WELCOME RESPITE

The morning sun cast a gentle light over the Zhao mansion, its rays filtering through the elegant curtains of Li Mei's room. As Li Mei stretched and yawned, her thoughts were still tangled with the events of the previous day—the charming encounter with Wei Ming and the awkwardness of the Princess's tea party. She felt a flicker of relief knowing that she had a bit of breathing room.

Meanwhile, at the palace, the usually vibrant Princess Ling's chambers were quiet and subdued. The Princess, normally the epitome of grace and elegance, now lay in her grand bed looking far less regal than usual. Her face was pale, her brow furrowed in discomfort as she tried to shake off the fever that had taken hold of her.

Her maid, a devoted young woman with a kind demeanor, bustled about the room, arranging herbal teas and cool compresses. The usual opulence of the Princess's quarters was overshadowed by the array of medicinal remedies spread across the room.

"Your Highness, please drink this tea," the maid urged, holding out a steaming cup. "It's supposed to help with the fever."

Princess Ling took the cup with a reluctant sigh. "Must I? This tea tastes dreadful. But I suppose I don't have much choice right now."

The maid nodded sympathetically. "It's for the best, Your Highness. You need to rest to recover."

Princess Ling sipped the tea, her face scrunching up at the taste. "I had such grand plans for Li Mei. Now I'm stuck here, feeling miserable and unable to do anything."

The maid placed a cool compress on the Princess's forehead and adjusted her pillows. "It's unfortunate, but maybe this forced rest will give you time to come up with even better plans. Sometimes, a break can lead to fresh ideas."

Princess Ling grumbled but couldn't deny the truth in her maid's words. "I suppose. But it's frustrating to be laid up like this, especially with Li Mei around. She's become quite the thorn in my side."

As the day progressed, the Princess's condition showed no signs of improvement. Her attendants kept the room quiet and calm, ensuring she could rest undisturbed. The plans to undermine Li Mei were temporarily shelved, much to the relief of the young woman who had felt the brunt of the Princess's hostility.

Back at the Zhao mansion, Li Mei was blissfully unaware of the Princess's plight. She bustled around her kitchen, her mind focused on perfecting her latest recipe: a sweet treat made with bitter melon. The complex flavors of the bitter melon were challenging to work with, but Li Mei was determined. The recipe had been a work in progress for over three years, and she was eager to see it finally come to fruition.

As Li Mei prepared her ingredients, Yulan entered the room with a cheerful grin. "Good morning, Miss Li Mei! You seem particularly happy today. Did something good happen?"

Li Mei's face lit up. "Oh, Yulan, you wouldn't believe it! I met Wei Ming yesterday. He's just as charming as everyone says. And the best part? He actually recognized me as the foodie from the market!"

Yulan's eyes widened in amusement. "Really? That sounds like quite an adventure! I'm glad to see you in such high spirits. But don't let it distract you too much from your cooking."

Li Mei laughed, her spirits buoyed by Yulan's enthusiasm. "I won't. I'm determined to perfect this recipe. It's been three years in the making, and I can't wait to see how it turns out."

As Li Mei and Yulan worked together in the kitchen, the conversation turned to the Princess's tea party. Li Mei shared her frustrations about the event, but she kept her feelings light and humorous.

"You should have seen the Princess's face when I didn't react to her jabs," Li Mei said with a grin. "I think she was expecting me to crumble, but instead, I just laughed it off."

Yulan chuckled. "You always know how to handle these situations with grace. I'm sure the Princess was more annoyed than anything else."

Little did they know, the Princess was far removed from their thoughts. As Li Mei focused on her culinary experiment, the tension of the previous days seemed to dissipate. The Princess's schemes were on hold for now, providing Li Mei with a much-needed reprieve.

In the quiet of her chamber, the Princess lay back, a hint of annoyance still lingering in her expression. Her plans for Li Mei had to be postponed, but she was determined not to let this setback keep her down for long. The Princess's thoughts were clouded with jealousy and frustration, knowing that her plans were thwarted by an unexpected illness.