After a few minutes of gisting and laughing with Mimi and her friends. Yue Rong suddenly placed a hand on her forehead as if she just remembered something.
"Ah… I have to quickly run an errand for my mother," she said, standing up in a rush.
Mimi, who had been glowing with happiness since Yue Rong's apology, immediately rose to her feet.
"I'll see you off," she told her friends with a bright smile before following Yue Rong out of the chamber.
They walked a short distance down the corridor before Yue Rong gently held Mimi's hand.
Her eyes warm in a way Mimi hadn't seen for years.
"Your friends already know we've made up," she said softly, tilting her head a little. "But my friends don't."
Mimi stiffened slightly.
Before Mimi could gather her thoughts, Yue Rong continued, her voice gentle and hopeful.
"One of my friends is celebrating her birthday tomorrow. Can you… please come?"
Mimi froze, her breath catching.
She didn't know how to answer. She remembered the gossip, the mocking smiles, the way they always saw her as the quiet girl not worthy of being around them. That memory made her chest tighten painfully.
Her fingers curled nervously against her dress. She scratched her head awkwardly, eyes lowering to the floor for a moment.
She didn't want to disappoint Yue Rong, not now, not when they had only just reconciled.
"Um…" Mimi swallowed, forcing a small smile. "Where… where will the party be?"
Yue Rong's lips stretched into a sweet, satisfied smile.
Her plan was already taking shape.
The next day
The evening breeze drifted over Xin Ling Mansion, warm and lively, carrying music, laughter, and the chatter of young nobles. Lanterns glowed one after another around the courtyard, bright enough to show how grand the minister's house looked tonight.
It was Xin Ling's nineteenth birthday, and as a minister's daughter, her celebration attracted almost every young socialite in Xiyue.
The party was already in full swing when Mimi arrived.
She stood quietly by the gate at first, looking at the crowd inside. Boys and girls dressed in expensive silk, hair shining, perfume everywhere… they all looked like they belonged here. The way their eyes slid over her made her feel small, out of place, like she had stepped into a world she wasn't meant to enter.
For a moment, Mimi almost turned back.
But the thought of Yue Rong misunderstanding her held her in place. She forced herself to breathe and stepped further in.
Just then, Yue Rong came out from the inner hall. Her smile widened as sh,e spotted Mimi, and without hesitation she wrapped her in a warm hug.
"I thought you wouldn't come," she said softly.
"I promised, didn't I?" Mimi answered, laughing nervously, trying her best to look composed.
"Come inside. My friends are waiting for you."
Yue Rong held her hand and led her through the hall. Everywhere they passed, she introduced Mimi proudly, smiling too sweetly, speaking too gently.
"This is Mimi, the future queen."
People looked at Mimi differently after that, some with curiosity, some with jealousy, some with fake smiles that didn't reach their eyes.
Mimi felt her chest tighten, but she nodded politely to each introduction.
The higher you climb… the harder you fall… Yue Rong thought to herself, her smile never slipping as she watched Mimi.
As they moved from one group to another, Mimi's nervousness slowly faded. She even found herself laughing lightly at some harmless jokes. It felt… almost normal for a moment.
"Here," Yue Rong said suddenly, handing her a cup of juice. "I know you don't drink strong wine."
"Thank you," Mimi replied, taking the cup. The drink tasted fresh, sweet. She sipped it slowly, relieved to have something to hold.
After a few minutes, she stood by a pillar, watching the birthday girl dance with her friends.
Then heat began to spread through her body. Her skin felt warm… then hot. Her heartbeat quickened for no reason. The music sounded distant, and the light around her seemed too bright.
She pressed a hand to her chest, frowning slightly, as she fan herself with the other hand.
"What… is happening…?"
Across the room, Yue Rong watched her with calm, sharp eyes. The moment she saw Mimi sway slightly, she smiled, satisfied.
She walked toward her, her voice gentle as always.
"Mimi… this place is a bit hot. Come with me inside."
Mimi didn't hesitate. She trusted her.
She followed Yue Rong without a second thought.
Mimi tried to relax on the soft cushion, but her skin was burning. The kind of heat that she couldn't explained.
Her fingers trembled as she lifted the hand fan, fanning herself quickly and desperately.
Why is it so hot…?
She pressed the back of her hand to her forehead. She wasn't sweating, she was glowing, heat rolling through her like she had swallowed warm air.
The boy and girl still left in the room watched her quietly, exchanging a small glance Mimi didn't understand. Their eyes were strange, some how amused.
Mimi didn't see it.
Her mind felt foggy, like someone had wrapped her thoughts in cotton. The voices outside sounded distant. Even her heartbeat felt wrong. She touched her skin and she felt the urge to continue, she urgently and desperately wanted to been in Lianyi hand right now.
She leaned forward, elbows on her knees, trying to steady her breathing.
"What… what is happening… to me…?" she whispered.
"I… I think I need air," she said weakly, her voice thin and strained.
The other girl beside the boy bit her lip, then quickly stood and left the room without a word, pulling the boy with her. The door closed softly behind them.
Now Mimi was alone.
Her chest rose and fell sharply as another wave of heat washed over her, stronger than before, like a fever surging through her veins.
Her fingers dug into the cushion. Her vision swayed. She water, cold water and her head felt too heavy. She had never felt anything like this.
The soft music from the party sounded so far away now… distant… fading…
"Yue… Rong…?" she whispered, barely audible.
But no one answered.
And the heat kept rising, slowly and frightening.