Surviving In Another World With My Three Cups!-Chapter 169 -
Lin Xu stood before the tall bronze mirror, her hands lifting the fabric slightly as she turned from side to side.
The hunting attires laid across the bed were nothing like what she expected light, flexible, and tailored to move with the body. Leather trims hugged the sleeves, the waist cinched just enough to look sharp without restricting her steps. Every piece felt... thoughtful.
She tried one.
Then another.
And another.
Each time, her reflection looked less like a helpless guest and more like someone who belonged in Yan Mountain.
"...This one too?" she muttered, fingers brushing the last outfit.
The maid smiled knowingly. "His Highness personally selected them. He said comfort matters more than appearance but he still chose the finest materials."
Lin Xu clicked her tongue softly. "Of course he did."
She changed back into her inner robe just as the maid lifted a long box from the basket.
"And this," the maid said carefully, opening it, "is for tonight’s gathering."
Inside lay a dress of deep jade green.
The silk shimmered softly, like leaves after rain. The cut was elegant yet restrained, the sleeves flowing lightly, the embroidery subtle but unmistakably luxurious.
Lin Xu froze.
"This is..." Her voice trailed off.
"Very expensive," the maid finished gently. "Only the imperial workshops can produce silk like this."
Lin Xu swallowed. "He prepared this... for me?"
The maid nodded. "For the banquet tonight. His Majesty will officially announce the commencement of this year’s Royal Hunt. All nobles, families, and guests will attend. There will be music, wine, performances."
Lin Xu exhaled slowly. "So... a battlefield with smiles."
The maid laughed softly. "You understand quickly."
Once Lin Xu finished bathing and dressing lightly, the maid excused herself, leaving the tent quiet once more.
Lin Xu sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the green dress.
"This is getting out of hand..."
Just then—
Puff.
A familiar glowing airball appeared midair, spinning excitedly.
"SUSU—" Lin Xu hissed, grabbing a pillow and throwing it straight through the illusion.
It passed right through.
"Hahaha! Congratulations, Host!" Susu’s cheerful voice rang out. "You have successfully completed your mission!"
Lin Xu’s eyes narrowed. "Mission? All I did was obey an order."
A golden panel unfolded before her eyes.
[Mission Completed: Go where the Crown Prince has ordered.]
[Reward Granted: Truth Seeker Skill.]
Her breath hitched.
Lin Xu stared at the glowing words.
"...You’re trying to get me killed."
Susu gasped dramatically. "How hurtful! Anyway.. new mission!"
Before she could protest, another panel appeared.
[New Mission Issued.]
Objective: Escort the Crown Prince to the banquet tonight.
Secondary Objective: Induce jealousy in Mo Ying.
Condition: Monitor jealousy rate in percentage format.
Reward upon reaching 100%: Memory Intruder Skill (One-time use).
Lin Xu stood abruptly. "Absolutely not."
Susu blinked. "Eh?"
"Make Mo Ying jealous?" she snapped. "Do you know how dangerous that sounds? I hardly could even understand how angry he must still be that I left the Mo residence, now I turn up here with the crown prince and if that wasn’t enough you still want me to make him jealous.. No! Not interested, I like my peace of mind thank you very much."
"Oh, come on," Susu said lightly. "It’s just jealousy. A very measurable emotion!"
Lin Xu clenched her fists. "You’re turning people into variables."
"That’s the fun part!"
She lunged forward. "Come back here—!"
Susu zipped upward just in time, spinning happily. "Mission accepted by default! See you later, Host~!"
"YOU—!"
Puff.
Gone.
Lin Xu dropped back onto the bed, staring at the tent ceiling.
"...I really am in trouble."
---
Several hours later, the tent curtain rustled.
"Lin Xu?"
Yan Mei stepped in, dressed beautifully in soft peach-colored robes, her hair styled delicately. She looked... radiant.
Lin Xu blinked. "Yan Mei?"
Yan Mei smiled shyly. "The Crown Prince’s sisters dressed me. They said I looked too plain."
Lin Xu laughed. "Plain? You look like someone’s first love."
Yan Mei flushed. "Stop teasing."
Lin Xu tilted her head. "Where did they get you such a dress?"
"The princesses," Yan Mei replied softly. "They were very kind. Asked about my hometown. My family."
She paused.
Her smile faded slightly.
Lin Xu noticed at once. "Yan Mei?"
Yan Mei lowered her gaze. "I was just thinking... if things were different."
Lin Xu reached out and lightly tapped her forehead. "Hey. Tonight is about food, music, and survival. No sad thoughts allowed."
Yan Mei chuckled weakly. "You’re right."
"Besides," Lin Xu teased, "you might just meet your dream man tonight."
Yan Mei laughed, but the sound didn’t quite reach her eyes.
Before Lin Xu could say more, footsteps approached outside the tent.
The curtain lifted.
The Crown Prince stepped in.
He paused.
His gaze landed on Lin Xu, now dressed in the green gown.
For a brief moment, the camp seemed to quiet.
"...It suits you," he said at last, his voice low.
Lin Xu stood. "You went too far with this dress."
