The music had barely resumed when Leng Xuanmo crossed the ballroom, eyes locked on Cheng Ciao and Li Man, his presence enough to split the crowd like a tide parting.
Mo Tianyi followed, hands tucked in his pockets, his steps unhurried, but his gaze no less intimidating.
Lu Jingyan, still in her silver gown, now stood slightly to the side, her expression soft-almost delicate-as if she were merely a bystander to the brewing storm. Her fingers rested against her collarbone, her smile polite, even serene.
The picture of elegance.
"Mr. Leng," Cheng Ciao began, quickly rearranging her expression into flirty innocence. "What a surprise. I didn't expect you'd notice me-us."
Leng Xuanmo didn't smile. "Unfortunately, I do."
The room grew quiet again. Even the music seemed to dim, replaced by the undercurrent of attention.
Li Man stepped in, trying to salvage the moment. "We were just saying hello to Jingyan. There's no need to be-"
"Publicly embarrassing her?" *Mo Tianyi* interjected smoothly, raising a brow. "You call that saying hello?"
Jingyan tilted her head ever so slightly, voice soft like a concerned dove. "It's alright. They probably didn't realize their words might come off a bit... unkind."
Cheng Ciao blinked, stunned. Was she... defending them?
Leng Xuanmo didn't fall for it. "No need to play nice, Jingyan."
His eyes never left Cheng Ciao. "I remember you. The one who tried to tarnish her name with false press two years ago."
Li Man scoffed. "That's ancient history. Why bring that up now?"
Mo Tianyi chuckled. "Funny how the past comes back when you're still acting like you're in high school."
Leng Xuanmo stepped closer, enough that Cheng Ciao's smile faltered. "Let me make this clear. The next time either of you speaks her name in disrespect, I'll make sure you won't be invited to events like this again-anywhere."
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
Cheng Ciao flushed red. "Are you threatening me?"
"No," he replied calmly. "I'm stating a guarantee."
Li Man's lips parted, but Mo Tianyi beat her to it.
"You two picked the wrong comeback story to compete with. Jingyan doesn't need to defend herself anymore. That's our job now."
All eyes turned back to Lu Jingyan-who still wore that soft, gentle smile, almost as if she was about to cry on cue.
"I really don't want to cause any trouble," she said sweetly. "I'm sure they didn't mean anything by it."
Cheng Ciao stared at her, jaw tightening. "You're acting like the victim again."
"I'm not acting," Jingyan said with a blink. "I really was humiliated. Just ask everyone here."
A few guests subtly nodded, others murmured in agreement.
She turned to Leng Xuanmo and Mo Tianyi, hands folded in front of her like a tragic heroine. "Please, don't be harsh. I've already forgiven them."
Leng Xuanmo smiled faintly, but it didn't reach his eyes. "We haven't."
"Definitely haven't," Mo Tianyi echoed.
The two women backed off quickly, realizing the social tides had turned.
Cheng Ciao's eyes darted to the press nearby. Her voice cracked. "This isn't over."
"Oh," Lu Jingyan replied innocently, "I'm sure it isn't."
Flashbulbs erupted, catching the exact moment *Leng Xuanmo stepped beside her*, hand gently resting at her lower back, while *Mo Tianyi smirked behind them*, watching Cheng Ciao and Li Man slink away.
Online, it would be labeled: *Two Kings Defend Their Queen.*
And Lu Jingyan?
She just adjusted her silver earring, blinking up at Leng Xuanmo like she didn't just orchestrate her own public redemption.