Tampering with the Tea
Belle smiled and said, "How could I possibly accept that? I'm just a maid—how could I let Princess Ling Consort pour water for me?"
Princess May smiled warmly, picked up the teacup, and walked to the table. With her back to Belle, she blocked Belle's view, pouring water while laughing, "Belle, you're joking. You're the favorite attendant of Princess Lily Hayes, and she values you greatly—almost like a younger sister. For me, pouring you a cup of tea is nothing at all."
Hearing Princess May say this, Belle couldn’t refuse any further. Her belly was so big that getting up from the couch without help was truly difficult, so she couldn’t insist on such a small matter as pouring water herself.
Princess May poured the tea and, while Belle wasn’t paying attention, gave her wrist a subtle shake. A powdery substance drifted from her sleeve, landing in Belle’s teacup and also in the teapot on the table.
The powder dissolved instantly upon contact with water—colorless and tasteless, leaving no trace at all.
Princess May handed the teacup to Belle and smiled, "Belle, have some tea."
Belle quickly thanked her, picked up the cup, and took a sip to moisten her throat.
Princess May sat back down, her eyes lingering on Belle’s belly with a cheerful smile. Belle felt uneasy under her gaze, but then thought, now that Princess May was a widow and couldn’t remarry, maybe she was simply envious that Belle was about to have a child.
Not long after, Lily Hayes returned from outside. Princess May quickly stood to greet her, helping her sit down and asking anxiously, "Princess Lily Hayes, what did Prince Alexander Hayes say? Did he agree to let me return to my homeland to observe widowhood?"
Seeing Princess May's anxious expression, Lily patted her hand and smiled, "His Highness has agreed."
Princess May immediately put on a joyful expression and hurried to the table to pour tea. Knowing Lily Hayes was cautious, she poured a cup right in front of her, brought it over with both hands, and bowed deeply: "Thank you, Princess Lily Hayes, for your help! I will always remember your great kindness!"
"Oh, don’t be so formal," Lily replied, taking the cup. She had just come back and had no idea Princess May had tampered with the tea.
Princess May lowered her head, stealing glances at the teacup in Lily’s hand. When she saw Lily’s lips touch the cup, Princess May’s heart pounded with nervous anticipation, silently urging: Drink it! Drink it!
In Princess May’s intense anticipation, Lily, completely unaware, took a small sip of the tea.
When Princess May saw Lily swallow the tea, she finally relaxed, her whole body unwinding. She bowed and said, "You’re busy, Princess Lily Hayes, so I won’t bother you. I’ll go prepare for my return to Chu. But the capital is under martial law lately, and I’m afraid the officials will make things difficult for Princess Ling Consort’s convoy and refuse to let us pass…"
Lily put down her cup and smiled, "Don’t worry, His Highness has already spoken to the officials—they won’t give your convoy any trouble."
"That’s wonderful! Thank you, Princess Lily Hayes!" Princess May was overjoyed and bowed respectfully to Lily over and over before leaving to return to the Ling Prince’s residence.
Watching Princess May’s departing figure, Lily sighed, "She really is pitiful. Widowed so young… It’s better she returns to her homeland. Seeing her here, I can’t help but feel guilty for causing her to be a widow."