When Bai Shengli opened his eyes, it was after a sharp scream that pierced the air. He blinked against the faint morning light, disoriented, his head pounding and his body sluggish. The scream came again, cutting through the haze clouding his mind. Slowly, he turned his head, only to see the Empress Dowager standing in the doorway, her face furious.

"Crown Prince!" she spat, her voice trembling with barely contained rage. "What is the meaning of this?!"

Still groggy, Bai Shengli's gaze shifted to the figure lying beside him in the bed, her long hair spilling over the pillow and her robes slightly undone. His breath caught in his throat. Slowly, the figure stirred, and as she turned her face toward him, his stomach dropped.

It wasn't Qin Yufei.

It was Qin Yuli.

"First Lady Qin?" Bai Shengli whispered, his voice cracking. His heart raced, and a cold sweat broke out on his brow as the reality of the situation began to settle over him. How—how could this have happened?

Qin Yuli, equally disheveled, opened her eyes at the sound of her name. When she saw Bai Shengli beside her, her expression shifted from confusion to a mix of satisfaction and feigned embarrassment. She sat up, clutching the blanket to her chest, her cheeks flushing as though she hadn't orchestrated every moment of this encounter.

"Your Highness..." she began in a soft, trembling voice, but she was immediately cut off by the Empress Dowager's booming voice.

"Enough!" The Empress Dowager's eyes darted between the two of them, her lips pressed into a thin line. "Do you realize the trouble this will bring? The engagement ceremony was mere hours ago, and now this?" Her voice dripped with disgust as she gestured sharply at the scene before her. "Crown Prince, what is the meaning of this?"

"I... I don't know," Bai Shengli stammered, his mind racing to piece together the fragments of the previous night. He remembered drinking too much at the banquet, the dizzying heat, and the maid leading him away. But after that, it was all a blur.

"I can't seem to remember..."

"Empress Dowager, please," Qin Yuli interrupted, her tone sweet and conciliatory. "Do not be angry with His Highness. This is all my fault. Please, do not blame him."

Her words made Bai Shengli's blood run cold. She was obviously lying, and she was doing it so effortlessly. He stared at her, his jaw tightening, but she didn't meet his eyes. Instead, she looked down, playing the part of a meek and remorseful maiden.

The Empress Dowager's face darkened further, her sharp gaze boring into Bai Shengli.

"Whether it was intentional or not, the damage is done," she hissed. "Qin Yuli is the eldest daughter of the Qin family, and now her reputation—and ours—is in tatters."

"Grandmother, I swear, I had no intention of—" Bai Shengli started, but the Empress Dowager cut him off with a raised hand.

"Silence," she snapped. She turned her attention to Qin Yuli, who was still clutching the blanket around her shoulders, her expression carefully contrite. "As for you, Lady Qin, you will remain here until we decide what must be done."

"Of course, Your Majesty," Qin Yuli murmured, lowering her head in false humility.

As the Empress Dowager barked orders to the servants outside, Bai Shengli's mind churned. He had no doubt now that this was a setup, a calculated move by Qin Yuli to entangle him in a scandal that would force his hand. The thought of her cunning made his stomach turn, but more than anything, he was consumed by worry for Qin Yufei.

What would she think when she heard about this? Would she believe he had betrayed her? The thought of her disappointment, her heartbreak, was unbearable. He did not yet win her heart and this happened...

When Xiao Tong woke Qin Yufei, her face was pale with worry. She quickly helped her lady sit up, her voice trembling as she explained,

"My lady, the Empress Dowager's maid has come to summon you. She said it's urgent."

Qin Yufei, still groggy from the restless night, felt her heart sink. Shen Wei's words replayed in her mind—how he had insisted she stay in her room and avoid any further entanglements. Even when he took her back late at night, he didn't say a thing.

Yet now, summoned by the Empress Dowager, it was clear that something significant had happened. She tried to compose herself as Xiao Tong helped her into an appropriate gown.

"I wonder what happened..." Qin Yufei murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

Once she was ready, Qin Yufei followed the Empress Dowager's maid through the winding corridors of the palace. Her steps were slow, though her heartbeat raced with unease. They soon arrived at the Empress Dowager's private hall, where the atmosphere was heavy with an ominous silence.

As she stepped inside, Qin Yufei immediately noticed the grim expressions on the faces of the court ladies standing in attendance. Her eyes shifted to the Empress Dowager, who sat at the head of the room, her usually calm demeanor replaced by a stormy expression. Next to her stood Bai Shengli, his face pale and drawn, and—much to Qin Yufei's surprise—Qin Yuli, who was kneeling on the floor, her head bowed low.

