Mingzhu took off her fox mask and stored it in a loose floorboard. She wiped off her sweat and washed the ink from her hands. Disung must’ve been in a similar situation; rushing back and preparing for the wedding as if he never left his chambers. Meanwhile, Hanxiong, Shaiming and Tai continued running around the village in fox masks to entice more chaos. Hopefully, it distracted the emperor enough to remain out of the palace during the wedding and other preparations.

“What damn thing do I use first?” Mingzhu wondered aloud after she tied red cotton threads in her hair. She stared at the small jars in front of her. During the Moon Festival, the other dance girls did her makeup. Without them, she remained a failure at feminine routines. “Do I even have time to practice?”

Hesitantly, she took the logical step and applied oils on her skin to soften it. After these dried, she powdered rice flour onto her face and she burst out laughing because of the ghostly appearance. Disung would love it. She imagined him chuckling and a warm feeling overtook her. In a few hours, he would be her husband.

Never in a million years did she picture herself married. As a child, she was forced to focus on martial arts and after that, she only cared about Juan’s life. Now, after everything, she was preparing to wed her childhood rival. Fate played a wicked game.

The belief she only agreed to the arrangement for the escape plan had been cracking as the minutes passed. Since the incident with Cheng — when Disung risked everything to find her and comforted her after torturing a man — she realised how deeply she loved him. However, she refused to admit that to anyone else.

“Pardon the intrusion. I have been told you need assistance.”

Mingzhu recognised the sweet voice. It sent a sharp ache to her heart and saturated the good mood. The lingering emotions she had for Meifan resurfaced with deep unwelcome. They had laughed together. They gave each other hope. They were friends. How could she betray her? Why did Mingzhu trust her? More importantly, why was she here?

“You are brave daring to come near,” Mingzhu snarled and latched onto anger to hide her pain.

“Many nobles insist a maid help you prepare,” Meifan replied softly and ventured further into the room. Her beauty bloomed, like a budding flower since the trial, from a rich diet of a high housemaid. It made Mingzhu want to vomit at the girl's profit. “I believe it should be my duty.”

Without an invitation, Meifan perched herself near the duchess. Mingzhu ignored her and continued her makeup. The pregnant silence weighed down on them. As Mingzhu declined any slight movements to help, the tension rose. Finally, Meifan cracked.

“I’m despicable! I betrayed you! Why do you not curse me?!”

I want to. I want to so badly, Mingzhu thought. But that is how you win. “I do not need someone attending to me for the wedding.”

“Talk to me! Please!”

“Why?”

“I made a mistake,” Meifan whispered and her eyes watered like disturbed ponds. “I didn’t think it through. I didn’t realise what would happen. I just thought—”

“Accusing me of being an assassin would benefit you,” Mingzhu finished.

“Please understand! I didn’t think they would try kill you!”

Lies! No one is that stupid. I should have let Xiaoli bully you until scars riddled your body! “It does not matter now. I am safe from harm and to be married.”

“D-does that mean you forgive me?”

“Take care of Song Meifan. That was Senior Jiang’s last words.”

“Lin Jiang was a traitor to Shanhe,” Meifan replied automatically.

“As much as I was a traitor to you,” Mingzhu retorted and continued her makeup with calm strokes, despite wanting to turn Meifan into a punching dummy. “I will forgive you for feeding me to the wolves because of Senior. I will forget you chose power over friendship. I will also give you a chance at another life.”

“What do you mean?”

“You dreamed of marrying an ordinary man and living in the countryside. I can make it happen. Tonight, I am planning an escape with the true heir. Come with me,” Mingzhu said and offered a parchment. On it, a drawing mapped out an escape route from the palace.

“B-but why?”

“I hold onto my debts fiercer than my grudges. My offer for tonight will be the last thing I owe you.”