The days leading up to the Kingdom Gathering were filled with tense anticipation, and the court buzzed with rumors, each more scandalous than the last. While the kingdom prepared for the grand event, Lady Yanli remained largely out of sight, focusing on her own plans and the decisions she had already made. But there was an undercurrent of danger—an unseen hand pulling strings in the shadows, determined to undermine her.
The morning after her meeting with Lady Lian, Ying Yue sat in her private quarters, contemplating the next steps in her plot. The alliance with Lady Lian had been a necessary one, but the road ahead was not without its risks. The two women had agreed on their course of action: Lady Lian would continue feeding rumors about Lady Yanli, while Ying Yue would ensure that these whispers reached the ears of the most influential figures at court. Prince Zhen's support would be essential, and that meant Lady Yanli had to be discredited before the Kingdom Gathering.
Ying Yue's mind turned to Prince Zhen, and how much more difficult it would be to convince him if Lady Yanli remained in the picture. She had to make sure that when the time came, he would see her, not the woman who had once held his heart, as the rightful companion to stand by his side.
Lady Yanli, unaware of the forces conspiring against her, stood at her window, gazing out at the city. The sun had just risen, casting a warm glow across the kingdom. Despite the looming rumors, her thoughts were focused on her next move, on the future she was shaping. She had made her decision. Zhen's proposal was not one she had taken lightly. It was a way to protect herself, her family, and the life she had worked hard to build. But it was also a step she hadn't anticipated taking.
She hadn't told anyone yet, but in her heart, she knew that accepting Zhen's proposal was the only way forward. The rumors swirling about her had the potential to destroy everything, and Zhen's offer, while unexpected, gave her a measure of control. She couldn't let those in the court—especially her unseen enemies—think they could tear down everything she'd worked for.
But even as she pondered these things, there was a voice that interrupted her thoughts, a soft knock at the door.
"Lady Yanli," Bai Min's voice called, "there's something you need to see."
Lady Yanli turned, her expression unreadable, and nodded. She had learned to trust Bai Min's judgment. If something needed her attention, it was always important.
Meanwhile, in the royal palace, Prince Hanyu sat alone in his chambers, staring at the letter he had just received. The contents were simple—an update on Lady Yanli's movements and the increasing spread of the rumors. The whispers about her supposed affair with him had already reached the highest circles of the court. Some claimed to have seen them together in secret, others speculated on the nature of their relationship.
Hanyu couldn't help but feel a surge of satisfaction. The rumors were working in their favor. As planned, he had carefully kept his distance from Lady Yanli in public, making sure to maintain his image as the wronged man. His mother, Consort Mei, had been fully supportive of the plan, as had Lady Lian. She had been by his side through it all, ensuring that the rumors painted him as a man of honor, falsely scorned by a woman who was manipulating his affections.
In truth, the entire affair had been orchestrated by him and Lady Lian, a scheme to put pressure on Lady Yanli. But the problem was far from solved. There were still people at court who might not believe the rumors, who might support Lady Yanli despite the whispers.
Prince Zhen was one such person. His attachment to Lady Yanli was clear, and Hanyu knew that if he didn't move quickly, Zhen might make a play to publicly defend her. That could ruin everything.
Lady Lian was not immune to the pressure of the court, either. The more the rumors about Lady Yanli grew, the more she found herself in the midst of the storm, though she preferred to remain in the shadows. She was not the one the court was focused on; it was Lady Yanli who was at the center of it all. But her role was clear—by continuing to appear as a sympathetic figure, she could ensure that Hanyu's image remained untarnished, all while subtly directing the court's attention to Lady Yanli's supposed misdeeds.
Lian knew the stakes. If the rumors worked, and Zhen was swayed, she would have a stronger foothold at court. She would be in a position to rise, perhaps even claim something she had always desired: a greater role by Hanyu's side.
Back in Lady Yanli's chambers, Bai Min had just delivered the report on the increasing rumors. "Lady Yanli," she said cautiously, "the rumors are spreading faster than we anticipated. I've heard that Lady Ying Yue is behind some of this, and even Prince Hanyu's name has been mentioned in connection with your supposed affair."
Lady Yanli's expression darkened. She had been hearing the whispers, but now it was confirmed. The plan to tarnish her reputation had escalated. She had expected opposition, but not to this degree.
"I knew it," she muttered under her breath. "It's Prince Hanyu's doing. And Lady Ying Yue must be involved as well. They're trying to corner me."
Bai Min nodded. "It seems that way. There are even whispers of a marriage proposal from Prince Zhen that could be linked to this. Some are saying he may offer his hand to you publicly soon, perhaps to dispel the rumors."
Lady Yanli's thoughts swirled. If the rumors had reached Prince Zhen's ears, it would only make sense for him to propose, to defend her publicly. She had heard that he was a man of honor, and perhaps that was why he had remained silent thus far—waiting for the perfect moment to act. She also knew that a marriage proposal would give her a certain level of protection, but it also complicated everything. It was clear now that the stakes had been raised.
Bai Min paused before speaking again, choosing her words carefully. "Lady Yanli, this is a dangerous game. You may have to act soon, before things get out of hand. If you are to accept Prince Zhen's proposal, it will be the only way to regain control."
Lady Yanli looked out the window again, her gaze distant. The court, her reputation, and her future were all in jeopardy. The game was no longer just about survival; it was about who would control the narrative. And for the first time in a long while, she felt the weight of the choices before her.
As the day of the Kingdom Gathering drew closer, the stakes grew ever higher. Each move, each rumor, each conversation would set the tone for what was to come. For Lady Yanli, this would be the moment of truth. She could only hope that the decisions she made in the coming days would be enough to secure her place in the game, and perhaps even turn the tide in her favor.
The unseen threat was everywhere. It was in the whispers of the court, in the careful gestures of her enemies, in the smiles of those who feigned loyalty. And in the midst of it all, Lady Yanli would have to decide whether to fight back, to accept Prince Zhen's proposal, or to risk it all to carve out her own destiny.