A CLASH OF WILLS

Later that night, Mei Xing sat at the dining table and watched as the servants arranged a sumptuous feast: roast duck, braised pork, fragrant rice, and all manner of side dishes. She frowned.

".Is this. normal?" she asked, turning to Xiao Hong, who sat opposite her with his usual composure.

"Normal?" he repeated, picking up his chopsticks.

"This," she gestured at the amount of food overloading the table. "Do you always eat like a king?"

Xiao Hong drank his wine in a slow fashion before answering. "No. This is special treatment—for you."

Mei Xing stared at him. "You're trying to fatten me up so I can't run away, aren't you?"

Cai Wei, serving wine, almost choked with laughter.

Xiao Hong didn't even flinch. "That's an excellent idea. Shall I order more dishes?"

Mei Xing narrowed her eyes. "You wouldn't dare."

Xiao Hong smirked. "Try me."

Before Mei Xing could retaliate, Chuchui eagerly leaned in, whispering dramatically, "Mistress, this is your chance! Eat everything and drain his resources!"

Cai Wei shook his head. "Chuchui, you are a terrible influence."

Mei Xing sighed and picked her chopsticks up. "I should eat before he comes up with another ridiculous scheme."

Xiao Hong watched her take the first bite, his eyes unreadable. Mei Xing ignored it, acting as though the burning sensation in her chest wasn't there.

Later that night

After dinner, Mei Xing strolled out into the moonlit courtyard to catch a breath of cool air. Xiao Hong walked beside her, hands behind his back.

"I don't have to shadow your every move," she grumbled.

"I don't," he replied matter-of-factly. "It would appear my presence vexes you."

"It does," she allowed.

He smiled wryly. "Good."

Mei Xing halted and spun to him. "You truly do derive great joy in vexing me, don't you?"

Xiao Hong cocked his head, feigning profundity. "Not quite. I also like watching you struggle against my charm."

Mei Xing groaned. "Unbelievable."

Just then, Chuchui and Cai Wei suddenly appeared.

"Mistress!" Chuchui whispered urgently. "I heard from the people in the kitchen that the General doesn't like sweets!"

Cai Wei groaned. "Why bring it up?

Chuchui beamed. "Because it is a condition worth its weight in gold! If Mistress wants to take revenge, then she must stipulate that there has to be dessert every night!"

The sparkle in Mei Xing's eyes gleamed. "Chuchui, you are a genius."

Xiao Hong's smirk fell somewhat. "Mei Xing."

She turned to him, all innocence. "Yes, dear husband?"

His jaw tightened. "You wouldn't."

She turned to Cai Wei. "Bring me the sweetest, most indulgent desserts this kitchen can prepare. I want them every night from now on."

Cai Wei bowed dramatically. "As you command, my lady."

Xiao Hong sighed. "I married a troublemaker."

Mei Xing beamed. "And you're stuck with me."

He stared at her a long moment before exhaling, something amused flickering in his eyes.

"Yes," he murmured.

The next morning, Mei Xing woke to something sweet in the air. Stretching indolently, she had barely settled back before, from outside her chambers, there was a weird sound of loud sighing followed by a muttered complaint.

Curious, she got up and went out to find Xiao Hong standing in the courtyard with his arms folded across his chest as he watched Cai Wei and a few servants arrange a long table full of desserts overladen.

Mei Xing grinned. "You look distressed, General. Didn't sleep well?"

Xiao Hong turned to her; his expression was unreadable. "I merely wonder how much longer you would keep this going.

She came over, tapping her chin as if deep in thought. "Hmm… maybe forever?"

Cai Wei tried to stifle a laugh, leaning to whisper to Chuchui, "The war has begun."

Chuchui nodded profoundly. "Mistress will win, no doubt."

Xiao Hong let out a sigh and sat down at the table. "If I must endure this, then you will join me." He directed his hand to the chair beside him.

The blackness of his eyes seemed almost to gleam in the torchlight as he said, "Trying to make me regret my decision?"

"Only ensuring you suffer with me," he said smoothly.

She huffed but sat down. A servant set a plate with sweet lotus cakes in front of her.

Xiao Hong picked up chopsticks, scrutinizing a candied walnut. "Shall we see who can eat more?"

Mei Xing raised an eyebrow. "You dare challenge me?"

He smirked. "Afraid?"

"Not at all." She picked up a dessert and chewed slowly. "Let's see if you can keep up."

Cai Wei and Chuchui exchanged wide-eyed glances before retreating a safe distance, full of anticipation for the impending battle.

Later that day

The sweet war of the desserts had turned out to be extremely exhausting for both of them, and they finally returned to normal after Mei Xing forced Xiao Hong to drink a bowl of too sweet red bean soup, to which he conceded defeat.

Summoned again by the Emperor, Xiao Hong was gone, and thus Mei Xing walked around the mansion of the General.

She made her way to the training grounds, where soldiers were practicing moves with a sword. It was impressive-the discipline, the coordination, the power of their strikes.

"Lady Mei Xing!" One of the younger soldiers noticed her presence and bowed promptly. The rest followed suit, caught off guard by her visit.

Mei Xing felt a little embarrassed and waved a hand. "Oh, don't mind me! I was just. observing."

A hoarse voice spoke behind her. "Would you want to learn?"

She turned back and saw the scar-faced elder-one of Xiao Hong's subordinates.

Mei Xing demurred. "Me? Learn martial skills?"

The officer nodded. "The General ever said, whoever the person was, needed to learn to guard oneself.

She thought about it. Would it not be helpful? All her life she had depended on other people for her protection-her father, then Xiao Hong, though she was still loath to admit that one, at any rate.

"Alright," she said, rolling up her sleeves. "Teach me."

Chuchui gasped in horror. "Mistress, no! What if you get hurt?"

Mei Xing smirked. "Then it's the General's fault for leaving me unattended."

The soldiers laughed, and the officer handed her a wooden sword. Mei Xing felt a strange excitement well up inside her.

Little did she know, this small decision would change everything.

Meanwhile, at the imperial Palace

Xiao Hong stood before the Emperor, his arms folded as he listened to the latest reports on the kingdom's borders.

"The south is in rising rebellion," said one of them. "And spies have reported movement near the border."

The Emperor sighed. "General Xiao, you do well in the securing of our lands, but I may be calling upon you to march out again soon enough."

Xiao Hong nodded. "I am ever ready at Your Majesty's command."

He regarded him a moment longer as his lips pulled into a tiny smile. "And how does your wife fare?

Xiao Hong stiffened slightly. "She is… adapting."

The Emperor chuckled. "Meaning she still refuses to acknowledge you properly?"

Xiao Hong's expression didn't change. "She is stubborn, Your Majesty."

"But you enjoy the challenge, don't you?"

A rare smirk crossed Xiao Hong's face. "More than I expected."

The Emperor guffawed loudly. "Then let us hope she does not defeat you before the enemy does."

Xiao Hong only shook his head, and leaving the palace grounds, could not help but speculate on what form of mischief Mei Xing would be getting into at this present moment in time.