The reassurance sounded reasonable.
But she knew her daughter too well.
She could see the tension hidden behind that smile.
And honestly...
She understood why.
Because Xi Lanyin herself desperately wanted Su Yueqing to be wrong.
Perhaps more than anyone else.
After all, if Su Yueqing was right...
Then Zhao Mingyuan truly had been deceiving her, the thought alone made Xi Lanyin’s chest feel tight.
Over the past several years, she had exchanged letters with him, gradually opened her heart to him.
And now...
One person’s thoughts had thrown all of it into question.
Deep down, Xi Lanyin still couldn’t bring herself to believe it completely.
She wanted to, logic told her she should but emotions were not so easily controlled.
A small part of her stubbornly held onto hope.
Hope that Su Yueqing had misunderstood.
Hope that Zhao Mingyuan wasn’t the person everyone was beginning to suspect.
Hope that the man she had spent years caring about wasn’t simply playing a role.
Lin Meiyun gently squeezed her daughter’s hand.
The gesture startled Xi Lanyin.
"You don’t have to force yourself."
Xi Lanyin lowered her eyes.
"I know."
Lin Meiyun’s expression softened.
"No matter what happens today, we will discover the truth eventually."
Xi Lanyin nodded.
But her heart remained unsettled.
Just then, another announcement came from the gate.
"The wife of Minister Wang has arrived!"
Immediately, servants stepped forward to greet the newly arrived guests.
A noblewoman in her forties entered alongside two elegantly dressed young ladies.
Lin Meiyun instantly pushed aside her worries and welcomed them with a warm smile.
As the hostess, she could not allow her personal concerns to interfere with the banquet.
One after another, more guests arrived.
Some were older noblewomen.
Others brought their daughters.
Soon, the entrance became increasingly lively.
Pleasantries were exchanged and laughter filled the air.
Conversations began forming throughout the courtyard.
Meanwhile, preparations inside the manor continued smoothly.
Several young ladies from the Xi family had already been assigned specific responsibilities.
Xi Lanyin and Xi Qianqian would help escort guests of their own generation.
Gu Yue would assist with introductions and seating arrangements.
As for Su Yueqing...
The thought of Su Yueqing immediately caused Xi Ronghua to snort.
Lin Meiyun glanced at her.
"What now?"
Xi Ronghua looked amused.
"I was just wondering how many disasters can happen before sunset."
Lin Meiyun nearly laughed despite herself.