His Majesty And I ✔️

Celebratory Tea

In my mind I picture this girl as Princess Cai Wenjin. She is so pretty.

Chapter 12

Commoner Li Lian
The Palace Garden

All this time Li Lian had managed to avoid Yuwen Hong. Whenever her mistress wanted to visit him―which was often due to almost losing him―she made excuses on why she could not be part of the escorting retinue. Recently, Li Lian and Yang Liu were busy with the preparation for the birthday celebration, so being away from Grand Consort Shu was pardonable.

The dance was in a couple of hours and Li Lian did not know what was to happen when Yuwen Hong saw her. Was he still angry to the point he would desire death for her?

She wrote to her father requesting for help because Yuwen Hong had recovered. He didn't reply, which meant he was saying she must be fed to the dogs to die.

Li Lian and a fellow palace maid pruned the roses off of their petals, collecting them in her woven basket. Princess Yang Liu thought it would be extravagant if they used the fresh petals in their dance like Li Lian did with the lady queens when they danced the other time.

A whiny voice mused, making Li Lian turn. "I don't like these robes."

"Your Highness! We beg of you to understand. We cannot dress you in anything other than your official clothes, today."

"Well, I don't like it. I like to wear bright clothes. I want out of this."

From a distance was Princess Cai Wenjin, the emperor's only daughter. Li Lian had seen her around the palace but not spoken with her directly. The rumors had it that the princess was a replica of her father; impossible to work for. No one wanted to be part of her palace retinue.

"Do as she says." A concubine strode to the princess. The banquet was going to be in the middle ground, thus people were toiling in the palace garden awaiting for the event to start. They didn't want to take the ten minutes walk from Hougong, last minute.

"My Lady. How dare I dress the princess in unofficial garments for the banquet?" Princess Cai Wenjin's court lady was in a difficult position.

"Court Lady, you irritate me. Today you shall not eat lunch as punishment." Princess Cai Wenjin yelled. "Concubine, slap all my attendants. They have displeased me this morning."

"Gladly, Your Highness." It was not surprising for a concubine to say this, most of them would do anything to gain favor of the royal family.

Li Lian decided to leave at that moment. She handed the woven basket to her accompanying palace maid and led the way to Princess Yang Liu's quarters. Her palace was on the outskirts of the middle ground, on the way to Hougong.

Another palace maid greeted her as she entered. "Welcome Li Lian." They had become familiar with her as she spent most time with their mistress over the past weeks.

"Where is Her Highness?"

"She is in the welcoming room, awaiting your arrival."

"Thank you." Li Lian said to both the palace maid that greeted her and the one she had gone to the garden with, dismissing them. The palace maid with the basket, handed it over before leaving to attend to other duties.

Princess Yang Liu's quarters were currently undergoing renovation, thus the place did not look its best recently. What Li Lian appreciated about her place was the beautiful view that her yard possessed because of the blooming apricot flowers. These were also the dotting of Yang Liu's heart as she saw them as a symbolism of her love with General Feng.