Surviving In Another World With My Three Cups!-Chapter 172 -

Lin Xu stood at the center of the hall, her mind blank.

A special dance...?

Her gaze flicked briefly to Noble Consort Su, who was smiling as if she had already won.

"I don’t understand," Lin Xu said carefully. "What kind of dance does Your Highness mean?"

Noble Consort Su laughed softly. "Don’t worry. You’ll understand soon enough."

Whispers broke out again.

"That dance..." "She’s doomed." "Why would the Consort even suggest that?"

Lin Xu’s heart pounded.

What dance are they talking about...?

Then—

[Host.]

Lin Xu stiffened.

Susu? she asked silently. What dance is she talking about?

Susu’s voice was no longer playful.

[The Northern Sacred Spiral Dance.] 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Lin Xu’s breath caught. I’ve never heard of it.

[That’s normal,] Susu replied. [It’s extremely difficult. It requires perfect balance, flexibility, breath control, and rhythm. One mistake is enough to humiliate you... or worse.]

Lin Xu’s fingers trembled slightly inside her sleeves. Can I learn it? I’ll pay. Points, rewards, anything.

There was a pause.

[That’s not how the system works, Host.]

Her heart sank. Then what am I supposed to do?

[Be careful,] Susu said quietly. [This woman wants you to fail.]

Before Lin Xu could say more—

[I’ll see what I can do.]

Then Susu disappeared.

"Lin Xu," Noble Consort Su called sweetly. "Have you decided?"

Lin Xu looked up.

"Yes," she said, her voice steady despite the fear crawling up her spine. "I’ll dance."

A wave of murmurs exploded.

"She agreed?" "She’s really going to do it?" "Is she mad?"

Noble Consort Su clapped her hands lightly. "Good. Since it’s your dance, you may name it. I want to see your... special performance."

Lin Xu exhaled. If she didn’t agree, she knew the Noble Consort—no matter how elegant she looked—would find another way to turn this into punishment.

At the Mo family canopy, voices overlapped.

"This is too much," Aunt Mo whispered.

"She’ll embarrass herself," Madame Mo said.

Grandmother Mo’s face darkened. "That Consort is vicious."

Mo Lan laughed quietly. "Serves her right."

Uncle Mo frowned. "This is dangerous."

Lin Xu turned her head slightly.

Her eyes met the Crown Prince’s.

For the first time that night, his calm shattered.

He stood abruptly. "Enough."

The hall froze.

"She doesn’t need to do this," Xuan Lu said coldly. "This banquet was never meant for such trials."

Noble Consort Su turned, her eyes shining with false tears.

"Your Majesty," she said softly, "I was only trying to entertain everyone. Am I wrong for wanting joy?"

The Emperor frowned. "Xuan Lu, sit."

"She’s being targeted," the Crown Prince insisted. "This is unreasonable."

Noble Consort Su’s eyes reddened. "So now I’m unreasonable? I only wished to see her talent. Am I not worthy of such respect?"

She dabbed her eyes.

The Emperor’s expression softened immediately.

"Enough. Let her dance."

"Father—"

"That’s an order."

The Crown Prince’s hands clenched at his sides.

Lin Xu swallowed.

So this is how it is...

The musicians shifted uneasily.

Noble Consort Su smiled through her tears. "Begin when ready."

Lin Xu stepped forward slowly.

Inside her mind, panic swirled.

Susu... please...

No answer.

The hall fell silent.

Lantern light shimmered on the polished floor. Hundreds of eyes watched her.

She took a breath.

If I fall... I fall.

But she straightened anyway.

Lin Xu had just taken her first step when a voice cut through the silence.

"I will dance with her."

Gasps filled the hall.

Mo Ying walked in from the entrance.

The Emperor straightened. "General Mo?"

Noble Consort Su’s smile vanished. "What does the General mean by that?"

Mo Ying stopped beside Lin Xu and bowed.

"Your Highness wishes to be entertained," he said calmly. "This dance is best performed by two people. Since it is meant to please you, I would be honored to join her."

The hall erupted again.

"Two people?" "Isn’t that a Northern couple’s dance?" "Why would General Mo step in?"

At the Mo family seats—

"Why is he helping her?" Mo Lan whispered sharply.

"This makes no sense," Aunt Mo muttered.

"Is he mad?" Madame Mo said under her breath.

Uncle Mo narrowed his eyes. "This will anger the Consort."

Noble Consort Su’s eyes darkened.

"General Mo," she said coolly, "what is your relationship with this woman?"

Mo Ying did not hesitate.

"She already said she is not the Crown Prince’s woman."

The Emperor watched closely.

Mo Ying continued evenly,

"She is an unmarried maiden. I have no improper intentions toward her."

