It was as if Gu Shao planned it. Not even ten minutes after Pei Nan left did Gu Shao make his appearance. Yu Mei had barely just sat down for more than a few minutes.
Dressed in a white robe with a white fur cloak, Gu Shao looked heavenly yet very charming. Unlike Pei Nan who always wore dark colors. Which was fine since it matched his arrogant and spiteful character.
Chu'mei had barely recovered from her lady and Pei Nan's close interaction, now there was another suitor. When did her lady become so popular? Yu Mei could read it all over Chu'mei's face. "Chu'mei, why don't you prepare some snacks for us?"
"Oh!" she was sent away once again.
As Chu'mei walked past Prince Shao, she bowed. Once she left, Gu Shao made his way over to Yu Mei. Every step was light, as if he was walking on air. He was the definition of elegant.
"Brother Shao!" Yu Mei cheerfully called out as she stood up from the stool and hurriedly walked over to him. Gu Shao was about to help support her when he thought about her sprained ankle. Who knew she would be walking just fine. In fact, she was literally skipping over to him as if proving she was all healed. "Brother Xu, you…when did you get better?" Gu Shao was left speechless. Didn't the doctor say it would take at least 2 weeks? She still had a few more days.
Yu Mei stretched both her arms out and spun around for him to see. "I'm okay now."
"That's great news!"
"Of course it is. I can finally walk again. I'll never take my legs for granted again."
Her eyes naturally went down to the wine jar in his hand. "Is that for me?" she curiously pointed at it. Gu Shao slightly put it behind him. "I planned on drinking with you to brighten your mood but since you are better now, I better go." Gu Shao proceeded to turn away.
"Brother Shao, how can you be so cruel? Hmph!" she stomped her feet as she complained. Gu Shao scrunched his nose happily as he turned back to look at her dissatisfied face. He knew she wasn't going to let him leave just like that. He knew her enough to know that. He had the urge to tease her just now.
"How am I cruel? I came to visit an injured patient. Now that you aren't a patient anymore, I have no reason to stay." Gu Shao tried to speak as calm as he could but it was so hard to keep his laughter in. Especially since he saw how annoyed she looked.
"Aiya! My ankle." Yu Mei quickly bent down to touch her ankle. "I don't think it's healed yet. Aiyooo~" her fake reaction was really too terrible, even Gu Shao cringed.
"Okay, you can stop now." He walked up to her and knocked her forehead lightly. "Silly girl, what can't you do for food and drinks?"
*Hehehe* She smiled like a naughty child being caught. "Can we have a drink now?"
Gu Shao shook his head. What was he supposed to do with her?
"Let's drink outside. I found a perfect spot." Yu Mei couldn't keep her excitement in. She grabbed Gu Shao by the wrist and dragged him outside. It was as if Gu Shao didn't want to go. Yu Mei felt she had to use a lot of force to drag him. Unknown to her, he had been looking at her hand on his wrist the whole time. She was bold. He was taken aback at how daring she was. But for some reason, he couldn't tell her to let go. As if he secretly liked it.
Yu Mei finally stopped.
They were back in the center of the blossom trees where she and Pei Nan were. "Isn't it beautiful?" No matter how many times she looked at the scene, it was beautiful. Drinking wine on a layer of pink sounded romantic. But why wasn't Shao replying. Yu Mei who still had her back turned finally faced him. She immediately let go of his hand the moment she saw how unpleasant his expression was.
"Brother Shao…are you okay? I didn't mean to hold your hand; I was just too excited just now. Surely you're not mad, right?"
"Do you hold other men's hand like this?"
"Just you." Yu Mei thought it was a strange question. She would never have guessed that he felt protective of her. He was relieved she didn't say yes or else he didn't know how he was going to react. "Good. I'm glad you are sensible enough to not hold another man's hand." He lightly scolded her as he took a seat on the ground. Yu Mei quickly sat down across from him. She watched as he took off the red cover. The scent was strong but wonderful. It had been a long time since she has had good wine.
Gu Shao grabbed the wine jar with both hands and chugged quite a bit before holding it towards Yu Mei. She happily took the large jar from his hand. It was about the size of her face. Seeing so much wine, anyone women would be intimidated but not for Yu Mei. She just gulped it down as if it was water. Shao arched his brow in amazement.
Yu Mei set the jar down as she wiped the excess wine off her lips. "Brother Shao is really too good. This wine is quite tasteful."
"It's sent from the far west. You are the first person to receive such an honor."
