A BLOOD MARK

  Lan He coughed and Yang Meizi along with Shi Miyuan broke their gaze as they quickly parted.

      "Pardon me." Yang Meizi said and bowing her head she faced the master.

       "I'm a little bit dizzy and not feeling well, I suppose it's because the poison hasn't yet cleared." She said.

       "You are excused." Master Wengong said and Yang Meizi withdrawing from the hall she was quickly accompanied by Nuwa as she struggled her way through.

       Princess Consort Han and her entourage were coming from the opposite direction not paying keen attention to where they were headed as they negotiated a corner Yang Meizi halted in her footsteps at their sight.

       She could tell from the way the other was dressed that she must have been a noble wife in the Imperial household.

       "Milady." She greeted while bowing her head and Princess Consort Han studied her entirely as well and noticed that she was a much unfamiliar face.

        "Such a young and beautiful Court Lady." She said, "I have been in the Palace for a while yet I have never noticed your face." She added.

        "She is the New Head Lady that saved the Empress' life." Qing Yi replied.

        "This is the heroine that I have been hearing so much about?" Princess Consort Han asked.

        "Yes Your Highness." Yang Meizi replied as she bowed her head.

        "Remarkable, I too was wondering who could it be?" Princess Consort Han muttered.

        "I am flattered Your Highness." Yang Meizi said.

       "You should make some time and talk to me, perhaps I will invite you over to my palace and there we will talk at a cup of tea." Princess Consort Han said.

       "I am grateful Your Highness." Yang Meizi replied and with a smirk on her face she stepped aside while the other continued her own way.

       Yang Meizi staring at her back while she sashayed away she sighed before leaning her hand on the nearby balcony.

       "Are you alright Milady?" Nuwa asked.

       "I'm fine." Yang Meizi replied.

       "Do you know who she is?" Nuwa asked.

       "Hardly." Yang Meizi replied, "have I anything to do with her?" she asked.

        "She is the niece of Han Touzhou, herself along with her sister were created Consorts of the Imperial grandson so she is very proud but I heard that the Imperial grandson barely pays much attention to her and after the birth of their son the both of them have been distanced for a while maintaining respect for one another but never intimate as lovers." Nuwa replied.

       "Han Touzhou would wish to get affiliated with the Imperial family, it seems his ambition has always been this much." Yang Meizi said.

       "However herself along with the Crown Princess are not on the best terms because I heard that the Crown Princess fears another Empress would hinder her might the day she would become widowed more so given the fact that she is of Han descent it isn't bad to say that she too could be as cruel or as poisonous as her kin." Nuwa muttered.

       "You seem to be well versed with these takes." Yang Meizi remarked.

       "You were made a Head Lady so much of everything that happens in the Palace hasn't escaped my ears as the sisters have helped me identify a majority of the Imperial relatives for the time being." Nuwa replied.    

       "I see." Yang Meizi said while she halted and recalled everything that had happened in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

       "Could it be?" She asked as she touched the left side of her chest and felt her heart beating faster than usual she quickly lowered her hand and walked away.

       In a distance she was being watched by one of the palace Eunuchs and himself lingering around the courtyard he followed closely while Yang Meizi stood at a distance.

       She felt awkward and turned around but she didn't see a thing.

       "What's wrong Milady?" Nuwa asked.

       "I thought I heard someone." Yang Meizi replied.

       "The Palace is full of servants and there is nothing here, besides you aren't feeling well so it's likely that you're imagining things." Nuwa replied.

       "Perhaps." Yang Meizi replied continuing towards her Chambers while the man hiding behind one of the nearby pillars revealed himself.

       "It's her." He said to himself and turning around he quickly hurried through the Palace hallways.

        He negotiated one corner and then another until he stopped in front of a certain man that was dressed in thick dark robes with a hood over his head.

        "Did you find her?" The man asked in a very deep and commanding tone.

        "Yes." The Eunuch replied.

        "Good." The man said.

        "But I am not yet too sure if she is the person that possesses the blood mark on her shoulder." The man said.

        "Then how did you assume she was the one?" the stranger asked.

        "Those eyes look familiar and seventeen years ago the Empress Dowager brought a young girl into the Palace around the same time that Zhang Shansheng died.

       She erected for her a tombstone and she worships it every year while I had that there is also a memorial tablet in her quarters right next to that of her foster mother Yang Cairen.

       If she is the blood Daughter of Zhang Shansheng then it's likely that she is the one that you're looking for." the Eunuch replied.

       "Twenty five whole years?" The stranger said.

