Yuyan read the last line of the chapter with a heavy heart. She closed the book slowly, and her fingers lingered on the page as though reluctant to let go. She couldn't explain how much pain an ordinary story had caused her. She pressed the book close to her chest and lay back against her pillow. Her mind was like a whirlwind of questions. Will the prince ever wake up? Will fate be kind enough to reunite them? Is this really how their story ends? She tried to stop thinking, to shut out the pain, but her thoughts refused to settle. She remembered her father's strange tone when he gave her the book, as if there was more he wanted to say but didn't. Was there something in the story connected to her? It all felt too personal — too familiar. She held the book tightly with her eyes wide open, staring at the ceiling as she tried to make sense of it all. But her exhaustion won and slowly, she drifted into sleep. In her sleep, she found herself in a dreamland.
In her dream, she found herself in a palace — but it was unlike her father's palace. It was grander, older, and wrapped in the calm of ancient style and decoration. She was dressed in a flowing white gown which was soft as clouds, and her hair was braided with silver threads. She looked around and smiled__ the air smelled of roses and something nostalgic. A handsome young man was by her side, his hand wrapped gently around hers. They laughed and walked together through a village, down winding paths that led to a lively market. Everything felt peaceful and joyful. But then she paused. Something ahead caught her attention__a structure she couldn't quite understand. Was it a house? A hut? She stepped toward it, curious. When she turned to speak to the man beside her, he was gone. Confused, she spun around, only to see a different man standing a few feet away. His chest had a gaping wound, bloodless but deep. Tears streamed from his eyes. He raised his trembling hand toward her and whispered, "Yuyan... I've been waiting for you."
She screamed and jolted awake, breathless and sweating. Morning light streamed through her window, and she sat upright with heart pounding. Then she noticed someone by the door — her brother, grinning at her. "What are you doing here?" she snapped, half embarrassed and half annoyed. "Were you trying to spy on my dreams?" She pulled her pillow and threw it at him. "I only dreamed about the book, you stalker!" He laughed and dodged the pillow, then ran. She chased him around the room, the tension broken, laughter filling the space and turning the heavy morning into a joyful one.
As harmony filled the air within the chamber of Princess Yuyan in Lianhua, it was far from peaceful in the neighboring kingdom of Xiyue. That very week, a royal delegation from Daluo had arrived—King Renshu visiting Emperor Xiyue, accompanied by his only son, Prince Chen Zhanpeng, the heir to the Daluo throne.
The young prince was charming and poised, and the Emperor had assigned none other than Mimi, the royal healer, to personally attend to him during their stay. Mimi was graceful, intelligent, and known not only for her healing hands but for the calm strength she carried in her quiet presence.
On the second day of arrival, a grand welcome banquet was held in honor of the guests. Music filled the hall, tables overflowed with delicacies, and wine poured like water. Amid the celebration, Prince Chen approached Mimi and politely asked for a dance. She accepted with a gentle smile.
As the two moved gracefully to the rhythm of the music—laughing and sharing quiet words—Prince Lianyi stood not too far away, dancing with Lady Yue Rong. And yet, his eyes weren't on his dance partner. They were locked on Mimi. Every laugh she shared with Prince Chen was like a dagger to his chest. A sharp, unfamiliar pain twisted inside him. It was jealousy. But why? He couldn't explain it. He had no right to feel that way—not after he rejected her feelings months ago.
Yue Rong, quick to observe, noticed the shift in his demeanor and he stiffness in his body. The way his gaze lingered on the other couple. She tried to pull his attention back, speaking softly to lighten the mood, but it only made him snap. Without a word, he released her and stormed out of the hall.
Later that evening, Mimi took Prince Chen to the royal garden. The moonlight danced between the blossoms as they walked slowly beneath the trees, talking and laughing freely. It was peaceful—until Prince Lianyi appeared out of nowhere.
"I want to speak with you," he said to Mimi, his voice sharp and eyes cold. He barely acknowledged Prince Chen's presence.
Prince Chen chuckled, unimpressed. "Are you always this rude, or is it just when you're threatened?"
Lianyi ignored him. "Why are you running after every man who smiles at you?" he snapped at Mimi, his voice rising. "Are you that desperate?"
The words struck like a whip.
Mimi said nothing. She simply looked at him, the pain in her eyes louder than any reply. A tear slid down her cheek, then another. The sight of her crying silenced him. Suddenly, he realized what he had done.
They weren't lovers. He had no claim over her. He was the one who turned her away when she confessed how she felt. And yet, here he was—hurting her again. Why?
He reached out, instinctively, to pull her into an embrace. "Mimi, I didn't mean—"
But she stepped back.
"No," she whispered, voice trembling. "Not this time," she said as she ran away.
Meanwhile, hidden in the shadows behind a blossoming plum tree, Yue Rong watched the scene unfold. Her nails dug into her palms as she clenched her fists, lips pressed tightly together in a bitter line. Jealousy burned in her chest like wildfire.
She had followed Prince Lianyi after he stormed out of the hall, hoping to comfort him. Instead, she stumbled upon a moment she wasn't meant to see—one that stung more than she expected.
When she saw Mimi turn away from Lianyi and run off into the night, Yue Rong didn't hesitate. She chased after the healer, catching up with her at the edge of the garden path.
"Mimi," she called, her voice sharp and laced with venom. "Why are you crying? Do you really think my Lianyi would ever fall for someone like you?"
Mimi froze.
Yue Rong stepped closer, her tone turning cruel. "You're a commoner. A healer a f nothing more. Lianyi doesn't love you—he pities you. And now, after tonight, he probably hates you even more. Flirting with every prince that looks your way... How shameful."
The words hung in the air like daggers.
Satisfied, Yue Rong spun on her heel and left with her head held high.
Mimi stood there alone, her heart pounding, eyes fixed on the gravel path. The night was quiet again, but inside her, everything was unraveling.