Sharing a Pavilion With You
Chapter 58: Hide Your Figure!

Chapter 58: Hide Your Figure!

The young gentlemen moved across to the pavilion, where they settled themselves at the tables in its shade. The young ladies would now serve them tea, in an outdoor tea ceremony that was a contest of their talents.

Meili was happy and relaxed, knowing she had some friends among the young men, and that Sofya was with her for moral support. She stationed herself with Sofya at Tan Bowen’s table, confident in his regard for her. Unfortunately, Li Fengfeng also chose this table, drawn by the presence of the Second Prince. Meili thought about moving, but she didn’t want to serve Li Pei and his cousin Li Kai.

Princess Lingling was set to serve Prince Nur, and she tried not to show her nervousness to have to get so close to him.

The girls started the delicate and graceful preparation of the leaves and the first draw, their long sleeves fluttering in the breeze, their poses elegant.

"Thank you, Miss Mei," said Tan Bowen with delight, when she served him his tea first.

He grinned wickedly at Bai Li and the Second Prince, raising his eyebrows at them in a small victory. She inclined her head and gave Tan Bowen a pretty smile, leaving him dazzled as he sipped absently on his tea.

Li Fengfeng, meanwhile, gracefully served the Second Prince his tea. He thanked her politely, but with obvious disinterest. It didn’t escape her notice that he had his eye on Miss Mei, though he appeared at first glance to be staring into the garden.

Meili and Sofya chatted quietly, while they waited for their next turn.

"What have you done with Tricky this afternoon?" asked Sofya.

"He’s been left with Manni. He’s very cross, but I didn’t think he’d be helpful serving tea."

Despite the gentle chatter across the crowd in the pavilion, Tan Bowen and Bai Li were tuned into the quiet conversation of these two women.

Sofya laughed behind her little hand. "No. He’s definitely a boy. And an uncouth one at that. I’m slightly frightened of him myself after last week’s ambush. He turned into a ferocious predator when Mei Renlong was threatened."

"Yes, I was shocked. I appreciate his protection of the family, but I don’t want to encourage him to think he can hold his own against a man with a sword. It would be so easy for him to be injured or killed."

"It’s a miracle that he wasn’t," said Sofya gently.

Noticing that this subject was making Meili melancholy, she switched gears.

"So, when is this mythical offer of bathing in your hot spring that you promised me going to manifest?" she asked, pouting at her friend.

"Oh, that. Yes, I think I’ve worked out a way for us to bathe together in privacy. I should have an answer for you before we leave today."

Tan Bowen’s ears were flapping. These two were planning a dip together in Meili’s hot spring! He flapped his collar trying to cool himself, as that image suffused his face and neck with heat. Bai Li watched him with half-lidded eyes. The man was debauched.

Now it was Meili’s turn to serve Bai Li his tea. She gracefully prepared and poured the precious brew.

"Commander Bai," she indicated, when it was ready.

"Thank you, Miss Mei," he looked at her gently, with none of the usual teasing humour in his eyes.

Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, knowing that his kindness was in concern for her well-being after the incident in the antiquities street. He mustn’t be too kind to her, she thought. It would bring her undone. The memories were still much too raw.

"May I speak with you before you leave today," she whispered to him.

"Of course," he nodded. Perhaps another thank you for last week?

"Miss Mei, if I’m to help judge this contest, I’ll need you to serve me some tea too," said the Second Prince, with his usual unnervingly intense stare.

Meili startled as she looked across at the man. He was too handsome for his own good, she thought. No doubt that was what encouraged him in his bad behaviour with women. Her cheeks went pink when she recalled how he had patted her on the bottom at their last meeting. He watched the colour rise in her face, and he raised one eyebrow at her.

"A penny for your thoughts, Miss Mei?" he drawled.

She hurried away to prepare his tea. As she leaned over him to pour his green tea from its Yixing clay teapot, he murmured in her ear. "I thought I told you to return to your previous methods of hiding your figure, little vixen?" He stared pointedly at the substantial curve of her chest through her dress.

Her hand shook as she poured his tea, instantly counting her out of winning this contest.

"Oh dear, I seem to be the only male friend to make you nervous," he commented loud enough so that others could hear.

His insinuation of her feelings for him was clear, as was his ongoing public statement of claim over the girl.

"She’s fresh out of the inner courtyards your highness," said Li Fengfeng. "No doubt your exalted position makes the girl anxious, am I right Miss Mei?"

"Yes Miss Li, that’s right," said Meili with relief, thankful to the mean young woman for the first time, as their interests temporarily aligned.

The Second Prince stared coldly at Li Fengfeng; the woman was continuing to rise-up his list of the people he disliked most in this world.

Unsurprisingly, Princess Lingling was crowned the winner of the tea ceremony. Prince Nur did the honours, presenting her with a huge bunch of peonies.

"Congratulations Princess," he said. "A beautiful flower worthy of a beautiful woman."

She buried her face in the bouquet.