       "I'll see if she possesses the blood mark." The Eunuch said.

       "Keep a very close eye on her and make sure to report to me each and everything that happens." the stranger commanded.

       "Yes Sir." The Eunuch replied and hearing the sound of footsteps he turned around while the man leaped onto the roof.

        Prince Zhao Kuo and Lan He along with their attendants were marching furiously to the Eastern side of the Palace when they stopped nearby for a breath.

        "You can imagine how close they were." He scolded, "he held her so tightly that I felt like getting up and punching his face." He added.

        "It was an instinct and besides he saved her life." Lan He remarked looking uncomfortable in the Prince's robes.

        "I didn't like it." Prince Zhao Kuo said.

        "Yet she seems to be falling in love with him." Lan He said.

        "I won't let that happen." Prince Zhao Kuo swore as he clenched his fists while the Eunuch watched very closely.

        The man that was dressed in black loitering the streets he made an entrance into a nearby building and there as he walked up to the front he caught sight of another strange man that was seated at a table and drinking some liquor.

        "Did you find her?" he asked.

        "Yes Father." the man replied and the latter returning the small cup to the table he stood up and slowly approached his son.

        "Well done." He said.

        "But I don't understand father, why do you insist on looking for the lost Princess right now?" the man asked.

        "Do you question me?" the older asked.

        "No father." He replied, "I am just curious." He added.

        "Very well." the old man said and turning around he faced the wall.

        "Long ago I made a promise to His Majesty that I'd protect his child." He said.

        "Why?" the son Asked.

        "I recall those days when His Majesty was still the Prince Digunai during the Tiande Era, he was very excellent at everything that he did and he was a great military General whose only purpose in life was to make his country great.

       At the time that the wars with the Song intensified along the Northern border he marched up with his men against the brave Generals the likes of Yu Yunwen and in the fight he was injured but later rescued by a Song woman at the time a dancer that had been disowned by her own family, she belonged to the Silver Fraternity which was to devote itself to the defense of the Empire.

       She kept him hidden and treated his wounds and at the time that he recovered, she helped him get to the border but at the time the young man had long fallen for her.

       He pleaded with her to return to the Imperial Court of Jin and after much resistance at first, the young lady agreed and my Lord returning her with himself to the Capital he took her in amongst his Concubines and honoured her as the Consort Zhao but since he had taken over the throne in a coup de tat when he opted to Unite the whole World under the Jurchen flag in the battle of Caishi, he was greatly repelled and that disaster forced Wulu to gather the support of prominent officials at the time he consulted an astrologer who said the odds were in his favour as one of the Emperor's wives would sire a child under the brilliance of the North Star who would possess the blood mark and would bring the state to ruin when they grew up.

       The words of the Astrologer justified he got up and at the time that three of the Emperor's women were pregnant, the Courtiers ashamed turned on him but he had known long before that he had been a target he asked me to take Consort Zhao from the Palace and as long as we would cross the border, we would be safe and not one of us would be implicated.

       I sneaked out of the camp the day before His Majesty having convinced me that he was prepared and getting into the Palace we sneaked Consort Zhao out and hid her first in a nunnery as we had not known her condition.

       By the time that we learnt she was with child there were Imperial troops searching all over for her and fleeing the Country she returned among the members of the fraternity where she belonged and was even appointed the head a short while later.

       By the time I received the News that His Majesty had passed on and his murderer Wulu had ascended the throne as Emperor, the last thing I had with me was his order telling me that I had to find the Lost Child and if he were a Prince then I would help him reach greater places while if she were a Princess then I would as well protect her." The old man said as he turned to his son.

       "I didn't know." the younger said.

       "We all have something too dark to be shared and I don't blame you for being curious as to why I choose to seek out this young girl right now.

       I am very guilty deep down because I couldn't protect her mother from that Cruel Palace, but now that she is there we shall get her out by all means whether it's against her will or not." The old man said.

       "Yes Father." The younger replied.

       "Pula, can you do this for me?" The old man requested.

       "Yes." Pula replied as he bowed his head, "but....." He wished to say something and hesitated.

       "But what?" The old man asked.

       "The Palace is well protected and after a series of attempted assassinations the security is bound to be very tight." Pula replied.

       "The Head Lady travels outside the Palace at times." The old man said, "if we are kept posted each time then when they are in the crowds outside those tall palace walls we shall act immediately." He added.

       "Yes Father." Pula replied as he stood up and walked out of the room.

       Shi Miyuan stood in the backyard garden of his home and looking at his right hand he recalled everything that had happened earlier in the day at the Palace.