Qin Yufei's heart skipped a beat. What was her sister doing here? Why did she look so...submissive?

"Second Young Lady Qin," the Empress Dowager called, her tone sharp and unforgiving. "Do you know what has happened in the palace last night?"

"No, Your Majesty," Qin Yufei replied, keeping her voice steady despite the wave of dread washing over her. She dared not look at Bai Shengli, though she could feel his gaze burning into her.

The Empress Dowager's lips tightened. "Your sister, was found in an inappropriate situation with the Crown Prince. This scandal could throw the entire court into turmoil."

Qin Yufei's breath hitched. She glanced at her sister, who still knelt silently, her face hidden from view. For a moment, the room seemed to spin, and she struggled to process the words. Qin Yuli and Bai Shengli? How? Why?

"I... I don't understand, Your Majesty," Qin Yufei managed, her voice faint.

The Empress Dowager's gaze softened slightly, but her tone remained firm. "What you need to understand, Lady Qin, is that the Qin family's reputation hangs by a thread. This matter must be resolved swiftly."

At this, Qin Yuli finally raised her head, her eyes red but defiant. "Your Majesty, I take full responsibility for my actions. Please, do not punish my family or His Highness for my mistakes."

Qin Yufei's hands trembled as she looked at her sister. Something about her words didn't feel right. There was a calculated tone beneath her seemingly remorseful demeanor, one that sent a chill down Qin Yufei's spine.

The Empress Dowager sighed heavily and turned her attention back to Qin Yufei. "Qin Yufei, I summoned you because this incident will inevitably affect your engagement to the Crown Prince. There are decisions to be made."

Qin Yufei felt all eyes on her—her sister's, the Crown Prince's, and most piercingly, the Empress Dowager's. Qin Yufei felt a knot tighten in her chest as Qin Yuli then began to recount the events of the previous night. Her sister's voice trembled as she spoke, though Yufei could tell it was a carefully crafted performance.

"I truly didn't mean for this to happen," Qin Yuli began, her eyes darting nervously between Yufei and the Empress Dowager. "Last night, I was walking near the side hall when I overheard the Crown Prince's maid say he wasn't feeling well and had been taken to rest. I was about to leave, but then... then..." She trailed off, her cheeks flushing as she lowered her gaze.

"Then what?" the Empress Dowager pressed, her tone sharp with impatience.

Qin Yuli hesitated, wringing her hands as tears brimmed in her eyes. "The maid mistook me for Yufei and asked if I wanted to check on His Highness. I... I didn't want to create a scene, so I went in. I thought I would just make sure he was alright and leave."

Qin Yufei said nothing, her hands clenched tightly in her lap. She kept her gaze on her sister, watching every flicker of emotion on her face.

"But when I stepped inside," Qin Yuli continued, her voice quivering, "he... he thought I was Yufei. He called me by her name and reached for me. I tried to tell him it was a misunderstanding, but he wasn't fully conscious. I didn't know what to do. I didn't dare hit him or push him away—it's the Crown Prince! And... and then it was too late. I didn't have the strength to resist him."

She broke down into sobs, burying her face in her hands. "I never intended to create a mess. I would never want to trouble you, Yufei. You know me sister... and I know how much your engagement means, but now... now my reputation is ruined. No one will marry me after this."

Qin Yufei's throat tightened as she listened. She knew Qin Yuli better than anyone. Her sister had always been cunning, always scheming to achieve her own goals. This entire situation was too convenient, too perfectly orchestrated. Yet, here she was, playing the role of the helpless victim.

Before Yufei could say anything, Bai Shengli, who had been standing silently to the side, finally spoke. His voice was low and strained.

"I... I don't remember much of what happened last night," he admitted, his expression conflicted. "I only remember feeling dizzy and seeing someone who looked like Yufei. After that... everything is a blur. Only when I woke up, did I see it was not Yufei."

The Empress Dowager's face was a mask of barely restrained fury as she turned to Bai Shengli. "How could you let such a disgraceful event occur? Could you not wait for the wedding night?"

Bai Shengli lowered his head, his hands clenched into fists. "It was not my intention, Grandmother. I think my wine was tempered with."

"Enough," the Empress Dowager interrupted. She turned her piercing gaze to Qin Yufei. "Qin Yufei, your sister's reputation is now in ruins, and this incident has tainted your engagement to the Crown Prince."

