Sharing a Pavilion With You
Chapter 99: The Faustian Bargain

Chapter 99: The Faustian Bargain

Even though Meili knew this day would come, after all, she had turned down Bai Li’s betrothal offer in order to allow the man to make a love match, yet now that that day was here, it seemed to hurt more than it should.

The hurt was compounded by the fact that the Emperor was just randomly choosing the man a wife, without Bai Li caring for the girl at all.

The Emperor stole a sly glance at Miss Mei. The girl could hide nothing. Pain was written all over her face.

Bai Li, on the other hand, kept his face unmoving.

"May I speak with you alone, my Lord?" he asked.

Aha! Here it was! The Commander might be able to hold his face and his tongue steady, but despite that, here was his weakness after all. He looked forward to hearing what the fellow had to say to him...

"Yes, yes of course Commander. Leave us," the Emperor indicated to his sons and Miss Mei to vacate the throne room.

The Second Prince narrowed his eyes at Bai Li. He knew full well what the fellow planned to say to his Emperor Father. Hopefully his Father gave the fellow the same Faustian bargain he had offered to him, when he had asked for her hand...

"My Lord," said Bai Li, once they were alone with just the Chief Eunuch, "I suspect you may already be aware that the Bai family has started betrothal discussions with the Mei’s. Although these are early discussions and can of course, only be formalised after the concubine selections this year, there’s goodwill between both sets of parents to make this happen; should your majesty not choose her for the harem."

"As you say, I am aware of these talks, Commander. I’m also aware that the Tan family has had the same discussions with the Mei’s. And then there’s the hopes of my eldest two sons. The youngest child of the Mei’s is a highly sought after commodity it seems. If only there were more of her to go around..." he drawled.

"I understand there are other suitors for Mei Meili, Lord, however, I do believe I might be the preferred candidate of her parents, if that sways your decision at all," Bai Li spoke respectfully.

"It doesn’t," said the Emperor with finality. "But there might be some actions you can take which would convince me to preserve her for you."

Bai Li looked at the Emperor with surprise. Why would he think he needed to dangle Mei Meili as the prize in order for him to follow his orders? The Bai family had been unquestioningly obedient to the Emperor for generations.

"My Lord, please let me know your request of me. I will of course, comply with whatever orders you have, with or without the carrot of Miss Mei’s hand in marriage, though I certainly wish for you to bestow me a marriage with her above all else."

"As you know, Commander, I spent my early career on the northern border, and even since becoming the Emperor, I’ve lead campaigns to the north."

"Yes, Lord."

Everyone was aware of the Emperor’s illustrious track record protecting the northern border.

"I know Aquatai well. He’s shrewd, ruthless, charismatic; in short, he’s going to become a dangerous enemy. I see in you some of myself as a young man. I think you have the intangible qualities that are needed to defeat him. As the saying goes, ’a thousand soldiers are easy to find, and one general is hard to come by’. You have the capability to become that general.

There will be things to come that are beyond your imaginings. They will test you well beyond what you could ever foresee. Stay close to me, keep me informed, do everything just as I instruct you to. If all goes according to plan, I may reward you with Miss Mei."

"Lord, your humble servant thanks you for your confidence in me. I will certainly obey all of your commands without question. I will do my utmost to achieve your objectives. I will do this with, or without your offer to bestow this marriage upon me. If however, I succeed and please you Lord, you know the reward I respectfully request."

"Good," the Emperor nodded his satisfaction, the afternoon having been most productive. "You’re dismissed, Commander. Expect to hear from me, and keep me closely informed of everything, no matter how small it might seem. Now go out and see your Miss Mei, who if I’m not wrong, is waiting to speak with you," his eyes glinted with amusement.

He hadn’t been certain which of the various suitors was preferred by Miss Mei herself, but that was now clear to him, even if it wasn’t clear to the girl herself.

Bai Li strode out into the corridor. The Emperor was right. As he rounded the corner, Mei Meili and Tricky stood waiting for him behind a column.

She had her back to him, and he watched her tenderly for a moment. Her porcelain skin was luminous in the late afternoon light, the expression on her face pensive.

"Mei Meili," he called softly, and she turned to him, a bittersweet smile gracing her lips.

"Bai Li! I waited here for you so I could catch you before you return to camp."

"Walk with me?" he asked her, and she nodded.

Tricky touched his nose to the back of Bai Li’s calf, requesting his attention too, and the tall man leant down and rubbed his ears affectionately.

"Has he recovered from whatever they fed him to put him to sleep that day?" Bai Li asked her quietly.

"Yes, thank goodness. He was extremely drowsy all of that day and the next, but he’s fully recovered now."

They had reached an open square where Bai Li could see that there was nobody within earshot, which had been his objective.

He stopped walking and turned to face her. "Mei Meili, you have my abject apologies for my behaviour in your room. There are no words to excuse such loutish behaviour. I’m devastated to have subjected you to it. I hope you were not... are not... scared of me?" his face was a mask of pain and shame.

"Bai Li," she whispered, looking all around them, "were we drugged? Tricky was most definitely drugged. What was that affra... affradizziac you spoke about?"

"Yes," he nodded seriously, "somebody drugged us both. It might have been piped into your room while we were in there together, which means that I was expected, and followed there. Did you notice a new hole in your window gauze?"

She nodded; her eyes huge.

"Was it there before that day, can you recall?" he asked her intently.

"I don’t remember exactly when it appeared, but it most definitely wasn’t there when I moved in. The place was in perfect condition. It looked like it had just been renovated for me."

"It’s as I thought," he snorted angrily.

"But what does that drug do, Bai Li?" she persisted with the line of questioning he was trying to sidestep.