The midday sun beat down on the bustling marketplace of Lin'an, its rays reflecting off Li Mei's fiery red hair, a stark contrast to the deep black tresses around her. Unlike the other women, content to haggle over silk and spices, Mei stood out with an air of mischief in her emerald eyes and a mischievous glint on her silver coin necklace.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted at the fringe of the market. A group of imposing guards, clad in jade green, cleared a path, their leader's voice booming, "Make way! Imperial summons!"
Panic surged through the crowd. An imperial summons was as rare as a phoenix sighting. Whispers filled the air: "Who could it be for?"
Mei, ever the curious one, pushed through the throng, ignoring the disapproving murmurs of the crowd. She caught a glimpse of the commotion. A young official, his face pale with worry, stood before a humble tea stall. An elderly woman, Mei's grandmother, sat behind it, her face etched with confusion.
Mei squeezed through the crowd, her small stature working to her advantage. "What's going on here?" she demanded, her voice a sharp contrast to the surrounding chatter.
The official cleared his throat, adjusting his silk robe. "We are here under the order of His Majesty, the Emperor. We are to escort Madam Li...uh...the elder Li, to the Imperial Palace."
Mei's jaw dropped. "The Emperor? To see my grandma? Are you sure you haven't gotten lost?"
The official's brows furrowed. "This is no jest, Miss. We request your grandmother's immediate cooperation."
Grandma Li, ever calm, rose from her stool, her weathered hands smoothing her apron. "Tell the Emperor I'll be there shortly, young man. Just let me finish brewing this pot of jasmine tea for our dear customer."
The customer, a young scholar named Wei, chuckled nervously. "No need to rush on my account, Madam Li. Your tea is always worth the wait."
Mei rolled her eyes. "Grandma, you can't possibly think they'll wait for tea! Besides, what business could the Emperor possibly have with you?"
Instead of answering, Grandma Li handed Mei a small silk purse, its weight surprisingly heavy. "There are enough coins here to keep the stall running for a month, Mei. Now, behave yourself and help Wei with the customers while I'm... away."
A thousand questions bubbled in Mei's mind, but before she could voice them, the guards gently ushered Grandma Li into a waiting sedan chair. As the chair disappeared into the crowd, leaving a swirl of dust in its wake, Mei felt a knot of unease forming in her stomach.
The rest of the day passed in a blur. Customers came and went, but Mei's thoughts were elsewhere. The Emperor summoning her grandmother? It was absurd. Grandma Li was a simple tea vendor, renowned for her calming brews and even more calming wisdom. What could possibly connect her to the Emperor, a man as distant as the sun in the sky?
As dusk approached, casting long shadows across the marketplace, Mei couldn't bear the uncertainty any longer. She decided to take matters into her own hands.
"Wei," she said, her voice a low murmur, "I need your help."
Wei, ever the loyal friend, didn't hesitate. Together, they hatched a daring plan, one that would lead Mei into the heart of the Forbidden City, a place she'd only ever dreamt of entering, and set her on a course that would change her life forever.