Zhao Xiuying was rendered speechless by the mermaid's cluelessness. The creature either didn't know anything about the prince or just didn't know when she was crossing the line.
Following consort Fei Huang's death, prince Zhen Feng had barely — if ever — mentioned his mother's name. Moreover, whenever someone would speak about Madame Fei Huang, the prince's mood would become difficult and his aura oppressive.
But while some would believe his silence and harshness to be a symptom of his unfeeling and strict personality, Zhao Xiuying knew that the crown prince's reaction to Consort Fei's death was driven by his deep attachment and love for his mother.
Zhao Xiuying's admiration and infatuation for the prince were profoundly engraved in her heart. She respected his typical lofty and indifferent countenance as much as she loved the rare moments when he displayed emotions.
Even if this mermaid creature had had the opportunity to spend a few months with the prince, it couldn't compare with all those years that Xiuying had stayed by his side. After all, Xiuying was the person who understood the crown prince the best. With this thought in mind, she regained her composure.
It was only after the prince's response to the mermaid's words that Xiuying realized her assumptions might have been wrong:
"Hn." Zhen Feng answered without a trace of dissatisfaction or acidity in his tone. His eyes were still glued to the scroll he held in his hands.
Mei's tender smile lingered on her face. She was pleased with Zhen Feng's reply. It made her feel closer to this person she was beginning to wish she had met.
After pondering on Zhao Xiuying's previous words for some time, Lin Mei decided to retrieve the warm teacup she had set on the table. If his mother's ginseng tea was his favorite, then the tea she had prepared for him would probably not be comparable to the one Miss Zhao had brewed.
When she was about to grab back the celadon teacup, a large strong hand circled her wrist in a firm but very gentle manner, as if trying not to hurt the skin on her slightly swollen joint. Mei looked up to meet the eyes of the person holding her forearm captive.
Zhen Feng was very displeased when he complained:
"This crown prince has been waiting for half a day for you to bring in the tea and now you are taking it away? Are you seeking punishment?"
Both women in the room were taken aback by the prince's implication.
Zhen Feng was finally looking straight into Ni Ni's eyes, his expression serious and slightly irked. Did this woman have no sense of responsibility? Did she not remember how he had ordered her to serve him tea every day? He had been waiting for over half a day already. Did she not care that he would be thirsty?
Although a little surprised, Lin Mei was also very happy with Zhen Feng's reaction. Knowing that he would still prefer to drink her tea over Zhao Xiuying's, she could only smile brighter.
Ni Ni's sincere smile had a powerful effect on Zhen Feng's heart and he felt his anger dissipating into a warm feeling in his chest. Wanting to suppress this overwhelming emotion, he immediately released her arm and reached for the cup of tea instead. He then took a few sips of the beverage and returned to the scroll he had been studying.
A stunned Zhao Xiuying watched the two as her heart quenched in pain. She so wished that she could grab the green teacup and splash all of its contents on the treacherous mermaid. Sadly, she could only remain quiet and endure.
Mei took one of the sweet pastries from the plate and strode towards two bookcases standing near the large window that framed the beautiful view of the garden outside.
At first, she thought about digging through the scrolls in search of any information regarding the magic bracelet the prince had placed on her. However, she soon gave up on the idea, realizing that Zhen Feng wouldn't leave such a document somewhere she could easily have access to.
Still, she peeked at the titles of a few bamboo slips in an attempt to find herself something to read. Among the scrolls about the arts of war, weaponry, and national history, Mei picked one on the history of the relationship between humans and mermen.
According to what had been written, the conflict between the two races had stemmed from the murder of a human crown prince by a merman king.
Humans from the Zhen empire and mermen from the Pristine Ocean had been at peace for many years. However, about five hundred years ago, a human crown prince had been invited to attend an amicable feast in the Peaceful Palace, a place that had been purposely built on land near the coastline, so as to serve as a neutral place where human and mermen nobility and royalty could mingle and discuss sociopolitical matters.
From this point on, what had been written in the scroll differed severely from the story that Mei had heard growing up. As it appeared, what had been engraved in human history was that when they had arrived at the banquet, mermen had prepared a trap that killed most of the humans, including the human crown prince.
As for the reasons for this cold-blooded betrayal, humans believed it to have been caused by the growing tension between fishermen and sailors, and the mermen. No clear cause was ever uncovered.
Mei was not surprised at the discrepancy between the two stories. Nevertheless, she turned her head to face Fen Zheng, who was now writing and said:
"Your historical record of what happened five hundred years ago between our races is extremely different from what we learn in the sea."
Intrigued, Zhen Feng raised his head to look at the mermaid and waited for her to speak again.
"In our version of the story, the human crown prince had violently defiled and murdered a noble mermaid from a sacred bloodline. The mermen king decided to punish the prince but as soon as he was apprehended, the humans turned hostile and injured our people." Mei told Zhen Feng.
"No one wants to hear the lies your people have come up with to explain your atrocities." Zhao Xiuying intervened.
Lin Mei was yet another time annoyed by the prejudiced human female that couldn't seem to tolerate her presence. Not wanting to engage with the woman again, Mei tried to keep her composure. But before Lin Mei could even calm herself down, Zhao Xiuying interjected once again:
"Miss Bai, women don't interfere with political affairs here on land. Also, nobody is allowed to casually touch the books in the prince's study. Although you are a mermaid, you should be mindful that you are staying here as a guest, amongst humans. It is only natural that you should follow our rules." A smug smile slowly crept across Zhao Xiuying's face.
"You are correct in saying that I am here as a guest. I am not here as a prisoner and have no obligation to adopt your principles and follow your every rule just because I'm staying here for a few months. If my behavior is not pleasant to you, I am more than willing to leave." After making her stance clear, Mei swiftly left the room, passing by an older gentleman at the door. Irked as she was, she didn't greet the man and directly left the room.
"What a mannerless woman." Zhao Xiuying mumbled, peering at the crown prince to observe his reaction. Unfortunately, the man remained expressionless.
Hu Cheng arrived after the male guest and informed the prince:
"Your highness, minister Zhao is here to see you."
"Your highness, I came to discuss the construction of the new canal in the region of Xu." Zhao Zixin said as he greeted the prince with a bow. He seemed taken aback by his encounter with the extremely beautiful female guest that had passed him by.
"Zhao Zixin, you may come over. Have a seat." The crown prince uttered, his face unreadable.
Minister Zhao did as the prince commanded, and sat on a kneeling mat next to a wooden table close to the prince's. After collecting himself, he looked at his daughter, signaling her that it was time for her to leave.
Zhao Xiuying stood up, paid her respects to the prince, and silently left the study. As she neared the doors, she heard the prince inform her:
"Zhao Xiuying, you don't need to come to my study from now on."