       He could almost see Yang Meizi staring into his eyes with so much passion he couldn't help but smile at himself.

        "Are you thinking about her?" Dong Hua asked.

        "She must have been so used to saving my life that she was surprised today when I saved her own." Shi Miyuan replied.

        "Considering what you told me about the way she looked at you it's likely that she shares a similar affection even if she hasn't yet told you face to face." Dong Hua said.

        "It's strange that hours have already passed by but it feels like a short while since it happened." Shi Miyuan muttered.

        "I am jealous." Dong Hua said, "you really care so much about her that you forget about yourself." He added.

        "At first I would ask for her hand in marriage, now that she becomes a Court Lady things are going to be a little bit more difficult." Shi Miyuan said.

        "Regardless Your Excellency, if it makes you happy then I am willing to help you." Dong Hua said.

        "Keep a close eye on her." Shi Miyuan replied.

        "Do you suspect her for anything?" Dong Hua asked.

        "Someone targeted the Empress and she saved her life, it's likely that an enemy to the Empress might make an attempt on her and until then your men are ordered to protect her for my sake." Shi Miyuan replied.

       "Yes Your Excellency." Dong Hua said.

       Crown Princess Li was seated in her Chambers while looking at herself in the mirror as Liu Zhan helped her remove a couple of hairpins from her head.

       "How's the new Head Lady?" She asked.

       "Quite well, I have heard that everyone loves her and she isn't as tough she's more of an outgoing person." Liu Zhan replied. 

        "People that work under the Empress Dowager are cunning, to find one who is that high spirited is certainly a miracle " Crown Princess Li remarked.

       "But she is very much like her mother Yang Cairen only a little bit too wise." Liu Zhan replied.

       "If she can't be an ally the only question that is still left unanswered is whether she is a threat to me or not." Crown Princess Li said.

        "Aside from doing her jobs really well I heard that the Emperor had her supervise the Imperial Scholars with the Imperial grandson during their studies." Liu Zhan replied.

        "The Palace material for clothes needs to be inspected and chosen personally by her, as the Crown Princess would it be mean if I sent her along?" She asked.

        "Your Highness pulls the strings." Liu Zhan replied, "however I don't understand why." She added.

        "How well does she think, how good are her household skills, as a fellow woman I am merely concerned." The Crown Princess replied.

        "Yes Your Highness." Liu Zhan muttered.

        "If you can not watch out for anyone even those that are humble, then your demise shall come much sooner than expected and unlike the Empress Dowager if acting innocent is her ruse to make me lower my guard I certainly won't fall for it." Crown Princess Li remarked while she combed her hair and holding it tightly she smiled.

       "Lovely, don't you think?" She asked.

       "As always Your Highness." Liu Zhan replied as she smiled diligently.

        It was nearing noon and Yang Meizi and Nuwa walking into the textile shop the two of them marvelled at its beauty.

        The best materials in all colors hang all over the place like curtains while samples had been fully sewn and put on display.

       There was a young man that was leading the way who quickly brought them to one smaller compartment that was filled with heavy garments that had been sewed and adorned with precious jewels and stones.

       Yang Meizi smiled at the red attire.

       "Does Milady like it?" The man asked.

       "Imported satin that is sewn with polished rubies and diamonds, there a small additions of turquoise to add the green shade to it while in the light and a piece like this that is hand sewn must have taken more than a year given the many details in it." Yang Meizi replied.  

       "Milady surely does know the material." the man said and Yang Meizi's eyes travelling around she caught sight of a blue silk brocade that was adorned with beautiful cloud like patterns.

       She also walked up to it and admired it's beauty.

       Something as good as this might look simple but in an actual sense it's very rare, accompany it with golden hairpins that are inlaid with jade and turquoise and perhaps even silver the one word you'd say is beautiful." Yang Meizi said.

       "Has Milady made her mind?" The man showing them asked.

       "I have decided." Yang Meizi replied and after a while as she was done selecting the clothes, she sat down in a room and inspected them while they were being packaged.

        At the time she caught sight of one of the attendants moving by and intensely staring at him he had his head kept low that she smiled.

       "Summon him." She ordered and Nuwa looking around she saw the man as well.

       "Yes." She replied as she rushed over while the Imperial guards quickly stopped in front of him.

        He turned around to look at Yang Meizi.

        "Why don't you help me do the packing?" She asked.

       "Alright." The man replied bowing his head he quickly got into the compartment as Yang Meizi smiled at him.

