Blood of Deception [ON HOLD]

Chapter Twenty One

Meiyue found Qingsheng back at the main tent. He was sitting by a table near the wall of the tent, alone. There weren't many courtiers around. A few curtsied as she passed.

"Qingsheng-jun," she called. She saw Huangli, her music tutor, smirked at her from where she was playing a guzheng by the stage.

"Gongzhu, you're back," Qingsheng said, standing up. "Have a seat."

Meiyue took the innermost chair, wanting the shade to shield her from her instructor's prying eyes. She hoped she wouldn't misunderstand anything. Qingsheng sat back down beside her. His silver sword was leaning against the round table between them.

"Thank you for leading to the lady," the princess said. "I really wouldn't know how to reach her in time otherwise just by searching."

Qingsheng smiled. "Anything for the princess," he said. "Kujaku must have quite a fame for her name to reach all the way to you. She is an undying topic for men, though."

"Is Qingsheng-jun included as well?" Meiyue asked, glancing at him.

He looked at her with the crooked smile still visible. "I would rather praise your undying and outmatched beauty."

She held his gaze a little longer for politeness, regretting asking him that, and turned to inspect the food on the table. It would be the last thing she wanted if he thought she was flirting.

This table offered only snacks and desserts. Pastries filled the many plate holders, giving off appetizing scent of wheat and butter. Iced grapes and sliced crimson watermelons sat on a big dish at the center. A page came to their table, holding a tray of bottles and goblets.

"Do you drink?" Qingsheng asked her. He accepted a glass of white liquor.

She raised a hand. "No, I-"

He took a bottle and poured some of the drink into a new glass before handing it back to the page. He gave the goblet to her. "I guarantee this will win your favor," he claimed. "It has low alcohol content. Try it."

Meiyue's attempt for liquor did not end well last time. She received the glass anyway, thinking it was a form of etiquette to properly thank him. Qingsheng waited for her comment as she took a sip.

Sweetness bloomed over her tongue, accompanied by a welcoming floral fragrance. She was relieved when her insides did not feel like blazing. "It's not bad," she told him.

"Rice aroma baijiu," he said. "Best for beginners." He emptied his drink in a simple gulp. "During the past years, you had not make yourself known much to the public. I'd tried searching for you after your performance each year, but it was as if you've vanished." His silver eyes locked on hers. "This year is truly exceptional."

Meiyue took another small sip. "It's just that I prefer a less lively environment."

"I can take you to another setting if you wish," he said, in a voice only she could hear. His gaze was cloaking the side of her face in velvet silk.

Meiyue wore a smile. "Perhaps later." She looked around the tent for Xiaonu, wondering where in the world did the girl vanish to. Now that her task was finished, the only left to do was to leave this exhausting banquet to the paradise of the library. But she wasn't going anywhere if her maid wouldn't show up with the key.

Qingsheng turned to the same direction she was staring at. While she waited maybe she could make use of their conversation after all. She waved for a page to come to refill his glass.

"Since Qingsheng-jun is working in the commerce ministry," she started, "would you mind enlightening me about our kingdom's trading partners?"

He regarded her shortly, probably not expecting her field of interest. He, however, still willingly answered. "At present, our nation is trying to establish relations with countries of the East. But as you know, we are practically isolated from the rest of the world because of the Great Sea. So even after treaties are signed, shipping products fro and over there will still remain a challenge," he explained. "Our most prominent partner, however, is the neighboring empire, being responsible for our raw resources."