: "I'll be fine, father."

Hong Yue's eyes instantly softened, the rage behind them all gone as he looked at his daughter: "Ling-er, you don't have to go up, I can demand from the Emperor..."

"Why not?" Ling Yue laughed: "If Aina and the Concubine Fu have prepared me so grand a stage, why waste their efforts?

Father, I've brought you shame all this time. From this day on, I'll make you proud."

Before Hong Yue could respond, Ling Yue stood up.

Her crimson hanfu flared aflame, making all the colors in the world dim.

Her eyes shone like crushed stars, her smile shining vibrant like the moon, she announced quietly to her father:

"From this day on, I will no longer be the Yue Clan's shame."

Hong Yue was struck speechless. He stared at his daughter's back as she walked towards the middle of the banquet hall. The little girl he had watched over all his life, she has finally grown up. If only her mother was here to see it…

Hong Yue trusted his daughter, so even as the noblemen and Imperial Family all watched on mockingly, he sat still, not intervening further.

But no matter what takes place, he would still protect Ling Yue at all costs. Should the situation go out of hand, he would jump in immediately.

Ling Yue slowly walked on the golden stage, feeling the burning gazes on her body.

Her posture remained upright, her every action methodical and elegant, not one bit fazed. She stared at the empty Guqin table in front of her, a cold smile on her face.

Aina had retrieved her precious Guqin of Thousand Flowers before Ling Yue could use it; she had nothing to play with now. Any decent Guqin player would always have their own Guqin prepared; the fact that Ling Yue had none was enough to be embarrassing already.

Ling Yue turned to her father, making eye contact with him. Hong Yue sat up a little straighter, noticing the problem right away.

Before he could open his lips to order for servants, a deep, smooth voice resonated from the Banquet Hall's entrance:

"Lady of the Yue Clan, you may use my Guqin."