1.18 AuYeung LaiSan - Ride into the Palace

In Central City, MeiMei and the Crown Prince, invited LaiSan into the palace for the Spring Festival. In the late afternoon, LaiSan was getting ready in her room.

"Miss, the carriage from the palace has arrived," Jo-yi walked in saying.

I turned to face her after taking one last look in the mirror.

"Wow, Miss you look very lovely. I am sure even the Moon Maiden* could not compare" Jo-yi said ecstatically.

"When did you learn to be so glib," I jokingly admonished, as a smile uncontrollably appeared.

Jo-yi helped me up. I was a lot stronger but still not to the point where I could practice martial arts again.

We walked to the main entrance where the Crown Prince's carriage was waiting. The invitation had said they would send a carriage, I just didn't expect that it would be the Crown Prince's personal one.

The driver lifted up the curtain as they saw me arrive, so Jo-yi helped me up. Without even looking inside I stepped up, so when a hand held onto my arm, it startled me. Almost tumbling back, I jolted my head up to see none-other than the Crown Prince before me. I froze not knowing whether to continue getting on the carriage or get off to greet the Prince.

He chuckled and pulled me up, quickly closing the curtain so that not even Jo-yi saw who was inside. Upon entering the carriage I immediately knelt and was about to ask for forgiveness for my rudeness. I hadn't thought that there would be anyone else in the carriage, nonetheless the Crown Prince.

Before I could even get a word out. He placed his hand to cover my mouth to shush me. "You don't want those outside to know you are sharing a carriage with the Crown Prince do you?" he quietly said.

Once he had removed his hand and I had a moment to think, I said, "Well, I guess not. If word got out that was in the carriage with the Crown Prince I could not imagine the rumors that would ensue."

"Well then, we are in agreement. Let us get along, it is getting late," he softly ordered.

I called out to Jo-yi who was sitting outside with the driver, "Let's go."

I finally had a moment to calm down and gathered my thoughts and composure. I sat straighter and glanced over at the Crown Prince who was looking out the window through the sheer silk curtains.

"Pardon me, Crown Prince, if you knew it would cause rumors if we are seen sharing a carriage together, why would you come to get me? Sending the carriage was already more than generous."

"Well MeiMei wanted to make sure you were there as soon as possible and that nothing happened along the way. I suggested just sending a guard to fetch you but she insisted I come in person."

"Really?" questioning the logic of his explanation.

"Yes, of course, what else would it have been."

I was not very convinced but I figure I shouldn't be too rude and press the matter.

We sat in silence for a while, and I looked out at the streets. The swaying of the carriage must have lulled me to sleep, for when I opened my eyes I was once again in the Palace of Fate. ZhiHin was walking towards me.

"I thought that this would not happen anymore since I am now in the proper body. What am I doing here again?" I questioned ZhiHin when he stopped in front of me."

"We don't have a lot of time. I brought you here this time and no time to explain. I just needed to tell you that you must complete this mission before the first of next month because an important event happened at this time, if you are not engaged to the General by then, it will change his decision and the course of this timeline."

"What? That is just twenty-five days away! How am I to accomplish that, when he is still at the border."

"He will be returning in five days. Now back you go."

Before I could protest, I heard the Crown Prince calling me to awaken, saying that we had arrived. I was back just like that.

I raised my head and I rubbed my eyes, slowly becoming conscious of my surroundings. The Crown Prince had moved over to my bench and I had been resting on his shoulder.

With that realization, I jumped straight up and with a loud thump, I had hit my head on the top of the carriage. I immediately squatted back down and winced in pain. Rubbing my head, and not daring to look up. My face turned apple red at the fact that I not only slept on the Crown Prince's shoulder but also just completely embarrassed myself.

I heard a boisterous laugh. He seemed to not be able to stop, his laughter got louder, and later it even seemed he was gasping for air. He grabbed his stomach and started to even tear up from laughing. I looked up. Knowing that I couldn't squat there forever, I slowly sat up on the opposite bench and just glared at him.

After I had enough, "How can you find my misfortune so funny?" I angrily asked.

After another moment, he finally stopped laughing but the cocky smile still lingered, "I have just never seen a young lady, move so quickly and be so accident prone."

"I was just startled and jumped up forgetting for a moment that I was in a carriage. What is so funny about that?"

