Chapter Text
Liu MingYan wasn't known for being a nervous or anxious woman. She had been raised in a family of noble cultivators and trained from childhood alongside her older brother to be just and overcome any adversity that came their way. But that didn't stop her from feeling on edge today. Shen QingQiu—she refused to call him Shibo—was being brought to trial for countless crimes. Which was good, because that damned pervert wouldn't be anywhere near Liu QingGe anymore. The bad part was that Liu QingGe wasn't at all happy about the trial itself.
Look, the younger Liu isn't a fool. She's well aware that her older brother was almost killed twice by Shen QingQiu. And she would have done well if that despicable man had been given the chance to try a third time.
—because the third time was always Jiu's number. But Liu QingGe didn't see it that way. He was a righteous man, blinded by a love that would never be reciprocated, much less acknowledged, not even by himself.
That, and Liu MingYan's own pettiness, led her to the current situation. She loved her brother, and she needed him to see the truth, and there was no better way to see the truth than by looking at the past. Perhaps that way they could finally accuse Shen QingQiu of double attempted murder, and that way QingGe would stop loving him. She knew it would hurt him, but it was necessary to keep him safe from that cruel man.
But how would she do all this? That's what you must be wondering. Well, she could be proud to say that she stole a magical artifact perfect for the occasion. It took a little effort, though nothing a sweet sway of her hips and a couple of silver coins couldn't solve.
Speaking of the artifact itself, it was a medium-sized mirror, perhaps a little small, oval-shaped, and with a black frame. Normally, these objects became gifts for other sects or noble patrons. That wasn't the case here, of course, because where it was supposed to reflect, there was nothing. Or at least not yet; it just needed to be surrounded by people and infused with a small amount of Qi before being given to Shen QingQiu. The mirror would then show the life of that despicable man, and Liu QingGe would come to his senses.
That was the original plan. For starters, no one was really willing to listen to what she said. Men, as always, thought she was a long-suffering lover who only wanted the best for her partner, even if it cost her her reputation. Miss Qiu was at least helpful.
"I am here because I can corroborate what the mirror shows."
If they had listened to her, or if she had stood up to them, it would have been a major talking point. But no one cared about her, and the truth was, neither did MingYan; she just needed the mirror to end up in Shen QingQiu's hands. What would have happened if her shizun hadn't snatched it from her hands, and in turn, the sect leader had snatched it from her? Suddenly, the artifact was being passed from hand to hand while people shouted, pushed, and insulted each other—a scene worthy of privileged immortals. Everything was happening at once, and it only stopped when the mirror fell in front of QingQiu. He was tied up and kneeling on the floor, his arms outstretched and his head bowed, staring at the object.
This was as far as MingYan had gone. She wasn't a strategist; her plan obviously wasn't going to work with that crazy, intelligent pervert. So she tensed and remained silent, like the rest of the room.
Pale hands took the mirror, and you didn't have to be a genius to know what would happen next. The accused would throw it to the floor; it would shatter, and no one would blame him because it would look like a perfect accident, since he was sure some idiot would scream and "scare" him. Or at least that's what everyone hoped, but unfortunately, they didn't get to witness it.
Liu MingYan felt her world turning black, and although she clung to her teacher's hand, she felt like she was plummeting.
"Come here, my dear and beloved one,"
"My sweet flower of evil,"
"Take my hand and don't let go."