Whisper of the past

 Chapter 13: Whispers of the Past

"Eh! Eh!" They called, running after Mei maid, "your highness." She bowed. 

"Aren't you Mei maid?" Princess Hua asked.

"Yes, I am. My name is Ruo Xuan," she replied.

"Ruo Xuan, what happened between you and Mrs. Li? I saw her chasing you away," Princess Hua inquired.

"My lady is hungry, and I went to get her some food, but Mrs. Li won't allow me to get some," Ruo Xuan explained.

"Why don't you tell Young Master Wei? Why go back?" Chen Xui cut in, but Princess Hua tapped Chen Xui to keep quiet.

"My lady, though she is dumb, doesn't like involving her brother in the affair because Young Master won't take it lightly with them," Ruo Xuan said.

"Why is Young Lady Mei dumb? Is that how she was born?" Princess Hua asked, her curiosity piqued.

"No, your highness. She and Young Master were perfectly okay when Madam Yuan was alive. Madam Yuan developed a serious sickness and died. When Madam Yuan died, Madam Feng poisoned our young lady when she was just five years old. Since then, my lady became like that," Ruo Xuan explained, tears rolling down her cheeks.

Princess Hua and Chen Xui exchanged glances filled with pity. "Here," Princess Hua said, handing her a handkerchief. "Come with me; I have some bread buns."

As they made their way to Wang Wei's room, Princess Hua asked, "I will tell the kitchen to prepare food for Lady Mei in the evening. What is her favorite food?"

"Jiaozi (dumpling) with chicken," Ruo Xuan replied.

"Okay, I will tell them to make her that," Princess Hua said.

"Thank you, your highness," Ruo Xuan said, bowing gratefully before taking her leave. Princess Hua and Chen Xui look at her as she returned to Mei room.

"Princess, do you think Madam Feng will allow the kitchen to make food for Lady Mei?" Chen Xui asked.

"I have my ways," Princess Hua replied confidently.

During the evening, Princess Hua went to the kitchen herself. "Mrs. Li, are you the one in charge of this kitchen?" Princess Hua asked.

"No, your highness, the head cook is in charge," Mrs. Li replied.

"Since you aren't the one in charge, tell the head cook to prepare Lady Mei's favorite food," Princess Hua instructed.

"Your highness, I dare not," Mrs. Li said, fear evident in her voice.

"Are you defying my order?" Princess Hua asked, her tone sharp. Mrs. Li rushed to inform Madam Feng of what Princess Hua had said.

Madam Feng arrived, flanked by Mrs. Li. "Princess Hua, I heard you ordered the head cook to prepare big meals for Mei?" Madam Feng asked, her voice dripping with disdain.

"Yes, I did. As a member of General Wang's mansion, don't I have the right to do that?" Princess Hua replied, her demeanor calm yet assertive.

"Princess, this is General Wang's mansion, and you just came here. You are married into this family and have to abide by family rules. I am the only one to decide what Mei will eat; I am her stepmother," Madam Feng said, her voice rising.

"Really, Madam Feng? Are you sure? Apart from being the princess of this country," Princess Hua smiled as she moved closer to Madam Feng. "Do you care if I tell Wang Wei this? I'm sure he won't let this slide regarding your precious son, Second Master Haoyu. I heard the Empress is related to Madam Yuan. How would it feel if I told her you were the one who killed her cousin?" Princess Hua said, her words laced with a dangerous edge.

"In your heart, you know you killed her, don't you? Does General Wang know that? How about I tell him you killed his first wife?" Princess Hua continued, watching as Madam Feng's heart raced.

"Don't worry; your secret is safe with me. I won't tell anyone you killed her and made Mei dumb. Just allow the kitchen to listen to me as a member of the Wang family," Princess Hua concluded, turning to the kitchen to instruct the head cook to prepare the food she had requested, leaving Madam Feng standing in shock.

Mrs. Li helped Madam Feng inside. "Mrs. Li, how did Princess Hua know that?" Madam Feng asked, her voice trembling.

"I don't know either; I made sure no one was there that night," Mrs. Li replied.

"Or it is Mei that told her?" Mrs. Li suggested.

"Mei can't; she is dumb," Madam Feng said dismissively. "Find out who that is," she ordered.

After the cook finished preparing the food, Princess Hua instructed some maids to send it to Wang Wei's library, and she followed those taking food to Wang Mei. 

"Your highness, how did you know Mrs. Feng killed Madam Yuan?" Chen Xui asked, concern etched on her face.

"I only said that to make her scared, and she was. In my thinking, I believe Madam Feng knows something," Princess Hua replied, her voice low.

"Princess, please be careful; don't interfere in their issues. Everybody here is dangerous," Chen Xui warned as they approached Mei's room.

Upon arrival, they saw Mei sitting on a tree, singing softly. Ruo Xuan was there with her, and Mei's voice floated through the air:

"Xiànzài wǒ kànzhe nǐ yuǎn qù, wǒ xūyào nǐ de yōngbào,

Xiǎngniàn nǐ de wēixi ào, xiǎngniàn nǐ de ài,

Nǐ ràng wǒ rùshuì, dāng wǒ xǐng lái shí nǐ què yuǎn zài tiān biān.

Yào duōjiǔ cáinéng zài jiànmiàn, yào wǒ děng duōjiǔ,

Wǒ xiǎngniàn nǐ nà shuāng měilì de yǎnjīng, nǐ de zébèi yǐ bù fù cúnzài,

Wǒ dúzì miàn duì shēnghuó, wǒ xiǎng nǐ, wǒ xiǎng nǐ, wǒ fēicháng xiǎng nǐ."

(Now I watch you go far away, I need your embrace, I miss your warmth, I miss your love, You let me fall asleep, when I wake up, you are far away in the sky. How long until we meet again, how long must I wait, I miss your beautiful eyes, your shadow no longer exists, I face life alone, I think of you, I think of you, I miss you so much.)

Princess Hua watched, captivated by the beauty of Mei's voice. 

"Lady Mei's voice is cute; I love it, but the song is a sad one," Chen Xui remarked, her expression softening.

Ruo Xuan noticed the princess and gently tapped Wang Mei. "Sister," Mei exclaimed, running over to her and taking Princess Hua's hand, smiling brightly.

"Lady Mei, I told them to bring you this; I hope you like it," Princess Hua said, pointing to the food.

"Thank you, sister," Mei replied, her eyes sparkling with joy as she dashed to her room.

"Thank you, princess," Ruo Xuan expressed her gratitude, bowing deeply.

"Ruo Xuan, what is Lady Mei singing now? Why is she singing that?" Princess Hua inquired, her curiosity reignited.