Just as the sun was rising, Pei Nan was already standing at the exit gate in a blue commoner's robe saying his farewells. Everyone was there, Fei Ning, Ji Er and Ming Yan. They didn't forget to put on make-up and make themselves look beautiful before meeting him.
Fei Ning was the first to make a move as she held onto his hand and placed a red lucky charm pouch in his hand. "Your highness, I made this lucky charm for you. It'll protect you on the long journey to Lian." Pei Nan grasped tightly onto the charm as he thanked her. Ming Yan waited for her turn before she walked up to him and with the brightest smile, she wished him a good journey. She wasn't as prepared as Fei Ning, thus she did not bring a gift. "When your highness gets back, i will make you your favorite dishes." MIng Yan continued to speak.
"En. I look forward to it."
Lastly, Ji Er went up to him and held onto his hand gently. "Return quickly." was all she said before letting him go. Of the three, she was the least affectionate.
Even as Pei Nan got on his horse, he kept looking in the distance towards the hall. Even when his consorts were speaking earlier, his eyes could not stop glancing over towards the south side As if waiting for something or someone...
Meanwhile Pan Yu Mei was in her room busily putting on her male attire. The mischievous Pan Yu Mei could not wait to leave the palace. It was barely morning but she was up. She had been too excited to sleep any longer. Just imagining all the street food she would be able to taste made her mouth water.
She was dressed in a commoner's tan robe with a high ponytail. After finishing up, she impatiently sat and waited...and waited. Yu Mei had no clue when Pei Nan was leaving and so she kept waiting until she was sure he was gone. If she had gone to see him, she would have known that Pei Nan had left thirty minutes ago.
Without much worry, Yu Mei placed a stool in front of the back window, stepping on as she opened the window. One foot on the window sill, Yu Mei was ready to leap out. Luckily her room was very low level. She could jump out the window without breaking a sweat. She was about to sneak out through the back without being noticed. It would have worked if it wasn't for Chu'mei running and screaming like a maniac.
"XIAOJIE!" Just in time, Chu'mei had opened Yu Mei's bedroom door. At the speed of light, she ran towards her lady. Yu Mei placed her other foot on the window sill about to jump but was caught by Chu'mei. Chu'mei was panting as her arm was stretched out, holding tightly onto Yu Mei's belt.
"Chu'mei! Let go." Yu Mei turned back angrily.
"You can't Xiaojie." She shook her head.
"This is the only time I can go play. Let go." She let one of her hands off of the window as she tugged the other side of her belt. Chu'mei tugged. Yu Mei tugged. "Let go of me."
"You can't or else we'll both be in trouble. The empress has requested your presence." Chu'mei blurted out.
[Empress?] Yu Mei was caught by surprise, she even loosened her grip on her belt. Chu'mei on the other hand was pulling with much force. She had no clue her lady was going to let go. "Ahhhhh!" Chu'mei's eyes widened in horror as a flailing Yu Mei was coming down on her. *Crash* Chu'mei fell, Yu Mei fell.
A pitiful Yu Mei opened her eyes after realizing she was okay. {I'm not hurt? How can it be?]
"Xiaojie, you are too heavy. Get off me." If she was pitiful, what did that make little Chu'mei who was used as a cushion.
"Chu'mei, are you okay?" Yu Mei quickly got off her. She held her hand to help Chu'mei up. "You make a pretty good cushion. I'm not hurt." Chu'mei pouted as she watched her lady double check herself for any injuries. How could her lady have the time to joke?
Once the two of them came back to their senses, Chu'mei finally remembered why she had come into her lady's room in the first place. "Her highness wants to take all her daughter-in-laws to town. Including you."
Yu Mei frowned when she heard this. Surely she misheard. "Why?"
"I don't know either but I was told you have you wear these clothes." Chu'mei went down and picked up the tray she threw a while ago when she saw Yu Mei half way out the window. Yu Mei looked at it. It was a very simple and plain lavender garment. "Does she want to stay low-key?" that was the only possible explanation to explain the clothing choice.
"I don't know either."
