The courtyard was quiet, sunlight filtering through the maple leaves overhead. Stone tiles still held the warmth of noon. Somewhere beyond the walls, a bird called once, then fell silent.
A woman entered through the courtyard gate, her posture straight, chin lifted as if the space already belonged to her. She was dressed in lavish silk, colors rich and unmistakably imperial. Behind her followed two servants, their eyes sharp, their expressions disdainful.
Her gaze swept the courtyard once, cold, appraising. Haughty. Rude. Spoilt entitlement written into every step she took.
Before she could advance further, Jie-li moved. She stepped forward, planting herself firmly between the intruders and the inner courtyard.
"Stop," Jie-li said sharply.
"This is the Seventh Prince's residence. State your name and purpose."
One of the servants sneered.
"Bold," she snapped. "Why aren't you bowing your head?"
The second servant stepped forward, voice cutting and loud.
"You stand before the Grand Princess and dare demand an introduction?"
Jie-li's jaw tightened. Her hands curled into fists at her sides.
"I bow to my master," she said through clenched teeth, "not to uninvited guests."
She did not move. The courtyard seemed to hold its breath.
The woman in silk laughed softly. She lifted one delicate hand, silencing her servants, then stepped forward herself. Her eyes passed over Jie-li dismissively before settling on Xiaolan.
Her smile was beautiful. And cruel.
"Sister-in-law," she said smoothly, voice sweet as honey,
"we haven't met, have we?"
Xiaolan stood up from her seat, the Grand Princess? She thought to herself. What did she want with her.
"Ji-lie, you're being rude," she said calmly, and at once Ji-lie bowed her head low.
"Apologies, Grand Princess," Ji-lie said.
She waved a hand lightly when Jie-li bowed, magnanimous, indulgent. "Think nothing of it. Servants are bound to be overprotective."
"Your Highness," Xiaolan bowed. "Please…" she gestured to the chair.
Wumeng's smile widened the moment Xiaolan bowed.
How proper, she thought. How very well-trained.
She followed the gesture and took the seat offered, settling into it as though she were seated on a throne rather than a courtyard chair. One leg crossed elegantly over the other, silk whispering.
As Jie-li poured the tea, Wumeng watched her with mild amusement, then shifted her gaze back, slow, deliberate, assessing from posture to expression.
"May I ask why the Grand Princess came to see me," Xiaolan asked as Ji-lie poured her tea.
Wumeng tilted her head slightly, feigning surprise.
"Why have I come?" she echoed softly.
She accepted the teacup but did not drink it immediately. Instead, she lifted the lid, letting the steam rise, eyes half-lidded as if savoring the moment.
"Imperial Father has entrusted me with planning the upcoming imperial banquet," she said lightly. "It is, after all, an important affair."
Her eyes flicked up, sharp now beneath the smile.
"And," she continued, "he thought it would be… beneficial for you to assist me."
The servants behind her remained still as statues.
Wumeng finally took a sip of tea, then set the cup down with a soft click.
"I wanted to see my new sister-in-law for myself," she added pleasantly. "After all, you've married into the imperial family. We should become… close."
Her smile never wavered.
"But before that," she said, voice gentle, dangerous, "I was curious."
She leaned forward just slightly.
"How does it feel," Wumeng asked, "to become my brother's wife?"
Xiaolan stared back at her, was she curious, or did she want to see her slip up? Whatever else she came to see, she wouldn't get it. She smiled.
"It'll be an honour to assist you, Your Highness, tho I have never planned a banquet before, since I spent most of my life on the battlefield," she said and paused.
"As for your other question, the Prince treats me well, I couldn't ask for more." She smiled.
Wumeng's fingers tightened, just barely around the rim of her teacup.
Battlefield.
So the rumors were true.
Her gaze sharpened for a heartbeat before the smile returned, brighter, sweeter, almost affectionate.
"How remarkable," she said softly. "A woman of war, now dressed in silk."
She laughed lightly, the sound pleasant enough to fool an audience. "No wonder Imperial Father found you… useful."
At the words about Wushuang, her eyes lingered on her face, searching, hunting, for the slightest crack.
Treats me well.
Wumeng's smile did not falter.
"I'm glad to hear that," she replied warmly. "My brother can be… difficult to read. It would be unfortunate if misunderstandings arose so early in your marriage."
She set her teacup aside and rose gracefully to her feet.
"You needn't worry about your lack of experience," she continued. "I will guide you personally. You'll learn quickly, court matters are not so different from war."
Her eyes gleamed.
"Both require knowing who your allies are."
She took a step closer, lowering her voice just enough to sound conspiratorial.
"We will begin preparations tomorrow," she said. "You'll accompany me to the palace. The ladies of the court will be eager to meet you."
Behind her, one servant smirked faintly.
Wumeng turned back toward the courtyard exit, then paused as if remembering something.
"Oh," she added casually, glancing over her shoulder, "one more thing."
Her smile sharpened, just a fraction.
"When you are with me," Wumeng said, "it would be wise to remember… you represent my brother."
With that, she swept away, servants in tow, silk trailing like a promise and a threat all at once.
The courtyard fell quiet again.
Only the sound of tea cooling in porcelain remained.
Ji-lie waited until the last echo of silk and footsteps vanished beyond the courtyard gate.
Then she stepped forward, eyes blazing.
"Don't you just want to smack that smile off her face?" Xiaolan said softly.
Ji-lie exhaled sharply, fists clenched.Her gaze flicked toward the gate again, eyes blazing. "Smack?" she hissed. "I want to throw her into the koi pond and see if royalty floats. Grand Princess or not, I say we feed her the bone chilling poison." she exhaled sharply, then dropped her voice, fists still clenched.