        "At your service Milady." he said and Yang Meizi looking at Nuwa and the other shop attendant they all quickly withdrew from the room while she leaned in her seat and picked up a cup of tea to watch the man doing the packing of the clothes.

       He stretched out his hand and then he picked up the scarlet fabric which he slowly started to fold but in a disorderly manner.

       "Stop because you have already given yourself away and blown your cover." She muttered that the man surprised he widened his eyes as he looked at her while she smiled sincerely.

       "Sorry?" He asked.

       "You are too reserved for a shop attendant and if your boss kept you around I believe that this business would be unsuccessful.

       You don't know the proper way of folding those clothes and from here I could tell that you're a warrior by looking at your hands and if I'm not mistaken then they must have calluses on them." Yang Meizi said.

      "How come yours are different?" The man asked.

       "I am a woman that means I know how to take care of them, two hours in water and after that I get to apply usual balms to keep them smooth and besides the sword I wield has a thin arm and a flexible blade it's much easier to fight with it at my minimal strengths and moreso you must be wondering where it is." Yang Meizi said.

        The man smiled.

        "We are about the same age after all." he muttered.

        "I believe so." Yang Meizi said, "so come clean and answer my question and tell me if you are here to assassinate me?" She asked.

        "No." He replied.

        "In three moves I can end your life and besides there are palace guards all over this place so it's going to be much harder to escape than you expect." Yang Meizi said.

        "My Princess...?" Pula said.

        "Your Princess?" Yang Meizi asked.

        "Come with me." Pula demanded.

        "Step down immediately." Yang Meizi said, "with your accent I can tell you are no fluent with Mandarin and that means that it's likely that you are from either Xia or Jin but then considering the mere fact that your skin is a little bit tan, your eyes wider, I have seen people from those regions and the men from the Jurchens are warlike in nature that's compared to us the Song and also the Xia, to say that you are from Tibet it's rather unlikely so mention of me being a Jurchen Princess and I'll see to it that you lose your head." Yang Meizi threatened.   

        Immediately she had spoken, she knocked on the table thrice and the doors were opened as Nuwa and the others got in.

         "Is there anything wrong Milady?" She asked.

        "I forgot." Yang Meizi said looking at the young man, "we were just having a casual talk she added but I'm sure that we are running late and we must hurry back towards the Palace." She added.

         The attendant in the shop that had been in the room earlier walked in again.

        "Perhaps it'll be faster if I pack up, don't blame him because he is very new to this job." he said.    

        "I understand." Yang Meizi said, "I'll put in a very good word for you in the Royal household as I understand that there's still a financial struggle against the Yongding house over trying to manufacture the clothes of the staff and the Imperial relatives." She added.

       "We couldn't be more thankful Milady." The man said and along with his colleague Pula the two bowed their heads while Yang Meizi stood up from where she was seated and walking towards the door she halted with him beside her that she turned and smiled.

       "I won't forget your courtesy and I hope that you don't forget mine." She said continuing through the doors while the other attendants carried the fabric out of the building leaving him alone with his colleague inside.

       "Let's get back to work." he said and Pula nodding, they walked away while right outside the window and slightly below it, there was a man who looked like an average beggar that appeared to have eavesdropped their conversation.

      "The Princess of Jin?" Shi Miyuan asked.

       "Yes Your Excellency." Dong Hua replied, "my men reported back that in deed it was what the Head Lady and that stranger spoke about." Dong Hua replied.

       "Yang Meizi is a Jin Princess?" Shi Miyuan asked.

       "According to what I heard she didn't seem to believe it or focus on it that much but yet it is certainly true." Dong Hua replied.

       "A Princess of an enemy state within the Palace of the Kingdom is in deed a treasonous act and that means if word of this is to spread then she might be in big trouble." Shi Miyuan said.

       "I had my best men tailing that mysterious attendant because being that bold it's likely that there are other people involved in it yet she resisted going along with him." Dong Hua said.

       "But how is it that Yang Meizi could be a Jurchen Princess?" Shi Miyuan asked.

       "Nothing much is known about her father and her mother I heard once vanished for eleven years before she was seen again, at that time it's likely that she was in the Jurchen territory however to learn about all the events that happened in Jin at the time is very difficult unless we have a man on the inside." Dong Hua said.

       "This is an issue concerning the Imperial family of Jin and it's likely that some of those facts will remain hidden or they were most likely tampered with." Shi Miyuan said.

       "Then what should we do?" Dong Hua asked.

       "We need to first of all know who the man is behind that attendant because if they have a valid reason for calling Yang Meizi a Jurchen Princess then it would be much easier than digging through the past." Shi Miyuan replied.