He smiled faintly. "Not far enough."
Yan Mei quickly bowed. "Your Highness."
"Yan Mei," he nodded. "You look well."
She smiled politely and excused herself, sensing the shift in the air.
Once alone, Lin Xu looked at him. "So this is part of your plan?"
He tilted his head. "Does it bother you?"
She hesitated.
"...Yes."
"Good," he replied calmly. "Then you’ll be alert."
He extended his hand. "Shall we?"
Outside, lanterns lit the campgrounds, music already drifting through the air.
And somewhere among the crowd..
Mo Ying was watching.
[Jealousy Rate: 12%]
Lin Xu felt it.
And the hunt hadn’t even begun.
***
The Crown Prince led the way, his steps unhurried, his presence commanding. Lin Xu walked half a step behind him, close enough that the edge of his sleeve brushed hers whenever the path narrowed.
The night air was cool.
Lanterns lined the main path, their warm glow casting long shadows over the campgrounds. Ahead, rows of wide canopies stretched across the open field, each marked with banners and sigils.
Ranks were clear at a glance.
The Marquis families occupied the outer canopies, respectable, well-decorated, but carefully placed away from the center. Closer in sat the General families, their tents broader, more austere. The Mo family’s banner stood tall among them.
Farther ahead were the Prime Minister’s household and the high ministers, their canopies arranged with meticulous symmetry.
And at the very center..
Closest to the raised imperial platform..stood the Crown Prince’s canopy.
Dark red and gold.
Just behind it, elevated and unmistakable, was the Emperor’s seat.
Music flowed through the air as dancers moved gracefully in the open space before the imperial platform, silk sleeves fluttering like wings. The scent of wine and roasted meat mixed with incense, creating an atmosphere both festive and tense.
Every seat was already filled.
Everyone... except two.
The moment the Crown Prince stepped into view, the music softened.
Not stopped but lowered as if the camp itself held its breath.
"His Highness has arrived," someone whispered.
The Crown Prince walked forward calmly as Lin Xu followed.
Then
Silence.
It wasn’t abrupt. It spread and conversations faltered, Laughter died in throats with Cups pausing midair.
And then the whispers began.
"Who’s that woman?"
"I’ve never seen her before."
"She’s walking with His Highness..."
"Could it be—?"
"No, impossible..."
"She’s beautiful."
"Is she a noble lady?"
"Could she be the future Crown Princess?"
The murmurs rippled outward like waves.
Lin Xu felt every stare.
Her spine straightened instinctively, her steps steady, her expression composed.
But her fingers tightened slightly at her side.
Of all the eyes watching her, there was one she could feel without even looking.
From the General families’ canopies.
From the Mo household.
Mo Ying sat with several young men, a porcelain cup held loosely in his hand. He had been speaking, his tone calm, his posture relaxed.
Until he saw her.
His words stopped.
The tea in his cup rippled faintly.
His gaze locked onto Lin Xu as if pulled by an invisible thread.
She was different.
The green silk clung softly to her form, the lantern light catching in the embroidery like living jade. Her hair was styled simply, yet it framed her face in a way that made her look composed and untouchable.
And she was walking behind the Crown Prince.
Not like a servant.
Not like a maid.
But like someone who belonged there.
Mo Ying’s jaw tightened.
Across the distance, Lin Xu felt it.
A sharp, burning awareness.
The system chimed quietly in her mind.
[Jealousy Rate: 18%]
Her steps faltered for half a breath.
"...Already?" she thought grimly.
The Crown Prince seemed to sense the shift. He slowed just enough to glance back at her.
"Are you uncomfortable?" he asked softly.
"No," Lin Xu replied at once.
It wasn’t entirely a lie.
He nodded and continued forward.
As they reached the central canopy, an attendant stepped aside and bowed deeply. The Crown Prince took his seat, then turned slightly toward Lin Xu.
"Sit," he said.
A seat had been prepared.
Beside him.
Another wave of whispers surged through the crowd.
Mo Ying’s fingers tightened around his cup.
Crack.
A faint fracture appeared along the porcelain.
He didn’t notice.
His eyes never left Lin Xu as she took her seat next to the Crown Prince, her movements graceful, controlled.
The system chimed again.
[Jealousy Rate: 27%]
Mo Ying finally drank his tea—but the taste was bitter.
Around him, the young men continued talking, oblivious.
"...Did you see His Highness tonight?"
"I heard he never brings women to public events."
"That woman do you recognize her?"
Mo Ying said nothing.
His gaze remained fixed.
The Crown Prince accepted a cup of wine from an attendant, then tilted his head toward Lin Xu.
"Relax," he said quietly. "Tonight, you only need to sit and watch."
She glanced sideways at him. "That’s not what my system thinks."
He chuckled softly. "I don’t know what that is but you look like someone bracing for battle."
Lin Xu exhaled slowly and lifted her cup.
Across the field, Mo Ying’s eyes darkened. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶
The dancers spun faster, the music swelled once more, and the banquet officially began.
And Mo Ying was watching.
Closely.
[Jealousy Rate: 35%]
"Oh susu I fu*king hate youuuu!"
