It had been a week since Yue Rong began her work in the palace. She moved quietly like a ghost, avoiding trouble and gossip, keeping her status down.
Back in the Ha residence, Lili sat close to Hana with a small frown on her face.
"When can I see Mama in the palace?" Lili asked Hana, her small face full of hope.
"Soon, don't worry," Hana replied, ruffling her hair. "Eat fast so you can grow up quickly and stay with Mama in the palace."
Lili's eyes lit up, but Mimi was too clever to be deceived.
As Hana stepped inside, Mimi leaned close to Lili and whispered in her ear, "There's a way we can get into the palace."
Lili's eyes widened. "Really? How?"
Mimi smiled knowingly. "We'll need some boys' clothes, disguise ourselves, and hide among the goods that Uncle will transport to the palace tomorrow."
"Disguise?" Lili repeated, her voice rising.
Mimi quickly covered her mouth. "Shh! Don't speak too loud!"
"What do you mean by disguise?" Lili whispered again, her curiosity getting the better of her.
Mimi groaned, frustrated by her sister's slow understanding. "I'll show you tomorrow, okay?"
"Okay!" Lili said eagerly.
When Hana returned, the children immediately fell silent, trying to act innocent.
"What were you two whispering about?" she asked, suspicious.
"Nothing! Your cooking is just… very sweet," Mimi blurted, her cheeks flushing.
As evening approached, Mimi sneaked out to the neighbor's house. She called to the little boy they often played with.
"Yi Ji, can I borrow two of your clothes?"
Yi Ji frowned. "Two? That's too many! How many clothes will I have left?"
"Please, Yi Ji, I'll return them, I promise!" Mimi begged, her eyes wide and pleading.
Seeing her earnest face, Yi Ji finally nodded and handed them over. Mimi quickly hid the clothes at the back of the house.
The next morning, Mr. Ha rose early, unaware of the children's plan. He had already loaded the carriage the day before at the market in other to met up.
"Lili, wake up, it's time," Mimi whispered, shaking her sister gently.
The children quietly slipped into the carriage, hiding among the goods.
Not knowing the children were hiding in the carriage, he set out on the road.
After hours of driving, Lili piped up, a little worried. "Have we not gotten there yet?"
"No," Mimi said softly, her eyes scanning the road ahead.
"What if we get caught?" Lili asked, fear creeping into her voice.
"Our Papa will save us," Mimi reassured her, though she herself felt a flutter of anxiety.
"Papa? Do we have Papa?" Lili asked, confused.
"Everyone has Papa," Mimi said with a little irritation, folding her arms. "Why don't you understand things easily?"
Meanwhile, Hana waited at home, glancing at the clock. "What are those children still doing?" she muttered, a frown on her face.
The carriage rolled quietly through the palace gates, the early morning mist still clinging to the marble walkways. Mimi and Lili huddled under the blankets with the goods, hearts pounding.
"Are we really going to get away with this?" Lili whispered, peeking out from beneath the covers.
"Of course we are," Mimi replied, though her own stomach fluttered. "Just stay calm and follow my lead."
The carriage came to a stop near the palace kitchens, where goods were being unloaded. Servants bustled around, carrying crates and baskets, unaware of the tiny stowaways.
"Now!" Mimi hissed. She slipped from under the blankets, dragging Lili with her. The two girls darted behind a stack of barrels, careful to avoid being seen.
"Shh… shh!" Lili whispered, her small hands clutching Mimi's sleeve.
Mimi crouched low, scanning the courtyard. "We just follow the servants. Once they go inside, we can slip in too."
A pair of palace guards passed by, making Lili freeze. Her eyes were wide, and she bit her lip to keep from squealing. Mimi placed a finger gently over her lips. "Relax. They can't see us if we stay still." She whispered.
The guards walked past, and Mimi let out a quiet sigh of relief. "Okay let's move."
They crept from shadow to shadow, hearts hammering with each step. Lili stumbled over a loose stone, catching herself just in time. "I almost… almost___" she whispered, breathlessly.
"Shh, don't let them hear you!" Mimi hissed, tugging her sister along.
Finally, they reached a quiet side entrance. The servants had just gone inside with baskets of food and linens. Mimi pushed the door open carefully, and the two girls slipped inside, unseen.
Inside, the palace smelled of fresh bread, tea, and herb. Lili's eyes widened. "It's… so big," she whispered.
"Stay focused," Mimi said, taking her hand. "We're almost there."
At that moment, a firm hand grabbed Lili's wrist.
"And who are you little boys?" the chief maid demanded coldly.
"We… I…" Lili stammered, tears spilling down her cheeks. "We won't do it again, please," she cried.
"We did nothing wrong!" Mimi snapped, standing her ground. "Why are you bullying us?"
The maid's face darkened. "You sneaked into the palace and now you dare to be rude?" she shouted, dragging Mimi by the arm.
Her voice drew the attention of other maids nearby.
"Who put such nonsense into your heads?"
She barks.
"This is our father's palace," Mimi declared boldly. "And we will report you."
"What?" The maid froze, stunned by her words.
Just then, Yue Rong, who was coming from the servants' quarters, stopped when she heard the commotion. Her heart skipped, hearing Mimi voice.
"What are the children doing here when they are supposed to be in the countryside".
she murmured uneasily, her grip tightening on the tray in her hand.
"What is going on here?" she asked, grabbing her colleague by the shoulder.
"Some unruly boys sneaked into the palace," the maid replied dismissively as she turned away.
Yue Rong felt her knees weaken. Mimi… she thought. That sharp tongue…
Before she could move, footsteps echoed behind her.
Prince Xian Rong stepped out.
Seeing her in servant robes, his expression changed instantly.
"Yue Rong," he called sharply, his voice cutting through the courtyard, "what are you doing here and how long have you been working here?" He asked angryly.
Every head turned, sharing at her.
She felt as though the ground should swallow her whole.
Shame and humiliation washed over her, leaving her unable to lift her head.
"Mama!" the two children cried at once, broking free from the maids and ran straight to her, clinging to her clothes. Yue Rong stood frozen, unable to move.
"Mama," Mimi said, pointing her small finger at Prince Xian Rong,
"that is papa?"
The world seemed to stop.