The air smelled faintly of sandalwood. In the grand hall of the Hua residence, red lanterns swayed gently, their glow warm and festive. Servants rushed about, preparing for the engagement banquet of Hua Lian, the eldest daughter of the Hua family, and Prince Zhao Rui, the emperor's favored son.
It was supposed to be the most glorious night of her youth.
But Hua Lian's smile was bitter. She knew this night well — in her first life, it was the beginning of her end.
That year, her cousin Hua Mei, with her soft voice and pitiful eyes, had "accidentally" spilled wine on Hua Lian's gown, forcing her to leave the banquet hall. While gone, Mei secretly slipped into her chamber, planting stolen jewelry under Hua Lian's pillow. The result? The entire court believed Hua Lian to be a thief.
Her reputation crumbled overnight.
And the man she loved — Zhao Rui — had stood before the court, looking at her with cold eyes. "A woman who cannot even protect her honor is not worthy to stand by my side."
Those words had cut deeper than the poison she later drank.
But tonight… things would be different.
Hua Lian's fingers traced the edge of her wine cup as she watched her cousin approach, a familiar smile painted across her delicate face.
"Elder Sister," Mei said sweetly, holding a jug of wine, "let me serve you. Tonight is your special day."
Hua Lian's lips curved upward, though her eyes remained cold. 'So it begins…'
In her past life, she had trusted this false smile. In this life, she would return the favor — but with thorns.
She tilted her head gracefully, her tone soft, "Since you are so thoughtful, Mei, why don't you pour a cup for His Highness instead?"
Mei froze for a moment but quickly recovered, laughing nervously. "Of course…"
As she bent toward Zhao Rui, Hua Lian quietly slipped a folded silk handkerchief into her cousin's sleeve — one embroidered with Hua Mei's personal mark. Inside that handkerchief was a pearl bracelet from the Crown Princess's dowry chest.
The very same bracelet Hua Mei had intended to frame Hua Lian with.
Moments later, Hua Lian excused herself and left the hall. Just as expected, chaos soon erupted.
"Thief!" one of the palace maids cried, holding the pearl bracelet aloft. "We found this hidden in Lady Hua Mei's sleeve!"
The banquet stilled.
All eyes turned to the trembling Hua Mei.
Her lips quivered, her knees buckling. "N-no! I don't know how—"
But Zhao Rui's sharp gaze silenced her.
From the shadows of the hall, Hua Lian returned, her expression feigning shock. "Cousin… why?" she whispered, loud enough for the court to hear. "Is my happiness so unbearable to you?"
Hua Mei's face drained of color. "It's not me! I would never—"
But the damage was already done.
The Crown Princess's maid stormed forward. "This is an imperial belonging. To steal from the Princess is treason! Such a snake-hearted woman has no place in the Hua family!"
Gasps filled the hall.
And for the first time, Hua Lian allowed herself a small smile.
In her first life, she had been the flower crushed beneath others' schemes.
In this life… she would be the hand that pulled weeds from the garden.