Qin Yufei swallowed hard, her mind racing. As she looked at Qin Yuli's tear-streaked face, she knew that her sister had orchestrated every step of this disaster.

The Empress Dowager then continued.

"Given the circumstances, the best solution would be to alter the engagement arrangement. Qin Yuli, as you are also a daughter of the Qin family, taking your sister's place would minimize the scandal and ensure that the Crown Prince's future remains untarnished."

The announcement hung in the air like a thunderclap. Qin Yuli, who had been dabbing her tears with a silk handkerchief, froze for a moment. But then, as if on cue, she bowed her head, a picture of obedient acceptance.

"Your Majesty, I will do whatever is necessary to uphold the honor of my family and serve the imperial house."

Qin Yufei's heart clenched painfully, though her expression remained calm. She had expected this outcome from the moment she was chosen as a royal concubine, but hearing it spoken aloud still felt like a dagger to her chest. Her engagement, her future as the Crown Prince's consort, was being taken away from her—not by fate, but by her sister's calculated machinations. As expected from Qin Yuli, she got what she wanted again.

Bai Shengli's head snapped up in shock. "Grandmother," he began, his tone laced with supplication, "I—"

The Empress Dowager silenced him with a raised hand. "This is not up for debate, Shengli. Your indiscretion last night has left us no choice. The reputation of the royal family is at stake, and we must act decisively to preserve it. Lady Qin Yuli has already been compromised, and it would be unthinkable to leave her future in ruin when she can be of service to the Crown. She could already bear your child."

Bai Shengli clenched his fists, his jaw tightening as he turned to glance at Qin Yufei. She was staring at the ground, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. He wanted to protest, to say that this wasn't what he wanted, but he couldn't bring himself to voice the words. What could he say, after all? He didn't even remember the events of the night before. He had failed her, and now she was being cast aside.

Qin Yufei finally looked up, her face serene despite the turmoil raging within her.

"Your Majesty," she said, her voice steady, "if this is your decision, then I will not object."

The Empress Dowager nodded approvingly, clearly pleased with Yufei's composure. "You are as gracious and wise as I have heard, Qin Yufei. This is not a punishment but a necessity, and your understanding will not be forgotten."

Qin Yuli's lips twitched into a faint smile, though she quickly masked it with a sorrowful expression.

"Sister," she murmured, reaching out to clasp Yufei's hand, "I'm so sorry it has come to this. But I promise to uphold our family's honor in your place."

Yufei didn't respond, simply offering a faint nod. Inside, her mind raced with questions. Why had the maid brought her sister to the Crown Prince's room instead of her? Why had Shen Wei insisted she remain in her pavilion the entire night? Was this truly a coincidence—or was it a carefully laid plan her sister made up?

Finally, the Empress Dowager dismissed them, Yufei rose and followed the palace maid who had come to escort her back to her pavilion.

Qin Yufei was carefully folding her belongings into a trunk, her movements mechanical, her mind clouded with disbelief. How quickly everything had unraveled. Just days ago, she had been preparing to step into the role of the royal concubine, a position she never truly wanted but had reluctantly accepted. Now, she was packing to leave the palace, her engagement shattered, leaving her with nothing but humiliation.

The sound of the door opening abruptly broke her trance. She turned quickly, startled, and froze when she saw Bai Shengli standing there, unannounced. His normally composed face was a mixture of regret and desperation.

"Yufei," he started, his voice low and unsteady, "I know I shouldn't be here, but I couldn't let you leave like this."

She straightened, her hands clutching the edge of the trunk. "Your Highness," she said softly, her tone formal, distant, "I don't believe there's anything left to discuss."

"Don't say that to me," he said, stepping closer. His dark eyes bore into hers, pleading.

"Please, Yufei. I need you to hear me out. I know I've failed you, and I can't forgive myself for what happened. But I... I didn't know. I didn't realize it wasn't you." His voice cracked slightly, and he took a shaky breath. "This still doesn't excuse what I did."

Yufei looked away, her throat tightening. "It's not just about what happened that night, Your Highness. It's everything. From the moment you brought me into this, I've never wanted it so it's alright. That has been taken from me, fine, I don't have any other word to say."

"That's not true," he insisted, stepping even closer. "From the moment I saw you, I knew you were different. And when I heard you play the guqin... I was mesmerized. Yufei, I asked for you because I wanted you. Not her. Never her. And I hoped you could feel what I felt."

