Most Stubborn and Terrible Liar of Them All

She came out of the royal physician's chambers with him following slowly behind her. She stopped in her tracks and turned to look at him.

"Her royal highness should send for her humble servant next time, rather than stressing herself to come all the way here" he suggested to the princess with a bow.

"It is okay. I was out in the western palace anyway. I must take my leave now, sorry to have bothered you Master Zhao."

"Never a problem your highness. Be safe" he cautioned her in a whisper, then bowed his head. With that, she left with her entourage.

Minutes later she went to the Eastern palace and entered. This was her palace as the crown princess.

Everywhere was busy, servants, attendants and all running here and there tidying, cleaning and doing their duties. As soon as she stepped in, they stopped what they were doing and bowed to greet her.

"Welcome your royal highness" they said in unison.

"Thank you, please rise and get back to your duties."

"Yes your royal highness" immediately all left and tended their chores.

She went into her chambers to relax. On getting inside, she sat down as her mind went back to what she had discussed with the Physician Zhao.

After sitting down, not long after a maid rushed to her chambers and bowed outside while another maid announced her arrival.

"Your royal highness, Lady Feng has returned" she said loud enough for the princess to hear.

"Send her in".

The young attendant gave a nod at Lady Feng then gestured for her to proceed. She entered and bowed to to the princess.

"Welcome back your royal highness" Lady Feng greeted.

"You've cleaned up. How is your injury?" She asked her raising her head from the work on her table in front of her.

"It's nothing your highness. I am fine."

"Take the day off and tend to your injury."

"Her royal highness doesn't need to concern herself with this servant" she said still bowing to her.

"Is that so, out of all my servants, you are the most stubborn and terrible liar of them all. I can tell from your breathing, you are in pain, your knees hurt and you can barely stand for long. When you fell yesterday it was pretty serious and you kept on kowtowing today, don't your forehead hurt? How dare you lie to me lady Feng!"

Princess Xiaoli slammed her hand against the table, causing Lady Feng to jolt up in the process.

"Your highness, I am sorry. I–I–" Xiaoli interrupted her.

"You've been in pain and did not see the physician. And you ran here just now, when you heard I had returned. Lady Feng, what should I do to you?"

"I am very sorry to have troubled her royal highness, please forgive me" she said as she knelt down.

"Still using that knee. I might as well have a head ache because of you. Chao Xing... " the princess called.

A young girl of eighteen answered her from outside.

"Her royal highness called for me."

"Enter."

The young girl entered and bowed to the princess "Your highness."

"Rise" Chao Xing raised her head but kept her eyes down.

"Call one of the palace guards to escort Lady Feng to her room and you go with her, when she is in let him stand guard outside her chambers and you would go call one of the physicians to check up on her. She is not allowed to leave her chamber till she has recovered completely."

"Yes your highness. I would do as you have commanded. My lady please let us go" she said then bowed to the princess and moved closer to Lady Feng to help her up, but she knelt down still.

"Your highness, but who would attend to you?" She tried complaining.

"I have several attendants. I would fare well, you needn't worry."

"But..."

"You better leave before I put you on house arrest for a month" she shouted at Lady Feng who quickly got up and left with a bow, followed by Chao Xing.

She sighs after successfully making her head attendant leave. She had been with the princess for years now, since she was fifteen, then the princess was just five years old. Although she wasn't her head maid initially, but the elderly maid who was in her early forties couldn't keep up with the princess's running around and playing.

So the king had lady Feng be her attendant, while Lady Mei Xing took charge of her other activities, but lady Feng was always with her as her acting Head maid when she was outside her palace and would receive lectures from Lady Mei Xing about attending to the princess's needs.

Due to this, Lady Feng have always been close to the princes. She loved the little princess dearly and took care of her even when she was ill or hurt.

Princess Xiaoli was in thoughts when she called for one of her attendants.

"Who is out there?" She called out.

"Your highness it is I Luli" she replied the princess from outside.

"Send Mayleen in" she called out again.

"Yes your highness" she replied and spoke to the next attendant by her side to call for the other attendant Mayleen. The girl left to carryout her orders. Soon the two attendants arrived.

"Your highness Mayleen is here" Luli informed the princess.

"Send her in."

The young attendant entered, she was just a few years older than the princess.

"Greetings your highness, Mayleen is here."

"Good, I need you to go inform the palace guards, two of them are coming with me, the carriage should be set, I am leaving the palace soon."

"Yes your highness"

"You may go" Mayleen turns to leave, "oh send Luli in, I need to get changed".

"Yes your highness" she bowed and left the princess's chambers. On getting outside, she delivered the message to Luli and left to carry out the princess's order.

"Your highness, It is I Luli."

"Enter."

Luli rushed in and bowed to her. "You called your highness."

"I am going for a visit, I need something simple, less makeup and a lighter wear" she explained to her.

"Yes your highness" she bowed and left the chambers. Later she enters with two other attendants and they got to work on her. First, removing her outer royal robe and cleaning her makeup, then began dressing Xiaoli in a new outfit.