Chapter 20: A Clue Emerges with a Twist

Yun Yao’s gaze followed the signs of disturbance, tracing them all the way to a pile of unprocessed herbs in the corner. There sat a basket of fresh glossy ganoderma, which she had gathered earlier that day. The mushrooms were arranged messily, with traces of soil remaining at the bottom of the basket—a stark contrast to the meticulous way she had organized them before.

"Has Jun Mohan been meddling with my ingredients again? What a repressed man," she muttered to herself, though her expression remained composed.

At that moment, Liu’er hurried over, her forehead beaded with fine sweat and her face pale. "Senior Sister, I... I can't find the purple heart grass," she said, her voice trembling as her eyes darted away, unable to meet Yun Yao’s gaze.

"Purple heart grass?" A thought struck Yun Yao. She remembered that it was the essential ingredient needed to neutralize the medicinal properties of the ganoderma. If it were missing, then... "This girl, Liu’er, is acting strange. To be this guilty—could she be the one behind this?"

Yun Yao walked over to Liu’er, feigning comfort as she patted her shoulder. "Don't worry, let’s look for it together." Her hand rested on Liu’er’s shoulder, seemingly casual, but she was secretly gauging the subtle shifts in the girl's body. Liu’er’s shoulders were rigid, and her breathing was slightly rapid, which only deepened Yun Yao’s suspicions.

*(It’s over, it’s all over. Has Senior Sister figured me out? What do I do, what do I do?)* Liu’er was in a state of internal panic, yet she forced herself to maintain a facade of calm.

As the time for the banquet drew near, the pressure on Yun Yao intensified. Inside the main hall, the tables and chairs were scattered, and the decorations remained unfinished, the air heavy with an atmosphere of tension. Yun Yao rushed back and forth, directing the other disciples; sweat soaked through her clothes, but she had no time to wipe it away.

*(This wretched banquet, why is there so much to do!)* Despite her internal irritation, she had to pull herself together. Suddenly, she felt a cold gaze fixed upon her from behind.

She spun around sharply, only to catch a fleeting glimpse of Senior Sister Murong.

"Junior Sister Yun Yao," Senior Sister Murong’s voice was cloyingly sweet, yet grating. "It seems the preparations for this banquet aren't going very smoothly, are they?" She covered her mouth and chuckled, her voice low yet loud enough for the elegantly dressed guests nearby to hear. "Junior Sister, this crane ornament seems to be placed in the wrong spot; it’s quite an unlucky omen." She gestured toward the crane statue in the center of the hall, appearing helpful while secretly sowing discord.

Several guests followed her gaze, agreeing that the placement was improper, and murmurs began to ripple through the room.

"Indeed, the arrangement is quite against the rules," commented Master Song, a man in brocade robes, as he fanned himself with a look of feigned sophistication.

"Senior Sister Murong is right. This is an important banquet; we cannot afford to be sloppy," chimed in another noblewoman, her eyes filled with disdain.

Yun Yao took a deep breath, struggling to suppress her anger while maintaining a polite smile. "Please rest assured, esteemed guests. The placement of this ornament has a deeper meaning, intended to echo the theme of today's banquet..." She explained with patient, undeniable sincerity, standing in sharp contrast to Senior Sister Murong’s hypocritical smile.

The tension in the air was palpable, ready to snap at any moment.

Elsewhere, Yun Yao approached Liu’er, who was organizing the tableware, and asked with concern, "Liu’er, has the work in the kitchen been too tiring lately? You don't look well." The plate in Liu’er’s hand trembled slightly; she looked up, gazing at Yun Yao with complex eyes. She had expected Yun Yao to interrogate her about the purple heart grass, and she felt a tide of guilt wash over her when she realized Yun Yao was instead showing her concern. She bit her lip, lowered her head, and whispered, "No... I'm fine, Senior Sister." The atmosphere around them grew subtle.

In the corner of the hall, a black shadow flickered and vanished into the night.

"Junior Sister Yun," a low voice came from the doorway, breaking the tension in the hall. Jun Mohan’s arrival was like a timely rain. He brought with him several capable assistants, skillfully directing them to set up the venue and arrange the decorations. With their help, the previously chaotic hall quickly became orderly. Yun Yao’s workload lightened instantly, and she looked at Jun Mohan with gratitude, a relaxed smile blooming at the corners of her mouth.

Jun Mohan’s gaze fell upon her with tenderness. As their eyes met, an indescribable emotion flowed between them. The surrounding disciples whispered among themselves.

After settling the affairs in the hall, Yun Yao went to the kitchen, where a rich fragrance greeted her. Various ingredients were being processed in an orderly fashion under Master Chef Wang’s direction. Yun Yao’s gaze landed on an inconspicuous bag of spices in the corner. She took a small pinch and sniffed it; a unique, refreshing scent instantly cleared her mind. A spark of realization ignited within her—this was the key ingredient she had been searching for!

Drawing on her culinary experience from her past life, Yun Yao ingeniously incorporated the special spice into the dishes. Before long, a spread of aromatic and visually stunning dishes was presented to everyone. Master Chef Wang took a bite, his eyes lighting up as he gave a thumbs-up in praise. "Marvelous! Junior Sister Yun, your skill is truly peerless!" The kitchen filled with laughter, and the tense atmosphere vanished.

Liu’er stood silently to the side, watching Yun Yao’s busy figure, her heart filled with mixed emotions. Yun Yao’s kindness and concern only increased the pressure she felt. Several times she wanted to speak the truth, but she feared the consequences. She gripped the hem of her clothes tightly, struggling internally.

Yun Yao noticed Liu’er’s odd behavior and walked over, asking softly, "Liu’er, is something troubling you?" Liu’er’s shoulders trembled slightly. She looked up at Yun Yao with complex eyes, her lips moving as if to say something, but in the end, she remained silent. The atmosphere in the kitchen turned subtle once more, as if a thread of tension had frozen in the air.

Taking a deep breath, as if making a decision, Liu’er spoke up: "Senior Sister, I..."