When Pei Nan woke up, it was already morning. He slowly turned his head to see his surroundings. He was back at his palace and there was a woman sitting beside him, with her head leaned on the bed. A pleasant smiles appeared on his face as he slowly reached out to touch her hair. The moment his hands gently touched her head, she woke up. The girl immediately lifted her head up. "Pei Nan!"It was Fei Ning. "Fei Ning?" his face showed a look of surprise.
"I'm here," she grabbed his hand, reassuring him. "Are you feeling better?"
"What happened to me?"
"Pei Nan, in the future you mustn't work so hard. The imperial doctor said your body is weak from overworking," Fei Ning complained. "These next few days, you must not do anything but rest," she continued. He listened to her lecture and scold him for a few minutes before telling his point of view.
"How can I when there is so much work to be done in court," Pei Nan slowly sat up with the help of Fei Ning. "As a prince, how can I put national matters aside,"
"Your father knows already. He left your job to Prince Shao. And...he specifically told me to make sure you didn't do any work these next few days."
"Fine. As long as you are here to accompany me, I'll listen," he held her hand and smiled. He couldn't win against this consort of his. Even if he wanted to go back to handling national affairs right now, he new her personality well enough. She would not allow it.
Pei Nan had been so busy with court affairs that he hadn't had time to visit Fei Ning. He would leave for the Imperial Palace early in the morning and then come home late, just in time for dinner. Thinking about how unfair he had been to Fei Ning these past few days, he pulled her in for a hug. Fei Ning was surprised from his sudden pull. The next thing she knew, she was already sitting on the bed, in his arms. "Fei Ning, I'm sorry I haven't visited you these past few days. I've been very busy but these next few days, I promise to make the most of my time with you,"
"En," Fei Ning sweetly smiled.
The next three days went by quickly. Pei Nan had indeed relaxed with Fei Ning accompanying him every day. While he was sick, his mother had made a visit every day. Consort Nuan and Consort Wan along with the emperor also visited every day, bringing soups and herbal medicine. But her…Yu Mei didn't make a single appearance. Pei Nan tried to not let it bother him but no matter how much he thought about it, it made him mad.
On the fourth day, Pei Nan and Fei Ning were taking a light stroll around his imperial garden, hand in hand. "Fei Ning, I am going back to work tomorrow," he finally spoke of the matter. Fei Ning immediately stopped and looked at him. "Your highness, shouldn't you rest one more day?" she tried to persuade him.
"I have been out of court for too many days. I'm afraid there is too much to catch up on. I have already talked to father. I can return tomorrow," Fei Ning pouted her lips. She was not happy. Not happy that today was the last day she could spend the whole day with him. "By the way, have you seen Consort Pan these past few days?" he suddenly asked. Fei Ning looked at him confused. How was she supposed to know? That woman was her nemesis. "I don't know much. I did hear that Consort Pan has locked herself up in her room these last few days."
After walking a few more steps, he turned around. "Fei Ning, you must be tired from all this walking. You should go rest,"
"Okay but you must have dinner with me tonight,"
"En," Fei Ning reluctantly let go of Pei Nan's hand.
***Southern Palace***
Yu Mei was indeed sitting in her room. These past few days that Pei Nan was sick, she used the time to go pick herbs from the mountains. On top of the mountain was the Neilu leaf she desperately prayed to find. Her secret ingredient to making love pills. The Neilu leaf was a rare plant. Yu Mei was surprised she actually found a small cluster of them by chance. Neilu leaves were known for their poisonous traits when eaten by itself but if it was mixed with salt water, the poison becomes ineffective. Instead, it turns into a potent medicine for men. Of course not many people knew about this special side of the Neilu leaf. Yu Mei had "accidentally" peeped into her master's hand written herb book a long time ago when she was still Ju Ming. In that book was a page about the effects of the Neilu leaf.
Yu Mei had just finished the pill. She held the small white pill between two fingers and laughed happily. It had been such a long time since she had last made a pill. She didn't think she could remember the ingredients and pill process. Yu Mei put the little pill inside a tiny porcelain container and closed it. She walked over to her closet, lifting up the last piece of her folded skirts. Hidden under there was the blood jade she so desperately schemed to get. Yu Mei had been so busy, she almost forgot all about it. She set the pill down and picked up the blood jade.
