Early Return

Gu Shao was still in a daze when a panicky and breathless Pan Yu Mei ran into the room. She was running so fast, she almost couldn't stop herself.

Moments ago she had forgotten about the injured general. And he had headed towards the same room. She had no choice but to run with all her might. When she saw that only Gu Shao was in the room, she put one hand on her hip and the other stretched out to stop Gu Shao from talking.

She needed to calm down first. Her face was burning up from the sudden exercise. Not to mention, her chest was heaving up and down and her breathing was heavy. This was her fault. She could not blame anyone but herself for her shortness of breath. This should have been a sign to exercise, yet she blamed it on the food she ate just now.

The distracted Gu Shao walked over to her with a silver belt sash in hand. "Yu Mei? What are you doing here?"

She panicked.

Her head shot up to face him. A suspicious smile formed on her face. It was that kind of smile a kid made when they were trying to hide something.

"You were gone for so long I thought something happened." She lied through her teeth.

Prince Shao held up the sash. Yu Mei recognized it as General Xia's.

"A strange woman was here. I must find her." He seriously spoke.

[Woman?] she thought. "A strange woman? Impossible."

"It's true. Now that I think about it, she looked pale...as if she was sick. But...her martial art was too profound. Who knows what threat she holds? I must find her."

It didn't take long before it clicked in Yu Mei's head that General Xia was a woman.

She gasped. Just as Gu Shao was about to leave, she anxiously held onto his sleeve. "Brother Shao, she has probably run off to the other side of the city already. It's no use chasing after." She prayed he would heed her words.

As if the heavens heard her, everything she said made sense to him. Gu Shao did not chase.

Gu Shao and Yu Mei headed back to the dinner table. When dinner was over, all four consorts bid the empress and Gu Shao farewell. The empress had come over every night since Pei Nan left to make sure his consorts were not too lonely. He was finally going to return tomorrow. She could be rest assured.

Yu Mei accompanied by four maids and Chu'mei happily walked back to her room. Her tummy was full, she was sure to have a good night's sleep.

That thought immediately left her mind the moment she saw Feng Ju standing guard outside her door. She wasn't the only one surprised. Chu'mei too was surprised. She couldn't help but roll her eyes at him. Her initial thought was to punch him until her hearts content. She still hadn't gotten even with him.

She was suddenly reminded of their kiss and her cheeks began to flush. She could only pray he didn't see her blushing.

The closer Chu'mei got to Feng Ju, the more anxious she became. Would he tease her?

"Greetings to Consort Pan." He bowed. Chu'mei was a little disappointed he didn't pay any attention to her.

"Is there something urgent?" Yu Mei asked. Why was Feng Ju here and not at the Grand Palace?

"His highness is waiting for you."

Her brow slightly arched. "His highness is here?"

He nodded.

She was slightly taken aback. Why was he back so soon? Regardless, she would find out soon enough. Her chest was beating like crazy. Was it a good thing he was here or not? She would need to confess to him tonight.

Feng Ju opened the door. Step by step, she slowly stepped in.

Chu'mei wanted to follow but knew she couldn't. Even if she wanted to, the big rock in front of her surely wouldn't let her pass. He smiled at her, as if praising her for her smart thinking. It was a good thing she knew she wasn't allowed in. He would hate to remind her once more.

***

All of Yu Mei's worries perished the moment she saw him. He was lying on her bed with one knee bent and the other crossed in the air; his hands behind his head.

She couldn't help but grin when she was within reach. How was it possible that he was still so handsome when sleeping? To be exact, he looked much gentler now that he wasn't gawking at her.

Staring from such a distance was no good. She wanted to take advantage of the sleeping prince. Not that she had any intentions. Her body naturally reacted. She took two steps until her feet hit the bottom of the bed and her upper body went down to a 90'degree angle. Seeing him up close, his skin was so smooth. If she wasn't afraid to wake him, she would have touched his cheek. Maybe even pinch them…

Her thoughts were trailing when his arm reached around her waist, pulling her into bed. Before she could fully comprehend what just happened, he had her trapped between his arms. Both his hands were placed on the bed as his body towered on top of hers like a wild beast trapping their prey.

His smile was annoying. Or at least she told herself.

She rolled her eyes.

He had tricked her.

"Oh?" he asked surprisingly after seeing her dissatisfied look. "Are you mad?" he asked, neither serious nor joking.

"Yes, I'm mad."

It didn't take a genius to know why she was mad. But he was Prince Nan. If he wanted to play dumb, who would call him out? His face leaned closer to hers. "Mad that you couldn't look longer? Or mad that I caught you checking me out?"

"Prince Nan!" She opened her mouth in dismay. Shameless. Indeed that was the word most suited to describe him. Shameless.

"You have mistaken." She quickly defended herself. Where would she put her face if the whole palace knew she was "checking" him out. That was the last of her worries. Her mind wouldn't be so muddled if her cheeks would stop burning up. She was embarrassed and she knew he knew. It was written all over his smug face.

She was caught.

"Fine! I looked at you. I couldn't help but look at you." She raised her voice. "Now can you let go?"

Pei Nan couldn't keep his smile in when looking at his embarrassed yet awkward wife. In a soft seductive voice, he asked, "If you want..." he paused. "I'll let you have a longer look."

His hot breath on her skin made her entire body tremble. He almost had her just now. Thankfully she still had enough willpower to not fall into temptation. When did he learn to be so flirty?

"Your highness!" She got his attention with her upright tone. "I am not brazen enough to ask you for a longer glance. If you are done playing around, move away."

His hand slowly reached her face, finger lightly brushing her burning cheek. The coldness of his hand on her hot cheek sent another shock of waves through her body.

She clenched her teeth.

He gently cupped her right cheek in his palm, rubbing his thumb lightly along her cheekbone. She was beautiful, he thought.

[Art of seduction?] "What are you doing?" Yu Mei managed to choke up.

His eyes trailed from her eyes to her lips in a matter of seconds. "You are done looking at me, so now it's my turn." His eyes did not leave her rosy lips.

[You shameless man! Shameless! Shameless! Shameless!]

Yu Mei closed her eyes, waiting for him to be finished. It wasn't because she was disgusted with him, rather it was from embarrassment. This was the first time someone had "looked" at her and she didn't know how to react.

Not a moment later, Pei Nan rolled back onto the bed.

[That was it?] Yu Mei sat up and was about to scold him until she saw. Saw his perfect body on the bed with both hands crossed around his chest. "Pei Nan…" she softly called out. "I've got something to confess." She muttered guiltily.

"If you're not confessing your love for me, it can wait until tomorrow." He countered her depressing voice with his teasing voice. He did not want to hear anything that could ruin the night.

She pouted her lips disappointed. She wasn't disappointed in him but disappointed that she had to wait another day. Another day he would misunderstand her.

She lay next to him.

Pei Nan had mentally prepared for her to kick him out of bed. So when she lay next to him, he was quite surprised. He had lost count of how many times he had smiled.

Was she slowly warming up to him?