CHAPTER 62: CHAPTER 62: BANQUET II — ALTERCATION

The grand hall fell into a brief silence the moment Yue Chen’s voice rang out.

"Sister!"

Dozens of curious gazes turned toward the source. Yue Ning paused mid-step, her dress shimmering under the chandelier as she turned gracefully, an elegant smile gracing her lips.

"Yue Chen," she acknowledged softly. Her tone was polite, but it was edged with something firmer as her eyes briefly swept over Yue Chen.

Yue Chen strode forward, her heels clicking against the marble floor, every step dripping with challenge. The smile on her face was bright, but her eyes held something deeper, dangerous.

"You do look dazzling tonight," Yue Chen said sweetly, though her voice was loud enough for nearby guests to hear. "Who would have thought... that someone like you would actually fit in at a place like this?" There was a look of challenge in her eyes.

Her words hung heavy in the air. A few guests exchanged glances, whispers filling the hall instantly.

Mother Yue broke out into a cold sweat. Yue Chen was courting death.

Yue Ning’s smile never faltered. She tilted her head, her calm gaze meeting Yue Chen’s. "Why wouldn’t I belong here? After all, I am Huo Feng’s wife. Unless..."

She let the words hang deliberately, her voice smooth but cutting, "you mean to say you regret letting him go?" Yue Ning folded her arms, meeting Yue Chen’s challenge.

Yue Chen’s face turned red instantly, not with shame, but with a flash of fury. Her nails dug into her palm beneath her clutch as she hissed through clenched teeth, "Don’t get ahead of yourself, Yue Ning." It was a warning.

Yue Ning’s laugh was soft and melodic as she looked at her nails. "Ahead of myself? Yue Chen, you’re the one chasing after a man who never looked back at you once he made his choice. Doesn’t that feel a little bit pitiful?"

Gasps rippled among the guests. Some drew subtly closer, eager to witness the clash unfold.

Yue Chen’s mask of composure cracked. Her voice rose slightly, enough to draw Old Madam Huo’s attention from across the hall, although the matriarch did not intervene. She only watched the altercation with narrowed eyes.

"You think being Mrs. Huo gives you security? Don’t forget, this family doesn’t welcome outsiders so easily. Not everyone will be fooled by that dress or your little act of grace."

Yue Chen leaned further, and whispered into her ears. "I know about your real identity in the family. Don’t think you can be smug." She pulled away with a satisfied smirk, expecting Yue Ning to break down.

Instead, Yue Ning’s lips curved into a sharper smile, her words were sharp, but spoken with elegance. "And yet here I stand, welcomed at his side. Meanwhile, you are still chasing shadows. If Huo Feng was truly the love of your life, Yue Chen, why settle for Kang Beichen as a back-up? Why did you beg him to marry me?"

Yue Ning didn’t talk about what she had whispered into her ears. Actually, her heart skipped a bit when Yue Chen uttered those words.

With narrowed eyes, she thought to herself. She would tell Huo Feng to investigate the Yue couple. They must know something.

Meanwhile, the name (Kang Beichen) dropped like a stone in still water. A ripple of shock coursed through the surrounding guests, and more than a few raised their brows with interest.

Yue Chen’s chest rose and fell sharply while she breathed heavily. Her smile stiffened as fury burned beneath her skin.

Yue Ning leaned in slightly, her voice still calm, and her gaze unyielding. "Some of us don’t need back-up plans. We know where we belong."

The guests erupted in murmurs, some amused, others openly smirking at Yue Chen’s discomfort.

For the first time, Yue Chen found herself unable to retort. Her fingers tightened on the clutch in her hand, and though she wanted to lash out, her carefully constructed poise threatened to shatter.

"You..." She could only point her fingers at Yue Ning who had her brows raised.

Unable to take it, Mother Yue went forward, and pulled Yue Chen away.

"Strange. They are both sisters, but why didn’t Mother Yue caution them?"

"There is something fishy about this family."

The guests whispered among themselves. Yue Ning only smiled.

With a small bow, she apologized. "Sorry about earlier. I have embarrassed myself. My sister..." She paused, turning her attention towards Yue Chen who was being chastised. "She still needs training. Please, forget about this little episode, and enjoy the banquet."

After saying all these, she smiled elegantly, before walking away.

The banquet finally began in full force. Music drifted from the stage where a string quartet played softly, filling the hall with elegant notes.

Guests moved in small circles, exchanging pleasantries, raising glasses of wine, and sneaking curious glances at the Huo family table.

Old Madam Huo sat at the head, dignified as ever, receiving gifts and well-wishes with a calm smile. Every now and then, she would lean toward Huo Feng, speaking quietly, while her sharp eyes seemed to notice everything happening in the room.

Yue Ning sat beside him, her dress still drawing admiration from every corner. Some women whispered enviously, some men sneaked second glances, but she pretended not to notice.

She lifted her glass politely each time someone came to toast her, her manner neither too warm nor too distant.

Old Madam subtly nodded, satisfied with her graceful and noble actions.

Across the hall, Yue Chen forced herself to laugh at Kang Beichen’s remarks, though her eyes kept darting toward Yue Ning.

Her smile only deepened her bitterness. Fortunately for her, he had not heard about the altercation she had with Yue Ning or else, he would be suspicious of her.

The evening flowed with speeches, polite laughter, and more than a few undercurrents of tension. Yet to the guests, the Huo family presented a united, untouchable front, or that was what was painted to the outsiders.

When the final performance ended and most guests had moved on to their meals, Yue Ning leaned toward Huo Feng. Her voice was soft, but her eyes were steady. "Huo Feng, I need to tell you something."

Huo Feng turned to her, slightly tipsy. He had drank a lot of wine having had a lot of people toast to him, but he still had a bit of clarity within him.

"What do you want to say?"

"It is about my identity," Yue Ning whispered softly.

Huo Feng’s expression suddenly became serious as he had his gaze fixated on her.