The moment Shumin woke up, her eyes landed on the star-shaped pendant placed neatly beside her pillow.
She sat up slowly, staring at it.
"…This little thing," she whispered, touching it carefully with her fingertip.
Last night flashed in her mind —
the masked man handing it to her stiffly,
her overconfident voice saying:
"This gift is too small. So you should help me save those villagers."
She covered her mouth now, cheeks puffing.
"I can't believe I said that," she muttered.
"…Shameless woman Wen Qian… but wise woman Wen Qian. You needed his help, so of course you grabbed the opportunity."
But then she held the pendant closer to her chest.
A tiny warmth leaked into her voice.
"No one ever gave me anything before… not in this life, not in the last. So even if I acted bold…"
Her expression softened.
"…it still makes me happy."
She shook her head wildly.
"No! No emotional nonsense! You only accepted it because the villagers need help. Because you have a mission! That's all!"
She dramatically flicked her hair to kill her own softness.
Right then—
Knock-knock—
Shu Yan entered with breakfast.
"My lady, your face is glowing again. What happened now?"
Shumin panicked and instantly hid the pendant under her blanket.
"Nothing happened! Absolutely nothing! I am just… healthy! Amazing skin condition!"
Shu Yan narrowed her eyes.
"You only look this suspicious when you plan something dangerous."
Shumin gasped like an offended cat.
"I.. I would never... okay yes, but this time it's for a good cause."
Shu Yan put the tray down carefully.
"So it is something. What is it?"
Shumin hugged her blanket tighter, hiding the pendant beneath it.
"It's a secret."
Shu Yan sighed dramatically.
"My lady… every time you say 'secret' I lose five years of my life."
Shumin placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Don't worry. You will lose ten more tonight."
Shu Yan choked on air.
"WHAT?!"
Shumin grinned, heart still fluttering secretly at the thought of the masked man.
"But don't worry. Your lady has everything under control."
She whispered softly to herself under her breath:
…And tonight… I'll need his help again.
---
After breakfast, Shumin slipped the pendant safely inside her sleeve and dragged Shu Yan out toward the garden.
"I have missions today," she declared confidently.
"My cupid work! Queen and King must fall in love. Today, zero failure!"
Shu Yan looked like she wanted to faint.
"My lady… please don't involve me in divine matters…"
Shumin waved her hand proudly.
"Relax. I am a professional in love management. I just failed until now, but today is rebirth day!"
As she strutted between the flower paths, planning, she suddenly froze.
Because walking toward her was the Queen — beautiful, gentle, elegant, smiling like spring breeze.
Fan-girl Shumin instantly activated.
Oh my god, she's so pretty—
I would also fall in love with her if I were the king…
Wait– actually I am trying to make the king fall for her! Perfect!
She straightened her clothes quickly and gave a respectful bow.
"Your Majesty!"
The Queen stopped in front of her, still smiling sweetly…
but her eyes… her eyes carried another meaning.
A polite but chilly meaning.
"Concubine Wen Qian," she said with soft gentleness.
"I heard… you accompanied His Majesty to the market yesterday."
Shumin blinked.
Oh no.
This was not a friendly smile.
This was royal interrogation disguised as kindness.
Shumin smiled innocently.
"Ah… yes, Your Majesty. But only because His Majesty insisted. I didn't want to go at all! I just followed because otherwise he might think I'm rude!"
Shu Yan looked at her like: my lady… you are digging your own grave…
The Queen's eyebrow lifted slightly.
"Is that so? The King insisted? He even took you… alone?"
Shumin's smile twitched.
"Ah! N-not alone! the guards… and the horses… the whole kingdom was there!! Very crowded! Extremely non-romantic!"
The Queen's smile grew sweeter… and sharper.
"I see. And yet, I heard… you two seemed comfortable. Talking… walking… even pausing together at a jewelry stall."
Shumin choked.
"Eh?? No no no, Your Majesty! That was—not— I was only doing sightseeing! Because culture! Education! Improving my— my knowledge!"
Shu Yan covered her face.
The Queen tilted her head gracefully.
"Hmm. For improving knowledge, you certainly spent a long time standing beside His Majesty."
Shumin waved both hands like crazy.
"I swear, Your Majesty, I was only looking at pendants! N–Not at the King!! I mean— I don't look at the King— I mean I respect the King but I don't look at him— not in that way—"
She wanted to slap herself.
