the Teatime showdown (the dramaa)

The air in the private dining room was thick with tension. The Emperor's message about securing an heir still hung over them all like a dark cloud. And while Wei Chen was clearly distracted by his own thoughts, Shin Shin had no intention of letting the opportunity slip away. She had to keep the game going, especially if it meant watching her sister squirm.

Shin Shin, full of playfulness and mischief, was seated next to Wei Chen, casually leaning against him with that sweetness that made it impossible to look away. She was keenly aware of her sister's gaze, the sharp gaze of jealousy directed at her. It was almost too easy.

And yet, Shin Shin wasn't satisfied yet. No, she needed more. A little more drama. A little more chaos.

---

The Lap

Qiu Ling glared, Shin Shin seated far too close to Wei Chen, almost nestled against him, as if they were a well-established couple. Qiu Ling's jaw tightened, and her elegant posture stiffened as she approached. She wasn't about to let her sister steal her spotlight, especially not in front of Wei Chen.

"Yin Yue," Qiu Ling said through gritted teeth, her voice sweet but with a dangerous edge. "You seem quite at ease with His Highness. I must admit, I didn't realize you'd become so... familiar." Her words were laced with disdain, and it was clear that she wasn't impressed.

Shin Shin's lips curled into a mischievous grin, her eyes never leaving Qiu Ling. She stood up slowly, letting her fingers trail across Wei Chen's arm, before sidling closer to him.

"Of course," Shin Shin said innocently, "Wei Chen and I have a... *special* connection, don't we, Your Highness?" She purred the words, her voice sugar-sweet and teasing.

Wei Chen didn't quite know how to respond, caught in the game his childhood friend—or, rather, his *problematic* fiancée—had so carelessly laid out. He gave a stiff nod, trying to act unaffected, but his clenched jaw betrayed him.

Qiu Ling's eyes narrowed, her breath catching in her throat. It was one thing to see them so *close*, but this... this was unbearable.

Before Qiu Ling could respond, Shin Shin did something unexpected. She took a bold step forward, lightly placing her hand on Wei Chen's shoulder for support—then, without a hint of hesitation, she sat herself down directly on his lap.

The room went dead silent.

Wei Chen's eyes widened, his body stiffening beneath her. His first instinct was to stand, to push her off and demand that she behave, but something about her boldness—her ability to completely throw him off balance—kept him rooted in place.

Shin Shin, however, was the picture of innocence, her back straight and her expression utterly carefree. She looked at Wei Chen with wide eyes and a sweet, teasing smile. "What's the matter, Your Highness? Am I being too bold?"

Wei Chen felt his face flush, but there was nothing he could do to stop it. He forced a tight smile, trying to maintain his composure, but his mind raced with a thousand thoughts. *Why would she do this? Why now?*

Qiu Ling, on the other hand, had reached the edge of her composure. The sight before her was almost too much to handle—the audacity of it, the boldness of her sister, who had just casually taken the seat that should have been hers. And what was worse—Wei Chen didn't seem to mind at all. If anything, he looked completely caught off guard.

Shin Shin's eyes flickered to Qiu Ling's, the challenge clear in her gaze. "You should join us, sister. It's such a lovely moment, don't you think?"

Qiu Ling's nostrils flared, her fists trembling at her sides. She'd seen enough. The sight of her sister so close to Wei Chen, practically draped across him, had pushed her past the edge of sanity. Her smile was tight, her voice venomous.

"I think it's time I leave," she said, her voice icy. "It's clear you've taken enough of His Highness's attention."

With that, she turned sharply, her silk robes flowing behind her like an angry storm cloud. She made her way toward the door, each step a little heavier than the last.

Shin Shin, however, didn't even flinch. She continued to sit on Wei Chen's lap, her hands clasped delicately in front of her as if nothing were amiss. Her eyes flicked toward Wei Chen once again, her grin widening with playful mischief.

"Wei Chen," she said innocently, still clinging to him, "aren't you going to say goodbye to my dear sister? It would be *so* rude to let her leave without proper sendoff, don't you think?"

Wei Chen opened his mouth to protest, but the words didn't come. There was something about her in that moment—so bratty, so innocent, yet so utterly manipulative—that left him feeling powerless.

Qiu Ling didn't wait for him to respond. She shot one last venomous glare at both of them before disappearing out the door, the sound of it slamming shut echoing through the room.

Silence fell, the air between Wei Chen and Shin Shin thick with tension.

---

The Aftermath

After a long pause, Shin Shin finally stood up, brushing off the front of her dress. She glanced at Wei Chen, who was still trying to collect himself. His face was flushed with embarrassment, but there was something else in his eyes. Something that made her pulse quicken.

She leaned down, her voice a whisper. "That was fun, wasn't it? Watching her lose her mind."

Wei Chen glared at her, but there was no malice in his gaze. If anything, he looked more intrigued than angry. "You've really lost your mind, Yin Yue," he muttered, though his tone was softer than she expected.

Shin Shin smiled, tilting her head. "Maybe. But I think it was worth it."

She took a step back, giving him a teasing look. "You should thank me. After all, now you've got a clear shot at keeping your crown."

Wei Chen's lips twitched, as though he might say something—but in the end, he simply shook his head and let out a long breath. "You're insufferable, but... you might be the best thing that's ever happened to me."

The words caught Shin Shin off guard, and for a brief moment, she forgot to be playful. She was left staring at him, her heart skipping a beat.

But before she could react, he added, with that same edge of sarcasm, "Still insufferable, though."

Shin Shin let out a light laugh, her pulse quickening in a way she hadn't expected. "Maybe. But I like it that way."