Sharing a Pavilion With You
Chapter 106: Tan Bowen Bothers the Emperor

Chapter 106: Tan Bowen Bothers the Emperor

"Tricky-Wu!" commanded the Emperor.

The dog trotted obediently across to the man who he had come to know for treats and the respect his mistress accorded him.

There was no doubt in Tricky’s mind that this man was the pack alpha.

The Emperor tossed a series of biscuit snacks to the dog, all of which Tricky caught in the air and swallowed with a quick snap.

Meili wiped the Emperor’s hands with a damp cloth, and the man smiled in satisfaction.

This had become a morning routine. He had Tricky trained now, with a series of perfect catches, that became seemingly more difficult every day, and yet the dog seemed to master all of them.

Meili shook her head in affectionate dismay at the Emperor and her dog. They seemed to play off each other, daring each other to greater and greater heights of showmanship every day.

Chief Eunuch Feng motioned Meili over, "Master Tan is outside waiting to see you," he said behind his hand so his Master couldn’t overhear.

"Oh!" she exclaimed, looking furtively at the Emperor.

It really wasn’t appropriate for her to neglect her duties to the Emperor while she visited with Tan Bowen.

She looked at Eunuch Feng for guidance, but he just stared back at her inscrutably. He knew way better than to put himself in the firing line with the Emperor by sharing advice that might not be welcomed by Him.

She approached His Majesty hesitantly.

"Y...your Majesty?"

"Out with it," he said impatiently.

"Young Master Tan is here to see me. May I be excused for a short while to see what he wants?"

"You work for me Meili! This is not your own home to be taking calls from suitors you know," he said irritably. "And I’ve already told you, I will be the one to grant you a marriage if it pleases me to do so!"

And in no circumstances will it be to that effete poet! he thought grumpily to himself.

She jumped in fright. "I apologise my Lord. I shouldn’t have asked. I’ll tell him to go away. Also... he’s not a suitor, just a friend."

"Pfft," the Emperor laughed humourlessly. "If you think that you’re lacking a brain between those pretty ears of yours. Of course he’s a suitor! And the Tan family has already started betrothal discussions. Ahead of the concubine selections too, mind you."

Meili’s eyes flew wide open, not wanting to get the Tan family in trouble with the Emperor.

"The discussions are only tentative for after the selections, if I’m not selected, Lord," she emphasised. "And my parents never progressed them." She gulped nervously.

"Come and fix my hair first, then you can visit with the lovesick fool if it pleases you," he relented. "Just remember not to give him any hope or affection," he said irascibly.

Chief Eunuch Feng smiled to himself. The Emperor was becoming jealous of the girl without even knowing it himself. He wondered once again what his plans for her were...

Meili was particularly attentive as she combed the Emperor’s long hair with practised fingers, fixing it up in a top knot that would fit under his mianguan crown. She made sure to be extra gentle, giving his hair extra brushing and fussy attention.

He closed his eyes in pleasure at her ministrations.

"Now you’re just trying to butter me up," he purred contentedly. "Why don’t I get this special treatment every morning?"

She pealed with that childlike genuine laughter he so enjoyed.

Knowing she’d been caught out and that he didn’t like her to pretend, even on small matters, she came clean.

"I’m rewarding you for letting me visit with Tan Bowen," she smiled at him in the bronze mirror.

"Oh," he growled menacingly, "so you’re rewarding me now, are you? The Son of Heaven rewards people, not the other way around, girl," he warned.

She knew him well enough now to know that his bark was worse than his bite on these types of small matters.

"If I gave you this treatment every morning, you would never be ready for court, Majesty," she said mildly.

"I’ll be the judge of that," he said archly. "From now on, I want exactly this same treatment every morning," he ordered.

"Of course, Majesty. Whatever helps make your day easier and brighter, you need only ask, and I will make sure it’s done for you."

He nodded, satisfied the girl had her priorities straight.

"I’m done," she said finally, looking proudly at her perfect work.

"I’m not a dessert for you to perfect and look at me like that," he said irritably, not sure how he wanted her to look at him, but definitely not like that as though he was an object instead of a person! "Go and see that fop now then, if you wish," he said churlishly.

"Yes, your Majesty," she smiled at his grumpy reaction to sharing her time.

It wasn’t like there weren’t a thousand other maids who could step in at any moment and do exactly what she did for him, just as well, if not better! She refused to feel guilty for going to see her friend.

She curtsied and turned on her heel, leaving his bedroom.

"Leave Tricky with me!" he called after her in punishment.

"Yes, Majesty," she was pleased that the two got on so well.

Besides, Tricky was not at all fond of Tan Bowen, so this was the perfect arrangement.

"Tan Bowen," she exclaimed with delight as she rounded the corner and found him slumped against a column of the palace, waiting for her.

He groaned as he straightened out his shoulders, stiff with waiting for her for so long.

"Mei Meili, he finally let you out of there?" he yawned.

"Shh," she hushed him, looking furtively around for listeners. "Don’t be rude about the Emperor, Tan Bowen," she whispered.

"Not rude, not rude. Just factual. Come Mei Meili, I want to talk to you. Let’s go for a walk together in the garden."

She trailed after him as he strode off on his long legs. "Tan Bowen," she called, "don’t forget I’m wearing silly shoes. I can’t easily keep up with you," she tapped along behind him nearly tripping in her haste.

"Sorry, sorry," he muttered, slowing his pace for her.

It was a discussion he was eager to have...