Her gaze flickered back to him, searching his face for sincerity. "I apologize Your Highness, but it doesn't change the fact that I have no feelings for you and you still chose me. But who am I to question your choices. I am but a lowly maiden."

"I did want you to be my crown princess!" he said, his voice rising slightly before he caught himself. He looked down, his hands curling into fists. "I will never forgive myself for not considering how you felt. Now... it really had come to this."

The raw emotion in his voice made her chest ache, but she forced herself to remain composed. "Yes. It doesn't matter anymore," she said quietly.

He stepped closer until he was just a breath away.

"Stay, Yufei. Stay, and I will find a way to fix this. I'll speak to my grandmother again—I'll do whatever it takes to make things right."

She shook her head, a bitter smile curving her lips. "It is fine like this Your Highness."

The weight of her words seemed to crush him, and for a moment, he looked utterly lost. They simply stood there, the silence between them heavy. Finally, Bai Shengli stepped back, his shoulders slumping in defeat.

"If... if this is what you truly want, I won't stop you," he said quietly. "But know that I will never forget you, Yufei. And if there's ever a way to bring you back into my life, I'll find it."

She didn't reply, only bowing her head slightly as he turned and walked out the door. The moment he was gone, the composure she had fought so hard to maintain crumbled, and a single tear slipped down her cheek.

Yes, this wasn't what she wanted in the first place, but she felt so humiliated. Yuli did take what people gave to her once again.

✤

The side gate was quiet. Xiao Tong hurriedly loaded the last of Qin Yufei's belongings onto the waiting carriage. Yufei stood nearby, her hands clasped in front of her, her expression blank. She was leaving this golden cage sooner than she expected. And for what? For the one she called home.

"Miss, everything is ready," Xiao Tong said softly, her own voice laced with sadness. She glanced at her mistress, who gave a small nod before stepping toward the carriage.

Just as Yufei reached the steps, the sound of approaching footsteps made her pause. Turning, her eyes widened slightly in surprise. Shen Wei was walking toward them, his dark robes billowing in the cold morning breeze. His expression was unreadable, but his sharp gaze seemed to pierce through her, as it always did.

"You weren't planning to leave without saying goodbye, were you?" he asked, his tone calm.

Yufei straightened her back, forcing herself to meet his gaze. "I didn't think it necessary. There's nothing left for me to say."

Shen Wei scoffed lightly, crossing his arms as he stopped a few steps away.

"I didn't take you for someone who would slink away quietly, without so much as a proper farewell to her shifu."

Her eyes narrowed slightly. "I am sure my sister will be the perfect student. She's better than me in everything. You for sure won't find her annoying."

Shen Wei's lips curved into a faint smirk, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Bitter words don't suit you, Yufei. Is this the first time I hear you talk that much? Don't worry. This Shifu came here because he heard you were leaving and thought it best to escort you back to your family's mansion."

Xiao Tong glanced nervously between them, clearly sensing the tension in the air. "But, Imperial Preceptor Shen," she began hesitantly, "there's already a carriage prepared for Miss Qin—"

"I see that," Shen Wei interrupted coolly, his gaze flicking briefly to the carriage. "But I insist. It's safer this way."

She let out a soft sigh, realizing it would be pointless to argue. "Very well," she said quietly. "Yufei thanks this Shifu."

Shen Wei motioned for the servants accompanying him to bring his carriage. Once everything was settled, he extended a hand toward her, his expression softening slightly.

"Shall we?"

For a moment, Yufei hesitated. But then, with a resigned nod, she placed her hand in his and allowed him to help her into the carriage. Xiao Tong stayed outside, as Shen Wei climbed in after her lady.

As the carriage began to move, the two of them sat in silence. Shen Wei, seated across from Yufei, studied her intently, his piercing gaze never wavering. She avoided his eyes, instead staring out the window at the receding palace walls.

"You're better off away from that place," he said, his voice low but firm. "You should know that."

Yufei turned her head slightly, meeting his gaze for the first time since they boarded the carriage.

"Better off? How exactly am I better off?"

"You've lost chains disguised as treasures," Shen Wei replied bluntly. "The palace would have swallowed you whole. You were meant for more than being the Crown Prince's concubine."

Her eyes widened slightly at his words, what was he even implying?

"And what do you think I'm meant for, then?" she asked.

Shen Wei leaned forward slightly, his dark eyes gleaming with something unreadable. Looking at her, he half whispered to her ear

"That, Lady Qin, is for you to discover. I hope you won't hesitate to seek my advice if needed."