Queen laughed softly, but her eyes narrowed a little.
"So Concubine Wen… you are saying nothing special happened in the market?"
Shumin nodded rapidly.
"Absolutely nothing, Your Majesty! Even dust was more romantic than us!"
Queen paused… then laughed, finally softening.
"You are quite a funny girl, Concubine Wen Qian."
Shumin breathed in relief, patting her own chest.
But then—
Queen's smile turned mildly dangerous for one second.
"Still… I hope you remember your place. The King is busy. Do not disturb him too much."
Shumin nodded sincerely.
"Oh, don't worry! I'm not even planning to see him! Actually, I want him to meet you! That's my dream, Your Majesty!"
Queen blinked, confused.
Shu Yan silently prayed to every ancestor.
Queen gave a polite nod and walked away…
Leaving Shumin sweating like she escaped an exam.
When she was out of hearing range, Shumin whispered to Shu Yan:
"That was scary… but the Queen is still so beautiful. And I must do my cupid work before dinner!"
Shu Yan sighed.
"My lady… please...be careful.."
---
After her garden encounter with the Queen,
Shumin rushed back to her room like a spy on a mission.
She took out two small papers and began writing with absolute confidence:
Note 1 (to King):
"Your Majesty, please come to the Plum Pavilion after dinner.
Drink some tea… it will clear your mind and calm your spirit.
– A well-wisher."
Note 2 (to Queen):
"Your Majesty, please visit the Plum Pavilion after dinner.
The night breeze may soothe your heart.
– Someone who respects you."
She added a tiny drawn flower on both notes…
because cute aesthetics are important.
Shu Yan stared at the notes.
"My lady… why does Your handwriting look the same in both?"
Shumin proudly:
"Because I have one handwriting."
Shu Yan:
"Exactly! That's what I fear!"
But Shumin didn't listen.
She sent the notes secretly through different palace maids, making sure no name was written.
She felt very satisfied.
"This time," she declared,
"King and Queen will finally have a soft romantic tea moment!
Cupid work level: genius!"
---
Evening — The King Receives the Note
Li Zhan sat in his study, scanning documents, when a maid delivered the folded note.
He opened it.
No name.
But one glance at the handwriting—
His eyebrow twitched.
"…Concubine Wen Qian's handwriting."
Yin Zhi coughed behind him.
"Your Majesty… her calligraphy is… unforgettable."
Li Zhan ignored him, but his jaw tightened.
'She wants me to drink tea after dinner? Again her strange ideas…'
But…
He still changed clothes and went.
He told himself it was because the wording said calming tea.
Not because of the flower doodle.
Definitely not.
---
At the Plum Pavilion
Li Zhan arrived—
And stopped.
Because the person waiting with a bright, soft smile…
…was the Queen.
She rose gracefully.
"Your Majesty… you asked for me?"
Li Zhan blinked.
"I did not send you any message."
The Queen's smile faded slightly.
"…Then who asked me to come?"
Li Zhan sat reluctantly for the sake of manners.
He poured himself tea.
The Queen watched him carefully, her gentle eyes turning a little clouded.
"Did Concubine Wen accompany you again today?" she asked suddenly.
Li Zhan almost choked on his tea.
"No."
" you went to the market with her yesterday and " she said quietly.
"Place rumors.... increasing.."
Li Zhan's jaw tightened.
He didn't like palace rumors.
"The rumors are meaningless."
"Are they?" she murmured.
Her fingers tightened around her cup.
''is this tea meeting arrange by her..?''
He drank more tea to avoid answering.
The Queen's tone turned bitter-sweet.
"Is she trying to bring us closer?
Or trying to make me look foolish while you reject me again?"
Li Zhan looked away.
He didn't know what Wen Qian was planning.
He didn't even know what he was feeling lately.
But one thing was clear—
He needed to leave soon.
He had to change into the masked-man clothes and meet Wen Qian at night.
So he stood abruptly.
"Queen, enjoy your tea. I have matters to attend to."
Her eyes widened—hurt.
"You're leaving already?"
"I have work."
Her voice trembled with contained anger.
"oh yeah ..Work… !!!"
Li Zhan didn't say anything further.
But the silence was answer enough.
He bowed stiffly and left.
Behind him, the Queen's expression hardened..
She is -
hurt, jealous, misunderstood, and convinced Wen Qian was ruining things on purpose...