Sharing a Pavilion With You
Chapter 54: Hydrangea Yanbin

Chapter 54: Hydrangea Yanbin

Sofya and Meili sat in her courtyard playing ladies, sipping on tea and enjoying the beautiful garden.

As spring was slowly creeping towards summer, the hydrangeas were blooming like big frilly pompoms. Meili adored blue flowers, so she had asked the gardeners to feed them vinegar, which made the naturally pink flowers bloom blue.

Tricky ran about among the bushes snapping at butterflies.

"So pretty Meili," sighed Sofya. "They’re like a little piece of sky in your courtyard."

"I know, aren’t they? I wish I could find something exactly the same to wear in my hair so I can carry a little hydrangea about with me."

"Oh, that’s easy, we can definitely find you some hydrangea yanbin clips at the shops. In fact, why don’t we go shopping together now?" the princess asked with enthusiasm.

"That would be fun," said Meili, "I’m just not sure mother will let me. You come and ask her with me. She’s more likely to say ’yes’ if you’re there."

The two girls found Madam Yu in the food storeroom.

"Mother," said Meili respectfully, "Princess Sofya would like me to accompany her on a shopping trip this afternoon. May I?"

"Hmm," said her mother, "I’ll need to check with your father first. You go back to your courtyard, and I’ll send word after we’ve discussed it."

"Thank you, mother," she gave her mother a quick kiss on the cheek. Little devil, thought Madam Yu, buttering her up with a rare kiss.

"Thank you, Madam Yu," added Sofya, "I would really appreciate Mei Meili’s company to help me choose some items. I have two guards in the front courtyard who can escort us."

"Thank you for the offer your highness," said Madam Yu. "Lord Mei will make sure you’re both well-protected, if he agrees to the outing."

Sofya dipped her hand into Meili’s hot spring. "Ah, so divine Meili. We are definitely bathing in this little piece of heaven of yours soon. You’ll just have to get comfortable with the risk of being spied on."

"No, no, no, Sofya. I still have nightmares about someone watching me in there. I just can’t make out his face. It isn’t safe anymore."

"This is your own private quarters. Just need to ask your guards to increase their vigilance."

"Hmm. You’ve given me a good idea actually. Leave it with me. I’ll let you know when it’s been arranged."

"Yay!" clapped Sofya. "I can’t wait. Make it soon though, before it gets too hot."

"I will. It will be any day now," Meili promised.

Madam Yu stood in her husband’s study. Lord Mei sat at his desk. Their eldest son was there too.

"Husband, Princess Sofya has asked for Meili to accompany her on a shopping trip this afternoon," said Madam Yu. "I thought I had better check with you first, given what’s going on in the North."

"You did well wife," said her husband. "There’s a lot of unrest on the border at the moment. It will almost certainly lead to another war. The sentiment of the people is turning against the Mongols again. I wouldn’t say this to the princess, but she and her brother will be at risk. They’re high-profile targets. She really shouldn’t be wandering around the capital without a full contingent of guards, and I don’t like the thought of Meili being out in public with her. She might get caught up in something."

"We need to be careful to maintain the alliance while the Emperor values it and is considering inter-marriage though," said First.

"Absolutely son," said his father approvingly. "We will be being watched while she’s here at the mansion. It’s to our advantage to chaperone her on this outing. Take a contingent of guards and go with them," he said to his son. "Check in with Bai Li and see if he can bring some of the palace guards along with you."

"Yes father," said First seriously. He bowed and rapidly exited the room.

"I’ll let the girls know," said Madam Yu.

"Don’t tell Meili why there are so many guards," said Lord Mei. "I don’t want her to be frightened unnecessarily."

"I agree husband. Don’t worry, I’ll think of an excuse."

He nodded at his wife with approval.

Madam Yu arrived in Meili’s courtyard, where the girls were playing a game of pitch-pot.

"Good news ladies, your father has agreed to the shopping expedition," she smiled.

"Hooray," they both cried. "Thank you, mother!"

"You can thank your father for saying yes. Your first brother will be coming along with you, and some extra guards. We can’t afford for anything to happen to the princess under our watch."

"Yes of course mother, we’ll be extra careful, I promise."

Sofya brightened even further on hearing that Mei Renlong would be accompanying them on their shopping trip.

The contingent that finally set out included Bai Li, First Brother, the princess’s two guards and another two guards from the Mei family, as well as Tricky. It seemed excessive to Meili, but she reasoned that their family was showing respect to the Mongolian royal family with the large escort party.

Meili nodded formally at Bai Li. "Commander Bai," she said, trying hard not to blush.

At their last meeting she clearly recalled him teasing her mercilessly about telling him he was handsome after she had been drinking huangjiu. Both her state of inebriation and her conversation with him on that unfortunate night, were sources of humiliation to her.

"Miss Mei," he nodded back, unsmiling.

"Good afternoon, Mei Renlong, Commander Bai," the princess greeted the young men, who were mounted on their horses.

"Your highness." Both men nodded their greetings formally. They were in serious work-mode.

The two girls and Tricky hopped into the carriage. The guards and the two young nobles on horseback, surrounded the carriage on all sides.

Meili had actually never been shopping before. Her mother made all of the selections of her fabric and jewellery, and all of her needs were catered for without her ever having to leave the mansion. She peeped out the window in excitement.

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