As Yu Mei was holding onto the beautiful hand carved piece of jade in her hand, she couldn't help but admire it. The intricate design had caught her eyes. She held it up to her face to closely examine it. *Swoosh* without warning, the door opened and in came the always annoyed Pei Nan. Yu Mei was stunned for a moment she forgot she had the jade in her hand. It was too late for her to place it back in its hiding spot. Hoping that he didn't catch her with his brother's jade, she put her hands behind her back. "Your highness, what are you doing here?" Yu Mei awkwardly asked. Wasn't he supposed to be at his own place enjoying time with his precious Fei Ning? Why must her day always be ruined by him! When she saw he was making a grumpy face at her, she had already started preparing herself for another long battle with him. Yu Mei waited for him to reply to her question. He didn't say anything. He simply closed the door shut and made his way over to her. "Your highness, did you knock your head so hard you forgot the way to the Northern Palace?" Pei Nan clenched his jaw. Did she always act this dumb? He was diagnosed with overworking, not memory loss. Once again he didn't say anything. He continued to make his way to her. The closer he came to her, the more nervous she became. Yu Mei had been staring at something the whole time. Her outer robe on her desk. She regretted taking it off earlier. Right now, she was only wearing a thin peach blossom shirt and skirt. The sleeves were too tight, nowhere to hide the jade.
Finally he spoke. "You have committed a crime," It hadn't even been five minutes and he had started to interrogate her. "Crime?" Yu Mei was dumbfounded. "What are you talking about? All I did was stay in my palace, how could I have committed a crime?" Yu Mei suddenly gasped in horror. [How did you know I snuck out of the palace?] She hadn't been home for two days. It must be that. She had no doubt about it. "Tell me what your crime is and I'll lessen it," he demanded in his low husky interrogation voice. "I really don't know what I did wrong? Should we ask Chu'mei?" Seeing her act dumb again, he let out a loud sigh. Talking to her was like talking to a tree. In fact, a tree was probably more intelligent than her. "Your crime is failing to fulfill your duties as my wife," he pointed at her. *Hahaha* Yu Mei burst out in laughter. That was the stupidest thing she has ever heard. "Your highness, are you sure you haven't lost it?" still trying to keep her laugh under control, she asked him lightly. She thought he was kidding but when she realized he didn't change his straight face...he meant it. Yu Mei quickly stopped laughing. "You're for real?"
"Would I lie? You were the reason I became sick. If it wasn't for you angering me these past few weeks, my immune system wouldn't have been so weak. Causing me to become ill,"
"Huh?" [Petty Nan, what are you spewing about? You, a ruthless tyrant could actually get sick over that?] This was definitely something new for her. She knew that people could get sick from pent up anger but she didn't believe a person like Petty Nan could catch it.
"Yes it's true. It is 100% your fault. And to think the person who caused me to become ill didn't even visit once. You must make up for it," he closed his case.
"Huh?" Yu Mei was speechless. She had to admit, she didn't know what illness he had caught. The moment he was brought back to his room that night, she had left. She didn't even hear the doctor's diagnoses. Why? Because going to the mountains was much more important. Besides, Fei Ning was there. So why should she be there as the third wheel. She felt wronged at first but when she thought of all the times she provoked him and hit him, she truly felt it was her fault. Not all her fault but just a tiny little bit. Yu Mei looked up at Pei Nan with her big pitiful eyes. "I didn't mean to get you sick. I'm sorry," she "sincerely" apologized, trying to get out of trouble. Pei Nan almost couldn't hold in his smile when he realized he had locked her in his plan. "Apologizing isn't good enough. You must make up for the three days you didn't visit me," he slyly demanded. "Give me a massage,"
Yu Mei was not prepared for Pei Nan to reach out to her, grabbing her wrist. [The jade! You can't see it.] The whole time they were having their conversation, she had been worried about the jade being found out. His well-being came third. Keeping her life was her second concern. Of course she would never tell him this.
"Start with my arm," he sat down, pulling her towards him. With one hand holding the jade, she used her free hand to massage his arm awkwardly. She half-halfheartedly massaged his arm. "Use the other hand too" he wasn't comfortable with her just using one hand. There wasn't enough pressure.
Yu Mei put her free hand behind her back, this time holding the jade. With her left hand, she massaged his arm again. "Aish! Yu Mei! Do you not understand Chinese? I didn't say use the other hand, I meant for you to use both hands," he was irritated. Coming to her place was never easy. [What do you want me to do? I can't use both hands. *wuwuwu*] Yu Mei was at a loss for words. She could only stop massaging him and look at him once again with those pitiful eyes.
Seeing that she wasn't going to obey his words, he was set to teach her himself. He reached towards her, catching her right arm. He faster than her. Yu Mei didn't even get a chance to react when he tugged her arm. She pulled away. "Your highness, you are not a gentleman. Let go, I'm hurt," Yu Mei desperately said.
"If you're hurt, give me both of your hands," he replied back. [You won't budge? Fine!] Seeing how stubborn Yu Mei was being, he tugged once more but with a bit of force. Her little body was no match for his strength. Before she could think of something, her right hand was lifted in a 90'degree angle by his powerful hand. Yu Mei looked at the ground and wrinkled her nose. She was caught. The jade was now directly in Pei Nan's view.