Surviving In Another World With My Three Cups!-Chapter 126: LADY BANQUET 2

The maid led Lin Xu toward a small hall. As they arrived, Lin Xu glanced around the room. San Na was already seated at the center, her maid Xuan standing quietly beside her.

"Welcome, Lady Lin," San Na said with a faint smile.

Lin Xu returned a polite nod but didn’t bother to smile back. She could see through that act easily. Years of running a business had taught her how to tell a sincere face from a fake one.

Taking her seat on the left side of the table, Lin Xu folded her hands neatly and waited calmly for the other two ladies to arrive.

A few moments later, Lady Xu entered the hall. She was dressed in a dark brown hanfu, simple yet elegant, though her frail figure made it seem almost too heavy for her to bear. Her skin was pale, and the way she walked slowly made it look as if a light breeze could topple her over.

When she reached the center of the room, she bowed slightly to San Na in greeting. But as she bent forward, her balance faltered, and she nearly stumbled.

Her personal maid quickly caught her arm, steadying her before she could fall.

"Careful, my lady," the maid whispered softly, worry in her eyes.

San Na’s smile didn’t falter, but a faint glint of satisfaction flashed in her gaze as she watched the scene unfold. Lin Xu, sitting quietly, observed everything, her brows knitting slightly. Something about Lady Xu’s condition didn’t seem right.

But she didn’t think too much about it as she just minded her business.

Soon after, Lady Chu Ming entered the hall. Her arrival was loud and proud, every step filled with arrogance. She was escorted by the head maid, Miss Han, and her own personal maid, Lian.

As she walked in, her sharp eyes moved between San Na and Lin Xu. The moment her gaze landed on Lin Xu, her expression turned cold and hateful. If looks could kill, Lin Xu was sure she’d be lying dead on the floor.

Chu Ming gave a brief glance at San Na, then started to walk past without saying a word. But before she could go further, Miss Han quickly stepped forward.

"Lady Chu, you have not yet paid your respects to the First Wife," the head maid reminded her firmly.

Chu Ming’s face instantly turned red with anger. "How dare you speak to me like that, you old witch!" she shouted, raising her hand to strike Miss Han.

Before her hand could come down, Lin Xu quickly stepped forward and caught her wrist, pushing it away sharply.

"You really find it easy to hit people for no reason, don’t you?" Lin Xu said, her voice calm but cold.

Chu Ming’s eyes burned with fury, and she was about to lash out again when a quick flash of memory crossed her mind the scene from earlier when Mo Ying had defended Lin Xu so fiercely, all the way to the slaps she had received from her. The thought made her chest tighten, and she froze for a moment.

Her glare met Lin Xu’s, but the calm confidence in Lin Xu’s eyes made her flinch slightly. With an angry huff, Chu Ming pulled her hand back and turned away, walking to her seat in silence.

Lin Xu only sighed, rolling her eyes before turning to help Miss Han back to her feet. "You should be more careful," she said softly.

Miss Han bowed slightly, whispering, "Thank you, Lady Lin," before stepping aside.

The hall grew quiet again as San Na’s faint smile carried a hint of hidden amusement.

With them now complete, the meeting began.

San Na adjusted her sleeve and looked around the room, her calm smile returning. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"Now that everyone is here," she began smoothly, her tone soft but steady, "there’s something important I must announce. In three days, the Mo family will be hosting the Lady’s Banquet."

Her words drew everyone’s attention immediately.

"This banquet," she continued, "is held once every two years, and different noble families take turns hosting it. This year, the honor has fallen upon our household. Noble women from all across the city will attend, from young ladies of high birth to married women of standing."

She paused, her voice carrying quiet authority as she added, "And most importantly, Lady Fu, the First Duke’s wife, will be our guest of honor. We must ensure everything is perfect for her arrival."

As soon as her name was mentioned, the air in the room grew heavier. Even Chu Ming’s arrogant expression faltered slightly. Lady Fu’s status was not one to be taken lightly. Even though she was doted on by the emperor, she knew Lady Fu wasn’t someone she could act rudely around.

Just then, a soft coughing sound broke the silence. Lady Xu was struggling to suppress another fit of coughs, her thin frame trembling slightly. Her maid quickly handed her a handkerchief, whispering worriedly, "My lady, please rest your voice."

All eyes turned toward her.

Chu Ming frowned in open disgust. "If she’s that weak, maybe she should just stay in bed instead of sitting here coughing in everyone’s face," she said coldly.

Lin Xu shot her a glare before turning to Lady Xu with quiet sympathy. "Are you all right?" she asked softly.

Lady Xu gave a weak nod, still coughing into her sleeve.

San Na’s expression didn’t change; her calm smile remained, though her eyes flickered briefly with something unreadable. "Lady Xu, you should take care of your health," she said gently, then turned her gaze back to the others. "Still, we all have our parts to play."

Lin Xu straightened slightly and spoke up. "May I ask what our specific duties will be for the banquet?"

For a moment, San Na was silent. Then she brought a delicate hand to her lips and gave a light, deliberate cough. The sound was so obviously fake that Lin Xu nearly rolled her eyes.

Before San Na could speak, Lian, Lady Chu’s maid, stepped forward and bowed slightly. "My lady is not feeling well," she said quickly, "so she won’t be able to help much with the arrangements."

The room fell quiet.

Chu Ming’s head snapped toward her maid, her temper flaring. "Who asked you to speak?" she barked, glaring sharply. "Since when does a servant interrupt a meeting of wives?"

Lian immediately bowed her head, trembling. "I-I apologize, my lady..."

Lin Xu sighed quietly, rubbing her temples. "You don’t have to shout at her. She only meant to help," she muttered under her breath.

Chu Ming shot her a glare but said nothing more.

San Na then motioned subtly to the head maid, Miss Han, who stepped forward with a respectful bow, carrying a small scroll in her hands.

"The First Wife has already made the arrangements," Miss Han said clearly. "Allow me to distribute the tasks."

She opened the scroll and began reading aloud, "Lady Chu Ming will handle the floral decorations and garden arrangements, while Lady Xu will be in charge of welcoming the guests. And Lady Lin..." She glanced up briefly. "You will take care of food and catering."

Lin Xu nodded calmly, though inwardly she couldn’t help but feel that something about these assignments had been arranged a little too neatly. They must have been aware that she was good at cooking and all, but with San Na removing herself from all these, it didn’t seem right for some reason.

San Na leaned back in her seat, her faint smile still lingering. "I trust each of you will handle your duties with care," she said smoothly. "After all, the reputation of the Mo family rests on how well we perform."

Her gaze lingered just a moment too long on Lin Xu before she picked up her teacup and took a slow sip.

Lin Xu met her eyes briefly, then looked away, her mind already turning. I’m definitely her target.