Just "Good Friends"?

"Don't worry too much Miss Mei. I don't plan on letting anything happen to you," a small smile played at the corner of the Emperor's lips.

Just yet anyway, he thought.

She turned to him with surprise, wondering how he knew she was frightened.

"T… thank you, Lord. I… I wasn't fright…"

"What did I say to you about telling me the truth?" he interrupted her tersely.

She nodded resolutely; she mustn't try to hide things from the Son of Heaven. It seemed he could read her mind anyway.

"You're right Lord, I was a little scared by the Noble Consort's invitation. My mother told me to keep below the notice of your harem."

He laughed loudly at this honest admission, and Eunuch Feng gave a small smile to see his Lord laugh so openly in the company of this young lady.

"She said that to you, did she? She's a very smart woman, your mother."