Blood of Deception [ON HOLD]

Chapter Six

Meiyue seated herself on a chair in the parlor of Yuzhe's house. The room was brightened by the gentle sun rays that streamed in from the door and windows throughout. A few canvases of painting and printed proverbs decorated the walls of the rectangular room, along with chairs and two tables lined on either side.

The bag of silvers and gold she managed to wring out of the pawnbroker in exchange for her personal jewelry sat on the table next to her. She refused to ask for anything of the King for her own self-indulged trip, and her head throbbed from having too many heavy accessories poking her hair.

Xiaonu, delighted to have finally set foot out of the palace and met the character of her dreams, went to assist Yuzhe with tea in the kitchen. The princess could hear the girl complimenting him about saving her and Yuzhe's humble statements about how he was able to save her was because he had the help of Hehua. Meiyue shortly wondered how the little girl was doing.

Soon both of them emerged from the corridor with a tray of cups and a kettle. The maid laid them out for the princess and Yuzhe, poured tea, and went to stand behind Meiyue.

Yuzhe seemed to note her manner with a question. "You may sit," he offered her politely.

"Oh, I'm alright," the girl said, then threw a knowing grin to the princess, who instead tried to appear innocent. The reason why Yuzhe didn't know about her occupation was that she thought it was not necessary. She believed befriending someone shouldn't concern one's status.

Meiyue lifted her cup and took a sip. The aroma of marigold filled her mouth with pleasing warmth. "Is Uncle Liping not here?" she asked Yuzhe.

"He's out for a walk," he said, then he looked to the canvas sack nearby. "What's this?"

"For our trip." Meiyue undid the drawstrings and showed him the content. It was lesser than what she had expected to get, but this amount would at least be able to feed more than a few families.

Yuzhe almost looked alarmed. "Where did you get all of these?"

"I sold a few things I didn't need," the princess said. "Would you keep them for me? It would seem awkward if I carry them back home."

He gave her a pointed look. "Why? Didn't you inform your parents about this?"

"I did inform my father," she answered. "In fact, I also informed him that you would be coming with me."

"And he agreed?"

"Actually, that is also why I'm here. We will have to find that out now," Meiyue said and got up. "Come with me."

~~~

They reached the Forbidden District gate by noon. The entrance was wide open during this time of the day, exposing the scenery of neat lines of buildings and gardens inside. Servants fluttered in and out from the city and noblewomen and their children strolled the expense of the gardens inside. Colorful was the flowers and their dresses, their jewelry sparkled with each movement. Paper fans fluttered like butterflies.

Seemingly to have forgotten about her entrance this earlier morning, the patrols walked from their station to question when Meiyue, Xiaonu, and Yuzhe approached.

"Can I see your pass?" one of them inquires. The other one glanced at Yuzhe, probably noticing his commoner clothing.

Behind Meiyue, Xiaonu drew from her sleeves and held the imperial pass to the guard. He blanched upon seeing again the embroidered twin dragons, and both quickly dropped to a low bow.

"Your highness," they said to Meiyue, and cleared the way.

The princess nodded and proceeded into the First Division before she could catch Yuzhe for any particular reaction. He was more or less impressed with the First Division, sometimes glancing about for remembrance of the numerous times he had been in there for his stallion purchases to the nobles.