The Teatime Showdown

The news spread quickly through the palace: the Crown Prince and Yin Yue shin shin had *sealed the deal*. The Emperor's messenger had delivered the report with far too much detail for comfort, and everyone in the court was buzzing about it. But for Qiu Ling, it wasn't just gossip. It was a challenge.

Her jealousy was a quiet storm, brewing under the surface. She had always had a grip on Wei Chen, and now the prospect of her sister—*Yin Yue* of all people—taking that position from her, made her blood boil. Qiu Ling wasn't about to let this happen without a fight.

---

Tea with a Side of Drama

Shin Shin adjusted the delicate silk of her dress as she stood in front of the mirror. Despite the chaos around her, she couldn't help but smile at the thought of how this dinner would unfold.

She had heard the whispers—the messenger's words—and she knew exactly how to use it to her advantage. Today, she was going to make her sister seethe.

Wei Chen had already invited her to tea, and she would make sure to take full advantage of the opportunity.

---

The dining Room

Shin Shin walked into the Crown Prince's private dining room with a cheerful step, her eyes immediately catching Wei Chen's as he sat at the head of the table. His stern expression softened ever so slightly when he saw her, though it quickly returned to his usual scowl.

"Your Highness," she greeted him sweetly, lowering herself into a seat next to him.

Wei Chen shot her a look but said nothing, clearly still not used to her antics.

"You're late," he muttered, though there was an edge of humor in his voice.

"Only because I was busy saving your throne," she replied with a wink, sitting close enough to him to make her point. The gesture was deliberate, her shoulder brushing against his.

She didn't miss the flicker of discomfort in his eyes. It was becoming more and more clear that the line between annoyance and attraction was a thin one.

Just then, the doors opened with a flourish, and Qiu Ling entered the room with an air of cold grace. Her gaze immediately fixed on the two of them—yin yue and Wei Chen—sitting so close together. She clenched her fists, the fury she'd been suppressing now bubbling to the surface.

"Ah, my dear sister," she said sweetly, though the venom in her voice was unmistakable. "It seems the Crown Prince has finally decided to reward you for your *dedication*." She practically emphasized the word "dedication," making it clear she was aware of the *fake* bond they were trying to project.

Shin Shin smiled, her lips curling into a mischievous grin. "You're just in time, Qiu Ling," she cooed, leaning just a little too closely to Wei Chen. "We were just talking about how lovely it is to have such a *strong* bond with you, Wei Chen."

Wei Chen's jaw tightened as he shifted in his seat. "Yin Yue, stop it," he muttered under his breath, clearly not enjoying the way she was acting so affectionate with him—especially when it was for her benefit against her sister.

But Shin Shin, ever the actress, only leaned further into him, her head resting on his shoulder as if it was the most natural thing in the world. "I must admit, I feel so much safer with you by my side," she said, her voice sweet and completely sincere, though her eyes were anything but. She was watching Qiu Ling's reaction intently.

Qiu Ling's eyes narrowed, her delicate features hardening into a mask of controlled fury. "You really think you can keep playing this little game?" she spat, though she tried to sound nonchalant. "You might have the Crown Prince's attention for now, but it won't last."

Shin Shin straightened up, her hand casually brushing against Wei Chen's arm, lingering just a little longer than necessary. "Well, I suppose we'll find out. Won't we, Your Highness?" She turned to Wei Chen with an innocent, doe-eyed look.

Wei Chen stiffened under her touch, a tense silence hanging in the air. He shot Shin Shin a glance that was equal parts exasperation and something else—"You're... insufferable," he muttered, his voice low but carrying a note of both irritation and something that seemed almost like admiration.

Shin Shin smirked, leaning back into her seat as if nothing was wrong, her attention now fully on Qiu Ling. "Oh, Qiu Ling," she said sweetly, "I do hope you're not upset. I'm sure Wei Chen would love to hear about your latest *plans* to win his favor."

Qiu Ling's eyes sparked with barely-contained rage, but she masked it with a polite smile. "Plans? I don't need any plans. I don't need to *try* to win his favor," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "He knows who's worthy of his attention."

The comment stung, but Shin Shin wasn't one to back down. "Oh, I'm sure he does," she replied, her voice sugary sweet. "But it's so cute how you think he owes you something." She shot a quick glance at Wei Chen, whose eyes flickered with something between embarrassment and amusement.

Wei Chen didn't miss the tension in the air, but he was too used to these games now to intervene. He took a slow sip from his tea, watching as the sisters squared off. This was more of a spectacle than he'd anticipated, but strangely, he couldn't look away.

Shin Shin, sensing her sister's fury, decided to press on. She leaned forward, purposely placing her hand on Wei Chen's arm and letting her fingers trail lightly across his sleeve. "We've been so busy today, Wei Chen, haven't we? A day well spent, don't you think?" She turned to him with an exaggerated wink, her lips curling up in a teasing grin.

Wei Chen almost choked on his tea at her boldness. His gaze darted to Qiu Ling, whose smile had turned into a thin, tight line. The air between them thickened with unspoken tension.

"I'm sure you'll be very pleased with what we've accomplished," Shin Shin continued, her tone still sugar-sweet, though the playfulness in her eyes told another story. "It's good to know the Crown Prince *always* has such a strong work ethic."

Qiu Ling's glare could have cut through steel, and her eyes were now locked on Shin Shin as if she were about to lash out. But instead, she took a slow breath and smiled, the facade of politeness slipping back into place. "I hope your... *enthusiasm* is enough to keep him interested, sister," she said, her voice thick with venom.

Shin Shin's eyes sparkled with amusement as she leaned in slightly, whispering to Wei Chen just loud enough for Qiu Ling to hear. "Don't you think she's a little... bitter? It must be hard, losing your place as the favored one."

Wei Chen clenched his fists under the table, but before he could say anything, Shin Shin continued, "Don't worry, Qiu Ling. I'm sure Wei Chen has plenty of room for both of us in his heart."

Wei Chen looked like he was about to explode, but at the same time, there was a part of him that couldn't deny the strange, twisted enjoyment he got from watching the two sisters fight over him. It was like he was caught between the storm of their rivalry, unable to tear himself away.