Blood of Deception [ON HOLD]

Chapter Four

It was exactly at dawn when Meiyue woke. She didn't think she was able to sleep regarding what happened to her and it must have been sheer exhaustion that had knocked her down on Zhonghong's bed the minute she shut her eyes.

With few moments spent on readying herself and a few more to thank Uncle Liping and Zhonghong, Meiyue made out of the stable with Yuzhe, who was quite resolved with himself in walking her home this time. Meiyue didn't protest, half for her own good, yet another half of her was a mass of dread that pushed her steps on with a little more haste.

She didn't want to think about what home would bring her, but it was hard not to when the tall Forbidden District stone gate appeared nearer. She suddenly wished her home was Zhonghong's warm comfy bed.

They reached near the entrance and saw two guards armed with long spears stationed on either side of the grand redwood doors of the gate, which could encompass about twelve times Meiyue's height. The soldiers wore stiff metal plates armor and helmets with red threads attached at the top. They looked at her up and down when she approached alone. Yuzhe now headed back for his errands.

The look on the guards' faces suggested the disdain of the thought that she must have crept out to spend a night outside and now scurrying back in to work before getting caught. Indecent, their look said.

Meiyue didn't need to show them the district pass as they waved her in with a dismissal flick. On any other day, she would never have forgiven their insolence.

She wove through divisions of the Forbidden District with ease. The region, as the name suggested, was forbidden by commoners to enter unless they were asked by the nobles or alike, or an approved petition.

The district consisted of three individual divisions; the First was home to high ranked officials, nobles, and those who worked within the headquarters, while the Second was the largest heart of the kingdom where departments holding different responsibilities were located at, and thus, the palace itself. Then lastly, the most private and second-largest region barricaded by the First and Second Division, was the Private Ward. Nobody was to be permitted for entry except for the royal family and their advisors.

It may seem that the districts were as impenetrable as the unforgiving towering walls of its gate, but Meiyue's successful attempts to sneak out proved pretty much otherwise. It was all about timing and knowing the shifts of the guards.

Meiyue came into the Second Division without interruption. No one would recognize her. Since it was still early, there were mostly pages and servants going about the vast expense between each department, carrying out preparations.

She carefully made her way to the Private Ward gate, her mind trying to prepare excuses for her disappearance yesterday. But then her excuse would have to depend on the person she would be lying to, and she didn't like to think of being cornered by her mother. And not to mention her tutors...

Her home towered over her behind the red and gold entrance. Dozen of soldiers heavily armed stood on both sides.

She eyed the brightening sky, and decided that she didn't have the energy to walk to the back entrance where somewhere around there was a ladder attached to the wall.

She made her way to the statue-like guards, nevertheless impressed by their stillness. One of them frowned when she came closer to the gate and stepped up to stop her.

"Business?" he questioned, brow raised. It wasn't usual for a private-ward maid to be meddling with the outer divisions. Provision and supplies in there could go up to excess.

Meiyue tried to seem as dismissive as any servant could be. "I am Her Highness's maid, sir."

"Which?"