A Crown for a Tail

The Chef

Waking before dawn, a rare occurrence for Bai Qian, she slipped silently out of bed making sure not to disturb Ye Hua, before dressing herself quickly, Then, slipping out of the room as quietly as she awoke, she headed straight for Mi Gus quarters to wake him.

"I can't believe you actually woke up on time." He said grumpily rising to sit up, before flicking his eyes at the door, meaning she should leave so he could dress.

"Pfft of course I'd wake in time. My desire to see the bitch leave, is greater than my desire for sleep right now." She chuckled quietly into her hands completely ignoring his harsh look.

"And my desire to wash that mouth out is greater than my desire to wear this damn leaf!  Now get out so I can get ready." He snapped at her.

"Just hurry up, Ye Hua will be up soon." She whispered excitedly, ignoring the cutting tone, before leaving him to dress.  Mi Gu was probably the only servant who got away with talking to his Mistress as he did, she thought to herself laughing inwardly.

Having carefully planned between them what they had in mind for Princess Mei the night before, they had agreed to rise earlier than everyone else to ensure it would work, and as she excitedly bounced from foot to foot impatiently waiting for Mi Gu to hurry up, her eyes darted in every direction to ensure they were the only ones awake,

What had only been a few minutes, felt like hours as she waited almost ready to explode from the excitement. "Mi Gu!" She whispered harshly at his closed door. "How long does it take to put on a damn leaf?" she almost yelled, before the door was thrust open and he finally emerged looking even more grumpier than before.

"Keep it down or you'll wake them all." He snapped low at her as they quickly made their way to the kitchen. "I swear when this is over, I am going to start collecting the debts immediately!" he mumbled under his breath as his stormed past Bai Qian with his buttocks on full display. He'd never in his long life been so humiliated, even more than Princess Mei, he thought to himself angrily.

Breakfast, being Ye Huas specialty was not on the menu that morning and nor would any of the meals until Mei left. As quietly as they could, they worked for a full hour to prepare the morning meal and since the girl had gone to bed without dinner, they knew she would be hungry when she awoke, so they did not spare the effort.

"Quick Mi Gu, dawn is breaking!" she whispered as they gathered up their creations and began to set the table. It was when the last plate was being laid that Ye Hua emerged from the bed chamber having been awoken by the soft sounds coming from the main den, but also finding himself alone in the bed that had him up quickly.

Upon entering the main den, the first thing to hit him was the smell followed by Mi Gus rear end bending over the table to place the final dish on the table.

"What the hell is going on in here Mi Gu?" he asked moving very quickly towards the table.

"Good morning Crown Prince Ye Hua. Bai Qian has prepared breakfast, I am assiss......" it was all he could manage to get out, before Ye Hua brusquely pushed past.

Cover yourself Mi Gu, I don't ever want to see your rear end again!" he snapped as he headed to the kitchen.

Coming to a complete halt, the first thing Ye Hua is met with, is Bai Qian standing precariously on the tips of her toes on a wooded crate, while her small body is leaned over a large pot on an open flame that is burning far too intensely. Gleefully, stirring whatever it was she was concocting, she was barely managing to stay on the wooden box from all the bouncing, but what had him immediately hauling her off it, was the smouldering dress that was far too close to the open flame.