        "Yes Your Excellency." Dong Hua replied.

        Yang Meizi having returned to the palace she was seated in her tab while showering and pouring the water over her shoulder, she suddenly stared at the blood mark on her right upper hand.

       It was shaped like a flame and as she stared intensely at it she recalled the words that the man had said to her.

         "My Princess...?" He'd called her and while she had studied his eyes he seemed to serious.

         "First the heiress to the Silver Fraternity and now a Jurchen Princess?" She asked herself and sighing she stepped out of the water and put on her robes as she walked out only to find Nuwa waiting for her.

        "You seem distracted." She said.

        "I heard from our brothers." Nuwa replied.

        "Anything wrong?" Yang Meizi asked.

        "Zhao Ruyu's men have been keeping a close eye on Han Touzhou and a couple of days ago, he met up with Han Guang in Henan." Nuwa replied.

        "Han Guang?" Yang Meizi asked.

        "He is the father of the Princess Consort Han and the older brother of Han Touzhou, also after the disaster at Xiangyang and General Yang's rebellion he was named Governor in that province." Nuwa replied.

       Any sort on Han Touzhou is valuable to him and given that he was defeated by the Empress Dowager and a number of his men were murdered, his economic might has as well diminished and he is currently bankrupt.

        He can't hire more man power any immediate revival might draw some more attention to him so it's safe to say that the Dowager Empress might not give him enough time to recuperate he is trying his best to be very careful." Yang Meizi said.

       "And His Majesty?" Nuwa asked.

       "The doubts between the two have not yet been cleared I am forced to believe so we should focus more on the Crown Princess." Yang Meizi replied.

       Saying this there was a knock at her door.

       "Come in." She ordered and there was a lady in waiting that hurried into her Chambers.

       "Milady." She greeted her.

       "How may I help you?" Yang Meizi asked.

       "Her Highness the Princess Consort Han wishes to invite you over for a cup of tea at her palace tomorrow in the morning." She replied.

       "She is but a senior, there isn't a need to ask." Yang Meizi said.

       "Her Highness is modest and she was hoping that she isn't intruding on the hours of your service to the Emperor." the lady in waiting replied.

       "You can as well tell her that I am honoured and I certainly won't let her down." Yang Meizi replied with a ghastly smile on her face that the other taking it lightly she withdrew while Yang Meizi's smile quickly faded and her hatred was visible on her face.

       "I thought that she didn't mean it." Nuwa said.

       "The Hans are full of surprises and how could I possibly forget everything that they did to my mother?" Yang Meizi said.

       "They tend to forget that over the years they have gathered more enemies for themselves." Nuwa said.

       "I suppose visiting the enemy won't hurt, after all how could I be afraid and choose to cower now?" Yang Meizi muttered.

       Empress Dowager Wu seated in her Chambers Wan'er walked in holding a small envelope in her hands which she presented to her.

       "What is it?" She asked.

       "The Princess Consort Han has invited Court Lady Yang over for a cup of tea tomorrow morning in her palace." Wan'er replied.

       "Seems like they are all looking for favours." Empress Dowager Wu remarked.

       "This isn't like her." Wan'er remarked.

       "What does it matter, people change over the time and everyone wishes to get affiliated with the Empress' heroine, besides tale bearing has been spreading around the palace pointing at her as a very beautiful woman everyone of the Imperial wives would be curious." Empress Dowager Wu remarked.

       "Then what are we going to do Your Highness?" Wan'er asked.

       "Since Yang Meizi must have told you she will certainly go and I am comfortable because I want the Princess Consort to see for herself that beauty of hers that could drive every man insane.

       It would be even much better if she were to grow fearful of her because after that affair I expect to spread rumours of a Scandal within the Palace." Empress Dowager Wu replied.

        "But Your Highness, would Yang Meizi really allow herself to fall for the son of her mother's murderer?" Wan'er asked.

        "I'm helping her and whether she falls for him or not I am only interested in toppling her pride, if all goes well she could be as lucky that I am doing this much because if she can cling to that opportunity then who knows, perhaps in the future she could as well match up to Han Touzhou's influence in the Harem." Empress Dowager Wu replied with a ghastly smile on her face.

        Prince Zhao Kuo standing on the bridge he gazed at the night sky while the memory of everything that had happened in the Hall of Mental Cultivation replayed at the back of his mind.

       He was just as furious and as his eyes looked around he caught sight of Yang Meizi who with her attendants were walking at a distance and were headed for the Emperor's Palace.

