Morning sunlight spilled through the intricate lattice windows of the imperial academy’s pavilion, casting soft golden hues across the polished stone floor. Xia Wei sat elegantly on the cushioned bench, a delicate cup of tea cradled between her fingers.

Across from her sat Bai Yueru—the novel’s heroine, the so-called delicate, kind-hearted beauty who won over the hearts of every powerful man in the story.

Except this time, Xia Wei wasn’t planning to play by the script.

“Zhiwei,” Bai Yueru began, her tone gentle but cautious, “I heard that His Highness the Crown Prince came looking for you last night.”

Xia Wei arched a brow, taking a slow sip of her tea. “Oh? Did he?”

Bai Yueru’s delicate fingers tightened around her own teacup. “I know that in the past, you… admired His Highness.”

Admired?

This woman really knew how to phrase things nicely.

Admiration, huh? Was that what it was called when Xia Zhiwei threw herself at a man who only looked at her with disdain?

Xia Wei smiled, setting her cup down with a soft clink. “Bai Yueru, are you worried about something?”

Bai Yueru blinked, her expression the perfect picture of innocence. “Worried? Oh no, I only—”

“Because,” Xia Wei interrupted sweetly, “why would His Highness the Crown Prince coming to see me be any concern of yours?”

The question was simple. Direct.

But Bai Yueru’s expression faltered for just a fraction of a second before she recovered. “I was merely concerned for you, Zhiwei. After all, you’ve always been so devoted to His Highness, and—”

Xia Wei tilted her head. “Ah. So you assumed I’d still be clinging to him?”

Bai Yueru opened her mouth to respond, but Xia Wei leaned forward, her voice dropping into something almost conspiratorial.

“But Yueru, let me tell you a little secret,” she said, her lips curving into an amused smile.

“I don’t want him anymore.”

Silence.

For the first time, Bai Yueru looked genuinely surprised.

“…You don’t?”

“Nope.” Xia Wei leaned back, watching the way Bai Yueru’s fingers trembled slightly against her teacup. Interesting.

The heroine wasn’t as calm as she wanted to appear.

Bai Yueru lowered her gaze, a hesitant smile on her lips. “That’s… wonderful, Zhiwei. Truly, I—”

“But it’s odd,” Xia Wei mused, cutting her off again. “If I no longer care for him, then why did His Highness look so frustrated when he left last night?”

Bai Yueru stilled.

Xia Wei picked up her teacup again, swirling the liquid slowly. “It makes one wonder… perhaps he was the one not ready to let go?”

Bai Yueru’s expression remained neutral, but her grip on her cup had tightened noticeably.

And Xia Wei was enjoying every second of it.

—

Meanwhile, at the Crown Prince’s Study

Li Xuan had spent the entire morning irritated.

His ministers noticed it. His attendants noticed it. Hell, even his usually oblivious younger brother had given him a strange look.

And the worst part?

He didn’t even know why.

He was the Crown Prince. He had more important things to think about than a woman’s smile, her teasing voice, the way she had looked at him last night like he no longer mattered.

But the thought of Xia Zhiwei no longer caring about him was…

Unacceptable.

“Your Highness.”

Li Xuan looked up, his frown deepening as a servant cautiously stepped forward. “What is it?”

“The Fourth Prince wishes to meet you.”

Li Xuan sighed. “Let him in.”

The door opened, and Li Jing—his younger half-brother—stepped inside.

Li Jing was nothing like him. Where Li Xuan was sharp and commanding, Li Jing was playful, laidback, and often deemed too charming for his own good.

And at this moment, he looked far too amused.

“You seem troubled, gege,” Li Jing drawled, flopping onto the chair opposite him. “Something on your mind?”

Li Xuan scowled. “No.”

Li Jing smirked. “Is that so? Because I could have sworn I just saw a certain Lady Xia at the academy, looking positively radiant.”

Li Xuan’s fingers twitched.

Li Jing hummed. “She was having tea with Bai Yueru, but somehow, Yueru didn’t look too happy by the end of it. Fascinating, isn’t it?”

Li Xuan clenched his jaw.

He should have ignored it. Should have dismissed it as unimportant.

But instead, before he could even stop himself, he asked—

“…What did they talk about?”

Li Jing’s smirk widened. “Ah. So you are interested.”

Li Xuan’s glare was sharp, but Li Jing only laughed.

“Well, dear brother, let’s just say that our sweet, devoted Lady Xia Zhiwei told Bai Yueru something quite surprising.”

Li Jing leaned in, lowering his voice as if sharing a great secret.

“She said she doesn’t want you anymore.”

Li Xuan stilled.

Li Jing watched, eyes gleaming with interest. “I must say, gege, I didn’t think I’d ever see the day when Xia Zhiwei would abandon her obsession with you. I thought she’d be hopelessly in love forever.”

Silence.

Then, in a voice far too calm, Li Xuan said—

“She’s lying.”

Li Jing chuckled. “Perhaps. Or perhaps, dear brother…”

He grinned, resting his chin on his hand.

“…you simply can’t handle the idea of her wanting someone else.”

—

Back at the Academy Pavilion

Xia Wei watched Bai Yueru excuse herself, her steps unnaturally stiff.

Once she was gone, Xia Wei chuckled, picking up a delicate pastry from the table and taking a bite.

“Mm. Delicious.”

She had been prepared for Bai Yueru to play the kind and innocent card, but what she hadn’t expected was how easily shaken the heroine was when things didn’t go her way.

What would happen, she wondered, when Bai Yueru realized that she wasn’t the only one rewriting the story?

That Xia Wei had no intention of playing by the rules?

She smiled, setting down her pastry.

Step three: make Bai Yueru doubt her place.

Everything was progressing smoothly.

But what Xia Wei hadn’t accounted for… was how fast Li Xuan was starting to crack.

—End of Chapter 5—

Sky~