I was also confused timeline-wise, but 92 fills in the blanks! If you read 92 and are still confused:
[Spoilers ofc]
A few days prior to the ball, the empress brings the songstress to the palace and orders her to seduce the emperor. --> ML brings her to his room to save her --> rumors created in the palace bc maids see her go in/out --> she sings at the ball --> he is shocked bc this isn't in their plan --> he appears captivated [not enough for rumors alone, but added circumstantial evidence] --> he seeks out the songstress after --> ch. 91 convo happens.
Because he is with HER instead of Fiona, it's secluded / private convo, AND he's touching her, the rumors have now entered the noblesphere via the maids, where it would overlap with the palace rumors to create the idea that he is having a blatant affair!
Okay that makes more sense! I was so confused cause that was never shown or even hinted until this chapter, so the the rumor just felt so out of left field lol XD
Also, he also had to get “her” out of that situation since… you know… the emperor and empress will find out that she’s a he lol (unless emperor is into that Lolol XD)
Okay so I’ve only read the official translations (chapter 91) and I’m so confused on what’s happening in the latest chapter there. When did a rumor start between the two??? Did I miss a chapter??? I’m so confused. There was like no explanation or even a scene of the two interacting. The songstress literally sang and then that was the scene. Like, I’m just so confused rn. Please someone explain