       He gazed intensely and admired the grace with which she walked and yet she didn't seem to notice his distant presence.

       "Look at me." He thought inwardly but there was no such reaction which forced his eyes to become teary not long after he shed a tear.

       "Your Highness." Lan He called and immediately he turned around to face him wiping away his tears.

       "What is it?" Prince Zhao Kuo asked.

       "Her Highness the Princess Consort has invited you over for breakfast early in the morning tomorrow." Lan He replied.

       Prince Zhao Kuo about to refuse started debating inwardly.

        "Should I tell her that you won't make it?" He asked.

        "I don't want to cause much of an uproar by not turning up and I have avoided her way too many times already." Prince Zhao Kuo said in a lowly tone.

        "Very well Your Highness." Lan He remarked and turning to the Lady in waiting who was nearby he immediately whispered into her ear before she turned around and walked away while the Prince looking where Yang Meizi had been he could see her no more.

       He sighed depressed that Lan He himself noticed in his mood it was better to keep quiet.

       "Let's head back to my Chambers." He ordered and the others bowing their heads he led the way across the bridge to the Eastern side of the Palace.

       Shi Miyuan still pacing around his room Dong Hua rushed in and bowed his head.

       "What have you found out?" He quickly asked.

       "Our men have reported the address where the attendant went to from the Textile house." Dong Hua replied and stretching his hand into his belt he pulled out a piece of paper which he handed over to Shi Miyuan.

        He quickly unfolded it and reading it's contents his eyes widened.

       "Fanling Court?" He said.

       "Yes Your Excellency." Dong Hua replied.

       "Tell a few of our men to prepare as we head out tomorrow." Shi Miyuan ordered.

       "Yes Sir." Dong Hua replied walking out of the room while his master clenched the letter in his fist.

       "What is it that you are after?" He asked himself curiously.

       Lan He was lingering around the Palace very early in the morning when he caught on the conversation of the Ladies in waiting that were cleaning the nearby compound.

      "The New Head Lady is quite popular and I even heard that the Imperial grandson's Princess Consort has invited her over for a cup of tea." One said.

       "She is working for the Emperor so it's natural for other members of the Imperial family to curry favour with her." Another replied.

       Hearing this Lan He seemed to recall something instantly and as his mind wandered back to the previous day he remembered that the Prince had been invites over.

       "I have to stop him." He said to himself quickly rushing to his residence and Yang Meizi and her attendants stepping out of her Chambers she was accompanied towards the Princess Consort's Palace.

        "Your Highness, you invited Court Lady Yang and His Highness for breakfast at the same time?" Qing Yi remarked.

        "Is there anything wrong with that?" Princess Consort Han asked.

        "I'm simply curious Your Highness." Qing Yi replied and the Princess Consort looking at her she smiled.

        "I don't blame you for being curious but I remember very well that you said it before that it's likely that she must have caught his eye given the way that he looked at him and bumping into her all of a sudden I did notice that there was something she did possess." Princess Consort Han replied. 

       "So this breakfast is a test?" Qing Yi asked.

       "If I could read the sparks well then I might see whether to prove you right or wrong, it's just a fact though that where a man's eyes wander he starts sniffing the skirts they behold." Princess Consort Han replied.

      "I am sure that she is on her way by now." Qing Yi said.

       "I just want His Highness to take a closer look and it's from that result that we'll tell if she is a threat or not." Princess Consort Han remarked.

        Prince Zhao Kuo was preparing to leave his Chambers when the doors were flung open and Lan He rushed through.

        "It's good that you have come, I was just about to finish dressing up." He said.

        "You can't go to the Princess Consort's Palace Your Highness." Lan He remarked and Zhao Kuo surprised he quickly turned and looked at him with a faint smile appearing on his face he eventually exploded into laughter.

       "You can't be serious." He said.

       "Trust me Your Highness, you wouldn't wish to go to the Princess Consort's Palace." Lan He replied.

       "And why is that?" Prince Zhao Kuo asked, "I made a promise to Her Highness." He added.

        "Her Highness already invited Court Lady Yang over for breakfast so if you are to attend then you better be prepared to face her." Lan He replied.

       "Court Lady Yang?" Prince Zhao Kuo asked.

       "In front of your wife I can not pretend to be the Imperial grandson and even if I did she would think it to be weird." Lan He replied.

        "There's not much we can do right now." Prince Zhao Kuo muttered as he sat down in his seat.

        "I was trying hard enough to wear this." He said.

        "Patience Your Highness." Lan He replied.

