One song ended, the dancing girl knelt on the stage, bowing and saying: “This humble woman Sai Yan, pays respects to the Emperor, long live the Emperor!” Her voice was soft and melodious, once again catching Mei Si Yu’s attention.
“Rise. Your dance was elegant. Where did you learn from?” he asked softly.
“This humble woman is a disciple of the Dongcheng Dance Thought Garden,” Sai Yan answered briefly.
So she was from a famous school, no wonder she had such skill. However, she seemed somewhat similar to someone, though he couldn’t quite pinpoint exactly how, just feeling a vague resemblance.
He waved his hand, signaling the dancers to retreat, leaving only the three of them in the room. His gaze was fixed on Mei Si Yu, not noticing the resentful glance from someone who reluctantly withdrew, quickly suppressing their emotions, remembering their elder brother’s advice to be patient and not act rashly.
“Your Majesty, I’m not feeling well and would like to return and rest,” Xia Wan’er said, lowering her head.
“Very well. Spring Xiu, you must serve your mistress carefully and not show any negligence, understand?” Ming Leng Chen gently patted Wan’er’s back, but his eyes were directed at the palace maid standing to the side, speaking sternly.
After Spring Xiu helped Wan’er withdraw, Mei Si Yu also felt uneasy. Why were they alone again? Would he hold a grudge about last night’s events? Or escalate his disrespectful advances? His unpredictable expression was frightening enough just to look at.
“Do you have something against me? Why do you always look so guarded? Am I a wolf or a tiger?” Ming Leng Chen asked softly. He tried to gently touch her shoulder but was coldly brushed away. Despite losing face, he didn’t glare at her, instead softening his gaze.
Mei Si Yu not only refused him but also turned her face away, ignoring his feelings and disregarding his goodwill.
“You are truly a strange woman. In this world, women usually want to throw themselves into my arms, yet you avoid me,” he said. He loved her, cherished her, but this didn’t mean he would indulge her without limits. He initially found her unique, attracted by her special way of catching his attention. She had successfully drawn his notice, so why was she still rejecting him? Could she still be holding a grudge about that night of serving in his bed?
“Your Majesty, what reason do you have that I should accept? I don’t like unfaithful men, especially since you have multiple wives and concubines! I cannot bear your affection,” she responded without courtesy.
“By the way, Your Majesty, I want to return home and visit my parents. May I have your permission?” she added.
Ming Leng Chen was shocked by her words. What strange thoughts she had! Did she actually believe in monogamy? How ridiculous! Only in her mind would such a bizarre concept exist.
“Fine, you may go,” he generously agreed to her request, his doting affection evident.
Watching her gradually disappearing figure, he was reluctant to look away. Her rebellious spirit had long crossed his bottom line, yet he was unwilling to blame her, not wanting to impose too many moral constraints and erode her original pure and romantic nature – because this was precisely what fascinated him!
“Who’s there?” he alertly heard light footsteps above and shouted sharply.
Two black-clothed figures burst through the wall, their sword sheaths aimed directly at his heart. Fortunately, he dodged in time. Guards quickly arrived, filling the room and pointing their blades at the intruders, ready to strike.
“Die, you dog emperor!” the lead black-clothed person roared.
He supported himself, pulling out the weapon from his body, black blood seeping out. He didn’t expect Ming Leng Chen to have used poison, how insidious! He shook his head, which was gradually growing dizzy, and rushed into the encirclement again, trying to break out a bloody path. “Search for him! Tear through the entire imperial palace to catch him, kill on sight!” Ming Leng Chen never expected that this small assassin would have such tenacity, actually breaking out and creating a path of survival, which made him somewhat worried.
In the rear courtyard of the Yang Feng Palace, the master and servant were about to leave the palace when a heavily wounded man in black suddenly burst in, falling at their feet. He grabbed Mei Si Yu’s ankle and weakly said, “Save me, someone is hunting me.” Then he fainted beside her.
“Xiao Rou, let’s carry him inside, or someone might discover him,” Mei Si Yu said decisively.
“Miss, we shouldn’t get involved. We should hand him over. His attire clearly shows he’s an assassin. Why would you want to save him?” Xiao Rou said with great concern. Having lived here, she was much clearer about whether they should help – this was obviously someone they shouldn’t rescue!
“Xiao Rou, I don’t care if he’s an assassin. He has fainted at my feet, and I will save him. This is the principle of being human,” Mei Si Yu said. She then picked up his heavy body and struggled to carry him inside. Xiao Rou, unable to argue with her mistress’s temperament, helped by holding the person’s feet. With great difficulty, they settled him in the most hidden inner room and covered him with a blanket, only then breathing a sigh of relief.
[Text: 030 First Time Home]
“Miss, weren’t we supposed to go home and visit the old master? Who will take care of him?” Xiao Rou looked around cautiously.
“No one usually comes here. Besides, when we go out, we can bring medicine back. That reminds me,” Mei Si Yu said calmly, looking at the man lying on the bed.
Seeing his tightly closed eyes and frighteningly pale face, she felt an inexplicable tug at her heart. Without saying more, she left the palace with Xiao Rou.
Finally able to leave the palace safely, they were followed by several bothersome attendants. Sitting in the phoenix carriage, they discussed how to divert their attention and visit the medicine shop.
Soon they arrived at the Mei residence, and as soon as they disembarked, they were greeted by an impressive welcoming formation. Maids knelt everywhere. The leading figures, dressed in elegant clothing, included a man in his forties – presumably her father – with a noble bearing. Beside him was a beautiful, graceful lady who was likely her stepmother. Standing behind them was a girl of similar age, attractive and fair-skinned, light in movement – probably the troublesome older sister.
Xiao Rou had already shared the backstory during their palace conversations – about her father’s coldness, Madam Yun’s constant obstacles, and her sister’s romantic escapades. So this homecoming was well-prepared. Ostensibly coming home, she actually wanted to wash away past humiliations – not for herself, but for the real Mei Si Yu! Consider it payback for borrowing her body. Yan Bao Mei was indeed a heroine who repaid kindness and settled scores!
Finally, after being full from food and wine, Mei Siyu, under escort, bid farewell to her father and boarded the phoenix carriage and left. She was finally free from seeing those two women’s ugly faces, and could breathe some fresh air, feeling comfortable. This time returning home, not only did she have a deep father-daughter connection, but she also taught those despicable women a lesson. She thought Mei Siyu’s spirit in heaven should now be at peace, or perhaps in another time and space, she could rest assured!
Yes, she would not die, she must have gone to another place, perhaps even crossing over and finding her own love, living a happy life. This outcome would be the best, a compensation from heaven for her past suffering! Yan Baomei thought to herself.
[Text: 031 Cleverly Obtaining Medicine]
