Blood of Deception [ON HOLD]

Chapter Twenty Seven

Meiyue spent most of her time reading in the bedroom. Normally, she could consume a book that size in a matter of hours in her free time. But based on her recent mind, she was glad she had the same sentence to return to after some trances.

After morning came noon again. It was strange that even though she used up each day idling the length of her room time was still catching up pretty easily. Her body healed a greater deal for smoother mobilization and less like a low-quality mechanic doll.

With each new day came the morning when her constantly changing attendants would bring in a fresh bunch of various flowers claimed to be from her future partner. Wuji didn't come again after their talk that afternoon. It was a rather odd choice if he was displaying his displeasure by sending her flowers Meiyue thought.

Now, leaning on the headboard with the book on her lap, she spaced out toward a vase of lavender orchids on her vanity counter. She didn't know where her mind was at until an initial knock on the door startled her.

"Meiyue," said a feminine voice. The door gave in to a woman dressed in coral hanfu.

"Ayi," she said gladly. She swung her legs down and kept her reading aside.

Fauglin placed a tray on the nightstand before coming to sit beside the princess. "How are you feeling now?" she asked. "Are you still hurt?"

"I'm okay," Meiyue said. "I've missed you."

"I've been so busy with work lately I couldn't the right time to come to see you," she said. "I hear that you've been neglecting your meals. How come?"

The princess shared a brief memory of the times she sent the servants away with scarcely touched food. The meals she accepted were mostly upon her request. "I'm eating enough," she said instead. "Don't worry."

"Look at you." Fauglin reached for her hands. "You've become so thin."

The contrast of her own skin and Fauglin's was like a solid reminder of what time did to her age. Fauglin used to be vivid, her beauty rumored to rival her elder sister, the late Queen, who was known for having ethereal characteristics that did not display only on her appearance. Meiyue saw traces of what she had not before on the crease between her brows, the hollowness underneath her eyes as the years added more digits to her middle-years.

"Same goes for Ayi too," the princess said. "You ought to take more care of yourself. You even forgot to powder your cheeks."

Fauglin touched them. "My, that's embarrassing," she said with a clumsy titter. "But never mind me. People do say that brooding might be a reason for lost appetite. Is there something that's concerning you?"

Meiyue's eyes dropped to the bed. "Maybe a little," she said.

"I don't think it is," Fauglin asserted, studying her face. "It's about your engagement, isn't it?"

"Is it well-known now?"

"You know how news carries in the court. Especially about you."

She breathed out her dismay. Even without the Queen to announce the occasion, she supposed Yuzhe had long gotten wisps of it. She'd spent countless hours wondering, and dreading, what he was thinking of it now. If he was thinking about her at all. When would she be able to see him and explain?

"Is this for me?" Meiyue asked, looking at the ceramic cup that sat on the tray Fauglin brought with her. She nodded.

The princess took a sip of the yellow tea. It had a different aroma of tea leaves, accompanied by a prolonged bitter aftertaste. A refreshing change.

Fauglin seemed like she was hesitating on saying something until she decided to ask, "Are you...discontented with Wuji?"

Meiyue set the teacup away. She met her gaze, and shook her head. "I wish Mother would at least let me have a voice in my own life," she said. "She brought me to this world and expected me to abide by every one of her decision. I did that for nineteen years, in hopes that she would let me handle things myself as I mature."