The morning sun filtered through the delicate lattice windows of Li Mei's room, casting a soft glow over the silk curtains and embroidered tapestries. She sat at her vanity, brushing her hair absentmindedly, lost in thought. Yulan stood nearby, folding freshly laundered garments with a practiced hand, but she couldn't help noticing the tension in Li Mei's usually serene demeanor.
"Miss Li Mei, you seem troubled," Yulan said gently, her eyes filled with concern. "Is something bothering you?"
Li Mei sighed, setting down the brush and meeting Yulan's gaze in the mirror. "I received an invitation yesterday… from the Princess."
Yulan's hands paused mid-fold, her eyes widening slightly. "The Princess? You mean, Princess Qing Yue?"
"Yes," Li Mei replied, her voice tinged with reluctance. "She's hosting a tea party this weekend and has invited several young ladies from prominent families, including me."
Yulan frowned, sensing her mistress's unease. "I thought you would be pleased to receive such an invitation. It's a great honor to be in the company of the Princess."
Li Mei's expression darkened, and she turned away from the mirror. "It's not an honor, Yulan. Not for me. You know how she is… the way she looks at me, the things she says when no one else is listening. She despises me, and I have no idea why."
Yulan's heart ached for Li Mei. She had witnessed the subtle cruelty of the Princess before—the cold glances, the veiled insults, the way she always found a way to undermine Li Mei in front of others. It was clear to her that the Princess harbored some deep-seated resentment towards Li Mei, though the reasons for it remained a mystery.
"But Miss Li Mei," Yulan began cautiously, "surely your parents would understand if you didn't want to go. You don't have to subject yourself to that kind of treatment."
Li Mei shook her head, her expression resolute. "I can't tell them, Yulan. Mother and Father have enough to worry about without me adding to their concerns. They would insist I go regardless—after all, it's the Princess we're talking about. It would be seen as an insult if I declined."
Yulan sighed, understanding the weight of the expectations placed on Li Mei's shoulders. "But still, enduring the Princess's treatment… it's not fair to you."
"I know," Li Mei said softly, her voice filled with resignation. "But I can't let them know how much I hate these gatherings. I can't bear to see the worry in their eyes. Especially Father—he's always so concerned about appearances, about how our family is perceived. If I were to refuse the Princess's invitation, it could reflect poorly on him, and I can't do that to him."
Yulan moved closer, her hand resting on Li Mei's shoulder in a gesture of comfort. "You're too kind, Miss Li Mei. But don't forget to take care of yourself too."
Li Mei smiled weakly, grateful for Yulan's support. "I'll be fine, Yulan. I've dealt with the Princess before, and I'll do it again. It's just one afternoon… I can manage that."
But even as she said the words, a knot of dread formed in her stomach. The thought of facing Princess Qing Yue again, of enduring her subtle jabs and icy stares, was almost unbearable. The Princess was a master at hiding her disdain behind a mask of politeness, making it difficult for anyone else to see the true nature of her cruelty.
The rest of the morning passed in a blur, with Yulan helping Li Mei prepare for the upcoming tea party. As they went through her wardrobe, selecting the perfect outfit for the occasion, Li Mei tried to push aside her anxiety. She knew that no matter how much she disliked the event, she couldn't afford to show her true feelings. Not to her parents, not to Yulan, and certainly not to the Princess.
By the time they had settled on a delicate pale pink hanfu embroidered with cherry blossoms, the tension in Li Mei's chest had only grown. She knew she would have to put on a brave face, to smile and nod through the snide remarks and veiled insults. It was a skill she had honed over the years, but it never got easier.
As the day of the tea party approached, Li Mei found herself dreading it more and more. She tried to distract herself with her cooking, experimenting with new recipes and pouring her heart into her creations. But even the joy of cooking couldn't fully banish the unease that lingered at the back of her mind.
On the morning of the tea party, Li Mei stood before the mirror in her room, dressed in her carefully chosen hanfu. Yulan was adjusting the final touches on her hair, securing the delicate pins that held the elaborate style in place.
"Are you ready, Miss Li Mei?" Yulan asked, her voice gentle.
Li Mei took a deep breath, forcing a smile onto her lips. "As ready as I'll ever be."
Yulan stepped back, her eyes filled with quiet admiration. "You look beautiful, Miss Li Mei. The Princess won't know what hit her."
Li Mei chuckled softly, though her heart wasn't in it. "If only that were true, Yulan. But thank you."
With one last glance in the mirror, Li Mei squared her shoulders and headed for the door. She knew that the afternoon ahead would be challenging, but she was determined not to let the Princess get the better of her. No matter what happened, she would maintain her composure, for the sake of her family and her own dignity.
As she made her way to the carriage that would take her to the palace, Li Mei couldn't help but feel a sense of unease settling over her. She had faced the Princess's cruelty before, but something told her that today would be different. Whether it was the weight of the invitation or the mounting tension in the air, Li Mei couldn't shake the feeling that this tea party would be a turning point.
But for now, all she could do was brace herself for what lay ahead, and hope that she could weather the storm with her grace and composure intact.