19 Going To The Palace.

"Shhh! You mustn't tell anyone that I am from Western Xia." Princess Xiao Ai whispered to Zhan.

"Yes young mistress.I understand. Young mistress,you were talking about the most influential person in the Song Dynasty. Isn't that.... The Royal family?"

Princess Xiao Ai stares at Zhan in shock.

"Who else in the Song Dynasty can be as powerful as the Royal family? The Royal family rules the Song Dynasty right?" Zhan said.

"You are right Zhan. Why didn't I think of all these earlier? Looks like my disciple and his friend will be of great help to me in the future." Princess Xiao Ai said.

"Your disciple and his friend? You mean…. The young master you kissed tonight and his friend?"

"Why are you saying this?" Princess Xiao Ai shouts at Zhan.

"You are talking as though I intentionally kissed him.Wasn't it a mistake?" Princess Xiao Ai protested.

"Even though it is a mistake,you can't deny the fact that you still kissed him." Zhan looked away and muttered.

"I can hear what you are saying Zhan. I can hear what you are saying?".

"I am sorry young mistress. Have a nice sleep." Zhan replied and hurriedly went out of the room. 

"This... this girl can be annoying sometimes." Princess Xiao Ai said and went to bed.

In the morning, Madam Jiang,Princess Xiao Ai and Zhan all see Lord Jiang off before he goes to the palace.

"I will be back soon.Take care." Lord Jiang said to Madam Jiang.

"You should also take care of yourself. Go now.You shouldn't be late for the coronation ceremony. We do not want the Emperor to be upset." 

"Mother is right Father. You should go now." Princess Xiao Ai said and bowed.

"Okay, I will be on my way now." Lord Jiang said and proceeded to the horse carriage outside the house.

"Madam Jiang and Princess Xiao Ai watch Lord Jiang as he leaves for the palace.

"What should I do now?" Princess Xiao Ai muttered and paced back and forth in her room.

"What is the matter, young mistress? Do you need something?" Zhan asked as she walked in and closed the door.

"I need to go to the palace today for something important.If I follow father then he will ask me what my business is in the palace. And if I don't go,I will miss out on this golden opportunity." Princess Xiao Ai said and continued pacing back and forth while biting her nails.

"Young mistress, I have a plan."

"What is that?" Princess Xiao Ai inquired.

"How about you secretly follow Lord Jiang, dressed in a man's outfit like you always do.Lord Jiang won't know you are following him and the people won't recognize you as Jiang Meihui but as a random young man.Then you will be able to go to the palace." 

"Wow! Zhan is really intelligent.Thank you so much Zhan." Princess Xiao Ai said cupping Zhan's cheeks with her hands.

"I love you Zhan." Princess Xiao Ai shouted and hugged Zhan.

"Alright young mistress.Let me pack your male attire so that we can leave quickly." Zhan said putting the white robe and taking the mustache  in a piece of cloth.

"Let's go, young mistress." Zhan and Princess Xiao Ai hurriedly leave the room and open the wooden gate of the house only to meet Chao Xiang standing in front of the house.

"Young master Chao Xiang?....You are here?" Zhan asked and gave a dry laugh. She and Princess Xiao Ai glance at each other in disappointment.

"Good morning Meihui. How are you doing?" Chao Xiang said and smiled.

"Good morning Chao Xiang.I am fine thank you.Why are you here today?" Princess Xiao Ai asked and faked a smile.

"I was thinking..... we could take a walk around Bianjing.We have not had a chance to talk properly ever since you arrived in Bianjing." Chao Xiang said,smiling and looking down at his feet.

"What Should I do now? I won't be able to follow father to the palace again if I listen to Chao Xiang but if I turn Chao Xiang down,he might get suspicious of me not being the real Jiang Meihui." Princess Xiao Ai stared into space and thought to herself.