Chapter 46: The Tipping Point

The grand hall was silent, the weight of the accusation hanging thick in the air. Bai Yue stood at the center, her posture straight, her eyes calm but sharp as they locked onto the second mistress. The forged letters lay in the envoy's hands, their delicate parchment a carefully crafted lie meant to destroy her.

The second mistress smiled serenely, her confidence unwavering. "My lord," she addressed the envoy, "Bai Yue's duplicity has long been a concern of mine. These letters prove her connection to our enemies."

Bai Yue forced a polite smile, keeping her voice measured. "With all due respect, mistress, I have never seen these documents before." She turned to the envoy, her gaze steady. "Surely you can confirm their authenticity?"

The envoy's keen eyes flickered between Bai Yue and the second mistress. "Indeed, we must verify the seals and content before making any hasty judgments."

Bai Rong stepped forward, her expression schooled into one of neutrality, though Bai Yue noted the faintest sheen of sweat on her cousin's brow. "My lord," Bai Rong said smoothly, "if Bai Yue is indeed guilty, it would be prudent to allow her the opportunity to defend herself properly."

Bai Yue hid her relief well. She's still playing both sides, but for now, it works in my favor.

The envoy nodded slowly. "I agree. Let us examine these claims thoroughly." He handed the scrolls to an attendant. "Send these to my scribes for verification."

The second mistress's expression tightened slightly, though she recovered quickly. "Of course, my lord. I am merely looking out for the Bai family's honor."

Bai Yue dipped her head. "As am I."

The envoy gestured for the hall to disperse, promising an inquiry before any action would be taken. Bai Yue turned to leave, her heart still pounding, but she kept her expression carefully composed.

As she exited, a low voice murmured beside her. "You handled that well."

Bai Yue glanced at Weishan, who had silently appeared at her side. His lips curved into a faint smirk, but his eyes remained watchful.

"It's not over yet," Bai Yue whispered. "She'll try something else."

Weishan nodded. "And so will we."

Back in her chambers, Bai Yue paced, her mind racing through possible countermeasures. Weishan lounged nearby, his watchful gaze never leaving her.

"She tried to frame you," he said, breaking the silence. "She's getting desperate."

Bai Yue exhaled slowly. "Desperation makes people reckless."

Weishan nodded. "Which means she'll make a mistake soon."

A sudden knock at the door made Bai Yue stiffen. Ah-Liang entered cautiously, his face pale. "Miss Bai Yue, I overheard something."

Bai Yue motioned for him to continue.

Ah-Liang swallowed. "The second mistress… she's ordered the guards to keep you under watch. She's also summoned a messenger to the capital. I think she's planning to have you removed before the envoy's verdict."

Bai Yue clenched her fists. "She's trying to silence me before the truth can come out."

Weishan stood, his jaw tightening. "Then we can't wait. We need to expose her tonight."

Bai Yue nodded, her mind quickly forming a plan. "Bai Rong is the key. If we can push her over the edge, she'll turn against the second mistress publicly."

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

Bai Yue took a deep breath. "By giving her a reason to."

That night, Bai Yue found Bai Rong in the moonlit corridor leading to the west wing. She approached quietly, watching as her cousin paced, her elegant robes whispering against the marble floor.

"Bai Yue," Bai Rong greeted, her voice laced with suspicion. "You should be careful. The second mistress is out for blood."

Bai Yue smiled faintly. "I know. That's why I'm here."

Bai Rong studied her, arms crossed. "What do you want?"

Bai Yue stepped closer, lowering her voice. "I want to make you an offer."

Bai Rong's brow arched. "An offer?"

Bai Yue nodded. "Align with me, and when the second mistress falls, you'll have the influence you crave."

Bai Rong laughed softly. "You assume I'm not already aligned with her."

Bai Yue smiled knowingly. "I assume you value survival above all else." She leaned in, whispering, "You saw what the antidote did for your maid. How long do you think it will be before the second mistress sees you as a threat?"

Bai Rong's eyes darkened, but she said nothing. Bai Yue pressed on. "When the envoy returns with his findings, the second mistress will be exposed. But if you stand with her, you'll go down with her."

Bai Rong's gaze flickered with uncertainty, but Bai Yue could see the hesitation creeping into her usually composed features.

Finally, Bai Rong sighed, stepping back. "And what would you have me do?"

Bai Yue's voice was firm. "Tell the envoy the truth. Confirm that the second mistress has been poisoning members of the household."

Bai Rong hesitated, then nodded slowly. "Fine. But if this fails, cousin, you won't be the only one to suffer."

Bai Yue smiled, relief washing over her. "It won't fail."

As dawn approached, Bai Yue and Weishan stood in the shadows outside the grand hall, waiting for the envoy's arrival. Bai Rong had agreed, and now it was up to her to hold her ground.

Weishan glanced at Bai Yue. "Are you ready for this?"

She exhaled, her gaze steady. "I have to be."

The doors opened, and the envoy stepped inside, his presence commanding as he took his seat at the head of the hall. Bai Yue watched with bated breath as Bai Rong stepped forward, her voice steady but laced with tension.

"My lord," Bai Rong said, bowing deeply, "I have something to confess."

The second mistress's eyes widened in shock, but Bai Yue saw the flicker of fear in them.

Bai Rong continued, "The documents presented were forged. And the truth is... the second mistress has been using illicit substances to manipulate members of the household."

Gasps echoed through the hall. Bai Yue felt Weishan shift slightly beside her, ready to intervene if necessary.

The second mistress rose from her seat, her face dark with barely concealed rage. "You dare betray me, Bai Rong?"

Bai Rong smiled sweetly. "I simply serve the family's best interests."

The envoy's sharp gaze settled on the second mistress. "Lady Bai, do you deny these accusations?"

The second mistress opened her mouth to speak, but before she could, one of the guards stepped forward. "My lord, we found suspicious vials hidden in her quarters."

Bai Yue's heart soared with triumph. We've done it.

The envoy's face hardened. "Take her into custody."

As the guards surrounded the second mistress, Bai Yue finally allowed herself a small, victorious smile. The web of deception had unraveled.

Weishan leaned in close, whispering, "Looks like you won."

Bai Yue's eyes remained on the fallen mistress. "It's not over yet."

The battle for the Bai estate was nearing its end—but Bai Yue knew that power never disappeared. It only shifted hands.

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