1.9 AuYeung LaiSan - Getting Caught

MeiMei fell asleep and my soul once again returned back to the spiritual realm. I returned back to the room that ZhiHin was yesterday. For him only a couple of minutes had gone by so he was still where I left him a day ago.

I told him quickly about the plan and he warned that I should not stay with MeiMei's body for too much longer, it will affect her life and what she was supposed to accomplish in this lifetime. I was about to ask more about that when I felt as if I am dragged back to the mortal realm. MeiMei had already awakened and had already set out, and the early morning rays shone in through the curtains on the small windows in the carriage.

"Ah, you are finally back. I have been calling you but no reply. I was thinking maybe you left for good this time and went back to your body. I was even on my way to the Imperial Scholar's residence to check if Miss AuYeung was awake."

"Sorry, I drifted over again. I had barely said a few words to the Apprentice when I came back. I can't believe it is already morning."

"So did he tell you anything new?"

"No, but he did warn that I should not stay in your body too much longer or I will hinder what you are to accomplish in this lifetime. I didn't even get to ask for details before I was pulled back."

"It is probably all for the better, I wouldn't actually want to know, it would be too much pressure to know I have to accomplish a certain feat. I rather think that I had some control over my destiny. I wouldn't want…"

A voice from outside halted our conversation, "Princess, we have arrived at the Imperial Scholar's residence," An-yi announced.

"Okay, remember the plan. When you are bringing in everything, you will distract everyone by tipping over the boxes. When everyone is busy picking it up I will sneak away. I'll be back in one hour," MeiMei reminded An-yi.

"Princess, will it really even okay for you to go out by yourself? What if you run into a bad person? Won't you at least let the hidden guard follow you?"

" No, it is my command that they need to all stay at the Imperial Scholar's residence. If anyone disobey my orders. I will make sure they will never walk again!"

"Yes, your highness!" several voices all around us said in unison.

"So at anytime you have three hidden guards around you, MeiMei?

"Yes all the royal family members employ hidden guards, for security and protection. It is also easier than bringing an entourage of troops with me. That would just scare the citizens. These guards that are with me today are all my mother's trusted guards. They are not just top rated martial artist, but also highly skilled in camouflage. If you are not another top martial artist you would not even know of their presence."

"So, what if something happens on our way to the post house? Wouldn't it be smarter to bring at least one along?"

"Like I said they are Mother Empress' most trusted guards. So do you want them to spy on us?"

"You're right. But I just worry about your safety. You are doing all this for me and I would feel horrible if you got hurt because of me."

"Don't worry, everything will be okay. Let's get going, first we have to greet Auntie AuYeung and then find an excuse to leave her side. Then while the commotion is happening we will sneak out."

In the meantime, An-yi had already announced our arrival and Mrs. AuYeung had even come to the door to greet MeiMei.

"Good morning Auntie AuYeung" MeiMei coos. "Thank you for having me, I am to trouble you these coming days."

"No,no dear, it is great to have you here. Maybe a livelier environment will help my daughter awaken. If anything, thank you for coming to keep this old one company."

"Don't say that, you look as young and act as vibrant as a twenty year old."

"Haha, you have such a sweet mouth. Don't just stand in the doorway, come on in."

MeiMei instructs An-yi to assist and direct the servants of the manor to help off load the things that were brought. Then follows Mrs. AuYeung inside.

Walking only a few yards in, MeiMei suddenly stops.

"Oh auntie, my stomach hurts, please return to your quarters and I will meet you there later."

"Okay, take care of yourself and return to your room, in the Jade pavilion to rest, afterwards. I will see you later this evening. If you need anything just ask the servants and they will help you."

"Thank you auntie, see you later." MeiMei hurriedly walks back towards the outhouses. Mrs. AuYeung watches her for awhile and turns to continue back to her quarters.

MeiMei slows and slightly turns back to make sure that Mrs. AuYeung is not looking and quickly makes way to the front gate again.

Right on que, when An-yi sees us, she intentionally bumps into the chest of jewelry that scatters all over the front yard. In the commotion, we sneak out of the residence, unnoticed.

We head straight for the post house, I take in the wonders and do a bit of window shopping along the way, asking MeiMei questions about the things I didn't recognize. For me it was my first time seeing this in ancient times and it was fascinating. For MeiMei, it was more of a nuisance, she was quite focused on her task at hand.

"So MeiMei, what are we going to do when we get there? Are we going to straight out ask him? Won't that be embarrassing?"

"No, you silly. How is it that you think this Princess would do something so shameful. We are going to eavesdrop on their conversation."

"How?"

"Well. I have written another letter asking about his intentions and signed it using Imperial Tutor's handwriting and signature. We will ask the clerk at the post house to deliver it to him and we will eavesdrop on the conversation that he and his parents will have on the topic."

"Oh that is genius."

MeiMei keeps walking, thank goodness she was familiar with the area. We arrived at a clothing store, before entering she covered her face with a silk handkerchief. She asked the clerk to try on a simple purple outfit and went into the changing room to change. She had left her own elegant dress at the store and asked that they send that back to An-yi at the Imperial Scholar's residence. After she paid for the clothing and delivery, we set off once again for the post house. She went straight to the counter to ask the clerk to deliver the letter to the General.

As the clerk was walking up to the rooms, we watched. Half way there the General and his parents walked out. The clerk gave him the letter and while he was walking down the stairs to the dining hall, he read it. He sat down at the table with his parents. MeiMei also sat down at the next table with her back to them.

