Surviving In Another World With My Three Cups!-Chapter 133: Perfect Trap

Yan Mei and Rulan sneaked in the staff from Wei Lai Pavilion, and they were all so happy to see their Madame.

"Alright, let’s all get to work... we must make this set of meals the best anyone has ever tasted. It’s time to perfect your trainings."

Lin Xu said with a confident smile, her hands resting on her waist. She was now wearing a chef suit, ready to get work started.

"But Lin Xu, what about ingredients... we can’t cook with air." Yan Mei teased with a laugh as Lin Xu then gestured her hand toward the huge table at the other side. Everyone’s eyes widened in surprise.

"Who said we’d be cooking with air... I have here with me fresh, full ingredients that would leave all their taste buds cracking."

"Now let’s get started."

"Aye!"

The chefs from Wei Lai Pavilion rushed toward the ingredient table like children seeing treasure for the first time. Their eyes sparkled as they touched the fresh vegetables, opened jars of spices, and lifted baskets of glowing river crabs.

"Madame... these ingredients are top quality!"

"I’ve never seen rice this perfect!"

"And these peppers, look at the color!"

Their excitement filled the entire kitchen.

Lin Xu tied her apron and clapped her hands once. "Enough staring. We only have a few hours. Everyone, to your stations."

"Yes, Madame!"

The kitchen instantly came alive.

Yan Mei took charge of washing and sorting the vegetables.

Rulan handled the spices.

The Wei Lai chefs lined up, each ready to take instructions.

Lin Xu stood at the center like a general commanding an army.

"You two, start marinating the Emerald Lotus Chicken. Use the Seven-Spice blend."

"Yes, Madame!"

"You, prepare the Snow Jade Rice. Wash it gently, do not break a single grain."

"Understood!"

"Rulan, start grinding the Purple Cloud Peppers. We’ll need the sauce later."

"Yes, my lady!"

The sounds of chopping, washing, and the crackle of fire filled the air.

While all this was going on, two maids walked into Lin Xu’s quarters, scanning everywhere like they were looking for something.

Lin Xu’s other personal maids immediately ran to inform Lin Xu of their arrival.

"They are probably here to find trouble," Yan Mei said, sighing slightly.

"They can come and try. I’ve been looking for a reason to hit someone since last night; I wouldn’t mind trying it on them." Removing her apron, Lin Xu made her way out.

Upon stepping out, her hands were elegantly placed behind her back as two of her personal maids strode beside her.

The two unfamiliar maids stood stiffly in the courtyard, heads lowered but eyes darting around as though searching for something. Lin Xu’s footsteps echoed lightly as she approached, her hands placed elegantly behind her back, expression calm yet sharp.

At her arrival, the two maids instantly knelt.

"Greetings, Fourth Young Madam," one said.

Lin Xu lifted her chin slightly. "State your reason for coming into my courtyard so early. I don’t recall sending for you."

The maid holding a small lacquered box stepped forward. "We have come to deliver the outfits the First Madam prepared for the ladies attending today’s banquet. She instructed that each courtyard should receive their set this morning."

She handed the box to one of Lin Xu’s personal maids.

Lin Xu gave a faint smile. "It’s looking alright... tell your Madam I will wear them."

The two maids bowed and turned to leave but paused.

A soft scent drifted across the courtyard.

Their noses twitched.

One maid frowned. "That smell... it seems like—"

Not today.

Before they could finish their thought, Lin Xu gave a subtle flick of her fingers.

Her two personal maids moved instantly.

Pak! Pak!

Two quick strikes landed on the outsiders’ shoulders, precisely on the nerve points Lin Xu had shown them earlier today. The two maids collapsed like sacks of rice, unconscious before they even realized what happened.

Lin Xu walked toward the maids that had been struck as they lay on the ground unconscious.

She checked to see if they were still breathing, and thankfully, they were.

Standing straight, she smiled. "Drag them and lock them in the shed at the back... they mustn’t be let out until after the banquet ends."

"Yes, my lady," the maids nodded and did exactly as they were told.

Lin Xu smiled as she looked at the hanfu San Na had prepared for her.

Yan Mei stepped out of the kitchen as she watched the maids drag some unconscious maids away.

"Hahaha! What did you do, Lin Xu?" she asked with a smile as Lin Xu just shook her head.

"I’m not going to let anyone ruin my plan... by the way, see the dress San Na bought for me."

Taking hold of the dress, Yan Mei removed it from the box and checked it out. It was a blue dress, looking quite expensive.

"Nothing seems to be wrong with it... are you going to wear it?"

Taking back the dress, Lin Xu folded it and placed it back into the box.

"Of course not. You should know never to trust anyone, especially your co-wife... give me a minute." Lin Xu said as she turned around and walked into her room.

Inside her room, Lin Xu placed the folded blue dress on the table, exhaled, and crossed her arms.

"Susu," she called calmly.

Susu appeared immediately.

[Yes Host! Susu is here and ready to serve!]

Lin Xu pointed at the dress. "Check it. Tell me if there’s anything wrong with it. Poison, needles, hidden threads, curses. Anything."

