The afternoon sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains of the imperial pavilion, reflecting a soft golden glow on the glossy tiles. Princess Meilin sat quietly in the center of the pavilion, surrounded by the flower garden she used to love. But today, the beauty did not make her feel any better.
In the past few days after the chaos, she noticed that her surroundings had changed. Punya had become the center of everything. Everyone was interested and gave importance to the girl from another world. Whether it was Prince Xiao Yang, who had been indifferent, he had now clearly shown interest. Prince Li Cheng had also trusted Punya more. Even Weng Qing and the palace officials respected her opinion.
Meilin clenched her fists tightly, feeling the discomfort building up in her heart.
"Princess, are you uncomfortable?" Meiling's voice came out softly. She moved closer and knelt down beside her.
"I'm thinking about something," Meiling replied calmly.
"It's about Punya, isn't it?"
Meiling turned around abruptly, her eyes flashing with dissatisfaction, but Meiling remained calm.
"Everyone in the palace is paying too much attention to her," Mei Lin said with a suppressed emotion. "I know she's capable, but why does everything suddenly revolve around her? This is my palace, but my opinion is dismissed. This orchard is mine, but right now, it's like I'm just a shadow!"
Mei Ling sighed softly before answering carefully, "I understand, but maybe it's because Punya really has a unique ability. She can identify the power of fruits, which is something no one in the palace can do. Plus, she's also useful to your palace."
"What about me?" Mei Lin sneered. "I also have the power of the Divine Wind. I've protected this orchard all my life, but no one sees me as important!"
"Princess..." Mei Ling hesitated before saying softly, "Maybe it's because you've been here for so long that people are used to your capabilities. They don't take you for granted. It's just... Punya is something new that they've never encountered before."
Mei Lin pursed her lips tightly. Mei Ling's words made sense, but they didn't make her feel any better.
"Looks like you're still not satisfied with the old matter?"
A low, mocking voice came from the side corridor, causing both Mei Lin and Mei Ling to turn their heads. Prince Xiao Yang walked in relaxed, his eyes showing a slight smile that seemed understanding but also amused.
"My business, you don't have to interfere," Mei Lin replied coldly.
"But I want to interfere," Xiao Yang chuckled before walking over and sitting down opposite her. "Do you think Punya has stolen your importance?"
Mei Lin stared at him, not answering.
"Listen," Xiao Yang began to speak more seriously. "You and Punya are different. She has abilities that we don't, and it's only natural that she'll get attention."
"Are you telling me to accept it?"
"I'm telling you that you should find a way to prove yourself instead of sitting around feeling angry."
Mei Lin gritted her teeth. Xiao Yang's words were like a knife stabbing her heart, but before she could retort, another voice rang out from the other side of the pavilion.
"That's an interesting idea."
Li An walked in, holding a scroll about the power of fruits in his hand. The smile on his face was mysterious and meaningful.
"If the princess really wants to prove herself, why don't she challenge Punya?"
Meilin turned to look at him. "How to challenge?"
"By using the power of fruits," Li An said. "We can use the Illusion Fruit or other fruits that can test the user's power. Then you can prove to everyone that you have the same or even better power than Punya."
Meilin paused to think, while Xiao Yang looked at Li An with interest. "I like this method," Xiao Yang said.
"Princess..." Meiling said anxiously.
Meilin closed her eyes for a moment before opening them again. Her eyes regained a resolute look. "Alright, I'll prove to everyone that I have the same power as Punya!"
Li An smiled faintly, while Xiao Yang leaned against the wooden pillar, looking at Meilin with interest.
"Then prepare yourself..." Xiao Yang said. "This competition will be interesting."
--
The wind blew through the leaves, creating a soft sound. The fragrance of ripe fruits wafted through the air, as the enchanted fruits shimmered on the branches of the trees in the royal orchard.
Punya had just finished collecting samples of some fruits. She was experimenting with squeezing the juice from the Fire Lychee to see what it could be used for. However, the sound of hurried and powerful footsteps made her look up.
"Punya!"
The voice rang out before a figure in dark blue clothing appeared in front of her. Princess Mei Lin was standing in the middle of the garden, her eyes filled with determination.
"I have something to tell you."
Punya put down the container, flicked her hand lightly, and turned to look at the princess. "What happened? You look so startled?"
"I want to test your abilities," Mei Lin said firmly.
Punya frowned. "Test? Why all of a sudden…"
"Yes, I want to know if you're really good or just a lucky newcomer."
The atmosphere in the garden suddenly became tense.
"Princess Mei Lin!"
Li Shan's voice rang out. He walked straight in with a thoughtful expression. "What is this? Why are you challenging Punya?"
"You also see that everyone is paying more attention to her now," Mei Lin said without taking her eyes off Punya. "I want to know if she's worthy of that importance."
"But this isn't a good way," Li Shan tried to mediate. "You two have your own abilities. Why don't you work together instead of becoming enemies?"
"It's not a matter of friend or foe," Mei Lin replied. "It's a matter of pride. I can't let someone replace me so easily without proving myself."
Punya listened quietly before sighing. "Okay, okay. If that's what you want, I'll accept!"
"This is a waste of time!"
A decisive voice rang out. Weng Qing appeared in the middle of the conversation. Her sharp eyes showed displeasure.
"Your Highness, you are thinking too rashly." She said coldly. "Punya is not your enemy, why do you have to test her in such a way?"
"If I don't do it, I will never know whether she is worthy of the position I have received." Mei Lin replied calmly.
