Once Wei Mudan was certain that there were no other unpleasant intruders, she slipped back into her bed. With a small puff, she blew out the candle next to her, plunging the room into darkness.
Shifting around on her bed, she kept one hand on the hilt of her sword, and went to sleep.
The morning sunlight streaming through the window casted a warm glow onto Wei Mudan's sleeping body. She stirred, her delicate lashes fluttering lightly.
Like a switch, she sat up in bed abruptly. A grimace crossed her face as the dizziness threatened to overtake her. She reached to her side--
Where was her sword?
Adrenaline flooded into her body as soon as that thought crossed her mind. It took a few moments before she registered the soft scent of porridge and her sword on it's rack, freshly polished.
Humming. A light, cheery sound. Wei Mudan turned towards the source.
Hua'er sat on a chair nearby. Her nimble fingers threaded through the fabric, each stitch precise and delicate.
Wei Mudan took a few deep breaths. How long had it been since she last slept in a comfortable bed? As a soldier, she was trained to be up and out of her tent in record time. There was no porridge waiting for her; half the time she would be lucky to down some cold noodles from the night before.
How long had it been since she was home?
"Home."
It felt weird on her tongue. She had not considered any place as home, but rather, where her loved ones were. Hua'er was here, so Wei Mudan was... home. However, without the one she loved the most, her home was incomplete.
Her brother, the most important person to her life. The one who she would sacrifice her life for, just to get him back. The reason why she was fighting so bitterly, shedding parts of herself to become something powerful.
Powerful enough to find the lost Prince Wei Xianyu.
"Miss. Breakfast is there," Hua'er reminded, her fingers not pausing once as the needle danced about.
Wei Mudan swallowed the sudden wave of sadness and nodded, reaching towards the bowl.
The fragrant meat peeked out from the white porridge, steam still billowing out from the bowl. Fresh green onions were scattered on the top, along with pieces of black century eggs.
In other words, a dish that she hadn't had in a long time.
A small smile graced her features as she began eating.
"Has the Drooping Moon Palace received my note?" she asked between mouthfuls of porridge.
With a light flick of her blade, Hua'er cut the thread attached to the needle and set it aside carefully.
"Yes, Miss." Hua'er paused for a second. "Is Miss sure she wants to trust those from the Drooping Moon Palace?"
Wei Mudan nodded. "Her help will greatly hasten our plans."
"But if she were to reveal it..." Hua'er said, wringing her hands as a frown crossed her face.
"She will not. I have my trust in her, for now."
Hua'er sighed softly. Whatever she said now would not change her Princess's mind.
"It is time for Miss to go greet the Empress, along with the other Princes and Princesses, as well as the members of the imperial harem."
Wei Mudan groaned.
Battlefields she could cope with, but the scheming within the inner palace was another beast indeed... All the sweet words hiding daggers behind their smiles, and all of them clamouring for favour with an old coot who was honestly, far older than most of the women in his harem.
She shuddered.
Greeting the Empress was a sign of respect. If she did not go, there would only be more reason for the consorts - not to mention, the Empress - to target her.
Nevertheless, like a true soldier, she would have to grit her teeth and make her way to greet Mother of the World.
A few minutes later, after a few harsh tugging on her waist by Hua'er and severe complaining from Wei Mudan, they were ready to leave.
Wei Mudan's dress was a pale green, decorated with light pink lilies and cut into the current fashion suitable towards those in the inner court.
"Would Miss prefer for me to call a litter?" Hua'er asked, helping Wei Mudan through the door.
Wei Mudan shook her head. "A walk would be nice."
"Miss, your shoes will be ruined."
Wei Mudan grimaced. The soft satin shoes were fine inside and on the elevated wooden floors, but wouldn't survive long journeying through the many gardens.
Hua'er left to call upon a litter.
The hairs on the back of Wei Mudan's neck prickled.
"Jiang Cheng," she greeted coldly. A flicker of annoyance crossed her face.
"Princess." Jiang Cheng's ever present smirk emerged from behind. "You look as radiant as the flowers on your dress."
Before Wei Mudan spoke another word, Jiang Cheng put up his hands in surrender.
"Don't snap at me Princess. Complimenting a pretty lady is part of my blood."
She rolled her eyes. "Papers?" she asked, holding out an expectant hand.
Jiang Cheng slipped a paper containing a land deed and an address to her. "Here as you wish."
Wei Mudan nodded.
It seems like this flirtatious fool could still do his job decently, even with the tests she put up for him.
"You passed. Go tell the old man Yue I'll be visiting him soon," she ordered, handing back the land deed.
Jiang Cheng gritted his teeth, but still bowed in front of Wei Mudan. She rapped his head with her knuckles, causing the man to rub at his head and flashing a look of betrayal to her.
"No violence. We are all allies...for now."
Hua'er soon appeared around the edge of the corridor, her pace brisk. The two girls shared eye contact and Wei Mudan made her way to the front of her palace, where the litter stood with several servants waiting.