On the day after her second aggravating encounter with the young lady from the Zhao family, Lin Mei chose not to visit Zhen Feng's study. Since he had someone else to serve him tea, Mei wouldn't be needed.
Mei spent her morning replanning her escape. Although she didn't have the map with her anymore, she had memorized the best route to the sea: a combination of the most rapid but least obvious pathways. She would have to walk part of the way since humans weren't allowed close to the bay she had chosen to enter the sea and thus, she wouldn't find any coachman willing to accompany her that far. There were a few mermen stationed in barracks built near the border to guard it against human trespassing, but there probably wouldn't be any transportation ready to use to get back to the sea. Even so, at least she could stay there for a night and spare some bucks on lodging.
She had to save some change whenever it was possible. Even if she still had a few pearls that she could trade for coins or use directly in exchange for accommodation, food, and transportation, the silk map had cost her quite a lot. And, in addition to the pearls she had donated to the child that Lui Ting had tried to help in the past, Mei had also spent some of them on clothes for herself and her friend.
She would also have to check if the spot that Lui Ting had told her about near the eucalyptus tree was still as unguarded as before.
But whenever she thought of leaving, Lin Mei couldn't stop her heart from feeling agitated and somewhat upset. Mei knew that she had grown attached to the cold and lofty human crown prince that just one day ago had done nothing to defend her in front of the new female guest.
Lin Mei had found herself wishing that Zhen Feng had shooed the woman away for being so disrespectful and hostile towards her. Not so much because she needed to be protected but more so because she wanted to know where she stood in the prince's heart. But Zhen Feng had stood quietly unbothered without so much as saying a word in her favor. Even if she could ultimately respect and understand his stance, somehow Mei still felt aggrieved.
Realizing that her place in his heart wasn't very big brought her some sadness, enough to motivate her to rearrange her travel plans to return home. Lin Mei hadn't gone back for over half a year. Her family was used to her being absent for long periods of time but they would soon become worried if she didn't send them a message.
Zhen Feng had allowed her to communicate with her relatives, but he would surely check the contents of the letter and it would have to be sent to the Bai house — Ni Ni's actual family — instead of hers. If the Bai clan received such a message, it would be more confusing than helpful.
♔ ♔ ♔
It was already quite dim outside when Lin Mei heard a firm knock on her door. Mei promptly went to open the doors, thinking it must be Liu Ting.
"Miss Bai Ni Ni." Hu Cheng greeted. "His Majesty requests your presence."
"Me? At this time?" Lin Mei asked, surprised by the unexpected turn of events.
"Yes, His Highness personally instructed me to lead you to him." He answered. He extended his right hand to indicate the way. "This way, miss Bai."
Lin Mei followed Hu Cheng all the way from Cloudy courtyard to the entrance of the residence. When they were almost at the gate, Hu Cheng stopped beside a wide wooden closed carriage with two very large wheels, pulled by two magnificent dark-brown horses. In the front, a coachman was sitting patiently, keeping the horses still. Hu Cheng turned around to face the mermaid.
"Miss Bai, you may go inside." He said as he looked at her.
Lin Mei slightly bowed her head to ensure the man that she had understood him and stepped onto the vehicle without any help. Mei lifted the white curtain separating the interior and exterior of the carriage and took a few steps inside, spotting a man who was sitting very elegantly on the couch.
As soon as the mermaid arrived, Zhen Feng ordered the coachman to start the journey.
Lin Mei sat directly across from Zhen Feng and looked inquisitively at the man. However, even after a long time, the blank-faced human didn't make a sound, so she could only give up her incessant stare.
This time, the silence between the two made Lin Mei a little nervous, so she started playing with her hands. The minutes passed by but the serious man in front of her remained mute. She began to wonder if she had done something to annoy him and, more importantly, where they were going.
When she had finally made up her mind to ask about these questions, the prince suddenly spoke first:
"Who allowed you to take a day off?" He questioned. His voice was serene but had a hint of danger.
"I am afraid I don't understand the question." Mei replied. She tried to maintain her composure, but when she caught the menace in Zhen Feng's tone, she immediately became more anxious, feeling her muscles tense up.
"This crown prince was under the impression that you had agreed to serve me tea every day in order to atone for trespassing a few months ago." Zhen Feng explained expressionlessly. "Yesterday you arrived late and today you did not show up altogether. Should this crown prince assume that you would prefer to be punished instead?" He proposed with his eyebrows slightly furrowing in discontent.
Lin Mei was stunned by his words but quickly regained her calm to respond:
"My apologies Your Highness." She hastily voiced with her head bowed, hoping to appease him. However, after only a few seconds, she decided to change her approach. She remembered that the prince seemed to prefer it when she called his name. "Zhen Feng, I apologize." Mei said more informally as she looked up to peer at his face.
She was relieved when she noticed his displeased expression had become more relaxed.
"I didn't go today because you already had someone else to serve you tea." Mei continued with noticeable dissatisfaction embedded in her words.
Zhen Feng was able to discern the underlying displeasure in her voice and his chest warmed up in response. But he couldn't show his satisfaction, he was already treating the mermaid with immense favoritism, which was very unlike him. Even if he was fond of her, he should avoid partiality.
Since he hadn't been able to eradicate these newly found feelings, he had decided to restrain them for most of the time and, once in a while, allow himself to surrender to them.
Today he had already succumbed to his desire to see her, but he should still keep himself collected and suppress his emotions.
Even so, hearing his given name from her lips would always have an uncontrollable comforting effect on him, dissipating all his previous anger.
"For you to conclude that is quite unreasonable. Did this crown prince drink the tea served by someone else yesterday?" He inquired teasingly.
Taken aback, Lin Mei was speechless and unable to retort.
His implication had cleared a few of the clouds in her heart, making her mood brighter. She chose to change the topic, smiling excitedly as she interrogated with curiosity:
"Where are we going?"
"Did you not say that you wished to explore the world outside? This crown prince is taking you to see the town." Zhen Feng clarified.
Although she wasn't expecting it, Lin Mei felt happy and thrilled to be going out with the prince. She only regretted not wearing something more exquisite. But then again, she hadn't had the opportunity to buy that many human dresses since her budget was limited and she hadn't been allowed outside to personally pick the clothes — she could only ask Liu Ting to choose and buy a few garments for her to wear, whenever necessary.
The silence once again reigned in the carriage. But this time it was a pleasant and comfortable quiet.
After a while, the mermaid thought of a mischievous question:
"Zhen Feng, you were so disappointed that I didn't serve you tea today. Do you enjoy my company so much?" A sly smile appeared on her delicate visage.
Unfortunately, the prince didn't open his mouth for the rest of the trip.