Freshened up by Manni, with her hair in a soft updo with little pieces left to float about her cheeks, Meili joined her brothers outside the Emperor's elaborate tent.
The Emperor was seated on his throne on a high wooden platform, his huge tent behind him.
Their Lord was in fine spirits, laughing and chatting with the eunuchs and his senior guards. A man of war and action, he loved the royal hunt. It always proved a fruitful theatre for court politics too.
There were some particular participants he planned to pay close attention to on this trip. He would try them out for size in the roles he had in mind for them.
"Greetings your majesty," the riders kowtowed to greet the Emperor.
"Rise, rise," he gestured for them to stand.
"The auspicious hour is nearly upon us," called Chief Eunuch Feng.
The crowd of hunters backed away while facing the Emperor, before leaving to mount their horses.
Meili spotted her golden palomino, shining in the spring sunlight. She had had their groom braid his mane and tail in an intricate design, that tucked the hair tightly away.
"Tufei," she whispered to him, stroking his ears and nose. "Finally, we'll be free. Let's ride like the wind baby boy."
First Brother suggested she bring Tricky with her on the hunt, and she loved the idea. The puppy had been fashioned a little mini saddle behind Meili's, and he now sat grandly in his chair like the emperor of the dogs.
His cream fur with golden ears and nose made the horse and dog look like a matched pair.
Tan Bowen and Bai Li approached on their mounts, just as Meili bounded up into the saddle.
"That's a long way to stretch for a little lady," Tan Bowen commented with a grin.
"Tan Bowen," she cried with delight. "Isn't this exciting? Master Bai," she nodded solemnly at Bai Li.
'Ouch', thought Bai Li. The contrast in their greetings couldn't be starker.
He looked darkly at Tan Bowen. When had he get to know her closely enough to move beyond 'Master Tan'?
The second prince rode up on Jin, and the Mei brothers shouted cheerfully to him. He nodded hello at them all, then looked across at Meili.
'Lord, that navy and orange riding outfit was ridiculously pretty on her!' he thought with annoyance.
He had spent the past few days getting a handle on his emotions, but now they flared back up like a forest fire.
He pursed his lips when he saw Tan Bowen and Bai Li mounted alongside her.
Fourth Brother leaned towards Third. "Do you smell vinegar ge?" he mock whispered. The two men laughed.
"Miss Mei," the prince growled.
"Your highness," she greeted him softly, inclining her head.
'There it was again!' She thought. 'That simmering anger.'
Looking askance at Tan Bowen to see if he had noticed it, she raised her eyebrows at him. The young man turned expressionlessly to stare into the forest.
Li Fengfeng and Li Pei rode up, surrounded by their friends and cousins.
The men started to discuss the rules of the hunt and the likely best spots for game.
Li Fengfeng addressed Mei Meili. "Miss Mei. It's so nice to see you again. I wasn't sure if you'd re-emerge from the inner courtyards after you left the Plum Blossom viewing in such a state the other day. I do hope you're okay?" she said with little interest.
"Thank you for asking Miss Li. I'm fine thank you. I was just a little shocked when my veil blew off. I rarely go anywhere without it."
"So we've noticed," Li Fengfeng said drolly. "In fact, you rarely go anywhere at all, Miss Mei. I have to say I'm surprised to see you here. Is this the start of you joining society?" her tone said she hoped it wasn't, and she narrowed her eyes at the girl.
"Oh. I don't really know, I don't think so. The emperor invited all six of us siblings, so that's why I could come."
"Is that so Miss Mei," Li Fengfeng tucked that piece of information away for later research.
There was no way the emperor would have invited this girl without prompting from somebody. She wondered if that person was the princess, or the second prince.
"You've never attended a royal hunt before Miss Mei. Let me give you a tip as a welcome gift. Come closer so I can whisper it to you," she motioned.
The two girls moved their horses to almost touch.
"See behind the lone red pine on the hill in the distance," Li Fengfeng whispered, while pointing in the direction of a far-off hill. "Behind it's an area where there's a small pool under poplar trees. It attracts large game, and it's not well known."
Meili nodded her thanks. It seemed unlikely that Li Fengfeng would help her out. She knew there was no love between the Li family and the Mei family, but then again, if the girl herself was heading there to hunt, there could be no subterfuge.
Meili was diverted by the arrival of the princess, who looked regal in a gold hunting ensemble.
"Miss Mei," the princess exclaimed in delight, as she and Tan Wentian rode up to the group. "I'm so pleased you could make it! This hunting trip is going to be such fun!"
Their conversation was interrupted by the horn for the commencement of the first day's hunt, and the large group of riders moved towards the starting line.
Meili hung back a little, letting the royal family take the lead positions, finding a space for herself where she wouldn't be jostled.
Everything felt hyper-real to her. Like the colours and noises were amplified, but she was an observer rather than a participant. She was glad to have Tricky with her and she gave him a little pat to comfort herself.
Bai Li had also dropped to the back of the pack, where he quietly observed her. She was clearly nervous as she stroked and spoke with her Chow Chow. It was pretty cute he had to admit.
The horn blew for the second time, and the pack was off!
Author's Note: Meili's horse, Tufei means bandit.