Meili had invited Sofya to come and visit her at the mansion, and she now waited impatiently, pacing backwards and forwards in her room.
"Slow down Young Miss," said Manni. "You'll wear a hole in the floorboards."
"Where do you think she is Manni? She said she'd be here by mid-morning."
Tricky watched her pacing with interest, sensing the mood of excitement.
"It's barely past 10:30, Mistress. I'm sure she'll be here soon."
Manni was pleased to see her Young Miss get so excited by a visit that wasn't that wretched Tan Bowen sneaking into her courtyard. This was a much more appropriate friendship. And much safer!
Finally, a servant arrived to let her know of the princess's arrival.
"Slow down, slow down Mistress. It's not good to appear too eager," called Manni, struggling to keep up with Meili, who set off at a quick trot, almost running. Tricky kept pace at her heel.
"Why not?" called Meili back to her. "This is the first girl friend I've ever had over for a visit. I am eager!"
Meili dashed into the front courtyard, as though the princess would evaporate in a puff of smoke before she could lay eyes on her.
"Sofya!" she called with delight, hurrying over to her.
Tricky sat back shyly, peering at the stranger from behind Manni's legs. He was as unused to his mistress having a visitor who was a young woman, as she was.
"Meili!" smiled Sofya happily.
"Mei Meili," said Madam Yu, who had arrived to greet their guest. "'Your highness' would be more appropriate. Apologies for the informality your highness," said Madam Yu. "Welcome to our home. We're honoured by your visit," she bowed.
"Please don't Madam Yu," said the princess. "Your daughter and I are already good friends. There's no need for such formality on my account."
Madam Yu eyed the princess' guards and determined that there certainly was need for formality. With what was happening in the North at the moment, no doubt all of their interactions with this royal girl would be reported back to the palace.
"It's very kind of you to say so princess, but we should observe the royal protocols. Please come this way. Mei Meili's prepared morning tea for you both in her courtyard."
After seating them at the prettily decorated table in Meili's courtyard pavilion, Madam Yu left the two girls to enjoy each other's company. Tricky came and stood beside Sofya, just out of her reach.
"Hello beautiful boy. Who are you?"
"This is my Chow Chow, Tricky-Wu. He goes by Tricky. He's another one of the protective males in my life," Meili smiled affectionately at him.
"But this one's a big teddy bear who does anything you say I bet. Come here and say hello to me big fellow."
Tricky did some little dancing steps forwards and then danced back just out of her reach.
"That's actually pretty good for him. He's interested in you. Generally, he doesn't like strangers at all. Only Commander Bai, for some reason."
"That's because Commander Bai likes you, and he senses his intentions are honourable."
"Nonsense," she laughed. "Commander Bai doesn't like me. He's told me he has a woman he has feelings for. He just feels a strong sense of duty because our families are very close, and his parents want him to marry me."
"If that's what he told you, it's bollocks. He's using duty as an excuse. He's completely smitten by you," Sofya said confidently. "Whether he likes another woman as well, I couldn't tell you. It is a common problem with men."
Meili covered her mouth in delighted shock to hear the princess use a curse word.
"He told me on the night I tried wine for the first time, when he thought I wouldn't remember anything, but I do, I remember it all very clearly."
"If you tried wine for the first time, I'd suggest it was you who might have missed the subtle cues. But it's possible you're missing them even when you're sober, because you've been kept here in this very beautiful cage, Meili."
"It is a beautiful cage, isn't it?"
Now that spring had truly arrived, Meili's courtyard was covered in pale white and pink blossoms. Steam rose gently from the hot spring, covering everything in a soft haze.
"We should bathe in your hot spring together, it looks divine."
"No!" said Meili, alarmed. "It's not private here. One of my friends, who's a man, likes to drop by unexpectedly. He comes from the rooftops," she whispered, pointing upwards.
"Oooh, do tell."
"There's nothing more to tell. He's best friends with my Fifth Brother. He's a poet and an artist. He's very nice and funny. He makes me laugh. We have a lot of fun together."
"Sounds like all the right foundations for love," teased Sofya.
"It's not like that. He's just a friend."
"Let's see how long that lasts shall we?"
"I'm serious. I've never thought about him that way. Anyway, he loves beautiful women. I don't think I'm his type," Meili smiled.
"If he loves beautiful women, then you're exactly his type."
"Not you too! Let's not talk about that, it's boring for me. I know what I look like and how it makes people react. You, on the other hand, look very beautiful today Sofya," Meili changed the subject.
Sofya wore a cream coloured northern-style dress, with delicate lace trim, and beautiful matching earrings each with three blossoms that started small and grew larger as the earring dropped. Her hair was swept into a soft updo.
"Thank you. I'd say it was all for you, but I thought I might run into that delightful first brother of yours."
"First Brother? Delightful? I don't think I've ever heard him described like that," Meili laughed. "Dutiful. Smart. Hard-working. Those are the types of words people use to describe my first brother."
"I've seen another side of him then, and he's definitely delightful."
"Well," said Meili thoughtfully, "I can engineer a meeting for you if you'd like?"
"I'd like, I'd like!"
The girls pealed with joyful laughter.
"Before you get in too deep and get your heart broken, I have to tell you that my parents have an old friendship with the Yue family, and they've practically promised their daughter Yue Tingting to marry First. She's been around since we were small."
"I thought betrothals had to wait until after the palace concubine selections?" Sofya pouted.
"They do, but there are lots of loose promises made on the understanding they'll become binding if the girl's not selected."
"A loose promise that's not binding; sounds perfect!"
Meili laughed and shook her head. "It's your heart... Don't say I didn't warn you. The boys will be doing their martial arts training now with my Uncle. We can join them if you want to. I'll just tell mother that's what you wanted to do, and she'll let us."
"Let's go! I can't wait to show you my 'scale the fish'."
"Manni! Can you come and help us get into martial arts outfits?" Meili called out.
"Yes, Young Miss. Your highness," said Manni, hurrying over. "What a pity to take off that lovely dress," she eyed the princess' outfit covetously. It would look very fetching on her young mistress, she thought.
"It is a pity," said Sofya, "but that's the price of entry". Manni looked puzzled, but didn't enquire further.