        Yang Meizi arrived at the entrance of the Palace and there the maids bowing their heads they paved way for her as she walked up to Qing Yi who awaited her with a smile on her face.

       "Milady has been waiting for you." She said.

        "The honour is all mine." Yang Meizi replied while the latter leading the way, she followed around the corner until she was brought to a small round pavilion that overlooked the pond and was surrounded by a serene compound that was busy with butterflies and bunnies.

        Seeing the Princess Consort she bowed her head offering her salutations.

        "No Red tape." Princess Consort Han muttered.

        "There's a difference in our Hierarchy Your Highness, how dare I act casual I'm your presence?" Yang Meizi asked.

        "Today I want us to be free, I'll not hold anything against you." Princess Consort Han said and Yang Meizi smiling she sat down at the opposite end of the table.

        The two waited for a while only exchanging glances while Yang Meizi sipped at her cup of tea and a short while later, one of the Princess Consort's Ladies in waiting approached her and leaned close to her ear whispering something.

       She nodded while the lady in waiting withdrew.

        "Pardon me, I was hoping that the Imperial grandson would join us but it seems that he is caught up with a more urgent commitment." Princess Consort Han said.

       "I understand that it must be quite busy for him." Yang Meizi said with a smile on her face.

       I heard that you were monitoring everyone at the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

       "Yes Your Highness." Yang Meizi replied as the Princess Consort leaned over.

        "Then tell me what you think about the Imperial Prince?" She asked.

        Yang Meizi lowering her tea cup she coughed a little.

        "Very reserved and quiet at least, hot headed at times, though to compare his fellows he was the least outstanding." Yang Meizi replied and the Princess Consort smiling she reclined in her seat.

       "Because I gave you the liberty there are no hard feelings." Shs muttered.

       "I did try tk assess all the individuals personally and they are all very articulate except his Highness, however compared to him Your Highness seems to be about just as smart and diligent." Yang Meizi praised.

       "It's my turn to get flattered?" She asked.

       "I'm only speaking the truth." Yang Meizi replied.

       "I have been in the palace three years and to sit down to a very good conversation like this one is so rare an opportunity." Princess Consort Han said.

       "The Courtiers complain, the people shout aloud, yet amidst all that it's better to stay calm within these walls I tend to prefer a life of silence and simplicity like my mother." Yang Meizi remarked.

       "If that's the case then why did you take it upon yourself to fulfill a more hectic duty of being a Head Lady?" Princess Consort Han asked.

       "His Majesty rewarded me with generosity that I couldn't possibly turn him down, and when I know where to look and where to turn a blind eye, when to listen and when to Command, what I should do and what I must, then how hard could it be on me?" Yang Meizi asked.

       "Well said." Princess Consort Han remarked, "however I wish to know what do you mean when you say to know where to look and where to turn a blind eye?" She asked.

      "Thousands of idiots tend to think that the best life is within the palace walls, another ten thousand die every year because of getting involved in other's business and not minding their own.

       There's a kind of people that watch, a kind of people that learn, a kind of people that endure and a kind of people that know nothing at all Your Highness, surely, it's safer to say that the Palace itself is a battlefield and it is ownerless as well, because even when we all come and go, those pillars remain alone until the very day that they fall to the ground themselves." Yang Meizi replied.

       "You are as smart as they say." Princess Consort Han remarked.

       "I am very glad that Your Highness is impressed." Yang Meizi replied.

       "However don't you think that naturally if disobedient you might make enemies?" Princess Consort Han asked.

        "What if I am comfortable with having enemies?" Yang Meizi replied.

        "Are you?" Princess Consort Han asked.

        "Yes." Yang Meizi replied, "just like a tide can be either too big or too small, there are those that can't be feared the same, the only difference is that I choose to bear the lighter of the two evils and confront the greater on the same." She added.

        "I'll never forget your good counsel." Princess Consort Han remarked.

        "It's my habit Your Highness." Yang Meizi replied, "I do hope that you'll also appreciate my presence as much as I appreciate yours." She added and standing up she bowed her head.

       "It's getting a little bit late and I have a commitment with His Majesty, pardon me for seeming offensive but may I have your leave?" She asked.

        "No problem." Princess Consort Han replied and Yang Meizi walking away she picked up her cup of tea and took a sip with a ghastly smile on her face.

        "What do you think about her Your Highness?" Qing Yi asked.

        "She is in deed a very valuable talent not to mention an unspoken one, much like the Empress Dowager, much like the Crown Princess and much like my uncle himself." She replied.