Susu floated in tiny sparkling lights around the dress.

[Scanning! Scanning! Scanning~!]

Lin Xu waited, tapping her fingers on the table.

Suddenly, Susu gave a dramatic gasp.

[Host... the price of this dress... is outrageous!]

Lin Xu blinked. "Price? What does price have to do with anything?"

[Host! This dress costs more than what the average noble lady wears for her wedding!]

Lin Xu frowned. "You’re kidding. It’s just blue silk."

[Blue silk with silver-thread embroidery, reinforced inner lining, high-grade jade fasteners, AND lavender-infused stitching technique. Susu is telling you, it is EXPENSIVE!]

Lin Xu scoffed. "That doesn’t make sense. That woman obviously hates me. Why would she buy something this luxurious for me?"

[Host is wrong! She didn’t buy it for generosity! She bought it because she knew exactly what would happen when you wear it!]

Lin Xu narrowed her eyes. "Meaning?"

[First, there is nothing poisonous, harmful, or dangerous about the dress.] 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Lin Xu sighed in relief.

But Susu continued.

[However! The problem isn’t the dress. It’s who will be offended by you wearing it.]

Lin Xu raised a brow. "...Go on."

Susu floated in circles.

[Lady Fu, one of the highest-ranking guests today, HATES the color blue. She despises any woman who dresses wealthier than the hosts. She calls it ’peacocking’!]

Lin Xu froze.

Before she could respond, Susu added:

[ALSO Lady Fu has a particular hatred for lavender scent. It gives her migraines and makes her feel insulted because her late rival used to wear lavender perfume.]

Lin Xu stared at the dress, now seeing it in a new light.

A perfect combination.

A perfect trap.

Lin Xu let out a low laugh. "So that witch didn’t poison me. She wanted Lady Fu to tear me apart in public."

[Exactly, Host! Susu is so proud of your intelligence!]

Lin Xu smirked. "Good. Because I have no plans of wearing this thing."

[Host! Very wise! Susu will help you pick the perfect outfit! Something elegant but low-key enough to avoid Lady Fu’s wrath.]

Lin Xu looked toward her wardrobe with a determined smile.

"Then let’s begin. I’ll choose what I’ll wear, not anyone else."

[Aye aye, Host!]

But just then there was a knock on the door, and before Lin Xu could respond, the person barged in.

She wanted to shout, but it turned out to be Head Maid Han, and she came in sneakily as though she didn’t want anyone to see her.

"Mrs. Han. Is there a problem?" Lin Xu asked, confused.

Mrs. Han hurried forward, clutching a long, slim wooden box tight.

"My lady... forgive this servant’s boldness, but I had to come secretly. If that fairy woman—" she paused, then corrected herself quickly, "—if the First Madam sees me, she will cause trouble."

Lin Xu frowned in confusion. "Why? What are you carrying?"

Mrs. Han gently placed the box on the table and pushed it toward Lin Xu.

"This... was purchased by the Young Master himself. He instructed me to deliver it to you before the banquet. I didn’t tell anyone, not even the maids outside. Only I know."

Lin Xu’s eyes widened a little. "Mo Ying bought... something for me?"

Mrs. Han nodded quickly. "Yes, my lady. He said you must wear this today, no matter what the First Madam gives you. The Young Master rarely meddles in women’s affairs... so this servant believes he had his reasons."

She bowed deeply. "Please excuse me. I must leave before someone sees me here."

And with that, she slipped out as quietly as she had entered.

The room fell silent.

Lin Xu slowly opened the wooden box.

Inside lay a stunning white dress—simple, clean, elegant... yet undeniably expensive. The fabric shimmered softly, like frost under morning sunlight. The embroidery was light gold, barely visible, adding a gentle luxury instead of flaunting wealth.

It was perfect.

And beneath the folded dress... was a small sealed letter.

Susu popped back out immediately.

[Host!! Host!! A secret letter, oh how romantic!]

Lin Xu rolled her eyes but unfolded the letter.

She expected a short, annoying message, but Mo Ying’s handwriting was neat and straight.

She read silently:

---

Miss Feisty,

Wear this today.

White suits you the most.

Don’t let anyone bully you.

—Mo Ying

---

Lin Xu blinked again.

Susu gasped loudly beside her.

[KYAAAH!! Host!! Look at that!! So short! So stiff! So awkward! He definitely wrote it himself!!]

Lin Xu felt her lips twitch. "Why would he...?"

[Host! Host! This means he CARES! He noticed the First Madam was up to something! He bought this dress before dawn! He even sent Head Maid Han in secret! If this isn’t effort, then Susu will eat its own system manuals!!]

Lin Xu sighed, touched the dress gently; it was so soft in her hands.

"Mo Ying, that idiot..." she whispered.

She didn’t know whether to laugh or feel warm inside.

Susu circled her excitedly.

[Host, Host! Wear it! Wear it! You’ll look like a fairy! And Lady Fu won’t find a single reason to hate you!]

Lin Xu smiled slowly.

"Fine. I’ll wear it."

And whatever the banquet brought...

She would be ready.