Chapter 43: Setting the Stage

The next morning dawned heavy with tension, the sky over the Bai estate a dull shade of gray, as if reflecting the weight of the coming storm. Bai Yue stood in her chambers, adjusting the delicate embroidery on her sleeve, her mind racing with plans and contingencies. Bai Rong had agreed to help, but trust was a fragile thing—especially when it involved someone as cunning and self-serving as her cousin.

A soft knock at the door pulled Bai Yue from her thoughts. Weishan entered without a word, his dark eyes scanning the room before settling on her. "You're sure about this?"

Bai Yue nodded, fastening the jade clasp on her robe. "Bai Rong is ambitious, but she's not foolish. She knows aligning with the second mistress will only lead to her downfall."

Weishan leaned against the door, arms crossed. "That doesn't mean she won't betray you if it serves her better."

Bai Yue sighed, meeting his gaze. "I know. But right now, she's our best chance at weakening the second mistress."

Weishan smirked slightly. "I hope you're right." He stepped forward, lowering his voice. "I heard from one of my informants—tonight, the second mistress is holding a secret meeting with her most trusted allies. They'll be discussing the next phase of their plan."

Bai Yue's heart clenched. "Then we have to be there."

Weishan shook his head. "It won't be that easy. She's chosen the inner sanctum of the west wing—heavily guarded, no servant allowed past without her direct approval."

Bai Yue frowned, deep in thought. "Then we need to create a diversion. Something that forces her to lower her guard."

Weishan's eyes gleamed with interest. "And you have something in mind?"

Bai Yue allowed a small smile. "I do."

Later that day, Bai Yue found Bai Rong in the grand hall, lounging with an air of calculated ease. Despite the second mistress's looming presence, Bai Rong was still playing the game—one she was dangerously close to losing.

Bai Yue approached gracefully, offering a polite bow. "Cousin, may I have a word?"

Bai Rong raised a delicate brow, setting down her teacup. "Of course. What mischief are you planning now?"

Bai Yue sat beside her, lowering her voice. "Tonight, the second mistress plans to meet with her closest confidants. If we want to stop her, we need to act before she secures their loyalty."

Bai Rong's lips curled into a smirk. "And how do you propose we do that?"

Bai Yue's eyes glinted. "By giving her something she cannot ignore—an immediate threat within the estate."

Bai Rong leaned in slightly, her curiosity piqued. "Go on."

Bai Yue's voice was steady. "A fire. Small, contained, but enough to throw the household into chaos."

Bai Rong blinked, then chuckled softly. "You truly are reckless."

Bai Yue met her gaze without wavering. "Do you want to be her pawn forever, Bai Rong? Or do you want to be free of her?"

Bai Rong tapped a finger against her chin, considering. "And if I agree?"

Bai Yue smiled faintly. "Then while the second mistress is distracted, Weishan and I will find the evidence we need to expose her."

A long pause stretched between them before Bai Rong finally sighed dramatically. "Fine. But if this fails, I'll make sure you take the fall."

Bai Yue smiled, though her eyes remained hard. "I wouldn't expect anything less."

As night fell over the Bai estate, Bai Yue and Weishan positioned themselves near the west wing, concealed in the shadows of the towering stone walls.

From the distance, Bai Yue could see the faint flicker of torchlight—Bai Rong's distraction was in place. Soon, smoke began to curl into the air, shouts echoing through the corridors as servants rushed to contain the "accidental" fire in the outer gardens.

Weishan gave her a quick glance. "Looks like your cousin kept her word."

Bai Yue exhaled, relief mingling with anticipation. "Let's move."

They slipped past the distracted guards, weaving through the hallways with practiced ease until they reached the entrance of the inner sanctum. Bai Yue pressed her ear to the heavy wooden door, listening to the muffled voices inside.

"The envoy is suspicious," the second mistress's cold voice carried through the air. "We must act soon, or risk losing everything."

Another voice, one Bai Yue didn't recognize, responded, "Our contact in the Imperial Court is growing impatient. If we delay further, they may turn against us."

Bai Yue's pulse quickened. This is it.

She carefully withdrew a thin parchment from her sleeve—Weishan's handiwork, a forged decree implicating the second mistress in treasonous dealings. If she could slip it among the documents inside, it would be enough to bring the entire scheme to light.

Weishan touched her arm lightly, his breath warm against her ear. "Hurry."

Bai Yue nodded and carefully pushed the door open a crack, slipping inside undetected. The room was dimly lit, cluttered with scrolls and maps scattered across the table. She moved quickly, sliding the forged decree beneath a pile of letters marked for the capital.

As she turned to leave, a voice stopped her in her tracks.

"What do you think you're doing?"

Bai Yue's heart slammed against her ribs as she looked up to find Bai Rong standing in the doorway, a cruel smile on her lips.

Bai Yue forced a calm expression. "Securing our future."

Bai Rong's eyes flickered to the pile of scrolls, realization dawning in them. "You're more devious than I thought."

Bai Yue held her breath, unsure of Bai Rong's next move. Then, with an exasperated sigh, Bai Rong stepped aside. "Go. Before I change my mind."

Bai Yue didn't hesitate, slipping past her and back into the hallway where Weishan was waiting. His eyes scanned her quickly before they moved back into the shadows.

Once they were safely away, Weishan exhaled sharply. "That was too close."

Bai Yue smiled, adrenaline still coursing through her veins. "But it worked."

Weishan's gaze lingered on her for a moment before he shook his head in amusement. "You really are full of surprises."

Bai Yue smirked. "Let's see if the second mistress enjoys the one we left for her."

As they disappeared into the night, Bai Yue felt a sense of satisfaction settling over her. The trap was set, and soon, the second mistress's empire of deception would come crashing down.

She was ready for the final battle.