       "Is that supposed to be a good thing?" Qing Yi asked.

        "What is good?" Princess Consort Han asked.

       "Enlighten me Your Highness." Qing Yi replied.

       "A dog that can't bite the honour, a servant that is very loyal and obedient, he who sees but can't hear or listen, he who knows what you like and what you don't." Princess Consort Han replied, "that is good." She added.

        "She does seem to carefree to me, and yet when she speaks she seems to wise." Qing Yi remarked.

        "It's hard to read her innermost thoughts, she speaks both deeply and very shallow, someone like that is very hard to tell which side they are on, but what matters much more than anything is the number of people that dig your grave and the number of those that will save you from it." Princess Consort Han replied.

        Yang Meizi sashaying into her quarters while being accompanied by Nuwa sat down.

        "She asks way too many questions." Nuwa remarked.

        "I gave her answers." Yang Meizi replied confidently.

       "Even then Milady, after that brief encounter who knows what her mind is going to conjure up?" Nuwa asked.

        "The grounds are still not favourable for a storm, however if she acts up too soon I might not be as generous to warn her as well." Yang Meizi replied.

       "She is the Princess Consort and you are the Emperor's Head Lady." Nuwa said.

        "As long as I have His Majesty's favours she wouldn't dare moreso I don't think she is foolish enough to do something that would only increase the Emperor's suspicion of her father." Yang Meizi replied.

        "It's almost time for the Prince's lessons and his colleagues will be in the Palace sooner, you'd better get ready." Nuwa said.

        "Before that I need you to deliver some news to Master Bao." Yang Meizi said.

        "What would you wish to have me do?" Nuwa asked.

        "I want to find out whatever there is to know about that new attendant at the Textile house that we visited yesterday." Yang Meizi replied.

       "Is there anything wrong with him?" Nuwa asked.

       "I want to be certain about his whereabouts and where he lives, I am merely curious and you would understand what my curiosity means." Yang Meizi replied.

       "Right away." Nuwa replied as she withdrew from the hall.

       Yang Meizi turning her eyes to her table she saw a small cup of tea and a small jug which she stared at intensely before standing up and similarly walking out through the door.

       The Crown Prince and the others were seated and debating amongst themselves while Yang Meizi and Shi Miyuan who were absent minded at the moment paid no attention to them at all.

      Master Wengong noticed for the past couple of hours and while the session was over, Yang Meizi walked out of the room while Prince Zhao Kuo pursuing her was a couple of seconds later than Shi Miyuan.

       "Lady Yang?" He called and she turned to look at him.

       "Your Excellency?" She muttered.

       "There's no need to be very formal." Shi Miyuan remarked and Yang Meizi smiled lightly.

       "You must be surprised that I am a Head Lady." She said.

       "To imagine that my savior who is a very skilled martial artist is humble in the Emperor's service I am in deed surprised but now at least you can agree with me that our very own meeting is fated." Shi Miyuan said.

      "What is fate?" Yang Meizi asked.

      "Perhaps you don't believe in superstitions?" Shi Miyuan asked.

       "Everyone prays to the heavens, others simply live on what this life throws at them, however contrary to all those people I am a person that never resigns to a fate that I do not write." Yang Meizi replied.

       "Then perhaps you are saying that to become a Court Lady was your will, or perhaps it is a warrior that you chose to be?" Shi Miyuan asked.

      "What if I said yes?" Yang Meizi said.

      "Then you must be much more powerful than I expected you to be." Shi Miyuan replied.

       "All my life no one told me that they liked me and everyone has a reason for everything." Yang Meizi said and halting in her footsteps she turned around and faced him, "yet you could be so brazen and you can tell that I am not the type that is very sincere, so what is it that you like about me?" She asked.

       "What is it that I like about you?" Shi Miyuan asked himself and turning around he continued while Yang Meizi followed.

        "I'm still waiting for an answer." She persisted.

        "Let me be frank and tell you the truth." Shi Miyuan replied, "you are very much unlike every other person that I have met in my life and from the first day that I saw you my heart never felt the same.

         You are beautiful, you are brave, you are kind, I'm not certain how generous you are but I don't want any of these to be the reason why I like you because suppose one day they fade away and like flowers they either, I want to remain loving you till the day that I'll breathe my very last." He added.

      Yang Meizi flattered from hearing that she bent her head and looked down while placing her hand on her chest she felt her heart beating faster.

       "Excuse me." She muttered and the two splitting and headed in different directions she was joined by Nuwa and her attendants as they moved to her Chambers.