Weng Qing frowned, looking like she did not agree much, but when she saw that Mei Lin was determined, she sighed and nodded helplessly. "Then, I will witness this test."
"I have a proposal."
A new voice sounded softly before Xian Lan's figure stepped out from the shadow of the tree. The girl in the white dress smiled faintly, her eyes filled with calmness.
"If we really want to test, why not use the Illusion Fruit?"
Everyone turned to look at her.
"Illusion Fruit?" Punya repeated.
Xian Lan nodded. "It is a special fruit that can create illusions, and it will make the user face their own mind. If the princess really wants to test her wisdom, using it would be the best way."
"Heh... Interesting," Mei Lin said with a slight smile. "I agree."
"What about you, Punya?" Xian Lan turned to ask.
Punya hesitated for a moment before looking at Mei Lin. Her eyes were filled with determination. She understood the princess's feelings, even though it came in the form of a challenge.
"Okay," she said. "I accept this test."
The atmosphere in the garden fell silent for a moment, as if nature itself was preparing for the upcoming test.
--
In the afternoon sunlight that filtered through the emerald green leaves, the Illusion Fruit was placed in the center of the courtyard. Its pods were glowing silver, as if there was a thin mist circulating around them.
Punya and Princess Mei Lin stood facing each other, both preparing for the test that everyone was watching.
"There is only one rule,"
Xian Lan said calmly as he held the Illusion Fruit in his hand. "When you bite into this fruit, it will transport you to your own mind. You may encounter images of the past, the future, or what you fear the most. The one who can control your mind first Will be the winner."
Punya nodded, while Mei Lin clenched her fists tightly. Although she was the one who initiated this test, when the time came, she could not help but feel pressured.
"Are you ready?"
Punya looked at Mei Lin. She did not think of this as a fight, but an opportunity for the two of them to learn about each other.
"Ready," Mei Lin said firmly.
Xian Lan handed the fruit to the two of them. Punya and Mei Lin took a bite at the same time.
As soon as the sweet and sour taste spread throughout their mouths, they both felt a certain pulling force.
The world of illusion opened up.
Mei Lin felt like she was being pulled into a deep abyss. Everything around her blurred before slowly becoming clear.
--
She was standing in the throne room of the past, when she was just a little girl.
"Brother Li Cheng!"
She called out to her brother, Prince Li Cheng, who was standing among the nobles and soldiers, but he did not turn back to her.
The seven-year-old girl Mei Lin ran towards her, but the closer she got, the further away her brother's body became.
"Brother, you've been gone for a long time."
A voice rang out. Mei Lin turned to see her own shadow standing there.
"What do you mean?"
"He's been distant from you ever since you lost the power of the bloodline. Don't you remember? Because of the power of the fruit, the four of you have cut off ties with each other. Brother Li Cheng, Second Brother Xiao Yang, and your eldest sister Ling Ya."
The shadow whispered coldly.
Mei Lin's eyes widened. The past appeared again...
That day, she had received talent from the family, but her power was not strong enough compared to her two brothers and sister Ling Ya.
Since then, everyone started paying more attention to Li Cheng, while she was slowly being overlooked.
This was not the first time she had felt this way... It was not the first time she had been overlooked.
Punya was not the cause of this feeling.
It was already there.
The feeling of being abandoned...
--
On the other side, Punya was standing in her own illusory world. But she felt Mei Lin's mind tremors more clearly than her own.
She closed her eyes, focused, and slowly controlled her mind.
Soon, her illusion began to dissipate.
When she opened her eyes, she returned to the real world, while Mei Lin was still immersed in her own illusion.
"Mei Lin, you have to come back now!"
Punya stepped closer. She placed her hand on the other person's shoulder.
"It's just an illusion. It's just the past. Don't let it destroy your present!!"
Mei Lin's body trembled. Her eyes widened. She breathed heavily, but Punya's touch made her feel more stable.
She blinked her eyes repeatedly and found herself standing back in the orchard.
The Illusion Fruit fell to the ground, its petals slowly dissipating into light.
"Mei Lin!"
Prince Li Cheng's voice rang out. He hurriedly walked over with Yang Sheng, the personal guard he had snatched from the princess.
"What's wrong?" Li Cheng asked With concern
Mei Lin looked at her brother, her eyes shaking, before she pursed her lips and shook her head. "I'm fine."
Yang Sheng smiled slightly. "It seems that you have learned something."
Mei Lin paused for a moment, before sighing. "I understand why I feel dissatisfied with Punya..."
She turned to look at the girl from another world. Punya was still standing there, her gaze neither proud nor mocking, only gentleness and understanding.
"You have your own abilities... and I have mine." Mei Lin said slowly.
"I don't need to compete with you."
Punya smiled faintly. "I've never thought of competing with anyone here, especially the princess..."
Mei Ling, who had been watching the whole thing, walked over to her master. She bowed her head slightly. "Princess, you have never been abandoned. You are still important to all of us."
Mei Lin looked at Mei Ling, before nodding slightly.
Prince Li Cheng patted his sister on the shoulder. "Don't forget that no matter what happens, you are still our Mei Lin. The three of us may play some mind games, but at least the orchard still belongs to our royal family, not anyone else's."
The atmosphere around us became warmer, even though the wind was still blowing gently.
Mei Lin took a deep breath before speaking to Punya.
"From now on, I will not treat you as an enemy anymore... But I hope that you will be the assistant who leads the orchard into a new and better era."