Jinshi x OC

The Hunt (P.2)

***

The air was full of the fragrance of sizzling meat. They were at the mountain retreat not far from where the hunt had taken place. Apparently this was wear the main banquet would take place before they would head back to the palace tomorrow. Mei assumed they would head back to the house where they had been staying, but to her surprise Gaoshun had led her to a mountain villa which was now filled with wine flowing freely and women bringing the cooked gain meat around. About ten officials sat in chairs, and a table nearby held more side dishes. The room was big, and had been designed with good air-flow to combat the heat during the summer months. Something Mei was glad for.

Mei and Basen stood behind Jinshi's seat, watching the proceedings with much detachment. Gaoshun had his own seat, a few officials down. Though from the placement, it seemed that Jinshi or rather Master Kousen occupied the seat of honor at the table. Mei had done her job of tasting Jinshi's food and wine for any taste of poison. Luckily, she didn't detect any. Not that she was a genius is poisons. And Jinshi was definitely over exaggerating her skills to be a possible food-taster... but then again what skills does a food taster need, other than not dying...

The girls serving the wine kept stealing glancing at the masked figure that was Jinshi, as if they wanted to get a glimpse of the nymph like features that man processed or at least be noticed by him. Not that they knew it was Jinshi but rather knew him as Master Kousen. Who it seemed was the most important guest here. Becoming a mistress to some high official like Master Kousen would definitely bring more security than to end up married off in some mediocre match. And from the glares Mei was receiving from the ladies here, they all had their eyes on one thing, Jinshi.

Mei tried to hide her discontent from the ladies fluttering their eyelashes at him, and ignored that unpleasant feeling brewing in her stomach. Instead she scowled at the ladies, giving them a look that made them move quickly along from Jinshi.

"Unscrew your face" Basen whispered to her as he leaned in slightly, his deep voice barely audible above the chatter and clinking of dishes in the room. Mei shot him a quick glance, her expression still hardened. Basen raised an eyebrow at her before returning his attention to the scene in front of them. Mei took a deep breath, unclenching her jaw. She knew Basen was right; she needed to maintain her composure, especially around Jinshi and the other officials.

As the banquet continued, Jinshi's captivating figure drew the attention of many in the room, his mask adding an air of mystery that only seemed to enhance his charm. It wasn't just the women whose attention he commanded- the corpulent man sitting next to Jinshi was forever whispering to him. He must be the host of this hunt. Jinshi only responded with quick little nods of his head.

Mei observed the interactions with a mixture of annoyance and curiosity. The man's constant chatter seemed to bore Jinshi, who maintained his composed demeanour while listening attentively. Wonder what they are talking about. Even though she stood behind him, with the loud chatter from other people, she could barely make out the whispers between Jinshi and the man next to him. Mei opted to tune out and focus on the scene in front of her, listening to random conversations happening around her. Some about marriage alliances, others about military forces and strategies. It seemed like an entirely different world, one that Mei had never been a part of, nor did she have any interest in being a part of. She felt like an outsider looking in, trying to decipher the hidden meanings behind each conversation, the subtle hints and gestures that seemed to hold a world of importance to these court officials.

"She looks just like-" Mei heard a random man say before being nudged in the ribs by another standing next to him. Mei's eyes fled towards them, quickly noting how both men was gazing towards her. Mei's eyes narrowed, a glint of warning in her gaze as she caught the tail end of their conversation. She shifted uncomfortably under their scrutiny, feeling a wave of unease wash over her. What were they talking about?