Sharing a Pavilion With You
Chapter 94: Commander Bai in her Room

Chapter 94: Commander Bai in her Room

The Emperor knew this proposal would tempt his son.

How little he knew of women if he thought he could marry both women and live a peaceful life! He would most certainly not have one day of peace thereafter...

There could be little doubt that Miss Li was behind the attempt on Miss Mei’s life.

Still, those would be his son’s problems to resolve, if that was his fate.

In doing so, he would solve a major problem for the Emperor...

Who knew what a cat among the pigeons that vicious woman would be if she joined his son’s royal harem?

She would be a thorn in his eldest son’s side for years to come... so much drama, so many deaths would be linked to her presence in the inner palace. The Emperor knew that much without a shadow of a doubt.

"No problem, no problem, son. There’s no tearing hurry. Miss Mei will remain working for me and under my even more watchful eye for the time being. Come back when you’re ready and we can discuss it further."

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Bai Li galloped his horse from the training camp into the capital, flying towards the palace at a breakneck speed.

His network of spies had informed him of the attempt on Mei Meili’s life and that she had now fallen sick.

He had left as soon as he heard the news; despite knowing he would be criticised in court for deserting his post for a personal matter. The camp was under the under the more than capable command of Lieutenant Ju in his absence.

He couldn’t bear to think of how frightened Mei Meili must have been when she was pushed into the water! She was not cut out for palace life! He’d said it before, a literal babe in the woods. How could she possibly defend herself against the vicious sharks that swam in the waters of the harem?

He prayed her fever would not get out of control. At least he knew the Second Prince would be doing everything he possibly could to look after her.

Despite not trusting the man around her on almost all other fronts, regarding his desire to protect Meili from harm, he trusted the prince implicitly.

By the time he arrived at the palace and half-ran through the vast walled corridors to finally reach Mei Meili’s courtyard, he was breathing heavily, his heart pounding with concern.

He knew he had arrived at the right place when he saw Tricky sitting outside Mei Meili’s room.

The dog leapt up to greet him, giving him an extremely warm welcome and telling him a long story in Chownese as Bai Li stroked his fur.

"Mm. I understand boy," said Bai Li to the dog. "It’s been a tough time. But you’re an outstanding fellow. You saved her life. For that alone you deserve to live out your days in luxury. Unfortunately, for now, you must stay at your post and continue to protect her."

The dog whined slightly as though he understood the importance of what Bai Li was saying to him, settling back on the top step as the man knocked tentatively on the door to Mei Meili’s room.

"Come in," she called softly.

Bai Li looked around the courtyard, and finding it completely empty, he slipped into her room and closed the sliding doors behind him.

Not acceptable behaviour but desperate times called for desperate measures, to borrow from the Second Prince’s playbook...

"Bai Li!" she called with surprise when he turned to face her after drawing the doors shut.

She sat at her small dining table, dressed in a thin white sleeping robe. Her long hair fell loosely down to her waist, her cheeks were flushed red, and her eyes appeared to be bright with fever.

Despite his concern, he felt his heart clench at her beauty, which seemed, if anything, to be heightened by falling sick.

"Mei Meili!" he was there in two strides, crossing the small space.

He sat down at her table, sitting opposite her, trying his hardest not to clasp her hands as he so desperately wanted to.

"Should you be out of bed? You don’t look at all well? Why aren’t you resting? Don’t you have a fever?"

"Bai Li, I’ve been resting in bed since it happened. I can’t bear to stay there any longer. And all I’m doing is sitting sipping tea and reading in my room, it’s hardly vigorous activity."

"What did the doctor say?"

"He said I have a fever from drinking the pond water and getting too cold and I should rest in bed for a few days. My neighbours in the courtyard have been bringing my medicine and the Second Prince checks in every few hours."

"He saved your life."

It was a statement not a question.

"Yes," she nodded, "him and Tricky. I thought I was going to drown," she shivered at the memory.

"It must have been terrifying for you Mei Meili. I’m so sorry I wasn’t able to protect you..." he bowed his head, shamefaced.

She looked at him with surprise. "How could you possibly protect me all the time? I’ve been called into the palace to serve the Emperor. You can’t be by my side all day, neither can my brothers, nor my father."

I could if we were married, he thought bitterly.

"It’s only lucky that the Second Prince was nearby at the time and heard Tricky barking," she said. "It’s a miracle really."

"I still feel that I should have done something to have you better protected. From now on, I’ll have one of my men follow you all the time."

"What? No! You can’t do that! I mean, what would the Emperor say for a start, Bai Li?"

"Don’t worry. He’ll be discreet. You won’t even know he’s there."

"This is the Forbidden City, Bai Li. Nothing goes unnoticed here, as you well know. The Emperor would hear of it in no time."

And maybe that would be a good thing... thought Bai Li.

"I can’t leave you alone for a week without you finding yourself in a world of trouble, young lady. Just last week you were visiting me at camp with food and supplements, and the next week, you’re a court lady serving the Emperor and someone tries to kill you!"

He closed his eyes, trying to think peaceful thoughts to calm himself.

"How much simpler might your life have been, and mine, if you’d just accepted my request for a betrothal..." he muttered, half to himself.

"Bai Li! First of all, you know why I didn’t accept your request, I was doing you a favour. Secondly, it wouldn’t have made a scrap of difference. I still had to await the concubine selections, and the Emperor would still have called me to the palace before they were held."

Unbeknownst to either Bai Li or Mei Meili, an intruder had entered the courtyard while they were talking.

A piece of drugged meat was thrown in first for Tricky, who now lay sleeping peacefully, but very deeply, outside their door.

A thin pipe was pushed through the paper gauze in one of Meili’s windows while the pair continued to chat, secure in the knowledge Tricky would never let anyone approach the room without alerting them.

A steady stream of smoke was puffed silently through the pipe into the small room.

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