The air in the healing room felt cold and gloomy, as though it could sense Mimi's sorrow. Her hands moved gently over her patient, her face carrying an expression that was easy to read.
Across the hall sat Wei Shen, isolated, his eyes lingering on Mimi. He wasn't even sure if coming here had been a good idea—but he needed her herbs, her treatment.
After finishing with the other patients, Mimi walked straight toward him. Wei Shen was surprised—he never expected Mimi herself would treat him. And he certainly hadn't imagined that the girl he had secretly admired was already taken by the prince. The prince has taste, he thought bitterly as he bowed in greeting.
"Go… good morning," he stammered.
"How is your health now?" Mimi asked as she set her tray down, her face blank.
She uncorked a bottle and began tending to him quietly.
"I am fine… I… I'm sorry. I never knew you were with the prince."
Mimi raised her head, her calm eyes meeting his. "Did you do anything?"
The question startled him. "No, I… I didn't do anything!" he said quickly. "I didn't know who sent her to me. The girl only gave it to me once the prince arrived. When I saw her following me, I thought she was just playing around."
Mimi paused and glanced at him. "Then there's nothing to be sorry about." After a moment of thought, she asked, "Is she a palace maid?" Her voice carried a trace of suspicion—she was trying to understand who might be plotting against them.
"I don't know… I don't really know the palace maids."
Far down the corridor, Lianyi stood watching, his gaze locked on Mimi and the boy she was treating.
It had been over a week since the incident, and the more he tried to stay away from her, the more his heart betrayed him.
Why can't I control myself? Why can't I forget that girl? he thought bitterly, trying to brand her with cruel names in his mind, hoping that if he despised her, his heart would finally let go.
But food had become tasteless, and the world had lost its color.
His heart, his mind, his entire being longed for her desperately. He missed her laughter, her kisses, the warmth of her soft embrace. And despite his resolve, he found himself standing at the entrance of the healing hall.
As he hesitated, two patients whispered nearby.
"This healer is really lucky with men," one said.
"First the prince, now another noble young man," the other replied.
"So… I've already become the old one." His chest tightened with jealousy. With a dark expression, he stormed out of the hall.
As he was about to cross the road toward the palace, a hand grabbed his arm. He turned and saw Yue Rong smiling brightly at him. He was ready to shake her off when the hall doors opened, and Mimi stepped out carrying a tray.
In a flash of spite, he placed his hand on Yue Rong's shoulder and leaned close, chatting and laughing with her as though they were deeply in love.
That was all Mimi saw. The tray slipped from her hands, and everything scattered across the ground.
Feigning kindness, Yue Rong hurried away from Lianyi and crouched beside Mimi. "Here, let me help you," she said sweetly, as if they were dear friends.
As Mimi bent to pick up the scattered items, a tear slid down her cheek and fell onto the tray. Yue Rong noticed—and chuckled.
"Already crying? Isn't it too early? I haven't even started my game yet."
Mimi said nothing. She finished gathering her things and stood.
From where he stood, Lianyi—and everyone else—saw only Yue Rong's supposed kindness. They had no idea she was twisting the knife with her words.
"Yue Rong," the prince called, his voice deliberately warm.
"Yes, my prince," she answered in a sweet, gentle tone Mimi had never heard from her before.
Then Yue Rong feigned a stumble, deliberately knocking Mimi's tray to the ground again. She fell to the floor, pretending to twist her ankle.
"Lianyi!" she cried, "My ankle hurts… please, help me."
Without hesitation, Lianyi lifted her in bridal style and set her onto a chair.
"Mi Mihua," he commanded sharply as Mimi tried to walk away. "Come back here and treat her. She fell because she was helping you."
Mimi kept walking, pretending not to hear.
"Mi Mihua! Are you deaf? I command you to treat her—now!" he thundered.
His roar shook her. Trembling, she turned back, her steps heavy, tears streaming silently down her face. Kneeling, she began to treat Yue Rong's ankle, though she knew full well the girl was only acting.
When Lianyi noticed her swollen, tear-stained eyes, he froze. Have I gone too far? he wondered, shock flickering across his features.
When Mimi finished, she stood with her head lowered, as if even lifting it would hurt. Her voice was barely a whisper.
"I'm done, Your Highness. May I go now?"
Without waiting for his reply, she picked up her tray and walked away without looking back.
Inside her room, she collapsed to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably. Every emotion she had held back poured out with her tears. She cried harder than she ever had before. Even when a knock sounded at her door, she didn't respond.
When no reply came, the door creaked open. The Empress stepped inside, and Mimi froze in shock. She thought the Empress had come to condemn her as well. She lowered her head, bracing for the worst.
But instead, the Empress reached for her hand and gently pulled her up.
"Stop crying, my dear. I know you are innocent."
Mimi's eyes widened. "Ho… how do you know?" she asked between sobs.
The Empress gave her a steady look. "Tell me—what woman gives a hairpin as a token of love? If it had been any other gift, maybe I could have believed it. But a bridal pin? That is something a woman only wears on her wedding day. Don't worry, Lianyi is only blinded by jealousy and anger."
Mimi's lips trembled, but a small smile forced its way through her tears. She threw her arms around the Empress, a half-choked chuckle escaping her.
"That's my girl," the Empress said softly, patting her back before leaving her room.