I was left alone

The Trap

Each day, Shen Miao made her pilgrimage to the imperial library, her heart racing with anticipation as she timed her arrival for the moments she knew Prince Yu would appear. The library was a sanctuary for her, filled with the musty scent of ancient parchment and the whispers of history that echoed in its vastness. Their encounters were fleeting—a quiet greeting, a subtle nod in passing—but each interaction drew her closer to him. Shen Miao was meticulous, ensuring she didn’t overstep her bounds, allowing only a word or two to escape her lips.

As the days passed, she felt the weight of his gaze upon her. There was something electric in the air between them, a silent understanding that began to blossom into curiosity. Prince Yu was shrewd; he would not easily fall prey to her designs. Shen Miao could sense his suspicions—his mind was a labyrinth of thoughts, questioning her motives with every fleeting glance.

Prince Yu was no stranger to the machinations of the court, and he had a keen awareness of her intentions. Though he suspected she sought a way out from the tangled web of the imperial court's plans, he could not dismiss her lineage. Shen Miao was the daughter of Empress Chu, the only light in his darkest hours of imprisonment. Empress Chu had offered him warmth, compassion, and friendship when he had felt utterly alone. The bond between the two women created a tether that bound Shen Miao to him in ways she did not yet fully comprehend.

On the fifteenth day, an idea bloomed in Shen Miao's mind, a daring scheme to finally capture Prince Yu’s full attention. She found a tall ladder in the library and climbed it, the ancient wood creaking beneath her weight. Pretending to search for a book on one of the highest shelves, she glanced down at him from her perch, calculating the distance, the angle—everything she needed for her plan.

Then, with a slight misstep, she let herself fall, landing in a careful heap on the floor. The gasp of pain that escaped her lips was genuine enough to elicit a rush of concern from Prince Yu. He was there in an instant, his expression hardening as he took in her disheveled appearance. Shen Miao looked up at him, her eyes wide with feigned innocence, a hint of fear dancing across her face. One of her robes had slipped from her shoulder, exposing a delicate collarbone, and her hair cascaded around her face in wild disarray.

“Little Uncle,” she murmured, her voice soft and laced with vulnerability, “I think I twisted my ankle.”

Prince Yu’s demeanor shifted as he absorbed the sight before him, uncharacteristically flustered. His usual stoicism cracked as he cleared his throat, his gaze darting away for a moment, perhaps to regain composure in the face of her apparent distress. “Stand up and straighten your clothes,” he commanded gruffly, though the hint of concern lingered in his voice as he offered his hand.

Shenmiao, playing her part perfectly, feigned embarrassment as she tried to rise. However, she faltered once more, her hand going instinctively to her ankle, and she winced dramatically. “I—I don’t think I can walk,” she murmured, allowing a slight tremor to shake her voice.

With a heavy sigh, a blend of irritation and concern flickering in his eyes, Prince Yu knelt before her, his strong arms encircling her waist as he lifted her effortlessly into his arms. Shen Miao’s heart raced, not just from the thrill of her act but from the warmth of his body so close to hers. As he carried her to a nearby bench, she tucked her hair behind her ear, pretending to struggle slightly for effect, before settling down delicately as he gently set her down.

She fought back a smirk as he crouched beside her, his brow furrowed in concentration as he examined her ankle. The gentle touch of his hands against her skin sent an unexpected shiver of anticipation through her. His fingers were firm yet surprisingly tender, a softness in his demeanor that contrasted sharply with the fearsome reputation he had earned on the battlefield.

“Don’t move,” he instructed sternly, his voice low and commanding, as he began to massage her ankle. Shen Miao stayed silent, allowing her breath to quicken slightly, savoring the moment and the intimacy of his touch. She could see the internal struggle in his eyes; a blend of protectiveness and wariness danced within them as he tested for injury, his fingers lingering over her skin longer than necessary.

In this quiet moment, Shen Miao felt the power shift. She had succeeded in capturing his attention, igniting his concern, and presenting herself as someone in need. The stage was set; she could feel the delicate balance of their relationship begin to tip in her favor. With each caress, with each lingering glance, she sensed the walls around Prince Yu’s heart softening just a fraction.

As he focused intently on her ankle, Shen Miao allowed herself to reflect on her true intentions. This was more than just a ruse for sympathy; it was a calculated move in a game she was determined to win. She needed Prince Yu as her ally, a pivotal piece in her quest to escape the clutches of her impending marriage and to seek the revenge that had fueled her ambition since childhood.

“Thank you, Little Uncle,” she whispered, her voice gentle, tinged with sincerity. “I knew you would come.”

Before Prince Yu could respond, the tranquility of the library was shattered by the entrance of Shen Feiyan and Shen Ziying, the first and third princesses, respectively. Shen Feiyan, 17 years old and radiant in her beauty, glided in with an air of grace that demanded attention. Her calm demeanor often concealed a sharp mind and a calculating nature, always aware of the intricate power dynamics at play within the court.

“Little Miao, always seeking attention,” Shen Feiyan remarked with a playful smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Have you taken up acrobatics now? Or are you simply trying to steal the crown prince’s heart?”

Shen Ziying, the 14-year-old third princess, strutted in behind her, her head held high, arrogance radiating from her every gesture. “Oh, don’t flatter yourself, Sister. The crown prince’s heart is too grand for the likes of her,” she scoffed, crossing her arms defiantly. “It must be so tedious for you to always be second to me.”

The tension in the air thickened as Shen Miao’s smile faltered, annoyance rising within her. The last thing she needed was for her sisters to intrude on her carefully orchestrated moment with Prince Yu.

“Ziying, perhaps you should focus on your own studies instead of belittling your sister,” Prince Yu interjected, his voice firm as he shot a glance at the third princess. “There’s no need to be so harsh.”

“But it’s so much fun!” Ziying pouted, her expression sulking as she brushed her hair behind her ear. “Besides, it’s not like she’s doing anything important. Is she?”

Shen Feiyan’s eyes narrowed, studying the scene with a calculating gaze. “Aren’t you the one who fell, Sister? Shouldn’t you be grateful for the attention you receive? After all, it’s not every day that the crown prince comes to your rescue.” Her tone dripped with mockery, yet there was an underlying truth in her words that stung.

“I think she’s just practicing for her next performance,” Ziying chimed in, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. “A performance where she pretends to be a damsel in distress.”

Shen Miao’s patience began to fray. “At least I’m not relying on pity to win favor, Ziying,” she snapped, her voice laced with defiance. “Perhaps you should try being more than just a spoiled child.”

The air crackled with tension as the sisters faced off, the rivalry simmering just beneath the surface. In this family of princesses, each held their ambitions tightly, vying for power and the emperor's favor, all while navigating the precarious balance of loyalty and betrayal.

Prince Yu remained at Shen Miao’s side, his presence a steadying force amidst the chaos. He could sense the storm brewing between the sisters, but he chose to remain neutral, focusing instead on the girl beside him. Shen Miao’s determination was palpable; she was unlike anyone else in the court, and that uniqueness intrigued him.

As the verbal sparring continued between the sisters, Shen Miao resolved to use this opportunity to her advantage. She would turn their jibes into leverage, sowing the seeds of doubt between them while drawing Prince Yu closer to her cause.

With each word exchanged, Shen Miao knew she was playing a dangerous game, but one she was willing to engage in. As she glanced at Prince Yu, the tension within her transformed into a resolute determination. She would emerge victorious—not just for herself, but for her mother’s legacy and the future she desired.