Opening his eyes slightly was Jin Ling as he looked around his surroundings, it was all bright and blurry.
"Y-young master, you're finally awake!" Dao Li said excited as he helped Jin Ling up.
Still feeling the slight effect of the drugs, he couldn't help but groan.
"Argh! Dao Li, how long have I been asleep?"
"Young master you have only been sleeping for hours now.. although it's past midnight!"
He responded as he helped Jin Ling sit up right.
"What exactly happened, I only remembered dozing off after drinking the medicine given by the physician."
"Yes! Young master.. the physician helped with your wounds and prescribed some drugs for you. He says all you need is enough rest and you will be alright."
"Hmm.. did you look into what I asked you to?"
Nodding, a serous expression was then plastered on Dao Li's face, "Yes, I did and I was able to find out from some maids that they saw a male servant walking towards the well but I still haven't found his identity."
"Keep looking into it, someone planned this but I'm sure their aim wasn't to hurt the prince but to hurt me," Jin Ling stated.
"Who would want to hurt you, being in this hell of a family is enough punishment.. now they want you dead.. so annoying but who could it be?"
He asked as their eyes both met and the first name that came to their mind was no one other than 'Ming Mei'
But for some reason they quickly brushed the thought of as soon as it came into her mind.
"It's can't be the third Missy right? She was so worried hearing what happened and from the way she protected you.. it totally can't be her."
He denied as Jin ling smiled slightly.
"I thought you Didn't believe the fact that she's changed, now you seem to trust her."
Smiling awkwardly, Dao Li replied, "C'mon you g master, you know well that no one can just change overnight but I guess I'm starting to believe her, after all she stayed with young master since you passed out.. Maybe she did Chang after all!"
Laughing, Jin Ling laid back down as he stared at the ceiling.
"I don't trust her completely, but she's better as a friend than an enemy," and with that, he slept off.
***
The next morning came in and as soon as she was up, Ming Mei went to see Jin Ling.
Thankfully he was much better but his hands were still injured so they were wrapped with bandages.
Ming Mei spent her day with Jin Ling, following him up and down like a puppy.
It was cute in some ways until it became quite annoying, she acted as though an arrow will come flying at him in any second so she was in position.
It Didn't take long for the rumors of their third Missy and the young master to flare up in the Palace.
"Have you heard, the young Missy keeping following her brother in-law anywhere he goes?" Whispered a maid.
"I've heard that she literally gives him anything he wants, she's like his personal wallet.. what happened to her?" Another maid commented.
"The former Third Missy used to be brutal and u forgiving but now she's all butter and cream, weird indeed!"
They all gossiped.
"ENOUGH!! you filthy maids, how dare you gossip instead of working.. go on, continuing your work!"
Shouted Lian on behalf of her lady. She knew well what Ming Xia hated right now was seeing Ming Mei and Jin Ling together, talk less of hearing rumors about them.
"M-my lady?"
"I'm getting sick and tired of this!" Ming Xia commented irritated as she turned around and left.
Meanwhile,
Helping Sisi to pick some berries was Ming Mei.
Just then, an unfamiliar maid appeared as she bowed at Ming Mei.
"You're here, did you find him?" She questioned as the maid nodded.
"Yes, third Missy.. anytime you want I can bring him to you," she replied.
"That's nice, thank you.. Sisi, escort her for me," she instructed as Sisi nodded and escorted the maid.
Just then, a familiar someone appeared before Ming Mei, with a not so happy expression.
She then said aloud, "I would love to speak to you privately!"
But Sisi walked towards them a little surprised to see the first Missy.
"My lady, is there something you need?" She asked as Ming Mei then responded.
"Sisi, we'll be back soon.. wait for us for a bit, okay?"
She said as she then took hold of Ming Xia's hand and dragged her away.
Finally at the quiet side of the forest, Ming Mei then asked, "We're alone now, speak! What do you want?"
She asked with her hands folded but Ming Xia's next words, took her by surprise.
"What exactly is your goal?"