The kingdom of Xiyue rose to life as the palace maids ran around doing their morning chores. Mimi lay lazily on her bed, eyes tightly closed. Even when the gentle sun peeped through the curtain, brushing her face like a tender hand, she still stubbornly refused to move. Her body was weary, but it was not fatigue that pinned her down—it was her heart, still heavy with the wounds from the previous day. The memories gnawed at her, and she wanted nothing more than to shut the world out.
A knock on the door dragged her back to reality.
With a hiss, she dragged herself out of bed and sluggishly walked toward the door. Before she could open it, it was pushed open from the outside. A maid entered, bowing.
"Good morning, my lady. The Empress wishes to see you in her chamber."
After the maid had left, Mimi quickly went to wash. She dressed in haste and rushed to the Empress's chamber.
--
A few minutes later, she stood in front of the Empress's chamber, staring at the closed door. Her heart thudded against her ribs, nerves threatening to swallow her. She took a deep breath in and out before knocking.
"Come in," the Empress's calm voice replied.
With a little push, the door cracked open, and Mimi slipped inside. The Empress sat alone, majestic as ever, elegantly sipping fragrant tea.
"Good morning, Your Highness. You sent for me," Mimi said, bowing deeply as she entered.
The Empress raised her head, her smile warm and motherly. "Come here, my daughter," she said, tapping a space beside her.
Mimi obeyed shyly, perching on the seat. Her fingers tangled nervously with the hem of her dress, betraying the storm in her chest.
Sensing her unease, the Empress turned toward her, her eyes soft. "Feel free. You don't need to be nervous around me." A mischievous glint flashed in her gaze. "Has the prince come to see you?"
Mimi lowered her head, her lips pressing together. "No. He is still giving me the cold shoulder."
The Empress sighed and rolled her eyes. "What about you giving him space?"
"A space?" Mimi repeated, blinking in confusion.
"Yes. A little hide and seek. Let him get restless looking for you. Men need to taste worry once in a while." A playful smirk curved her lips.
Mimi's brows furrowed as she fiddled with her hands. "But… I don't have friends. He knows all my relatives' houses. Where could I possibly go?"
The Empress's smile deepened. "What about where he would never expect—like my own town?"
Mimi's eyes widened. "But I don't know anyone there. I've only been once, last year, when I followed you for your youngest brother's marriage."
"Then go again. Spend a little time."
"What!" Mimi exclaimed, half rising from her seat.
"I heard you haven't eaten. So eat and prepare. I'll send the guards to take you there without his knowledge. Stay with my mother and enjoy yourself. Let him learn what it feels like to lose sight of you."
Mimi's eyes lit up despite herself. "Thank you, Your Highness," she said, springing to her feet. "I will prepare right away."
With that, she hurried back to her room. The maid had already set her food. Mimi ate in silence, each bite filling her with renewed energy. Afterward, she packed a few clothes into a small bag and slipped out through the back door.
At the palace's rear, four soldiers awaited her. She climbed into the carriage, and soon they rode off.
---
Lianyi had been in his room since the previous day. He had not touched food; sleep had abandoned him. Mimi's tear-streaked face haunted him, appearing every time he closed his eyes. Her trembling voice still echoed in his ears, tormenting him.
"What have you done to me, Mimi?" he cursed under his breath, running his hands roughly through his hair. His chest felt tight, as if invisible chains bound his heart.
A knock came at his door. Without waiting for permission, Yue Rong slipped inside.
"Good afternoon, my prince. I heard you have not eaten since morning. I prepared something special for you. I hope you like it." She set the tray on the desk, smiling sweetly.
When he did not respond, she tilted her head, her words sharpened with venom. "I hope you are not starving yourself over that slut who doesn't know how to appreciate what is good."
The words sliced into him, igniting the fire already raging in his chest.
"Why can't you just give me a chance? Let me take care of you," Yue Rong pressed, stepping closer, her perfume thick in the air. "I love you so much, my prince." She threw her arms around him.
The touch burned like poison. With a swift movement, he shoved her back. She staggered, nearly falling.
"Who gave you permission to speak of her in that manner?" His voice was ice, his eyes blazing. "You know nothing about her. Don't even dream of replacing her—you are nothing like her."
Yue Rong froze, trembling. "I… I was just trying—"
"Get out! Out! Now!" His roar shook the chamber.
Like a drenched chick, she crept toward the door. Just as she reached for the handle, his voice struck again.
"And take that filthy food out of my sight."
Her hands shook as she gathered the tray. She did not look back as she fled.
---
After she left, Lianyi bathed, trying in vain to wash away the storm in his chest. He joined his family for lunch, though the food turned to ash in his mouth.
"Summon Mimi for me," the Empress instructed a guard.
"Yes, Mistress," he replied and hurried off.
Minutes later, he returned. "My lady, Mimi is not in the palace."
Lianyi's eyes widened, though he forced himself to remain composed.
"Search everywhere," the Empress commanded.
The guard ran off again. Ten minutes passed before he returned, breathless. "Mimi is nowhere near the palace."
The words shattered Lianyi's composure. His spoon clattered against the table.
"What do you mean, 'nowhere near the palace'?!" he thundered, his voice laced with panic. He shot to his feet. "Find her!"
He stormed out, leaving the Emperor startled. The Empress, however, only smiled knowingly.
---
Back in his chamber, Lianyi paced like a caged beast. His mind clawed at him—should he look for her, or let her be? Each second without her felt like hours. The image of her swollen, tearful eyes twisted his chest until he could hardly breathe.
A knock came at the door.
"Who is it?" he barked, his tone sharp, hiding the storm inside him.
The door creaked open, and the Empress entered, holding a bag.
"You look unwell, my son," she said gently as she sat down.
"Have they found Mimi?" His voice was urgent, desperate.
"Not yet," she answered calmly.
"Where could she be?" he muttered to himself, eyes distant, the weight of regret pressing heavily on his heart.
"That is not why I came."
He shot her a sharp look. "Then what do you want of me?"
"I'm planning to buy the Emperor a skirt for his next birthday," she said smoothly.
Lianyi stared at her. "A skirt? For a man?"
"The same way Mimi supposedly gave her 'lover' a bridal hairpin."
The words struck him like lightning. His heart lurched. "Do you mean… Mimi never gave that hairpin to Wei Shen?" His voice cracked with hope and fear.
The Empress's eyes held his. "You can judge for yourself."
With that, she rose gracefully and left, her son frozen in the storm of his emotions—guilt, yearning, and the terrifying realization that he might have been wrong all along.