Bai Lanyue's eyes narrowed. She knew what this meant. It was over for her. Every whispered plan, every carefully constructed lie, had been unraveled. Her gaze darted to Ji Lanxue, who stood calm and composed, the image of innocence and precision. The guests' eyes were fixed on her, and in that moment, Bai Lanyue realized she had no room to maneuver. But instinct kicked in — a seed of an idea formed in her mind.
"Lanxue…" Her voice trembled just enough to sound vulnerable, rehearsed sorrow lacing every word. "Did I… offend you before?" She painted herself as the wronged party, the white lotus, knowing all eyes would fall upon her.
Ji Lanxue's gaze was steady, unyielding, unflinching. She understood exactly why Bai Lanyue played this act — and she did not waver.
"Ji Lanxue, what are you doing?" Shen Yichen's voice cut through the tension as he approached.
"Shen Yichen, what are you implying? That I photoshopped this footage?" Ji Lanxue asked, her voice calm, deliberate, but carrying the weight of truth.
Wen Qing scoffed, gesturing at the screen. "Is it not obvious? What the hell is this?"
"This is clearly footage from five years ago," Ji Lanxue replied.
"We can't be sure. It could be manipulated," Wen Qing argued. Ji Lanxue's nod was almost imperceptible, as if conceding to the obvious doubt.
"Then what about this?" Ji Lanxue pressed, and a new video played. Su Yiren's confession to framing Bai Zhiqi and her own crimes from five years prior unfolded before everyone.
"What is this?" a guest asked, shock threading their voice.
"This is footage from yesterday," Ji Lanxue said, her tone quiet but resolute. "Su Yiren confessed to her crimes."
Wen Qing laughed bitterly. "Yesterday? Su Yiren's been missing for weeks. Bai Heng was investigated — if he's involved at all — this is impossible."
Ji Yanluo's voice rang out, steady and undeniable. "It is not fabricated. It is real."
The hall fell silent.
The doors opened without announcement. He stepped in first, dressed in a black suit, every line precise and deliberate. The chandeliers caught the satin of his lapels, but he did not look around. He did not need to. His presence commanded attention simply by existing.
Beside him walked Su Yiren in a plain blue dress. The gown was modest, unadorned, yet her calm gaze carried certainty. Their steps were synchronized, deliberate — two forces aligned in purpose. They did not touch, yet they moved together, anchoring the room with undeniable truth.
The guests' murmurs died. Conversations faltered. Fear, astonishment, and recognition spread across faces. The lie that had hung over the banquet for years could no longer survive in the light of proof.
Bai Lanyue's smirk faltered. The truth had arrived — and it prevailed.