"So, who is the letter from?" we heard his mother ask.

"It is from the Imperial Scholar, he is asking about our sincerity regarding the proposal and when we will be returning."

"Well, he is the one that declined the other day, why is he so shameless as to ask about our intentions now? Has he regretted his decision? Does he still wish for us to propose an engagement to his ailing daughter? Who knows how long she will be like that? Does he expect that my son pass his days waiting for her?" his mom got a bit too excited and was quite loud.

His mom continued, "Word had travelled and I heard it said on the streets that the Princess had also asked for a decree of marriage to our son but unfortunately they are not a good match. So how can he, such an eligible man, just waste time waiting for a woman that we don't even know will ever awaken."

"What madam said is true!" a very familiar voice said.

The SzeTo family all rises to give a greeting but was caught by this gentleman before they did.

"Please sit. No need for this, I do not want to alarm everyone."

"Thank you your highness, Crown Prince." the General said in hushed voices, as he helped his mother sit back down.

"Damn! What is royal brother doing here at this time? I have to find a chance to get out of here before he sees me!"

"So, what madam said was correct, our valiant Southern General can not continue to be a bachelor. Though Miss AuYeung would be a good match for the General, you might also think of it as fate that she mysteriously falls ill at this time," the Crown Prince stated.

"See even the Crown Prince feels it is correct to give up on Miss AuYeung, why are you so stubborn?" his mom chimes in.

"Mom, I have already expressed my views upstairs. Even though I have yet to meet Miss AuYeung, I feel discomfort in deciding to just abandon the idea of our engagement just because of her current state. It could be that she awakens very soon. I want to give it a bit more time. We will be return to the capital in three months, if in that time she has not awakened, then I will trouble you to choose another when that time comes."

"LaiSan and I had heard exactly what we wanted! Now to get out of here before I am noticed!"

I am close to the stairs, so I thought I would just sneak upstairs and hide until my brother leaves.

But as I get up, I bumped into the clerk that was rushing around with a pot of water.

"Ah!" MeiMei screamed.

"Sorry miss, I am really sorry, I didn't mean to bump into Miss. Did the pot scald you? I will immediately get some ointment."

"No, no I am fine,"as MeiMei tried to scurry up the stairs.

But the commotion had caught the attention of the Crown Prince, "MeiMei! What are you doing here? Why are dressed like a commoner?"

He had said it so loud that everyone in the hall had heard and discussions started.

"So she is Princess Mei?"

"What is she doing, someone of the royal family sneaking around dressed like that?"

"Is it a secret rendezvous?"

"You heard also that the Emperor declined to decree a marriage. Was she going to run off and elope with the General?"

"Oh, MeiMei, this is bad," I nervously said to her.

MeiMei was as red as a tomato, "Brother! she screams exasperated that he had divulged her presence. Then, turn to the crowd and pointing to everyone in the hall. "What are you all talking about, I have no interest or relationship with the General!"

The Crown Prince saw that the situation was getting bad, he pulled his sister away from the post house while hastily said, "General we will meet again tomorrow to discuss your travel arrangements for returning to the South."

As we are exiting I heard the General address the crowd. "As this matter has to do with the reputation of a young woman, I do ask that everyone, please do not make unnecessary assumptions or accusations. Nor to spread any rumors about what occurred today. I make it clear right now, that it is all a coincidence that we are all here today and the Princess and I do not have any connections at all. My intentions are only purely toward young Miss AuYeung."

I couldn't help but flutter a bit in hearing him say his confession to me.

As we enter the Crown Prince's carriage, "What the hell are you thinking MeiMei? Yesterday you ask for a decree in an engagement to the General and today you disguise yourself and come here to meet him?"

"Brother, I didn't, I really have no intentions towards the General. As for the decree yesterday, that was all Father Emperor's doing. I never asked for the decree for myself, I ask for the decree for Miss AuYeung and the General. Who knows what Father Emperor was thinking when he announced to the whole inner court that I wanted that decree!"

With a joyful guffaw, "Oh, is that the case!" Okay! That does explain yesterday's events, cause it really does sound like something Father Emperor would do, but how can you explain what happened today sister?"

"Well today was because Father Emperor's actions and deciding not to decree the engagement. So I wanted to know if he still had intentions towards Miss AuYeung if she wakes up." MeiMei got really quiet saying the last few words.

"Do you even hear yourself? Who would believe that you had no feelings for the General when you are acting so outrageously?"

"I really don't! I can't tell you why and even if I did you wouldn't believe me."

"Try me."

"No, I really can't tell you." MeiMei lowers her head and pouts.

The Crown Prince pats MeiMei on the head and said, "Fine I'll believe you and trust you are doing all this for a good reason but please don't go overboard. When Mother Empress gets wind of this, you will be punished."

"I know," MeiMei said sulkingly.

Giving up on the lectures, the Crown Prince defeatingly said, "Okay, I'll send you back to the Imperial Palace."

Raising her head quickly, "No, I am actually staying at the Imperial Scholar's residence for a few days," MeiMei quickly interjected. Truthfully, she was thinking that staying away from the palace would be a good thing for the next few days.

"Oh, so that is why it was so easy for you to get out. I was wondering how you managed to get away from the Imperial Palace without alarming the whole city to search for you, sis."

"Please don't tell our parents about today, I promise I will be good for the rest of the stay at the Imperial Tutor's residence."

With a gentle smile, the Crown Prince patted the top of her head and said, "Okay." And they moved on to talk about other topics until they reached the residence.