Still with the cocky smile he said, "Nothing, nothing at all. I apologize for my laughter. It is just that, I haven't laughed like that in a very long time. It felt very good."

With a huff, "Well, I am glad that could entertain your highness. If you'll excuse me I must get off the carriage now." I stomped off the carriage and headed straight towards the Southern entrance of the palace where all the other female guests were to enter. Jo-yi saw me and hurriedly followed.

"Hey." I had heard the Crown Prince call after me but I was too angry and too embarrassed at the time to turn back. So I just hurriedly continued forward.

I got in line with everyone else and finally looked back and saw the carriage moving towards the Main Gate. I stared at it until it disappeared through the gates. I finally breathed a sigh of relief. If I don't see him for the rest of the night, that would be great.

"Miss, why did you leave the carriage? The Crown Prince's carriage could have brought us straight into the palace, so that you didn't have to wait in line."

Darn it! I forgot about that.

"I just wanted some fresh air. And also we are not royalty, we should not expect special treatment. Just wait here with everyone else."

We waited for quite a while until we were finally at the gate. The guard asked us for the invitation. He checked it and quickly waved for a palace maid and he quietly gave her some instructions. The maid gave a surprised expression, but quickly composed herself. She bowed and asked that we follow her.

We walked a short ways to the corridor where there were sedan chairs waiting. "Miss, please."

I entered but Jo-yi and the palace maid followed as the two person sedan chair quickly moved forward. We travelled for a bit and finally came to a stop. "Miss we have arrived, please exit the sedan," the maid said solemnly.

I looked up and to my surprise, we were not at the festival but rather we were at the Empress' palace.

"What are we doing here," I questioned the maid.

"This servant does not know, but it would be best if you do not keep the Empress waiting," she responded.

I asked Jo-yi to wait for me by the sedan chair and I ascended the stairs led by the maid.

"Remember to lower your head when you see her highness," the maid reminded me.

I nodded.

As we reached the top of the stairs, the similar awe inspiring sight that I once saw through MeiMei's eyes, laid before me. But this time dusk was approaching so all the lanterns were lit, giving the Palace an even more iridescent glow.

I walked in and knelt. The maid went inside and I assumed it was to inform the Empress that I had arrived. It felt like I was kneeling for a very long time and my knees were going numb. Finally I heard, the Empress had arrived. I bowed even lower, and gave my greeting. "This Official's daughter, AuYeung LaiSan wishes the Empress forever beauty and long healthy life."

"Good, you may rise and take a seat."

"Thank you, Your Highness." The palace maid came to my side and almost had to pull me up because I had not fully recovered and there was no strength in my legs.

Finally seated, I continued to lower my head but tilted to face the Empress.

"I heard from your mom that you had recovered. I just wanted to meet you and see what power you have to lead my daughter to do such unmentionable actions!"

I immediately knelt back down. "Your Highness, please understand I did not lead Princess Mei astray. I was unconscious at the time."

"Of course we know you did not personally ask her. I am just curious when you had built such a bond with the Princess that she would do so much for your marriage." The Empress' words were like daggers and it felt that at any moment I would lose my head.

"Replying to Your Highness, Princess Mei had long recognized my father as Teacher and as such frequented the residence quite often. We would often chat while she was there, so slowly we built a bond. I appreciate the Princess' care and loyalty. I will always cherish her friendship. The ability to go above and beyond for a friend, I feel the same for her as well. I am honored to have a friend like her."

Then there was silence. Every second felt I was waiting for the sword to drop and take my life. The anxiety grew inside my heart and pounded inside my ears.

"Good! You are your mother's daughter. Daring and straightforward personality, just like her. I am glad that Princess Mei has a friend like you."

"Thank you Your Highness for the high praise, but I do not deserve it. I am just speaking from the heart."

"Good! Now go on child, I am sure your friend is very anxious to see you. Enjoy the festival."

"Thank you Your Highness, I will now take my leave." I slowly rose and backed out of the Palace.

Once at the steps, the Palace maid held me while I descended the stairs. Jo-yi came to my side and helped me take a seat. My heart was still pounding and not until the chair sedan was moving, did it finally start to calm down.

*Moon Maiden is a character in Chinese folklore about a beautiful maiden that floated up in the moon after taking an immortality pill