"I'm flattered. I must thank you for this honor." She placed her hand on her stomach and did a front bow. The two continued to enjoy the wine in silence as they engrossed in the scenery. Only after the jar was half empty did Gu Shao pull out his flute from his sleeve. Yu Mei's eyes naturally followed his movement. She raised her brow curiously. "Brother Shao, I bet if you bring a woman to this place, have some wine and play the flute, she would fall for you. So romantic~" Yu Mei put her hands together and thought about it. How she wished she was wooed like this. How romantic would it be.
"Should I woo you then?"
Yu Mei looked at him suspiciously. He was clearly teasing her.
"Stop teasing me. How can I compare to the women you fancy."
"Women I fancy?"
"En. Don't you like beautiful and elegant women like Fei Ning?"
Her guess made him chuckle. Beauty and elegance? That was what he thought too but when it was spoken by Yu Mei, it didn't sound so good.
"Can you play a tune for me?" Yu Mei looked at him eagerly.
"But I'm not wooing you." Hearing this, she frowned. "But...if you dance, I'll play." he suggested. This made Yu Mei pout her lips. Dancing? She could barely speak like a lady, what makes him think she could dance. She was about to turn it down. Gu Shao sensed this just from her sulking face. "Just one dance. I promise I won't laugh."
"Fine but you better not laugh." She pointed at him.
"I promise."
Once she heard him promise, she stood up. It was only Gu Shao, she didn't need to feel embarrassed. She stood in front of him and fixed her dress quickly before setting both her hands in front of her stomach. Gu Shao also sat up straight and elegantly placed the jade flute on his lips as he began. Once the slow gentle melody began, Yu Mei tried to follow the rhythm. She was thankful it was a slow melody. Her arms gently swayed left and right, her sleeve flowing with the wind. The hem of her pink dress made wavy circles as she made slow twirls. Her dancing was far from good but wasn't bad either. She was neither elegant nor beautiful yet she was able to make Gu Shao's heart flutter in those short few minutes. Shao's eyes never left her for a second. Yu Mei too had her eyes on him the whole time but she was clearly illuminating with cheerfulness while Gu Shao was feeling more than that. He was mesmerized. Mesmerized by this very ordinary woman in front of him.
As the song ended, Yu Mei made a soft leap as her sleeves twirled in the air before making a land on one knee. Her moves were rough, anyone else would have criticized her but Shao was different.
Gu Shao moved the flute away from his lips slowly like a fool. Half way through the tune, he had secretly wished it never ended.
Yu Mei lifted her head up and let out another wide smile. "How was it?" she happily asked as she walked back to him. "You're speechless right?" she once again pointed at him when she saw the blank look. Gu Shao cleared his throat and looked away. "Average. You need more work but passable."
Yu Mei took it as a compliment. This was the first time she had danced for anyone. She had only seen the girls in the brothel dance those two times. She was surprised herself that she had gotten the moves down quite alright.
Time went by, soon an hour had gone by but the snacks hadn't arrived yet. Earlier when Yu Mei was dancing, she started to become hungry.
She looked around but Chu'mei was nowhere to be found. "My snacks aren't here yet. Let me go get Chu'mei."
"It's okay. I've got things to settle. I will leave for today."
"Okay then." She said half disappointingly. It was as if he had just got here. Now he was leaving?
Gu Shao stood up. He was about to leave but suddenly stopped and stared at Yu Mei as if she had done something wrong. She was just standing there. *Cough* "Ahem, shouldn't you be sending the guest out?"
[Guest my butt] Yu Mei rolled her eyes at him. He was someone she knew, how could he be so thick skinned to call himself a guest. It was a good thing she liked him or else he would be getting an earful.
"Yes your highness," she said sarcastically as she walked him out.
The two of them stood at the exit gate. Gu Shao was reluctant to leave. "Is something wrong?" she asked.
"This is probably the last time I can freely visit you. Now that I've got no reason to see you, it might be hard to see you." He finally let out the internal problem in his heart. Yu Mei on the other hand didn't think too much of his comment. She only pat him lightly on the arm. "You make it sound like it's so hard to meet me. There will be many chances to meet in the future. You are my brother in law, how can we not be able to see each other." She reassured him.
"En. You are right. Hopefully I'll see you soon then." Gu Shao bid her farewell.
Each step he took away from her southern palace was like a stab to his heart. He didn't know when his heart had wanted to stay. Stay with her.