The palace shimmered like a jeweled lantern against the night, corridors awash with molten gold where hundreds of lights flickered against polished floors. Silk banners cascaded down marble pillars, shadows dancing across painted ceilings as if the gods themselves had joined the festivities. The faint scent of jasmine and sandalwood clung to the air, sweet and dizzying, threading through the laughter and distant music already spilling from the grand hall.

It was breathtaking, majestic—utterly designed to intimidate.

And Li Mei wanted to throw up.

Her system chimed the moment her slippers crossed the threshold.

[Ding! Warning: High-level court event detected.]
[NPC threats identified: Lady Yun, Lord Wei, Lady Huan.]
[Objective: Survive banquet without scandal.]
[Reward: +500 XP, system upgrade possible.]
[Probability of success: 42%.]

Li Mei's stomach plummeted. Forty-two percent? That's not a survival rate—that's a polite way of saying: good luck, you're screwed.

She muttered under her breath, "That's basically a death sentence with fancy food."

As if in response, another ping lit up in front of her eyes.

[Ding! New Skill Activated: Accidental Diplomat – Level 3.]
[Passive Bonus: +15 Influence in high-stakes events.]

"Oh good," Li Mei whispered bitterly. "A skill I never wanted, for a situation I don't want to be in. Fantastic."

The gown she wore didn't help. It was a blush-colored creation that Celestia herself had "subtly approved"—translation: forced her into. The silk swirled around her in delicate layers, making her feel like a frosted cake on display. Silver-thread embroidery caught the lantern light with every hesitant step, and jeweled hairpins tugged uncomfortably at her scalp. Great. If scandal doesn't kill me, tripping in this gown will.

Her palms dampened against the smooth fabric as she scanned the hall. Everywhere she looked were nobles in glittering attire, their gazes sharp, calculating. Smiles shimmered like lacquered porcelain, brittle beneath the weight of politics. Conversations fluttered in the air, filled with subtle barbs and careful laughter.

This isn't a banquet, Li Mei thought grimly. It's a battlefield disguised with silk and wine.

And like clockwork, her first danger appeared.

Lady Yun swept into view, draped in emerald silk and dripping with jewels that sparkled like weaponry. Two allies trailed her—both women with spines straight as swords, eyes narrowing as soon as they landed on Li Mei. The trio looked less like banquet guests and more like an execution squad dressed for the occasion.

Lady Yun's lips curled in a venomous smile. Her voice slithered low as she passed, sharp enough to slice through the jasmine-laden air.
"You… are still alive," she hissed, eyes flicking over Li Mei with disdain, "and somehow… dazzling."

Li Mei froze. Dazzling? Is that… a compliment? An insult? A prelude to assassination? Her brain scrambled for an appropriate response and came up with… nothing.

Before she could humiliate herself with awkward stammering, a shadow stretched beside her, tall and unhurried. Crown Prince Jianyu leaned lazily against a pillar, dressed in black embroidered robes that caught the lantern light like constellations stitched into night. His expression was all effortless amusement, dark eyes glinting as they lingered on Lady Yun and her entourage.

"Don't worry," Jianyu murmured, his voice pitched low enough for only Li Mei to hear. "If she tries anything, I'll intervene."

The way he said intervene carried an edge that made Li Mei's stomach knot tighter.

She groaned softly. "I don't need intervention… I need invisibility cloaks. Preferably seven."

The faintest smile tugged at Jianyu's mouth, and Lady Yun's glare only sharpened as she swept past.

The banquet was officially beginning. And Li Mei hadn't even had her first scandal yet.

The banquet hall pulsed with life. Musicians in the corner plucked at zithers and flutes, their melodies weaving through the golden air. Servers glided like swans, balancing trays of jade cups and porcelain dishes that shimmered under lantern light. A hundred conversations fluttered like wings, layered with laughter that was too bright, too sharp.

To Li Mei, every step felt like navigating a minefield disguised in silk.

Her system pinged again.

[Hint: Avoid stepping on noble toes or spilling tea. Failure will escalate gossip.]
[Ding! Side Quest Activated: Blend into Banquet Elegance.]
[Objective: Maintain composure.]
[Reward: +100 XP, +5 Charm.]

"Blend in?" Li Mei muttered. "I stick out like a noodle in a jewelry box."

She tried to walk with composure, placing her steps carefully on the polished floor, keeping her shoulders back like she'd seen palace attendants do. But her nerves crackled, her palms sweated, and she was acutely aware that if she blinked too hard, something expensive would probably shatter nearby.

The first trap struck with elegant subtlety.

Lady Yun, perched near a cluster of dignitaries, leaned close to a noble with a voice pitched just loud enough for the nearby crowd. "Did you hear? The maid speaks out of turn in court. They say she is favored by the Empress…"

Whispers rippled instantly. Heads tilted. Brows arched. A dozen sharp eyes turned to Li Mei like arrows seeking a target.

Her system shrieked in alarm.

[Warning: Gossip detected. Recommended action: Humor or diversion.]

Li Mei's brain short-circuited. Her choices? Deny it, confirm it, or… improvise. And when Li Mei improvised, chaos followed.

She plastered on her sweetest smile, leaned toward the nearest servant carrying tea, and stage-whispered just loud enough for several nobles to overhear. "Oh yes, the Empress adores my cooking disasters. Last week I put sugar instead of salt in the soup, and she laughed for an entire hour."

A stunned silence hit the cluster like a dropped cup. Then, incredulous gasps. A few nobles stifled laughter, some blinked in shock, and one elderly minister choked on his wine. Lady Yun froze mid-sentence, her venom curdling in her throat.

[Ding! Skill Activated: Charm by Chaos – Level 3.]
[Passive Bonus: +10 Reputation among neutral NPCs.]

Li Mei blinked. "Wait… that worked?"

"Yes," the system intoned smugly. "Truth flavored with chaos is most effective in high-stakes events."

Jianyu had sidled closer, his presence a steady shadow at her side. His lips curved in quiet amusement as he murmured, "You really do turn every disaster into… art."

"Art?!" Li Mei hissed back, face burning. "I'm panicking silently inside!"

His dark eyes glinted, clearly entertained.