The tea house was a quiet retreat from the bustling streets of the capital, tucked away in a secluded corner. The low hum of conversation was muted by the soft clinking of tea cups, and the delicate fragrance of jasmine tea filled the air. Lady Ying Yue sat at a table near the back, her gaze focused on the entrance, her thoughts heavy with plans. Today would mark the beginning of her most dangerous venture yet.
She hadn't expected the woman to arrive so early, but Lady Lian entered the tea house with a grace that commanded attention. Her beauty, while less polished than the noblewomen of the court, held a raw, seductive allure. The soft rustle of her silk gown announced her presence as she walked towards Lady Ying Yue's table. There was no mistaking her — this was Prince Hanyu's lover, the woman who had caught his eye and held it with an iron grip.
Lady Ying Yue stood, offering a polite nod as the woman took a seat across from her. "Lady Lian," she greeted with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person."
Lady Lian, her lips painted a deep crimson, smiled back, her gaze sharp and calculating. "The pleasure is mine, Lady Ying Yue. I've heard quite a bit about you as well. I hope our meeting is as fruitful as I've been told."
The two women studied each other, their eyes meeting with a quiet challenge before Lady Lian spoke again. "But I'll admit, I didn't expect to be summoned to a meeting like this. What is it that you need from me?"
Ying Yue leaned in slightly, her voice low but firm. "I've heard a great deal about you, Lady Lian. You've managed to secure your place in Prince Hanyu's life, and for that, you deserve credit. But I'm not here to praise you. I'm here because I need your help."
Lady Lian raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued. "Help? I'm not in the habit of helping others unless I have something to gain. What do you offer in return?"
Ying Yue's expression remained unchanged, her voice steady. "I want to take Lady Yanli out of the picture. She's a threat to my future, to everything I've worked for. If she stays in Prince Zhen's life, she could ruin everything. And I'm sure you understand the importance of removing such threats."
Lady Lian's lips curled into a small, amused smile. "Ah, so that's what this is about. Prince Zhen's attachment to Lady Yanli." Her eyes flickered with something unreadable. "You think she's a threat, do you?"
Ying Yue's eyes hardened. "I don't think it, I know it. And I'm sure you know it too. She's in the way. If she stays, she'll make sure that I never get what I deserve."
Lady Lian paused, her fingers tapping lightly on her teacup as she considered the words. "You're not wrong. Lady Yanli has her claws in Prince Zhen, and she's not the type to give up easily. But what exactly do you want me to do about it?"
Ying Yue's gaze was sharp. "I want you to help me ruin her reputation. Spread rumors about her. Make it impossible for Prince Zhen to continue pretending that she's the woman he should have by his side. If we can expose her as a manipulator, someone who uses her beauty and charm for her own gain, we'll turn the entire court against her. And once that happens, there will be no place for her beside Prince Zhen."
Lady Lian leaned back in her seat, her gaze calculating. "And you think spreading rumors will be enough? You need more than whispers in the dark to make Prince Zhen turn his back on her. He's a proud man, and he won't let someone like Lady Yanli fall without a reason."
Ying Yue's lips twisted into a smile, one that was cold and full of quiet determination. "That's where you come in. You have a position with Prince Hanyu. You have the ear of the royal court. If you help me, we can ensure that Lady Yanli's reputation is destroyed. And when she's gone, Prince Zhen will have no choice but to turn to me."
Lady Lian's eyes sparkled with interest, her expression a mixture of amusement and calculation. "And what do you want in return for your help?" she asked, her voice smooth as silk.
Ying Yue's smile widened, her eyes gleaming with the anticipation of the coming power shift. "When I succeed in securing my place beside Prince Zhen, you will be rewarded. I'll make sure you're never in want. And more importantly, you'll be in a position to secure your own future."
Lady Lian considered the offer, her fingers tapping on her cup again. "I like your confidence, Lady Ying Yue. But be warned: this won't be easy. Prince Hanyu is not someone who can be easily manipulated, and Lady Yanli has her own supporters in the court. We'll need to be subtle. We'll need to ensure that every move we make is calculated."
Ying Yue leaned in closer, her voice almost a whisper. "I'm not afraid of subtlety, Lady Lian. I know how to get what I want. And I'll make sure you get what you want too. We both have a stake in this, and there's nothing more dangerous than two women with nothing to lose."
Lady Lian's smile widened as she stood from the table, her robes flowing elegantly as she prepared to leave. "Very well. I'll help you, Lady Ying Yue. But be careful. If we're not careful, we could end up making enemies of the wrong people. You may have the strength to bring Lady Yanli down, but the court can be a dangerous place, and Prince Zhen isn't someone to be underestimated."
Ying Yue stood as well, her face unreadable. "I'll be careful, Lady Lian. But this is my time, and I won't let anyone stand in my way."
As Lady Lian left the tea house, Ying Yue felt the weight of the alliance forming between them. The pieces were in place. The rumors would spread, the court would take notice, and when the time came, Lady Yanli would have no choice but to bow out of the game. Ying Yue would be the one standing beside Prince Zhen at the end of it all.
Lady Ying Yue's plan was set into motion. The first whispers about Lady Yanli's supposed affair with Prince Hanyu began to circulate through the palace. There were subtle hints in the corridors, rumors passed from one servant to the next. Lady Lian had done her part well, ensuring that the right people were fed just enough information to make them curious.
Ying Yue had learned long ago that the court's attention was fleeting. A rumor, well placed, could grow into something much larger, something that could ruin a reputation. And once Lady Yanli's reputation was in shambles, Prince Zhen would have no choice but to turn to her, to the woman who had been patient, waiting for this moment.
Now, the real work began.