Chapter 42: A Test of Loyalties

The next morning, Bai Yue awoke to a thick fog blanketing the estate, the air heavy with unspoken tension. The distant clang of the morning bell echoed through the halls, signaling the arrival of another day fraught with uncertainty. Today, everything hinged on Bai Rong's decision—whether she would choose self-preservation or loyalty to the second mistress.

Bai Yue dressed carefully, choosing a modest silk robe in soft lavender, a subtle yet refined statement of calm. As she fastened her jade hairpin, her thoughts drifted to the night before. Bai Rong had taken the antidote, but whether she would act upon its implications remained to be seen.

A soft knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts. Weishan entered without waiting for permission, his presence as familiar as the air she breathed. His dark eyes studied her carefully. "You're up early."

Bai Yue smiled faintly. "I could say the same about you."

He leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. "Habit."

She turned to him, her voice quieter. "Any news?"

Weishan's smirk faded. "Bai Rong had one of her maids take the antidote early this morning. From what I hear, the girl's condition has improved rapidly."

Bai Yue's heart skipped a beat. "Then she knows I was telling the truth."

He nodded. "But whether she acts on it is another matter."

Bai Yue exhaled slowly. "We need to push her."

Weishan arched a brow. "And how do you plan to do that?"

Bai Yue met his gaze, determination shining in her eyes. "By making her see how replaceable she is."

The day passed in a blur of whispers and speculation. Bai Yue moved through the estate with calculated grace, keeping her ears open for any sign of Bai Rong's next move. It wasn't long before an opportunity presented itself.

She found Bai Rong seated in the garden pavilion, sipping tea with an air of forced serenity. Bai Yue approached cautiously, bowing politely before sitting opposite her.

"Good morning, cousin," Bai Yue greeted, keeping her voice light.

Bai Rong didn't look up immediately, her fingers tracing the rim of her teacup thoughtfully. "You always seem to appear at the most interesting moments, Bai Yue."

Bai Yue smiled. "Perhaps it's fate."

Bai Rong chuckled, but there was no warmth in it. "Or perhaps it's calculation." She finally met Bai Yue's gaze, her eyes sharp and probing. "I gave the antidote to one of my maids. She recovered overnight."

Bai Yue's expression remained composed. "I see."

Bai Rong leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice. "If what you say is true... then that means the second mistress has been poisoning us all along."

Bai Yue nodded slowly. "Yes."

A tense silence stretched between them. Bai Rong's grip tightened on her cup, but her voice remained smooth. "Why are you telling me this, Bai Yue? You could have used it against me."

Bai Yue met her gaze evenly. "Because I believe you and I have a common enemy."

Bai Rong laughed softly, though it didn't reach her eyes. "How noble of you."

Bai Yue tilted her head slightly. "It's not nobility, cousin. It's survival."

Bai Rong studied her carefully. "And what do you want from me in return?"

Bai Yue's voice was calm, but firm. "Your support. When the time comes, I need you to stand against the second mistress with me."

Bai Rong tapped a manicured finger against the table, her mind clearly racing with possibilities. "And what if I say no?"

Bai Yue smiled faintly. "Then you'll be left to face her alone."

Bai Rong's eyes darkened, but she said nothing. Bai Yue rose from her seat, offering a polite nod. "Think about it, cousin."

As Bai Yue walked away, she felt Weishan's presence lurking in the shadows nearby. He emerged silently, falling into step beside her.

"Well?" he asked.

Bai Yue exhaled. "She's thinking about it."

Weishan smirked. "You're pushing her right to the edge."

Bai Yue nodded. "Let's hope she jumps."

Later that evening, Bai Yue stood in the dimly lit hallway outside the second mistress's chambers, hidden in the shadows as she listened intently. The door was slightly ajar, and inside, she could hear Bai Rong's voice, laced with uncertainty.

"...but my lady, the rumors have been spreading." Bai Rong's voice wavered slightly. "People are starting to question the... remedies."

The second mistress's voice was smooth but cold. "Rumors are the whispers of the weak, Bai Rong. I trust you are not weak."

Bai Yue's fists clenched at the veiled threat.

Bai Rong hesitated. "Of course not, mistress."

"Good," the second mistress purred. "Because weak minds are easily... discarded."

Bai Yue felt a chill crawl down her spine. She couldn't see Bai Rong's face, but she could sense the flicker of fear in her silence.

A moment later, footsteps approached the door. Bai Yue pressed herself further into the shadows as Bai Rong exited the room, her expression pale and strained.

Bai Yue stepped out, catching her cousin's arm gently. "Do you see now?" she whispered.

Bai Rong's eyes darted to hers, and for the first time, Bai Yue saw genuine fear. "I... I need more time."

Bai Yue's grip tightened slightly. "We don't have time."

Bai Rong swallowed hard, glancing back at the closed doors before nodding reluctantly. "Fine. I'll help you."

Relief flooded Bai Yue's chest. "Good."

Bai Rong pulled her arm free, her voice sharp but uncertain. "Just... don't fail, cousin."

As Bai Rong disappeared down the hall, Bai Yue turned to find Weishan standing nearby, watching with a knowing expression.

"She's in," Bai Yue said softly.

Weishan grinned. "I knew she'd choose survival."

Bai Yue exhaled, the tension in her shoulders momentarily easing. "Now we have to move quickly."

Weishan stepped closer, his voice quieter. "What's the next step?"

Bai Yue's eyes hardened with determination. "We expose the second mistress. Once and for all."

The night stretched on, but Bai Yue felt a newfound strength within her. The final pieces were falling into place, and soon, the second mistress's reign would come to an end.

She just had to survive long enough to see it happen.