The Zhao family carriage rolled to a stop outside the imperial palace, its lacquered sides gleaming in the mid-morning sun. Li Mei took a deep breath, her heart pounding in her chest as she stepped out. The palace grounds were as breathtaking as ever, with manicured gardens and graceful pavilions that spoke of the wealth and power within.
"Stay calm, and smile," she reminded herself, adjusting the folds of her delicate pink hanfu. She could already hear the soft chatter of the other ladies as they gathered in the pavilion where the tea party was being held. The sound filled her with both anticipation and dread.
As Li Mei approached the gathering, she noticed the Princess standing at the center of a small group, her regal presence commanding attention. Princess Qing Yue was as beautiful as ever, with her hair elegantly styled and her gown shimmering in the sunlight. When the Princess caught sight of Li Mei, her eyes narrowed ever so slightly, but then, to Li Mei's surprise, her expression softened into a warm smile.
"Lady Li Mei, how wonderful of you to join us," Princess Qing Yue called out, her voice sweet and welcoming. "Come, come, join me. I've saved a seat just for you."
Li Mei blinked in surprise. The Princess had never been this friendly before. Usually, she would barely acknowledge her presence, preferring to focus her attention on the more popular ladies of the court. Li Mei's suspicion was immediately piqued, but she pushed it aside, reminding herself to stay polite and cautious.
"Thank you, Your Highness," Li Mei replied, bowing gracefully before making her way to the seat next to the Princess.
As she sat down, the other ladies in the group exchanged curious glances. Some looked genuinely pleased for Li Mei, while others seemed puzzled by the Princess's sudden kindness. The atmosphere was light and pleasant as the tea was served, with delicate porcelain cups and plates filled with an array of sweets and savories.
For the first half-hour, the conversation flowed smoothly. The Princess asked Li Mei questions about her family, her interests, and even complimented her on her hanfu. Li Mei responded politely, though she couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. Qing Yue was being unusually attentive, her smile never wavering, but there was an edge to her tone that Li Mei couldn't quite place.
"So, Li Mei," the Princess said after a while, her voice dripping with sweetness, "I've heard that you're quite the culinary artist. Is it true that you've been experimenting with a rather… unique ingredient?"
Li Mei smiled modestly, though she felt a prick of unease. "Yes, Your Highness. I've been working on a recipe that uses Xuan grass, a bitter herb that I've been trying to turn into a sweet dish. It's been quite challenging, but I'm getting closer to perfecting it."
The Princess's eyes gleamed with interest, though Li Mei couldn't help but notice a flicker of something else—was it amusement? "How fascinating! You must be very talented to make something so bitter taste sweet. Perhaps one day you could bring it to the palace for us to try."
Li Mei forced a smile. "Of course, Your Highness. I would be honored."
The conversation continued, and slowly, Li Mei began to relax. Maybe she had been too quick to judge the Princess. Perhaps Qing Yue had decided to turn over a new leaf, to let go of whatever past animosity she had harbored. Li Mei allowed herself to enjoy the moment, even laughing at some of the lighthearted banter shared by the other ladies.
But then, just as she was feeling comfortable, Qing Yue leaned in closer, her voice low but perfectly audible to the group. "You know, Li Mei, it's so admirable how you try so hard with your cooking. It must be difficult, especially when you don't have the same resources or tutors as some of the other ladies here."
Li Mei froze, the words striking her like a blow. She knew what the Princess was doing—disguising an insult as a compliment. Her heart raced as she struggled to maintain her composure.
Before she could respond, Qing Yue continued, her tone still saccharine. "But of course, you have your family's support. I'm sure your father must be so proud of you, even if your endeavors are… shall we say, unconventional for someone of your standing."
The other ladies exchanged uncomfortable glances, sensing the tension. Some stifled giggles, while others looked away, unwilling to be caught in the crossfire.
Li Mei felt her face flush, embarrassment and anger warring within her. She opened her mouth to reply, but before she could find the right words, a familiar voice cut through the tension like a knife.
"Good morning, ladies," Wei Ming's voice rang out, smooth and confident as he approached the pavilion. "I hope I'm not intruding?"
The group turned to see Wei Ming, dressed in his scholar's robes, his expression polite but with a sharpness in his eyes that Li Mei hadn't noticed before. He bowed respectfully to the Princess, who smiled a little too sweetly.
"Not at all, Master Wei," Qing Yue replied, her tone suddenly much cooler. "We were just discussing Lady Li Mei's… culinary talents."
Wei Ming's eyes flicked to Li Mei, and he offered her a reassuring smile. "Ah, Lady Li Mei is indeed talented. I've heard much about her skills in the kitchen. In fact, I've been curious to taste her creations myself."
Li Mei felt a surge of gratitude toward Wei Ming. His unexpected arrival and kind words were a lifeline in what had been an increasingly uncomfortable situation. She managed to return his smile, though her heart was still pounding.
"Thank you, Master Wei," she said softly. "I'd be honored to have you try my dishes sometime."
Qing Yue's expression soured slightly at the interaction, but she quickly recovered, her mask of politeness slipping back into place. "Indeed, Master Wei, you should. But for now, why don't you join us for some tea? I'm sure you have many interesting stories from your recent studies to share with us."
Wei Ming nodded gracefully, taking a seat across from Li Mei. "Of course, Your Highness. But I must admit, I'm more interested in hearing about Lady Li Mei's endeavors. Her dedication is quite inspiring, wouldn't you agree?"
The Princess's smile tightened. "Oh, absolutely. It's always… inspiring to see someone so committed to their craft."
As the conversation continued, Wei Ming subtly guided it away from Li Mei, drawing the attention of the group with tales of his recent scholarly achievements and insights. He was charming and engaging, and soon the tension that had gripped the gathering began to dissipate.
Li Mei couldn't help but feel a deep sense of relief. With Wei Ming there, the Princess's barbs had lost their sting, and the atmosphere lightened considerably. She even found herself laughing at one of Wei Ming's clever remarks, the knot in her stomach finally beginning to unravel.
As the tea party drew to a close, Wei Ming rose from his seat, bowing respectfully to the Princess and the other ladies. "Thank you for allowing me to join you, Your Highness. It has been a most enjoyable morning."
Qing Yue nodded, though her eyes were colder than before. "Thank you, Master Wei. Your company is always appreciated."
Wei Ming then turned to Li Mei, offering her a warm smile. "Lady Li Mei, it was a pleasure speaking with you today. I look forward to our next meeting."
Li Mei felt her cheeks flush as she returned the smile. "Likewise, Master Wei. Thank you… for everything."
With that, Wei Ming took his leave, his presence lingering like a protective shield around Li Mei. As she watched him go, she couldn't help but feel that she had made a true ally in Wei Ming, someone who saw her for who she truly was and respected her for it.
But as she turned back to the Princess, she caught the brief flash of anger in Qing Yue's eyes, quickly masked by a polite smile. Li Mei knew that the Princess hadn't forgotten her earlier slight, and that this was far from over.
As she made her way back to the Zhao carriage, Li Mei couldn't shake the feeling that the tea party had been more than just a social gathering—it had been a battle of wits and wills, one that she had narrowly escaped unscathed, thanks to Wei Ming.
But she also knew that the Princess would not let this go easily, and that their next encounter could be even more challenging. For now, though, she allowed herself to savor the small victory, and the knowledge that she wasn't as alone as she had once feared.