The tea party had ended, and the guests had dispersed, leaving Princess Qing Yue alone in the ornate pavilion. As she reclined against the plush cushions, her mind churned with resentment and jealousy. She had masked her feelings behind a veneer of politeness, but now that she was alone, her true emotions were free to surface.
The Princess stared out at the manicured gardens, her eyes dark with frustration. "So, Li Mei has managed to win the favor of Master Wei Ming," she muttered to herself, her voice laced with irritation. "How typical. Even in this palace, it seems she can't escape the spotlight."
Her thoughts drifted to Li Mei's recent appearance. The young woman's beauty and grace had been impossible to ignore, despite Qing Yue's best efforts. It irked her that someone so lowly, in her opinion, could capture so much attention. Qing Yue's envy gnawed at her, a bitter reminder of her own insecurities.
"She's nothing but a merchant's daughter," the Princess continued, her voice barely more than a whisper. "If it weren't for her mother's… cunning, she would have nothing. It's laughable that she dares to mingle with those of true nobility."
Her thoughts turned darker, tinged with disdain. The Princess had long harbored a grudge against Li Mei, seeing her as a taint to the purity of their social circles. It was an old resentment, rooted in the knowledge of Li Mei's father's mercantile background—a stark contrast to the refined lineage of Qing Yue's own family.
"No matter how much a pheasant tries," Qing Yue seethed, her eyes narrowing as she imagined Li Mei's smiling face, "it will never become a phoenix. She's an outsider, and no amount of charm or beauty will change that."
The Princess's anger was also fueled by a deeper, more personal disappointment. She had always been envious of those who seemed to effortlessly draw the admiration of others—especially men. And as she thought about Wei Ming, her irritation grew. She had noticed how he seemed to regard Li Mei with genuine interest, something she herself had always longed for.
Though she never allowed it to show, Qing Yue harbored a quiet, unspoken affection for Wei Ming. His brilliance and charisma had always captivated her, and it pained her to see him so openly appreciative of Li Mei's presence. It was a cruel irony that the one person she resented the most should also be the one to draw his admiration.
As Qing Yue's mind whirred with jealousy and frustration, she resolved to address the situation. Li Mei's presence in the court was a thorn in her side, a constant reminder of her own perceived inadequacies. If Li Mei's popularity grew, it could diminish her own standing, and the Princess was determined to prevent that from happening.
In a fit of frustration, Qing Yue's gaze fell upon a nearby servant. "Prepare a message for Li Mei," she said curtly. "I want to ensure that she understands her place in this world, no matter how much she tries to intrude upon ours."
The servant nodded, a look of trepidation in his eyes. "Yes, Your Highness. What would you like the message to say?"
Qing Yue's lips curved into a cold smile. "Just remind her that no matter how much she tries to climb higher, she will always be out of her depth. She's a taint to our nobility, and it's best she remembers her place."
As the servant hurried off to carry out her orders, Qing Yue's thoughts returned to Wei Ming. Though she kept her feelings hidden, the ache of unspoken affection lingered. She was determined to not let Li Mei or anyone else stand in her way, especially not someone who might divert Wei Ming's attention away from her.
Meanwhile, Li Mei was still processing the events of the tea party. The experience had left her feeling both relieved and troubled. She had managed to avoid any direct conflict with the Princess, thanks to Wei Ming's timely intervention. But the Princess's words and actions had left a lingering sense of unease.
Back at the Zhao mansion, Li Mei's thoughts were preoccupied with the day's events as she settled into her room. The sting of Qing Yue's hidden animosity was still fresh, but she was more determined than ever to remain true to herself and her dreams. With Wei Ming as a newfound ally and her own resolve strengthened, she faced the future with a cautious optimism.
The tea party had been a battleground, and though she had emerged with her dignity intact, she knew that the struggle for acceptance and respect was far from over. As she prepared for the challenges ahead, Li Mei found solace in her own strength and the supportive presence of her friends and family.