Chapter 10: Scrutiny in the Halls of Power, a Queen Restored to Her Throne

Inside the private room of the members' club, the atmosphere was solemn.

Fu Jinghan sat composed at the head of the table, restrained and dignified, those eyes that had sized up countless people carrying a commanding pressure that needed no display of anger. Beside him, Lin Yayin gave a slight nod, her expression gentle yet carrying that particular distance unique to old, prestigious families.

An Yilin's analysis of the gown's layered design and the symbolic meaning behind the ceremony gradually dissolved the polite distance that had, until then, hung over the room.

"Miss An, I have met many top-tier designers." Lin Yayin finally set down her teacup, her tone no longer merely composed and formal, but carrying now a hint of appraising interest. "This wedding is the Fu family's public face. We intend to place everything under your and Duskstar's full authority — the attire and hair and makeup for everyone present that day, and even the overall visual coordination of the entire wedding venue."

The moment those words left her mouth, the air in the room seemed to freeze. This was no longer simply commissioning a gown — it meant An Yilin would be working in deep coordination with the wedding planning company, becoming the core architect of the entire ceremonial vision for the Fu family.

"We're not short on people who can execute. What we lack is someone who understands the Fu family's 'standing.'" Fu Chenglin looked at An Yilin, his tone calm yet carrying real weight, while beside him Shen Zhi'an smiled and nodded, signaling her tacit agreement. "Yunshen mentioned that you have a resilience in your bones. At this wedding, no matter what variables arise, you'll need to be able to hold the whole scene together. So whatever goes wrong, we'll come to you directly — no one else."

This was said with extraordinary candor, laying both the risks and the expectations of this collaboration directly on the table — and that, in itself, was the highest form of trust.

Ji Yunshen spoke up quietly from the side, his voice, as always, restrained: "This wedding isn't just a ceremony — it's also the first public appearance following this past year's shift in the political landscape. Entrusting it to Duskstar is the guarantee I'm giving both of you."

An Yilin met everyone's gazes, her expression calm. She showed no sign of being overwhelmed by the weight of this enormous commission, only giving a light nod:

"Since the Fu family trusts Duskstar, I will give you the trust you deserve in return. On that day, aside from the bride, I will personally oversee Madam's attire and the Chief's overall visual presentation, to guarantee that the entire color palette and atmosphere align completely with the center of the Fu family's power."

In that moment, what An Yilin displayed was not the demeanor of a service provider, but the bearing of a true partner.

Lin Yayin studied her for a long moment before slowly nodding: "Very well. I'll have Zhi'an coordinate with you on the relevant measurements and preparatory meetings. I hope to see... a story that truly belongs to our Fu family."

After the meeting ended, once they were seated in the car on the way back, Gu Yanxi finally let out a long breath.

"Yilin, this means we'll also be controlling the coordination of the wedding venue itself." Gu Yanxi looked out the car window, her voice lowered. "If anything goes wrong on-site, that's the end of Duskstar, for real."

An Yilin didn't respond right away. She closed her eyes to rest, her fingers absently tracing patterns on the tablet in her lap.

"Yanxi." She suddenly spoke, her voice extremely soft. "Once we get hold of Madam's measurement records from back then, look into photographs of her from over twenty years ago — especially from around the time she first met the Chief. There was a gown, one she was never able to wear because of some unforeseen incident back then. That seems to have been a long-standing regret of hers."

Gu Yanxi blinked, turning to look at her: "You mean... that design she was forced to abandon because of the turmoil back then?"

"Never getting to wear that gown became the greatest regret of her life." An Yilin opened her eyes, a deep, contemplative light in them. "If I could recreate, on the day of the wedding, that very gown she believed she'd never have the chance to wear again in this lifetime... do you think that, in that grand moment, she might open her heart to me?"

Gu Yanxi's heart gave a jolt: "You mean to... use that gown, that regret of hers, to open the door to her heart?"

"I just want her to know that I understand her story." An Yilin looked out at the streets passing by the window, her tone even and steady. "On the day of the wedding, I'll have her appear wearing that recreated gown. This isn't about reopening an old wound — it's about letting her complete, in that one moment, the single most important missing piece of her life."

This was no longer simply a matter of wedding design. It was the beginning of her standing back at the very core of power, using a gentle strength to dismantle the Fu family's cold, fortress-like walls.

Ji Yunshen's car was not far behind, trailing at a distance.

He had no idea what decision An Yilin had just made in her own car, but as he watched that vehicle disappear into the distance, his eyes held a profound depth.