Noble Consort Su sneered.

"Then why involve yourself?"

"Because," Mo Ying replied, "you wished to see a proper performance."

Her lips tightened.

Before she could speak again, Mo Ying turned to Lin Xu.

"Are you ready?"

Lin Xu looked at him, stunned.

"...Yes."

He reached out and took her hand.

Her fingers were cold. His grip was firm and steady.

"Follow me," he said quietly.

The musicians hesitated.

"Play," Noble Consort Su snapped.

The music began.

Mo Ying moved first.

His steps were smooth, precise, practiced... as if this dance lived in his bones.

Lin Xu’s eyes widened.

He knows it...

He guided her gently.

"Left. Turn. Breathe."

She followed.

Surprisingly, it wasn’t hard.

She watched his feet, his shoulders, the rhythm of his breath... and matched him.

Spin.

Step.

Lift.

The hall grew quiet.

Very quiet.

"She’s keeping up..." "He’s leading her." "That’s the Northern Spiral... perfectly done."

Lin Xu stopped thinking.

She simply followed.

Mo Ying’s movements were strong but controlled, pulling her into turns, releasing her at just the right moment, catching her before she lost balance.

Lantern light reflected off moving silk.

Even Noble Consort Su’s expression stiffened.

The Emperor leaned forward.

The Crown Prince stared, jaw tight.

As the music rose, Mo Ying whispered,

"Trust me."

Lin Xu nodded.

And together, they danced.

Applause thundered through the hall.

It came in waves... loud, genuine, impossible to stop.

Even those who had expected Lin Xu to fail were forced to clap.

Noble Consort Su’s smile was stiff now, her fingers curled tightly around her sleeve. She had no excuse left.

"Well," she said lightly, rising from her seat, "that was... unexpected."

Her gaze flicked once more to Lin Xu, sharp and cold.

"Enjoy the rest of the banquet."

With that, she turned and left, her attendants scrambling to follow.

Only when she was gone did the tension finally ease.

Lin Xu and Mo Ying exchanged one last look.

Nothing was said.

Then they turned, each walking back to their own place.

Mo Ying sat among the Mo family, lifting a cup of wine as if nothing had happened. He avoided San Na’s gaze completely, though she stared at him, her expression unreadable.

At the opposite side, Lin Xu returned to her seat.

Her thoughts were still with Mo Ying.

She didn’t notice Xuan Lu beside her until he spoke.

"You survived," the Crown Prince said quietly. "That woman doesn’t usually let people walk away."

Lin Xu smiled faintly. "I was lucky."

He glanced toward Mo Ying, then back at her.

"You know," he said, "even without the General, I wouldn’t have let her hurt you."

Lin Xu nodded. "I know. But... I’m still grateful."

The banquet continued, but the excitement slowly faded. Conversations softened. Laughter grew lazy. Lanterns burned low.

Soon, nobles began leaving for their tents.

Later that night, as Xuan Lu spoke with several officials, a maid approached Lin Xu with a small plate of snacks.

"I didn’t order anything," Lin Xu said softly.

The maid bowed. "It was sent for you, Miss."

Lin Xu glanced down and noticed a folded white paper beneath the plate.

She picked it up.

The maid left.

Lin Xu opened the paper.

Meet me by the fountain.

No name.

No seal.

Her heart skipped.

She already knew who it was.

Lin Xu stood. "Excuse me," she said quietly.

She walked away, unaware that Xuan Lu’s gaze followed her until she disappeared into the night.

---

Lin Xu walked toward the fountain, her steps slow. The night was quiet, the sounds of the banquet far behind her.

Then....

A small glowing ball appeared beside her.

Lin Xu sighed and rolled her eyes. "You show up now?"

Susu floated happily. "Host, why are you angry?"

She stopped walking and looked straight at it.

"Why do you think? My life was almost ruined back there, and you vanished. You didn’t help at all."

"I said I’d try—"

"You disappeared," Lin Xu cut in. "What kind of system are you? When I needed you, you had nothing."

Susu went silent for a moment, then asked, "Are you starting to like the Crown Prince?"

Lin Xu froze.

"You stupid airball. What kind of stupid question is that? You think you can change the topic just like that?"

"Oh, come on, Host. Just answer the question already."

Her expression turned serious. She shook her head.

"No. He’s just a good friend."

Susu tilted in the air. "Then... do you still have feelings for Mo Ying?"

Lin Xu looked away.

"I don’t know," she said softly.

After a pause, she sighed. "I have something to do. We’ll talk later."

She walked toward the fountain without looking back.

Susu stayed where it was, watching her leave.

It sighed.

"...Host, you’re really confused."