Sharing a Pavilion With You
Chapter 100: That Wasn’t the Real You

Chapter 100: That Wasn’t the Real You

Bai Li’s face reddened in response to Mei Meili’s question about the drug’s effects.

"Ahem," he cleared his throat. "It... it... it heightens the emotions between men and women," he said awkwardly.

He would leave it at that, not trusting himself to say any more. Nor was it his place to educate her about the birds and the bees... yet...

"The drug was intended to place you and I in a compromising position alone in your room, where their plan was to discover us. I suspect Li Fengfeng is behind this again, but it could be someone in the harem. The women won’t like you being so close to the Emperor."

"I only serve him tea and help with his hair, that’s hardly close."

Bai Li’s ears pricked at her mention of helping the Emperor with his hair. It was even more dangerous if she was touching their Lord. After all, He was a man as well as the Son of Heaven...

"I’m frightened, Bai Li," she whispered. "These things keep happening to me. Why must I be the target of someone so vicious?"

"The palace is a dangerous place for everyone Mei Meili. Do your best to keep your head down and avoid attention, until I can get you out of here."

She looked at the man in thankful wonder that he cared enough to help try to rescue her from the Forbidden City.

"That’s exactly what my mother told me to do, but even though I’m keeping a low profile, these attacks don’t stop."

How could a girl who looked and acted as she did ever keep a low profile in the palace? he thought bitterly.

"Don’t worry, I’m doing my best to get you out of here. So are your father and brothers."

She nodded. "Don’t take too long, Bai Li," she looked at him with eyes that were full of trust. "I’ll do my best to please the Emperor in the hope he might set me free as a reward for good service."

He wanted to say, ’don’t please him too much’, but he knew that the nuances of ’pleasing’ and ’enchanting,’ would be lost on her.

"He’s more likely to reward you a good marriage than to set you free," Bai Li commented, refraining from mentioning that he hoped to be the winner among the candidates to be bestowed her hand.

"Yes, he has mentioned that. Father says he’ll work on making sure they approve of the man if the Emperor decides to make the selection."

Bai Li nodded, thinking he would visit with Lord Mei again in the near future, to make certain he knew he wanted to be that man.

"I have to leave, I’m sorry Mei Meili, and it doesn’t do us any good to be seen together for too long in this place," he looked around the square, knowing they would be being watched by more than one interested party.

"I do hope you can forgive me one day..." his voice was filled with misery, for his lack of self-control under the influence of that damnable drug!

"I already have, Bai Li," she assured him with a bright smile. "I know you well, and I know that wasn’t the real you," she spoke earnestly, looking into his eyes.

She knew so little of men, he thought... Unfortunately that was the real him, with the thin veneer of civility stripped away.

"Perhaps I should be the one apologising for tipping a jug of water over you," she teased him.

"Thank goodness you did, or maybe we’d be married already," he said wolfishly. He couldn’t help teasing her back.

Her eyes flew wide. Is that what the outcome would have been? It didn’t seem such a bad fate to her any longer. But of course, realistically, the outcome could have been the destruction of her reputation, such that no man would ever marry her, and who knew what horrific punishment might have accompanied it. She shuddered at the thought.

The burning question she had for him could be stifled no longer

"W...what did the Emperor decide for your marriage?" she asked apprehensively.

Did he detect anxiety in her voice? Was she worried for his wellbeing, or did she not wish to see him married to someone else?

"He agreed to bestow me a marriage after the northern campaign, rather than before."

"D...did you choose the lady?" she was mortified to be asking him so plainly, but she felt an uncontrollable desire to know the answer.

He leant in close to her ear, as though he planned to whisper the answer. "It seems like you care about which young lady I’m to marry? Do I detect the smell of vinegar, Miss Mei?"

She leapt back a step. "What? No! Can’t I show an interest in who my friend is to marry?"

"A passing interest, yes. A heart-racing concern that has you stumbling over your words is a different matter."

Her cheeks flushed pink like two little peaches, and he took pity on the girl.

"No," he smiled, "the lady remains to be selected. I believe the Emperor will make the choice after the campaign, depending on the outcome."

She gulped and nodded, feeling an anxiety she hadn’t known she was holding in her tummy, dissipate.

"I had better get back before I’m missed," Meili looked around for a eunuch coming to fetch her, but luckily, so far there were none in sight. "The Emperor’s given me permission to visit Purple Cloud Temple next week," she smiled with anticipation.

Already, she yearned to be free of these tall walls and experience life beyond them.

She feared she had simply swapped one prison for another, and her brief taste of freedom in between had only heighted her heart’s secret desire, for the unrestricted freedom she knew could never be hers. Therefore, even snatched moments of breathing space were her lifeline now.

Bai Li, who had turned to leave, walked back to her.

"What? Which day is it planned for? Who will accompany you?"