Fei Ning couldn't wait to tattle on Yu Mei. The paintbrush imprint was left on her face as she waited at his palace. Her anger only increased when she found out he wasn't in the palace.
Early in the morning he was summoned to the Grand Palace. There was news regarding the enemy state of Lian making a move towards the city. From morning until night, high officials were giving out reports along with plans on how to counter.
This matter would take days to settle. He would be staying at the Grand Palace.
It was only in the afternoon that same day did everyone find out about Pei Nan's stay. Who brought the news?
The empress.
Accompanied by Prince Shao, they made a visit.
All four consorts gathered at the main hall to greet the empress and Gu Shao. Like usual, Fei Ning dressed to impress with a bright pink tunic and pearl accessories whereas Ming Yan chose a light yellow tunic adorned with golden hairpins. Yu Mei and Ji Er were thinking along the same line. They both wore white tunics and simple pearl adornments.
Gu Shao's eyes never strayed from Yu Mei the moment she entered the room. When she smiled at him, he felt his heart skip a beat. He was truly possessed. Possessed by a fairy.
***
The empress kindly talked to everyone and told them about Pei Nan's stay at the Grand Palace. She didn't go further into the war details since it was not proper for ladies to discuss.
Unknowingly, she had showed more affection towards Yu Mei than usual. It wasn't obvious unless someone was observing...
No doubt Fei Ning caught it right away. Her hands were under the table gripping tightly onto her handkerchief.
Halfway through the conversation, Yu Mei offered to go make her majesty's favorite tea. The empress declined but Yu Mei insisted. Gu Shao also took this chance to offer his help. The empress not thinking much of this let the two of them go.
Fei Ning's eyes were burning with jealousy and anger as she watched the two leave side by side. She wanted to tear Yu Mei into shreds.
***
Yu Mei and Gu Shao were slowly making their way to the kitchen. Gu Shao put his hands behind his back and smiled. "It's been a while since I last saw you. You've gotten much prettier." He teased out of nowhere.
"I hear you tell all the girls that. How do I know if you are telling the truth or not?" Yu Mei jokingly called him out. How could she be pretty when she's gained weight the last time he saw her. All she did was eat and eat and eat. She would surely know if someone was lying to her.
He chuckled.
"Oh? And who did you hear that from? Pei Nan?"
Yu Mei stopped and turned. She made such a sudden stop that Gu Shao almost ran into her. He even wanted to run into her on purpose. But the gentleman side of him stopped him.
She seriously looked at him, examining that carefree smile on his face. "He knows, doesn't he?"
Gu Shao nodded. He didn't need to ask her for the details. He already knew it was about the pendant.
"And the bracelet?"
He nodded once more.
Yu Mei sighed loudly.
"I'm sorry, it was my fault. I was going to return the bracelet but Pei Nan somehow spotted it first." he lied.
Yu Mei bit her lips. She knew it wasn't Gu Shao's fault. Pei Nan was always making random surprise visits. It wasn't something Shao could have predicted.
"I don't blame you. He was bound to find out." she paused.
Gu Shao was confused now. If she didn't mind him finding out, why did she look so distressed. It didn't take long before he found his answer. She depressingly spoke. "The real problem is that I lied to him. He knew I was lying to him. I'm dead for sure." her shoulders slumped sadly.
"You lied to him?" Gu Shao was curious as to why she lied. It couldn't be because she liked him...right?
Yu Mei crossed her arms in frustration. It was like going back to square one once again. "Why else would I lie? I was protecting you." She pointed her finger at him, throwing all her frustration at him.
Gu Shao couldn't keep the delight in his heart a secret. His lips turned into a silly curve. "You were protecting me?" He pointed to himself. "Am I hearing it right? Me?"
She arched her brow.
"Why are you so happy? Shouldn't you fear for your life? What if Pei Nan is plotting on getting rid of both of us?"
"No way!" he assured her. "I know Pei Nan better than anyone. He wouldn't. Especially since he…" he stopped himself before revealing Pei Nan's real feelings towards her.
"He what?" Yu Mei was now curious. How could he cut off like that?
Gu Shao quickly played it off with a playful smile. He grabbed her shoulders and turned her around. "Don't you have to make tea? How long do you plan on making mother wait?" he pushed her forward.
***
The few days that Pei Nan was gone, Yu Mei got news about the current situation regarding Lian. The Xi army had successfully defended the small city of An against the enemy. Many people were celebrating in the city once they heard of the victorious win.
Everyone in the palace was also celebrating too. All but Yu Mei. She was sitting outside her room with both elbows on the table and head resting on her palms as she stared towards the blue skies.
Of course she was happy for Pei Nan's victory but she was still feeling anxious. The lie she told him was slowly eating her away. She needed to tell him but he wasn't here. That was the thing driving her crazy. She didn't want him to have any crazy thoughts about why she lied to him. Like…liking Prince Shao.
After sitting in one position for half the day, she couldn't sit anymore. Her little feet somehow wondered to Pei Nan's study room. The six maids along with Chu'mei who accompanied her were quickly dismissed. She wanted to be alone.
Yu Mei stopped in front of the steps and looked at the closed doors.
Her lips pursed into a pout.
When was he coming back? She had to admit, she missed seeing his stern face. She realized how boring the palace was without his constant threats and bickering.
It seemed like eternity as she kept looking at the doors as if possessed.
Suddenly she turned her head towards the bushes. Something was there. Her eyes went wide in horror. The rustling became louder and louder. Tiger? Tiger in the palace?
Whatever was in there was slowly surfacing.
Yu Mei screamed the moment the thing jumped out.
It was a person
Yu Mei plucked up her courage as she slowly made her way over. When she got close enough, she recognized the clothing.
Xi Army.
But the clothing was of much finer quality and the person lying on the ground had a silver vest armor on. Which could only mean one thing…
A general. Not just any general, a high ranking general.
Seeing that the person was one of her own, she rushed over. Yu Mei bent down and placed her hands around the person's shoulders, carefully raising them up slightly.
She gasped.
"General Xia?"