A Night of Scheming and Self-Pity

Xia Wei lay sprawled on a luxurious couch, mourning her own existence.

The flickering candlelight cast warm golden hues on her silk robes, but her heart was cold.

How? How had things turned out like this?

She had spent her whole life—or well, the past few months since transmigrating—trying to be calculating, composed, and untouchable.

And yet…

One moment of weakness. One accidental display of maidenly heartbreak.

And now, she was engaged to the most dangerous man in the empire.

"This is a nightmare," she muttered, rolling onto her stomach.

Chunyu, her ever-loyal maid, hovered nearby with a deeply worried expression. "My lady, are you alright? His Highness has already left, but the entire estate is in an uproar!"

Xia Wei groaned, dramatically flopping onto her back. "Of course, they are. They think I’ve been secretly in love with him all this time."

Chunyu blinked, hesitating. "W-Well…"

Xia Wei sat up sharply, narrowing her eyes. "What?"

The maid fiddled with the hem of her sleeve. "It’s just… you did always act differently around him, my lady."

Xia Wei nearly fainted on the spot.

"I WHAT?!"

Chunyu winced. "You always get… very dramatic. And whenever you’re alone, you become… um, softer?"

Xia Wei wanted to throw herself off a cliff.

Was that how people saw her?!

So even if she screamed, "I was lying! It was all an act!"—no one would believe her?!

She clutched her pillow like it was a lifeline.

"This is it, Chunyu. This is the end. I have schemed myself into my own downfall."

Chunyu patted her back comfortingly.

"My lady… at least His Highness is very handsome?"

Xia Wei let out a long, suffering sigh.

"Handsome men are the most dangerous."

Chunyu nodded solemnly. "That is true."

---

The Next Day: Facing the Consequences

By morning, the rumors had spread like wildfire.

And naturally—

Bai Yueru was the first to make an appearance.

Xia Wei, already exhausted from a night of scheming and self-pity, nearly shut the door in her face.

But Bai Yueru, ever the graceful heroine, sweetly smiled and stepped inside.

"My dear sister," she cooed, her voice sickeningly gentle, "I came to congratulate you!"

Xia Wei wanted to gag.

Bai Yueru sat down elegantly, eyes brimming with 'concern'.

"But tell me, how did this happen?" she asked, tilting her head. "Just a few days ago, it seemed like you and His Highness were enemies…"

Xia Wei smiled—all teeth and no warmth.

"Oh, Yueru," she said lightly, sweetly, menacingly, "you of all people should know how unpredictable love is."

Bai Yueru nearly choked on her own tea.

Xia Wei leaned in closer, dropping her voice to a dramatic whisper.

"I tried to push him away," she sighed, placing a delicate hand on her heart. "But how could I deny my own feelings?"

Bai Yueru’s face twisted for half a second before she forced a soft giggle.

"My, my! How romantic."

Xia Wei beamed.

"Oh, extremely. His Highness simply won't leave me alone now."

Bai Yueru gripped her teacup a little too tightly.

"I see…"

Yes. Suffer.

---

Meanwhile, in the Imperial Palace

Li Xuan sat in his study, listening to his loyal subordinate report the morning gossip.

"—and now, many noble ladies are heartbroken, believing Your Highness has been in love with Lady Xia for years," the man finished.

Li Xuan chuckled.

His aide visibly shivered.

"Do you not wish to clarify the misunderstanding, Your Highness?"

Li Xuan tapped his fingers idly on his desk, his expression unreadable.

"Why would I?"

The aide hesitated. "Because it isn’t true?"

Li Xuan’s lips curved into an unreadable smile.

"Isn’t it?"

The aide sweated.

He did not dare ask what that meant.

---

That Night: A Not-So-Peaceful Visit

Xia Wei had just settled in for a night of peaceful reading when her maid rushed in, flustered.

"My lady! His Highness is here!"

Xia Wei immediately stood up in alarm. "WHAT?!"

Chunyu panicked. "H-He’s already in the courtyard!"

Xia Wei whirled around, frantically smoothing her robes.

Then she froze.

Wait.

Why was she panicking?!

SHE was the victim here!

Her eyes narrowed.

No. No more weakness.

If she was going to be stuck in this mess, she would own it.

She marched out, head held high, a picture of elegance and confidence.

Li Xuan, standing in the moonlit courtyard, watched her with amusement.

"You seem eager to see me," he murmured.

Xia Wei sniffed. "What choice do I have? You’re apparently obsessed with me now."

Li Xuan chuckled.

"Good," he said simply.

She stared.

"Good?"

He took a step closer, towering over her, his golden eyes gleaming.

"If people think I can’t live without you," he murmured, "they’ll never question why I keep you by my side."

Xia Wei blinked.

Then froze.

Then—

She realized.

This wasn't just a game to him.

He wasn’t going to let her go.

Ever.

…She was so, so doomed.

Xia Wei was mentally preparing for battle when suddenly—

Li Xuan reached out and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

Xia Wei froze.

"W-What are you doing?" she stammered, her voice betraying her usual sharpness.

Li Xuan tilted his head slightly, studying her. "Fixing your hair."

Xia Wei stared at him.

This—This was dangerous.

She knew Li Xuan as cold, sharp, and ruthless. But this?

This gentle touch? This casual intimacy?

This was lethal.

"Your face is red," he noted, his voice far too amused.

Xia Wei immediately stepped back, folding her arms. "Nonsense! It’s just hot tonight."

Li Xuan’s lips curved into a smirk.

"Ah. Of course."

Xia Wei gritted her teeth.

This man was insufferable.

"You should leave," she huffed. "It’s late."

Li Xuan didn’t move.

Instead, he leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a whisper.

"But if I leave, who will protect you?"

Xia Wei stared at him in disbelief.

"Protect me?! From WHAT?!"

Li Xuan straightened, giving her a lazy smile.

"From yourself."

Xia Wei gasped.

Shameless. Absolutely shameless!

"Go home, Your Highness!" she huffed, turning on her heel.

But before she could stomp away—

A warm hand suddenly grasped hers.

Xia Wei froze.

She turned back, heart pounding.

Li Xuan’s fingers were wrapped around hers, firm yet gentle.

"Goodnight, Xia Wei," he said softly, his golden eyes unreadable.

Then, before she could even react—

He lifted her hand to his lips.

A soft, fleeting kiss.

Then he let go—walking away like it was nothing.

Xia Wei stood there, completely frozen.

Her soul had left her body.

Chunyu peeked out from the doorway.

"My lady…?"

Xia Wei clutched her chest.

"Chunyu."

"Y-Yes?"

"Prepare my funeral."

---

End of Chapter 17

Sky~