Mei Lin peered through her window, the soft morning light cascading into her room, surrounding the dust motes dancing in the air. The backyard lay still, a tranquil expanse of grass and flowers, yet it felt stiflingly quiet, as if the world outside was holding its breath. Her heart raced at the thought of escaping the confines of her home.
With a determined breath, she slipped on her shoes and quietly decided to escape.
"Mei Lin! Where do you think you're going?" The guard's tone was stern, his presence looming like a shadow behind her. She froze, heart pounding in her chest, the excitement of her escape quickly replaced by a rush of panic.
Turning slowly, she faced him, her mind racing for a plausible excuse. "I... I was just going to check on the garden," she stammered, forcing a smile that felt more like a grimace. The guard's eyes narrowed, clearly unconvinced.
"Your father wouldn't be pleased if he found out you were wandering out alone," he replied, crossing his arms. Mei Lin felt a wave of frustration wash over her. The walls of her home felt like a cage. She longed to assert her independence, to express her desires without fear of reprimand, but the weight of her father's expectations loomed heavily over her.
As her mother and sister approached, curiosity flickered across their faces. Zhao Ying, her sister, exchanged glances with their mother, both wondering what the guard was discussing with Mei Lin. When their mother caught a snippet of the conversation, a knowing smile spread across her face.
"Mei Lin, your dad won't be happy if he finds out you were planning to leave today," she said playfully, her tone light yet firm. Zhao Ying nodded in agreement, adding, "And don't forget, everyone is invited to the palace this evening!"
Mei Lin's thoughts drifted to the mysterious figure who had saved her before, his face still a blur in her memory. Just then, a familiar voice broke through her reverie. "Mei Lin!" It was Wang Jun, his presence instantly brightening her mood.
Zhao Ying leaned closer to their mother, whispering, "Let's give them some space for a while. I need your help to choose a dress for the palace." Their mother smiled and nodded, understanding the unspoken bond between her daughters and the boy.
As Wang Jun approached, Mei Lin felt a flutter in her chest. He reached for her hands, warmth spreading through her as he spoke. "In the next upcoming festival, I'll take you with me." The mention of the festival reminded her of her birthday, a time of celebration and new beginnings.
In that moment, Mei Lin, who was once Aria in a past life, reminded herself that she had been given a second chance. She wouldn't let it slip away. Holding Wang Jun's hand tightly, she felt a surge of determination.
"I've asked permission to take you out," he said, his eyes sparkling with excitement. Mei Lin couldn't help but smile at his words.
Back at the Wang household, Wang Li sat on the chair, looking at herself in the Mirror thinking if a way, to eliminate Mei Lin once and for all. Her hand Maid Gao Xun was called, she instructed her to look for a poisonous plant, Gao Xun had smiled nodding, and left to look for the poisonous plant. Wang Li wondered where her brother was, and figured that He had gone out with that Mei Lin, she had to act fast.
Zhoù Chen, the crown prince, stepped into the flower shop, the gentle chime of the doorbell announcing his arrival. He wandered through the aisles, his eyes scanning the vibrant blooms, but he sought only one: a yellow flower, a symbol of brightness amidst the weight of his royal duties. As he paused to admire a particularly radiant daffodil, he caught sight of Mei Lin standing beside Wang Jun, their laughter ringing like music in the air.
A pang of unease settled in his chest. He turned away, determined to find solace among the petals, but the shopkeeper's voice broke through his thoughts. "Your Highness, please, stay a moment longer. Your presence brings joy to this humble shop." The words hung in the air, heavy with expectation.
Mei Lin and Wang Jun turned in unison, their expressions shifting from surprise to admiration. Zhoù Chen felt their gazes like a spotlight, surrounding the loneliness he often felt in the midst of crowds. He glanced back at the shopkeeper, a mix of frustration and obligation swirling within him. "I think I'll go elsewhere," he replied, his voice steady yet tinged with a hint of reluctance.
As he made his way toward the door, the soft sound of footsteps followed him. He paused, turning slightly to see Mei Lin, her eyes bright with determination. "Where are you going?" Wang Jun called out, confusion lacing his voice.
"I have to see the crown prince," Mei Lin said, her tone resolute, as she stepped out, leaving Wang Jun behind.
As she sprinted towards him, her heart raced with a mix of excitement and fear. Mei Lin reached out and grasped Zhoù Chen's hand from behind, a gesture of familiarity that felt electric. But the moment he turned around, surprise etched on his face, the atmosphere shifted. In a split second, instinct took over; he gripped her neck and pushed her against the wall, confusion flashing in his eyes.
When he realized it was Mei Lin, his grip faltered, and he quickly released her, stepping back as if burned. She gasped for breath, her eyes searching his. "Why did you do that?" she asked, her voice a blend of hurt and disbelief.
Zhoù Chen, caught off guard, shot back with a hint of rudeness, "I thought it was some strange person." Anger bubbled within him as he turned to leave, but Mei Lin's hand wrapped around his wrist, anchoring him in place.
In that moment, memories surged through her like a tidal wave. She recalled the time he had called her Aria, the warmth of his presence when he had saved her from a snake bite in her past life. The recollection twisted in her mind, pulling her back to a darker memory—she was lying on the ground, and her stomach was covered with blood, she felt the pain, and couldn't remember much from what happened . She had reached up to touch his cheek, but the image of the figure who had harmed her was obscured, a shadow she couldn't grasp.
Dizziness swept over her, and she swayed, feeling the ground rush up to meet her as she collapsed.
Zhoù Chen's instincts kicked in, and he rushed toward her, but just then, Wang Jun burst into the scene, his voice cutting through the tension. "Mei Lin!" he shouted, rushing to her side as she lay unconscious. Without hesitation, he scooped her up, cradling her in his arms.
Zhoù Chen stood frozen for a moment, a storm of emotions swirling within him. He wanted to reach out, to demand answers, but Wang Jun was already sprinting toward the carriage with Mei Lin. Frustration and urgency flared in his chest, and he turned sharply, barking orders to his bodyguard. "Prepare the horse!" he commanded, determination igniting in his eyes as he prepared to follow.