"Forget it." Yu Mei picked up the garment. "It doesn't matter. I'm getting to go out. It's been a while. I don't care what that woman wants." With a very optimistic outlook, she quickly changed into the garment and headed over to the main gate. Everyone was there. But they were all dressed in fine silk. The moment she saw the smug look on the empress's face, she had figured out the situation. Clearly this mother-in-law of hers wanted to make her feel inferior compared to Pei Nan's other consorts. Luckily she didn't care about being inferior to others. Whatever her mother-in-law wanted to do, she would just go along with it. Her mood could not be brought down. Especially since she was going out. With a cheerful smile on her face, she continued to make her way.
"Greetings to mother."
"Consort Pan, you are late. What did I say about keeping us held up? What an ill-mannered child." Empress Ping didn't forget to reprimand her. Yu Mei could hear the soft giggle coming from behind the empress. It was none other than Ming Yan and Fei Ning. Chu'mei wanted to punch them a few times to alieve the wrong her lady just received.
"Mother is right. I will remember."
Yu Mei had been so focused on her mother-in-law that she didn't see another person standing at the side. A very calm Gu Shao walked towards her. [You're here?] Of course Gu Shao was here. Unlike her, he actually showed up to bid farewell to his brother. "Greetings sister-in-law," in a very polite voice he spoke. "Greetings." She nodded her head. She hated to act polite with him but what could they do when all eyes were on them. If she could, she would have lightly punched his arm as a friendly gesture and greet him happily.
"Yu Mei, Shao is coming along with us. No need to bring your maid. Less people to worry about." The empress bluntly spoke to her. Chu'mei looked at her lady sadly. She wanted to go out too. She was also thinking about eating good. Now her mood had dropped to a terrible negative.
"As you wish." Yu Mei grit her teeth as she spoke those words. How could she not take her other half with her. This mother-in-law wanted to make things difficult for her.
"Good. If that is clear. Let's set out."
The carriage was big enough to fit all six of them snugly. On one side was the empress, Gu Shao on the left and Fei Ning on the right. That left the empty side for Yu Mei, Ji Er and Ming Yan. Ji Er sat in the middle because she knew Ming Yan didn't like Yu Mei very much. Gu Shao's two body guards were with them as they guided the carriage into town.
It hadn't even been a minute since leaving when Fei Ning started acting like the perfect daughter. "Mother, it is getting cold these days. I brought muff warmers for you in case you got cold." The bag she was carrying earlier was untied. One red and one black muff warmer was hidden inside the bag. Empress Ping looked pleased as she saw the fine silk materials and cotton used.
"Fei Ning, you are always thinking about my health unlike someone. Thank you." The empress gladly took the red muff warmer from Fei Ning. Yu Mei pretended as if she didn't hear. That comment was towards her but so what? She was here to have fun, not listen to her mother-in-law's constant blabbering.
Fei Ning grabbed the black muff warmer and leaned over slightly. "Brother Shao, I brought you one too." She sweetly looked at him. A surprised Gu Shao happily took it from her. He was used to her always giving him things. In the past, whenever she gave Pei Nan something, she would also make/give him one too. "Thank you." His voice was a pitch higher than usual, which usually meant someone was extremely happy or satisfied. "It's no problem. I planned on bringing Brother Shao one to begin with." She sounded very innocent, to the point where Yu Mei almost burst out in tears of laughter. Which sane person would fall for such a fake gesture?
After receiving the muff warmer, Gu Shao couldn't help but think; Fei Ning was both beautiful and considerate. "Sister Fei Ning is truly thoughtful. No wonder his highness favors you as a sister-in-law." Ming Yan teased. The four of them talked among themselves as if Ji Er and Yu Mei didn't exist.
It didn't matter because Ji Er and Yu Mei were quietly whispering among themselves.
"Sister Yu Mei, what are you wearing by the way?" The moment Ji Er saw Yu Mei earlier, she was already questioning why Yu Mei was dressed as plain as a commoner.
"Ask your mother-in-law." She sarcastically replied.
"Don't tell me she is up to something again?" Ji Er was worried for Yu Mei. It was no surprise. Empress Ping was never fond of Yu Mei to begin with.
"We'll find out…"
(To be continued...) ^______^