Xiaohua's scream tore through the stillness of the night, echoing across the palace grounds like a warning bell.
Within seconds, the pounding of armored footsteps filled the air. Soldiers emerged from the shadows, weapons drawn, forming a tight perimeter around us.
General Luo arrived soon after, his presence cutting through the chaos like a blade. "Secure the area!" he commanded, his voice sharp and unyielding. "No one leaves until we find the intruder!"
He turned to me, his expression carved from stone, though I caught the brief flicker of concern in his eyes. "Miss Mei Lin, you need to leave this area immediately."
Then his gaze shifted, brow furrowing as he noticed the figure beside me. "Prince Jian Yi? What are you doing here?"
Jian Yi remained calm, his voice cool and clipped. "I was walking nearby when I heard the commotion. I saw the attack and came to help."
General Luo gave a curt nod before turning back to me. "Miss Mei Lin, we will handle this. Your safety is paramount."
I opened my mouth, emotion tightening my throat. "General Luo, Qiu Yan—"
He cut me off with a firm tone. "We'll take care of her. Please, go. Now."
Reluctantly, I nodded, letting the guards escort me away.
Xiaohua stayed at my side, her face drained of color, her steps faltering with each echoing footfall. As we moved through the dim corridors, the memory of Qiu Yan's final moments clung to me like a shadow. The precision of the attack, the silence of the killer—it chilled me to the core.
Eventually, we were brought to a secured chamber deep within the palace, guards posted at the entrance with their hands on their swords. General Luo remained outside, barking orders, his jaw tight with tension.
Inside the secured room, I paced restlessly, thoughts racing in circles. "Why would someone go to such lengths? What did Qiu Yan know that was worth killing for?"
Xiaohua sat in a nearby chair, still pale and shaken. She clasped her hands tightly in her lap. "Miss Mei Lin… do you think this has to do with the poisoning?"
I stopped pacing, her question hitting me like a stone. The more I thought about it, the clearer it became. "It has to be connected. Qiu Yan was hiding something. Someone didn't want us to find out what."
Jian Yi, who had been quiet until now, finally spoke. "Who was she? Tell me everything."
I took a breath, trying to steady myself. Then I told him everything—from the kitchen incident, to the hidden packet, to the arrow that ended her life. And the mysterious man who'd appeared just in time to block the second arrow.
Jian Yi listened closely, his expression tightening with each word. When I finished, I turned to him with suspicion. "But what were you doing there? How did you happen to be nearby?"
He reached into his robes and pulled out a folded letter. "I received this earlier today. It was from you. Or at least, it claimed to be."
I unfolded the paper and scanned it. My stomach dropped. "I didn't write this."
"I assumed as much," Jian Yi said grimly. "Someone wanted me there. And clearly, someone wanted you there too."
A thought struck me cold. I looked up at him, heart pounding. "Do you think someone's trying to frame you? Because of your rivalry with Prince Wei?"
His jaw tightened. "It wouldn't be the first time political enemies tried to turn perception into truth. If someone wanted to create tension between our kingdoms—or simply ruin me—they're doing a good job."
Then, unexpectedly, Jian Yi pulled me aside, lowering his voice. "Mei Lin. I need you to promise me something."
I blinked. "What is it?"
"Don't mention the man who saved you. Not yet. Say it was me. Just for now. I'll explain everything soon, but until then, it's safer if we keep that part quiet."
I stared at him, unsure of what to think—but something in his expression told me he wasn't playing games. After a long moment, I nodded. "Alright. I promise. But you owe me answers."
His lips curved into a faint smile. "And you'll have them. I give you my word."
Just then, General Luo stepped into the room, his expression tight with frustration and grim resolve. "The area's secure," he reported, "but the intruder escaped. My men are combing every inch of the palace grounds, but it's as if he vanished into thin air."
I clenched my fists, that helpless, burning frustration rising in my chest. "General Luo, Qiu Yan said she threw something by the old well—a packet. We have to find out what it was."
General Luo gave a curt nod. "We'll search the area thoroughly. But for now, you're to remain here. It's not safe for you to move around freely until we know who we're dealing with."
He turned to Jian Yi. "Your Highness, we'll prepare separate quarters for you as well."
Jian Yi dipped his head in acknowledgment, then met my gaze. I seized the moment.
"Thank you for saving me, Prince Jian Yi," I said, my voice soft but sincere.
He offered one of his signature smiles, all charm and glinting mischief. "It was an honor, Mei Lin. Though I do hope our next encounter isn't quite so dramatic."
Despite the chaos, I laughed, the sound surprising even myself. "I'd like that too."
He gave me a parting nod, then followed General Luo out of the room, leaving behind a swirl of questions—and a sense of intrigue I couldn't quite shake.
Moments later, Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian rushed into my room, their expressions a mix of concern and urgency.
Lan Wangji's gaze was intense but calm. "Mei Lin, are you and Xiaohua unharmed?"
I nodded, though my hands were still trembling. "We're fine, Prince Jian Yi saved us. But Qiu Yan..."
