Chapter 6: Unconventional Occurences

I make it to the gate and decide against going through the door.

So I climb through my secret passageway for extra safe keeping.

"No one's following me?" I ask, looking over my shoulder.

Ensuring I am not being watched I slip through the bush growing through the wall.

It was made to grow on one side and the other to make it easier to escape from the manor in case the war gets too bad.

Doubt it would do much, but it does give more escape routes.

The leaves brush against my face as I do my best to ensure my dress doesn't get caught in the branches.

I pull my pin from my hair and step out of the bush.

To my surprise, Lady Pei, Lady Li and Lady Mao are both outside the bush.

Heading the front was Pei Ling, arms crossed and a cross between annoyed and bored look on her face.

"As I thought. Cross-dressing." She says.

"Cross-dressing?" I mutter. Right I am stupid. I have to be a man now.

"What were you thinking! You could have been caught! I know you're... different, but please have pity on this household. You're the man, now act like one."

Wenrou and Hua Li look away seemingly unsure what to say. But Wenrou's seems more in deep thought.

「Should I tell them? Could I tell them? Would this change everything? All I know?」

I keep silent my dress sash was already falling down and my hair a mess.

Everything is already a mess even if I was trying to discover myself.

Pei Ling storms off. And the two consorts watch as she goes into the house.

"It isn't that bad. People have many things that they enjoy and dressing like a woman doesn't hurt anyone. So I support you." Wenrou says with a big smile and a shrug. "Oh! I have to make dinner!" She dashes away.

Hua Li says nothing of the matter, but instead gives a soft nod from behind her fan and follows behind Wenrou's peculiar footwork.

As warming as her words were, it still doesn't change the fact that I was yelled at for what I done. I want to tell her she's wrong, but I don't know how to feel about my situation and that what I am doesn't fit how others percieve me?

I enter the house and pull off the dress and the jewelry.

I kept on the earrings, but it felt terrible shedding off my newfound sense of self. I still wish to wear the dress.

I open the box that is finally mine and seal away the ornaments and clothing inside.

"Dinner is ready!" Wenrou calls from the table.

I smooth my hair back and pull it up. Then taking the box I lift up the flooring to hide the box there.

I exit gifts in hand.

I got things for my wife and consort Li, but none for my other consort.

"I was going to get you something, but I couldn't find anything that would suit you." I explain.

"Oh, you don't have to do that." She says. She returns back to eating.

"No I will make it up to you." I tell her.

She smiles slightly and refocuses on her food again.

________

Early in the morning I visit Wenrou's room.

The sight shocks me causing me to shut the door immediately.

"Hello?" Wenrou asks pulling her robes up.

The door slid open from behind me causing me to fall onto Wenrou.

"Oh!"

"Sorry. Passing through." The maid says stumbling back.

"Uh," I look back at Wenrou, then back at her. "Um, can you get tea and cups please?"

"Yes, sir." She bows slightly and walks away.

I enter the room and sit down on her futon where she sits down next to me and begins massaging her hands down my back.

Looking up from her lap, I tell her: "That's nice. But I am supposed to be comforting you today."

"By spending time with me you already are."

The tea should be done in due time.