The wedding between Lianyi and Mimi was only days away. Yue Rong could no longer sit still.
"What should I do…" she muttered, pacing her chamber like a trapped bird, hands twisting in frustration. Her heart thudded painfully each time she imagined Lianyi and Mimi taking the vows together.
She pressed her palm to her chest, breath trembling. Depending on my father? She scoffed aloud.
"Useless… absolutely useless," she spat, stopping in front of her mirror. Her reflection stared back, beautiful and desperate.
"Think, Yue Rong… think."
She tapped her forehead lightly, her eyes narrow as an ideas flickered through her mind, one after another, she discarded almost as quickly as they came.
Until suddenly… she stopped. A slow smile curved her lips. A dangerous one.
"Lianyi… you're mine," she whispered, a small laugh escaping her lips. The idea that had burst into her mind since perfect.
She grabbed a small silk purse and rushed out.
Mimi had already moved back to her family estate after the engagement, so Yue Rong made her way towards Mimi house. Halfway along the street, she paused in front of a narrow house tucked between two shops. She glanced left, then right.
To be sure that she not being followed. She slipped inside.
Two women were inside, chatting while braiding each other's hair. The moment they saw Yue Rong, one of them stiffened and hurried into the back room. The other lowered her eyes immediately, pretending not to notice her presence.
A few seconds later, an older woman stepped out from behind the beaded curtain, She held a tiny bottle pinched between her fingers.
"I thought you would never come for this," the woman said quietly, bowing just a little.
Yue Rong's face remained calm, almost cold.
"I said I would come for it when I needed it."
The woman offered the bottle, but Yue Rong didn't take it. Instead, she leaned in, her breath brushing the woman's ear as she whispered something, only a few words.
Whatever she said made the older woman blink, then smile in a knowing, unsettling way.
"And when… are we doing it?" the woman asked, a hint of unease slipping into her voice.
"Tomorrow night," Yue Rong murmured, her eyes shining with a chilling resolve. "Make sure it works."
Without waiting for a reply, she turned and left, in a hurry as she continued toward Mimi's home.
As she reached Mimi's house, Yue Rong paused at the entrance, quickly wiping the last trace of a smirk from her face. When she stepped inside, she wore a gentle smile,
Mimi was surrounded by her friends, folding fabrics, sorting jewelry, laughing softly about the ceremony. The moment she saw Yue Rong standing in her doorway, her hands froze. Her friends exchanged confused glances, everyone in the whole kingdom knew Yue Rong despised her.
"Mi… Mimi," Yue Rong called lightly, almost shyly.
Mimi set down the hairpin in her hand and stepped forward. "You… you came here?" she asked, trying not to sound rude.
"Can I speak with you… alone?" Yue Rong's smile was soft and harmless, almost fragile.
Mimi hesitated before nodding. She glanced at her friends, who quietly stepped aside. Yue Rong led Mimi toward the inner courtyard, where the jasmine tree cast a small shade.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Yue Rong let out a shaky breath and lowered her eyes, hands twisting together as if she was nervous. "Mimi… now that you're getting married, I don't want us to keep… hating each other."
Mimi blinked, startled.
Yue Rong's voice softened even more. "Whatever I did to you… whatever made things go wrong between us… I'm sorry." Her eyelashes trembled, and she bit her lip as though fighting tears. "You were my first friend. Before all the fights, before everything… it was always you."
Mimi stared at her, confused. Yue Rong had never spoken like this before.
"I miss that," Yue Rong whispered, a small sob escaping her as she pressed a hand to her chest. "Can… can you forgive me? Can we be like we were when we were small?"
She said as her tears finally fell, perfectly.
Mimi felt her heart squeeze with old memories. They had been close once… before jealousy, status, and pride tore them apart. Seeing Yue Rong like this, crying and trembling, stirred something soft inside her.
"Mimi…" Yue Rong stepped closer, gripping her hands tightly. "I just want my friend back."
Mimi swallowed, unsure. Something felt strange… but Yue Rong's tears looked so real.
"Mimi?" Yue Rong whispered again, eyes shining.
Mimi's arms were warm around her, and for a brief moment Yue Rong stiffened in surprise. She hadn't expected Mimi to hug her that tightly… that sincerely. Mimi's breath hitched as she whispered:
"I have never hated you, Yue Rong… never. You were like a sister to me before you changed. I only wished you would come back. If you want us to be like before… then I'm willing. Truly."
Yue Rong felt Mimi's tears soaking into her shoulder. Her own hands trembled slightly before she slowly wrapped her arms around Mimi's back. To anyone watching them from the outside, the scene would look touching, two childhood friends finally reunited.
But inside Yue Rong's heart, there was no warmth.
Her lips curved, but the smile never reached her eyes.
Sister? No… Mimi had no idea what she was embracing.
As Mimi wiped her tears and sniffled, Yue Rong smile brightly, as her plot was gradually fall in place.
"It makes me happy," she said quietly. "I've really missed you too. I… I want you to be happy on your wedding day, Mimi."
Mimi nodded, completely believing her. "Thank you, Yue Rong. I'm glad you came. Truly."
Yue Rong lowered her gaze, as if shy, hiding the cold glint flickering in her eyes.
Tomorrow night. Everything will change tomorrow night.
And Mimi… sweet, trusting Mimi… would never see it coming.
As they both walked back into the room, Mimi's friends smiled warmly at Yue Rong, happy to see reconciliation. They offered her snacks, invited her to sit, even complimented her hair.
Yue Rong responded politely, her voice soft as silk.
But deep inside, her thoughts were already spinning...
Lianyi is mine. Tomorrow, everything changes.