The table cluttered with scrolls and paperwork is now lined with high class nutritious meals. Li Wan sat with his arms crossed, watching the countless maids assemble his lunch.
Mei Ying entered the Imperial Palace with an air of sophistication and elegance that made heads turn. She was dressed in a shimmering hanfu and her hair was styled in that only someone with the finest training would be able to replicate.
She made her way to the imperial hall, heart glimmering in excitement.
After His Majesty completely ignoring her last night to bed that nobody, she thought it must've been a great mistake and she was right. She has always been his favourite. She must be, pouring her life force into serving his greatness after all.
She gracefully approached the dining area, her body femininely bowing, sending a greeting towards the emperor.
"Huang Shang Wàn suì yé, your royal servant Mei Ying is eternally grateful to be at your service." Delicate and graceful, he surely remembered his favourite concubine now.
How could he have not fallen for such otherworldly beauty. He back then…
"Mei Ying." He called. "It's good to see you again." Extending his hand towards her.
She placed her dainty hand in his, her sweet voice like the sing-song chatter of birds as she sat down next to his authoritative figure. "Mei Ying cannot be more delighted that Your Majesty remembered me."
"Did you miss me?" He flirted, out of habit.
"You were all I could think about, Your Highness…" she whispered, voice laced with longing. "Days and nights."
"Is that so." He understood how this lady got him hooked. "Come to my chamber tonight then."
The concubine was dancing with undying joy on the inside, her eyes sparkling like the starry night sky. "Yes, Your Majesty." She lowered her head in gratitude.
"Are you happy to serve me?" Li Wan questioned, his tone was curious.Perhaps in reality he was thinking back to something. He asked her something similar last night.
"I couldn't have experienced a greater joy, Your Majesty."
"Hmm…" He hummed carelessly before picking up his bowl and golden chopsticks. 'I guess not' was her response, wasn't it. A smirk of defeat outspreaded his lips.
"It must've been exhausting, Your Majesty. I will do my best to service you tonight." Her delicate gaze lowered.
"Mm." He nodded expressionlessly. "Let us dine."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Mei Ying was right. There was no way she could have been forgotten about. Truthfully, she had barely slept last night knowing that he was bedding another concubine, that empty ghostly shell, who could not compare to her in any way. Just remembering that face furled her with anger.
She gently picked up the utensils and began dining.
"Say, what do you do when you're not serving me?" He suddenly asked, his questions erupting and nonchalant.
His Majesty was more talkative than usual.
Though unprepared, she handled his change quickly. "Oh, I spend time on several hobbies, Your Majesty," Mei Ying smiled gracefully, replying in a refined manner. "To improve my ability to please Your Highness."
"Like?" He was focused on eating despite the outburst of questions.
"Mei Ying has learnt special massaging techniques, or that of the skill of delicate tea mixing."
"I see."
…
"Then, Your Highness, is there anything you would want Mei Ying to learn?" She paused. "Anything that could make His Highness more pleased?"
"Mm." He hummed in silent thought.
…
"Not really."
"Ah…"
…
"Mei Ying."
"Yes, Your Highness?"
"Do you know the princess of Qi Tian."
"I am sorry?" Wasn't it the concubine His Majesty bedded last night, Yin Luqi, the princess of Qi Tian?... and the way he referred to her as well, was strange. "Ah yes, Mei Ying indeed had met her on a few occasions, during banquets or large gatherings." She continued. "But the Yin Princess was rather quiet and dismissive. It was hard to converse, Your Majesty."
"Is that so." He looked at her. "So you tried to talk to her."
"Yes, Your Highness…" she pretended to look down. "It was rather an unpleasant experience… Mei Ying wouldn't want to bother Your Highness with such a story."
"Really. Tell me about it."
A smirk curled up Mei Ying's graceful profile only to be quickly replaced by saddened eyes.
"Several years ago, Mei Ying saw the Yin Princess sitting by the last table alone at the banquet of the Heaven. Knowing she was a newly joined concubine, Mei Ying was excited by the possibility of bonding with a new sister. Mei Ying was excited to welcome Princess Yin to the family." She sighed. "So I approached her and offered to dine together, but the Yin Princess was dismissive. She swung her sleeves and pushed me away, stating that Mei Ying wasn't worthy of her attendance…"
"Hmmm… I see," he hummed a contemplative tone. "Sounds like her," and commented carelessly.
A glimmer of mischief enlightened the concubine's orbs. She knew it. That Luqi must've pissed His Highness off, providing terrible service. Mei Ying laughed on the inside, envisioning how that b-tch could've been punished right this very moment.
"She must have shown Your Highness an audacious side as well… how terrible of her… just the thought of it hurts Mei Ying's heart, Your Majesty…" she teared up. "I and other concubine sisters did continue to make peace with the Yin Princess several times after… but it all resulted the same, Your Majesty…"
"…"
"If I must say, Your Majesty, she deserves the utmost punishment for your disrespect! Mei Ying couldn't stand it."
His quiet demeanour shifted slightly. "Say, Mei Ying."
"Yes?"
"Have you gotten more audacious?" Despite the casual manner, his words were somewhat heavy.
"I- I am s-sorry?"
Li Wan sighed. "You seem to think that you're my equal?" He rested his head on his hand and looked at her, gaze detached. "Would you like to take my place?"
Mei Ying snapped. She realised she had talked too much. Her graceful body fell into a deep kowtow. "Mei Ying sincerely apologised for offending His Highness. Mei Ying wouldn't dare and had crossed a line she shouldn't have. I beg for your graceful forgiveness, Your Supreme Majesty!" She reacted quickly, as any person would.
"…."
"…."
"Rise." Li Wan looked away.He probably did not mean it that way. It was an unserious question of mockery.
Something in him was itching. What was it that he was so unhappy about? Everything was worsening his mood.