That night, a royal celebration was held in the grand halls of Xiyue Palace to welcome the visiting royal family of Lianhua. The entire court was alight with music, laughter, and the soft clinking of wine cups. Dozens of maidens dressed in pink and white robes moved through the crowd, serving drinks with elegant smiles.
Princess Yuyan stood gracefully near Prince Leng Yue and Prince Lianyi, a golden cup in hand. Beside them stood Mimi, her soft giggle blending into theirs as the four shared cheerful conversation.
Just then, a young girl in dazzling robes pushed through the crowd and suddenly threw her arms around Lianyi.
"Your Highness! I missed you!" she squealed.
Lianyi gently pulled away from her embrace and gave a brief nod. "When did you arrive in Xiyue?" he asked calmly.
The girl beamed. "Today! Father told me the Royal Family of Lianhua came to visit, so I had to come too. Didn't you miss me?" Her tone was teasing, but her eyes searched his.
Lianyi didn't reply. His silence was enough.
Yuyan, sensing something, leaned closer to Mimi and whispered, "Who is she?"
Mimi frowned slightly but answered quietly, "She's Yue Rong. Daughter of General Wei Shen."
"I see."
In truth, Yue Rong was known throughout Xiyue for her striking beauty, sharp mind, and her bold, confident nature. As the only daughter of the head general, she was admired—and feared—in equal measure. For a long time, she had claimed Lianyi in her heart. Mimi, in her eyes, had never been a threat.
Until now.
Now that word had spread that Prince Lianyi had asked for Yuyan's hand in marriage, Yue Rong saw herself not only outshined—but completely replaced.
"You must be Yuyan?" Yue Rong asked, turning her full attention to the princess. Her red lips curved in a polite smile as she extended her hand. "I'm Yue Rong, daughter of the Head General. A pleasure to meet you."
Yuyan took her hand, returning her smile with equal politeness—but her eyes were sharp. She had seen the envy flicker in Yue Rong's gaze.
"Nice to meet you too," Yuyan replied, her voice silk-wrapped steel.
Just then, a voice called across the room—Yue Rong's aunt, Lady Meiling, the head maid of the palace. Yue Rong hesitated before giving one last smirk and walking away.
"She's a sly one," Yuyan muttered under her breath.
Mimi giggled. "I thought the same."
"Don't give up," Yuyan said, nudging her playfully. "She's no threat."
Mimi blushed and nodded.
Just then, a guy walked up to Mimi.
"Mimi, long time no see!" Mimi turned and saw who it was.
"Wang Zifu!" she exclaimed. "Long time indeed. How are you?"
"I'm doing great," Wang Zifu replied.
As Mimi and Wang Zifu chatted, Leng Yue watched them. Suddenly, his gaze shifted to Lianyi who was cautiously staring at Mimi talking to Wang Zifu. Lianyi seemed uncomfortable. Leng Yue giggled and sidled up to him and whispered,
"Are you jealous?" Lianyi's head snapped around, and he swiftly denied it. "No, I'm not."
Leng Yue raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"
Lianyi rolled his eyes. "I said I'm not."
"Okay, if you say so, I just saw your mood changed." Leng Yue said with a smirk before backing off.
After Mimi finished chatting with Wang Zifu, he excused himself. Princess Yuyan then asked curiously. "Who's he?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with interest.
Mimi smiled. "Just an old neighbor I had before I moved to the palace." Yuyan's expression turned thoughtful.
"He seems kind," she said, and Mimi nodded in agreement.
Lianyi, who had been watching them curiously, raised an eyebrow. "I don't understand how you two became so close so quickly. And what are you two whispering?."
Mimi blinked, unsure what to say.
Yuyan answered, "I told you—Mimi is wonderful. She's easy to like. We are just talking about medicine and she's fire in healing."
Lianyi turned to Mimi with a soft smile that sent her heart fluttering. She looked down quickly, cheeks glowing.
Across the room, Yue Rong watched the scene with a tightening jaw. Her eyes narrowed when she caught the gentle smile Lianyi gave Mimi. That smile—her smile. It was supposed to be hers.
And suddenly, the little girl she once ignored and considered a pest now looked like a serious threat. She watched angrily at Lianyi helped Mimi and Yuyan fill thier cup himself.
Her gaze shifted across the hall and landed on two ornamental sparring swords hanging on the wall. An idea formed.
She moved through the crowd and approached the group once more.
"Yuyan," she called sweetly. "I heard you're skilled in sparring. How about a little match?"
Before anyone could answer, she tossed one of the swords toward Yuyan.
Startled, Yuyan reached for it—but it slipped past her fingers.
Mimi lunged forward and caught the sword just in time.
The crowd gasped, attention turning toward them.
A low murmur rippled through the guests:
"Is that Yue Rong?"
"She's challenging Princess Yuyan?"
"This will be interesting."
"She's the general's daughter, after all…"
Yue Rong smirked, lifting her own sword and stepping closer.