General Luo quickly reported what had happened, his voice steady but grave. "Miss Mei Lin and Xiaohua were in the garden with Qiu Yan. An intruder attacked, killing Qiu Yan before we could learn more. Prince Jian Yi was nearby and he came and saved both of them. The intruder escaped, and my men are searching for him now."
Wei Wuxian's face turned sour, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "Jian Yi?? Why on earth would he be nearby?"
I took a deep breath, steeling myself. "Someone wrote him a love letter, supposedly from me, telling him to be there."
Wei Wuxian's anger flared instantly. "A love letter? From you? Why would someone impersonate you to write a love letter to him?"
I shook my head, my voice trembling. "I'm not sure."
Xiaohua, still shaken, spoke up, "Someone might have seen Miss Mei Lin and Prince Jian Yi talking on the day of the party. Prince Jian Yi was all smiles and sat very close to her."
"Xiaohua!! What are you implying? We were just talking," I exclaimed, my voice rising.
Wei Wuxian's eyes darkened further, a storm brewing within them. "What did he say to you? Was he flirting!!? Is he interested in you??!!"
"Of course not!! I mean, he was pretty drunk. He could have said something stupid!"
Wei Wuxian's eyes burned with intensity, his voice rising with emotion. "How can you be so sure he's not interested in you? He came running the moment he got a fake letter. If that's not interest, what is it?"
"I don't know!" I snapped, the frustration bubbling over. My hands clenched at my sides. "Maybe he was just being polite—or maybe he panicked! I don't know!"
Wei Wuxian's jaw tightened, his expression a storm of hurt and suspicion. "He's interested. That much is clear." Then, louder, more accusing, "Mei Lin, do you like him?!"
My cheeks flushed. "What?? No, I don't!" I shot back. "We're just friends! He just saved my life, and that's it. Why are you acting like this, Wei Ying?!"
Lan Wangji stepped forward, his voice quiet but commanding. "Wei Ying. Enough." His tone cut through the rising tension like a blade. "This is not the time for this."
But Wei Wuxian wasn't finished. His voice trembled, not with anger—but something far more raw. "I don't want you anywhere near him. You don't know what he's like. He's dangerous, Mei Lin."
"Wei Ying—" I started, trying to calm him, but he cut me off.
"No!" His voice cracked slightly. "I can't— I won't watch you get hurt because of him."
And then, without another word, he turned and strode out of the room, his robes sweeping behind him like a stormcloud.
Silence fell. I stood frozen, his words echoing painfully in my ears.
WHAT the hell just happened??
Lan Wangji exhaled slowly, his expression shadowed with quiet concern. "Wei Ying…" he murmured, then looked at me. "He is not himself when it comes to Jian Yi."
I didn't know whether to be angry, touched, or just utterly confused. All I knew was that Wei Wuxian's words had unsettled something deep inside me—and I wasn't sure I liked what it stirred.
I looked at him, my curiosity piqued. "I've heard about the conflict between them, but I'm not sure what it's about."
Lan Wangji sighed again, heavier this time. "Their history is intertwined with tragedy and misunderstandings," he began, his voice low and somber. "It all started with Wei Ying's mother, the previous queen, Queen Wei Qing He."
I leaned in, feeling the gravity of his words. "What happened?"
Lan Wangji's eyes took on a distant look, as if he were recalling a painful memory. "Queen Wei was beloved by many, including Wei Ying and Jian Yi. But during a turbulent time, accusations were made against her, suggesting she was involved in treasonous activities. Jian Yi, who had been close to the royal family, was manipulated into believing these accusations."
He paused, his gaze intense. "Jian Yi confronted Queen Wei, and in the ensuing chaos, she was mortally wounded. Wei Ying believed that Jian Yi had betrayed their family out of ambition. But from my perspective, it was a tragic misunderstanding, orchestrated by those who wanted to see Queen Wei fall."
My heart ached for Wei Wuxian. "He must have been devastated."
"He was," Lan Wangji said, his voice steady but filled with emotion. "Wei Ying lost not only his mother but also someone he considered a brother. The betrayal cut deep, and it has haunted him ever since."
I nodded slowly, understanding the depth of the wound. "So, Wei Ying believes that Jian Yi is responsible for his mother's death?"
"Yes," Lan Wangji confirmed. I sighed, feeling the weight of their tragic history. "No wonder Wei Ying reacted so strongly."
I swallowed, the story hitting harder than I expected. "And Jian Yi? Has he ever tried to explain?"
"He has. But Wei Ying won't hear it. Not from him." Lan Wangji's voice softened, though his jaw was still set with quiet tension.
No wonder the air always tensed when Jian Yi entered the room.
I nodded, the pieces settling into place. "So when Wei Ying sees me talking to Jian Yi…"
"He sees danger," Lan Wangji said. "Or betrayal. Even if it's not real."
The room grew quiet again, the weight of old wounds pressing down like dust from the scrolls in the library. Then Lan Wangji gently rested a hand on my shoulder, his touch steady, grounding.
"I will speak with him," he said. "You've done enough for today. Try to rest."
I met his gaze, feeling the quiet strength in it. "Thank you, Lan Zhan."
He gave a single, reassuring nod and turned to leave, disappearing into the dim hallway like a shadow returning to silence.