A Love Written In The Stars

Two Weeks Earlier

Yú Yuè walked briskly down the palace corridor, carefully carrying a loaded tray. When she reached the doors marking Lady Xia's chambers, she balanced the tray on one hand, straightened her shoulders, and lifted her hand to knock.

But her hand stopped mid-air, fingers hovering at the sound of Lady Xia's commanding voice from within;

"I grow impatient, Minister Li assured me the preparations would be complete by now. What is taking the fool so long to act on our agreement?"

Bao's timid reply followed. "My lady, these things take time. To openly defy the crown prince would be treason. I'm sure minister Li is working carefully to accomplish his plans without drawing attention to himself."

Lady Xia scoffed. "Cheng is weak, as is his father. With the right push, the nation will embrace a new dynasty. Li stalls too long under the guise of caution. If he cannot deliver before the ascension, perhaps it is time I turned to Mr. Sha...one willing to seize what is rightfully mine through any means necessary."

Yú Yuè's heart thundered in her chest, her feet frozen in place at what she had overheard. A conspiracy against the crown prince—could it truly be happening? She didn't dare remain another moment to find out.

She took a moment to calm her nerves, she couldn't afford to let them know she had overheard their conversation. Once she regained some composure, she knocked firmly on the chamber door.

"Enter," Bao's voice called from within. Yú Yuè slid the doors open and stepped inside, her expression carefully neutral. Lady Xia lay lounging on cushions, her gaze fixed on her reflection in a polished mirror. Despite having served her for months, that detached look still sent a chill through Yú Yuè. She bowed deeply, while Bao's cold stare lingered on her.

"My lady, I've brought the refreshments as requested," Yú Yuè said, holding up the tray for their inspection. She dared not look directly at Lady Xia or Bao, pretending she had heard nothing from earlier but her heart continued drumming hard and her hands trembled slightly but she willed them to stop.

Lady Xia waved a hand dismissively. "Very well, place it there. And make haste—I have no patience for sluggish servants. Now, leave me. I have more pressing matters than tending to palace vermin."

"Of course, my lady." She placed the tray down and bowed again before backing away towards the doors.

Yú Yuè could scarcely process what she had just heard. What dark plans were unfolding just beyond these walls? And what part, if any, would she play in the days ahead?

She rushed down the palace halls, her mind in a muddle. She had to tell Mei everything, but Mei hadn't been in the palace for days. Who could she trust with such vital information? Should she go directly to the crown prince? No, that was a dangerous move, one that could provoke Lady Xia's wrath. She would be at risk not only from Lady Xia but from anyone else involved in the sinister plot. When would Mei return to the palace?

The day of the archery contest

Yú Yuè moved in haste through the palace, extremely relieved when she learned Mei had just returned.

She reached Mei's room at last, throwing the doors open with urgency. "Mei!"

Mei jumped in surprise, her eyes widening as she looked up from the scroll. "Yú Yuè, what's wrong? You're as white as a sheet."

Gasping for breath, Yú Yuè stumbled forward. "Where have you been all these time, Mei?"

"Is something wrong?" Mei asked, stepping closer in concern. "You seem so distressed."

Yú Yuè leaned in, and lowered her voice to a frantic whisper. "Mei, I overheard... Lady Xia and her handmaid... they're plotting something against the crown prince!"

Mei moved swiftly to the door, sliding it shut before drawing Yú Yuè onto the bed beside her. "Be calm, Yú Yuè," she said softly. "Tell me exactly what you heard."

Yú Yuè leaned closer to Mei. "I heard Lady Xia speaking to her servant, demanding to know why... a minister," she faltered, rubbing her temples as she struggled to recall the name. Mei urged her gently to continue.

"She asked why it was taking so long to act against the crown prince," Yú Yuè continued. "She said if he didn't deliver soon, she'd find a new ally to seize the throne—by any means necessary."

Mei's brows knitted in concern. "That is a grave accusation. Are you certain that's exactly what you overheard?"

"I'm certain," Yú Yuè nodded, her expression sincere but troubled. "I just can't recall the name of the minister she was talking about—it's been weeks since I overheard them. But the words are seared in my memory, Mei. I knew I had to find you and tell you, but what are we to do? If Lady Xia truly intends to move against the crown prince, the consequences could be dire."

Mei's gaze sharpened. "Them? Who was she speaking to about this?"

"Just her handmaid, Bao," Yú Yuè replied.

Mei rested a hand on her chin. "For now, we must keep this between us. Please, Yú Yuè, don't let anyone else discover what you know. We can't be certain who to trust in this palace, and even a whisper of this could put us all in grave danger."

Her words sent a cold shiver down Yú Yuè's spine, she nodded. "I understand, Mei. But what can we do about it?"

Mei exhaled softly. "Where might Cheng be at this moment?"

Yú Yuè thought back to her duties earlier that day. "The hunting grounds, just outside the palace. There was talk of an archery competition this morning."

Mei readjusted on the bed in contemplation. "If he's still there, perhaps that's where I can find him."

"Yes, but the contest may have already started by now," Yú Yuè said cautiously.

"I just need to see how it's progressing. If possible, I'll relay the message to Yizé." Mei replied.

"Go swiftly, and take care on the journey," Yú Yuè urged her.

With a reassuring smile, mei set off for the hunting grounds.