Mimi handed the blade to Yuyan with worried eyes.
Yuyan gave her a subtle nod of reassurance. "I'm fine."
Lianyi looked uneasy. He opened his mouth to intervene but hesitated.
Leng Yue leaned against a pillar, sipping his wine with an amused expression. In his mind, he could already picture Yue Rong getting humbled.
The spar began with elegant strikes and fluid movements. The clashing of steel echoed through the palace as the two girls matched each other with speed and grace. But as the duel deepened, Yuyan's movements began to dominate—calculated, sharp, almost dance-like.
Her white and gold robe swept across the floor as she spun through the air. Her blade moved like a ribbon in wind, and when she landed with perfect balance, the crowd broke into applause.
Yue Rong stumbled, her sword flying from her hand. She stared in shock as Yuyan lowered her blade with grace.
Mimi ran to her with a bright smile and hugged her. "That was amazing!"
The crowd buzzed:
"What a performance!"
"That spin in mid-air—perfect form!"
"She's not just a princess. She's a warrior."
Yue Rong stood frozen, face red with rage and humiliation. She couldn't take it anymore. She turned sharply and left the hall, her exit unnoticed by most—but not by Mimi, who smiled just a little brighter.
The celebration carried on with renewed energy. For Mimi, the night felt lighter, more joyful. The look Lianyi had given her—gentle, proud—lingered in her chest like a soft flame.
But back in her chamber, Yue Rong sat alone by her vanity, eyes blazing.
"I will teach her a lesson," she whispered to her reflection. "And I'll get rid of that little girl. Lianyi will be mine."
---
After the banquet ended, Princess Yuyan, Prince Lianyi, Mimi, and Prince Leng Yue strolled through the moonlit corridor, their laughter echoing softly against the palace walls. When they reached the end, Yuyan turned to bid good night.
" Good night," she said, bowing gently toward Lianyi and Mimi.
After Lianyi nodded, Yuyan and Leng Yue headed towards the visitor's chamber, leaving Lianyi alone with Mimi.
The silence between them was soft and sweet. The night air was cool, scented with plum blossoms, and the moonlight bathed the garden stones in silver.
"Good night, Your Highness," Mimi said quietly, turning to leave for her chamber.
But Lianyi reached out and gently held her hand.
"So early?" he asked with a soft smile. "You promised me a walk, remember?"
Mimi's heart fluttered at his touch. She withdrew her hand slowly and turned to face him. "You must be tired. You should rest."
"I'm not tired. I… I just want to talk to you," he said, a bit shyly.
Mimi offered a small smile and walked toward the imperial pond nestled behind a cluster of plum trees. Lianyi followed, his footsteps silent on the stone path.
When they reached the water's edge, Mimi stopped and turned to him.
"Alright," she said softly. "You can speak now."
"What?"
"You said you wanted to talk to me. So? What is it?"
Lianyi hesitated. "I… need your advice."
She raised an eyebrow. "Since when do you ask for my opinion before making decisions?"
"Mimi…" he groaned, smiling despite himself. "Don't make me sound like a terrible person. I'm really sorry."
"I know," she said, folding her arms gently. "So, what's troubling Your Highness?"
He looked away for a moment, then spoke. "You… you've seen the world beyond these palace walls. You talk to the people in ways I can't. What do they think of me?"
Mimi blinked, then burst into soft laughter. "Why? Do you like a girl from the village or something?"
"Mimi, I'm serious," he said, cheeks tinged with pink. "My father said I must speak at the upcoming Lantern of Grace Festival—to honor the people. But… I don't know what they truly think of me."
Her teasing faded, replaced by warmth.
"To me?" she said. "They think you're a wonderful prince. In the markets and tea houses, when your name comes up, people smile. They say you're not like the others—that you listen, that you care. You walk among them, not above them. They believe that when your time comes, your reign will be kind… not cold."
Lianyi's gaze softened. "Are you saying this from your heart?"
"I'm saying what I've seen with my own eyes."
There was a beat of silence between them.
"You're not just their prince, Lianyi," she added gently. "To many… you're already their hope."
His eyes searched hers, drawn into the calm depth of her blue gaze. His heart skipped, a strange flutter rising in his chest.
"What did I say about calling me 'Your Highness'?" he said, stepping a little closer.
She grinned. "Alright, alright… Your Highness, Lianyi," she teased before turning and dashing off playfully.
"Hey!" he laughed and chased after her briefly.
Later that night, just before their departure, Lianyi caught her in the garden again, his tone more serious now.
"Mimi," he said softly, "don't forget… You're my best friend. You're my better half, and I cherish you deeply."
He reached forward, gently cupped the back of her head, and pressed a warm kiss to her forehead.
Mimi stood frozen, her heart pounding. Her stomach swirled with butterflies, her cheeks burning.
"Goodnight," he whispered, and turned to leave.
And just like that, the night left a memory glowing in her chest—one she wouldn't forget anytime soon.