"Mother, tomorrow is Father Emperor's birthday. I have to look the prettiest,"Yang Mei whined. She held her mother's hand and swung it childishly while pouting her lips.
"Don't worry of course you will be the prettiest,"Consort He said with a reassuring smile.
Consort He was adequately aware of her daughter's insecurities. In terms of beauty Yang Zhi was her daughter's greatest rival. Yang Hua the third princess was also a potential competitor . To determine the winner between the two,one would require to evaluate them based on their grooming and Consort He had the perfect plan in mind to ensure her daughter would be most outstanding of them all. It was a beauty contest disguised as a birthday banquet.
*****
After Yang Zhi's return to the palace she settled in one of the rooms in Tai Hall. Her mother had assigned a maidservant to tend to her. Zu Mo had been her personal servant for years but the fact that he was a male made it inconvenient for him to serve her at the palace. She hadn't gone out of the palace for a while. She knew the people were still angry with her but she wasn't one to let that confine her within the walls of the palace. After a long cool shower she dressed up in a plain olive green dress and slipped her beautiful feet in black boots ready to go out.
"Your Highness are you going out?"the maidservant asked shyly. Yang Zhi's intimidating aura made things hard for the maidservant. Every passing minute felt like an hour. She could barely raise her head or even raise her eyes a bit. Moreover,she could easily count the number of words Yang Zhi spoke to her for the three days they had been together. Her palms were sweaty and her body trembled slightly while she anticipated Yang Zhi's response to her question. She felt like she was walking on thin ice and saying the wrong thing would land her in trouble.
"Yes we're going out,"Yang Zhi replied.
"W-We?" the maidservant asked not sure she heard her correctly.
"Yes. You and I are going out together," Yang Zhi confirmed and began walking out. The maidservant was afraid to ask about their destination so she followed her master in compliance.
Immediately she slid the door to her room open,she almost bumped into another maidservant in a flowery dress. The maid was carrying a well folded silk clothing in her hands. One glance at her attire and she knew where she belonged. In the palace,every hall and place had its specific allocated servants and they each wore a specific attire for easy recognition.
"Your Highness,"the maidservant in a flowery dress curtseyed. "Her Highness sent you this to wear for tomorrow's banquet,"she continued and handed the dress to Yang Zhi. Yang Zhi took the dress and handed it to her new maidservant who walked back inside to keep it.
"Thank Her Highness for me,"Yang Zhi said. There was no sincerity in her voice. The dress had been sent over by Consort He.
After Empress Chen resigned from being in charge of the imperial harem,Consort Chen took over the role. She was the one responsible for managing servants by awarding them and punishing them even recruiting new ones. She was also in charge of the princes and princesses including their allowance,their grooming and their other overall needs.
"Let's go,"Yang Zhi said walking away.
Yang Zhi borrowed her brother's carriage and went to tour outside the palace. Her first stop was at a silk shop. She wanted to buy a new dress. The one Consort He had sent over was definitely not to her liking. She chose a gown with a well proportioned blending of white and red. By the time she left the market it was already evening but she wasn't planning on returning to the palace. She instructed the coachman to head towards a particular direction.
*****
Zu Mo's elder sister was married and had a residence of her own at the capital so during his time back at the capital he was staying at his sister's residence.
Yang Zhi's carriage stopped outside Zu Mo's elder sister's residence. Her maidservant Shi Ju alighted first with Yang Zhi after her. The main gate was locked- Yang Zhi knocked the door and stood calmly waiting for the response.
"Your Highness why are you here?"Zu Mo grinned and opened the gate wide.
"I came to see you,"Yang Zhi replied smiling.
Shi Ju was even more surprised. Apart from Empress Chen, Zu Mo was the second person Yang Zhi smiled at otherwise she had her poker face all along the way. Zu Mo excitedly ushered them in.
"Your Highness who is she?"Zu Mo asked intrigued by the slender attractive girl behind Yang Zhi.
"She is Shi Ju,"Yang Zhi informed him. She didn't have to mention the girl's servant identity because it was evident from her mode of dressing.
"Shi Ju I am Zu Mo her Highness' right hand man,"Zu Said with a smug expression.
"When did I say you're my right hand man?"Yang Zhi joked and they all laughed."Is your sister home?" Yang Zhi asked as they were about to get inside.
"No they travelled to Jade City,"Zu Mo informed her.
"So you're alone in this whole residence?"Yang Zhi asked in surprise.
The three of them went inside one of the side pavilions where Zu Mo was staying. Since his sister wasn't around it was unnecessary to take them to the main pavilion. After settling them inside,Zu Mo went to the kitchen to prepare an early dinner for himself and his guests. Yang Zhi wasn't good at playing the guest so within a few minutes she dragged Shi Ju to the kitchen to help Zu Mo to prepare the dishes.
"Your Highness this reminds me of the days at the military camp- how you always cook for us..."Zu Mo paused a bit and smiled at the memory.
"I also miss cooking for you guys,"Yang Zhi's face was etched with sadness."But it's only been a week since we left there and here we are making it seem like it's been a century long ," Yang Zhi blurted out delightedly.
"By the way Your Highness I was very worried. Did His Majesty punish you?"Zu Mo asked in a worried tone.
On the day of their return she wanted to enter the palace with her but Yang Zhi dismissed him claiming she would handle everything.
"It was just a little punishment no need to worry."
"Tomorrow is His Majesty Birthday Banquet,what are you planning about it?Will you dress like those other princesses?" Zu Mo asked curiously.
"Why? You don't think I can dress up like them?"Yang Zhi questioned back.
"I mean you only dress up in armors and plain dresses. Sometimes you dress like a man.You hate girlish stuff so..."Zu Mo paused trying to choose his words carefully.
"I can do both,"she replied sassily,"I will make sure you see me tomorrow,"she added concluding the topic .