YIN YUE!

*Chapter One: The Road to the Royal School*

The road was long and winding, cutting through dense forests and towering mountains. Shin Shin gazed out of the carriage window, watching the scenery blur into one endless stretch of green. It was supposed to be a grand journey—the start of a new chapter, a school for royals. But for Shin Shin, it felt more like a sentence. A sentence she had no say in, just like the marriage that was already decided for her.

Her gaze flicked toward her sister, Qiu Ling, sitting across from her with a serene expression, her flawless features as cold as always. The tension in the air between them was thick enough to suffocate, but Shin Shin wasn't about to let Qiu Ling have the upper hand today. Not after everything she'd done.

"Are you nervous?" Qiu Ling asked, her voice like silk, though the edge behind it was unmistakable.

Shin Shin didn't answer at first, letting the silence hang between them like a weapon. Her mind was still reeling from the fact that her life had been controlled by forces beyond her. The marriage to the Crown Prince, Wei Chen, was one of those controls. And worse, it wasn't even a marriage of love—if it were, she might have had some hope. But no, it was her father's decision to cement their power in the royal court. She was just a pawn in his game.

"I'm not nervous," Shin Shin finally replied, her voice sharp and defiant. "But I'd rather not be stuck with you for the next few weeks."

Qiu Ling didn't flinch. Her smile was a mask, the kind that had always hidden the bitterness beneath it. "It's unfortunate," she murmured, turning to look out the window. "But we both know what's at stake. That crown prince is the only way to secure our futures." Her words were laced with an almost venomous sweetness. "And you've already begged Father to marry you off to him."

Shin Shin clenched her fists, trying to hold back the anger rising in her chest. Qiu Ling's manipulations were endless. Ever since they were children, Shin Shin had been her target—her sister's jealousy and obsession with power bubbling just beneath the surface.

"That's not true," Shin Shin retorted, but even she wasn't sure if she could convince herself. Maybe she had begged. Maybe she had thought it was the best way to keep her family safe. But now... now she could feel the weight of the decision bearing down on her.

Qiu Ling's smile twisted into something darker, and Shin Shin had no idea what was coming next.

---

**The Poisoning**

The world around them seemed to shift as they neared the end of their journey. That night, after their first day of travel, the two sisters shared a meal in the carriage—one Qiu Ling had personally prepared for them. Shin Shin, despite all the signs, took a few bites of the food, trying not to make her sister suspicious.

But it didn't take long for the effects to kick in.

A sudden wave of dizziness overwhelmed her, her vision swimming and her body feeling as though it were being dragged into a pit. She gasped for air, her hands shaking as she gripped the side of the carriage, her stomach twisting painfully.

"Qiu Ling," she gasped, barely able to form the words. "What did you do?"

Qiu Ling's smile deepened, her eyes glinting with a knowing malice. "I'm sorry, sister," she purred, watching Shin Shin struggle. "But you're in the way. I can't have you interfering with what's mine."

Shin Shin tried to hold her composure, but the poison had already taken full effect. She collapsed back into her seat, everything around her fading to black. The last thing she heard was her sister's voice, sweet and mocking. "Don't worry, you won't make it to the school. You won't see Wei Chen, or the crown. And when they find you dead, I'll be the one left to marry him."

---

**The Royal School and The Crown Prince's Accusations**

The next thing Shin Shin knew, she was waking up—not in her bed, not in the carriage, but in a small, unfamiliar room. She groaned, her head pounding as she tried to sit up. The air was thick with the smell of incense, and the faint sound of voices murmured from outside.

It was too late for her to stop it now. She had made it to the school—at least, that's what she thought. But something wasn't right. She could still feel the faint remnants of the poison that had almost taken her life.

And then, a familiar voice cut through the haze.

"Yin Yue!" The Crown Prince's voice rang with accusation, his tone harsh. "What have you done?"

Shin Shin blinked, confused, her head spinning. She looked up, her eyes widening as she saw the Crown Prince standing at the doorway. His sharp gaze locked on her, filled with fury. But she didn't remember doing anything to deserve this.

"Your Highness?" she stammered, trying to gather her wits.

Wei Chen stormed into the room, his fists clenched as he glared at her. "Don't play coy with me, Yin Yue. You poisoned her!" He pointed a finger toward the figure on the bed—the woman who, in that moment, was supposed to be her sister but was now a body under heavy blankets.

Qiu Ling was lying there, her face pale, eyes closed. The scene was set for the Crown Prince's accusations. It wasn't a surprise. Qiu Ling had made it clear—if she couldn't have Wei Chen, no one else could.

Shin Shin's mind raced, and the moment of clarity hit her like a punch in the gut. Her sister had *framed* her. Qiu Ling wasn't poisoned—she was playing the part to get rid of her competition.

But Shin Shin wasn't about to go down that easily.

She stood up, gathering all the strength she could muster despite the lingering effects of the poison. "I don't know what's going on," she said, feigning innocence. But beneath the surface, her mind was working overtime. *She knew exactly what to do.*

Without a moment's hesitation, she retrieved a needle from the medical supplies nearby, holding it up to her sister's skin with a calm, practiced hand. Shin Shin's voice was cold as she spoke. "She's not sick, Wei Chen. I'll prove it."

Without a word, she pressed the needle into her sister's arm, pulling it out quickly, and waited. It didn't take long for Qiu Ling to jolt awake, gasping for air, her eyes wide with shock and anger.

Qiu Ling's eyes darted around the room, her facade cracking. "What... What have you done?"

Shin Shin merely smirked, watching her sister's panic rise. "Now, about that poisoning... It seems you're the one who's been playing games, not me." She stood over her sister, feeling a strange rush of satisfaction.

Wei Chen was still standing there, stunned by the unfolding drama. He hadn't expected this, but it was clear now that there was more to this situation than he'd been told.

Shin Shin looked at him, her tone now serious, no trace of the playful innocence left. "I didn't poison her, Your Highness. But if you want answers, I suggest you start asking the right questions."

The door suddenly creaked open, and the messenger—young, nervous, and all too aware of the gravity of his task—stepped inside. His presence was immediately felt, and both Wei Chen and Shin Shin froze.

The messenger cleared his throat awkwardly. "Your Highness, Lady Shin Shin, His Imperial Majesty requests your presence in the throne room at once."

The tension in the room thickened. Wei Chen's face paled slightly. He glanced at Shin Shin, then back at the messenger. "Is he... expecting us now?"

The messenger nodded, almost apologetically. "Yes, Your Highness. Immediately."