Time to Move

Wei Mudan lazed around on a chaise, absentmindedly drinking a cup of tea whilst reading one of her favourite novels. Her long hair spread out behind her, an inky black pool around her snowy white face. A charcoal brazier, decorated with numerous carvings was set out in front of her.

Hua'er sat nearby, refilling the cup whenever it was empty. A scene of tranquility - a lady and her maid. Any painter would have wanted to draw upon this picture of beauty. Time had seemingly stopped, and all that was left were the words on the page of Wei Mudan's book, and the pulsing heat of the brazier.

Wei Mudan's eyes flickered up from her novel. "It is time."

Hua'er frowned. "There are still a few more days."

Wei Mudan raised an eyebrow at Hua'er and sat upright, gently placing the dog eared novel on the table. "Who was the one who chastised me for not acting earlier?"

"But, Miss, if you get caught-"

"There is no action without a risk. Just like how one cannot get any rewards without a consequence, every action carries within itself a risk that we choose to take. The difference between a fool and a wise man is that a wise person knows what those risks are."

Wei Mudan paused and stared at Hua'er. "You, of all, should understand that very well."

Hua'er bit her lip and put down the teapot she was holding.

"When shall we leave, Miss?"

Silky hair fell in front of Wei Mudan's face as she stood. She paced over to the desk with an almost cat-like elegance. Reaching over to the side of the table, her nimble fingers flitted lightly over the various carvings. With the press of a button hidden within the carvings, a secret compartment opened. She fished out a note she had written the night before.

"There is never a time better than now. Send a note to the Drooping Moon Palace. Conceal yourself carefully," Wei Mudan ordered, passing the hand-written note to Hua'er.

Hua'er nodded and disappeared from the room.

Wei Mudan walked back to the chaise, keeping close to the brazier. It was one perk of staying inside in a proper room and not a tent. Whilst there were braziers, they were small and often went out.

Just as she had gotten comfortable and picked up her novel once more, she sensed something out of the ordinary. Dark lines appeared on her forehead.

"Jiang Cheng," she called out.

As soon as she had called his name, Jiang Cheng appeared from the shadows. Still stuck with that ice block face, the only indication of his amusement was a twinkle in his eyes and joy in his words.

"The Princess does not wish to see me?"

Wei Mudan sighed. "This General does not appreciate the intrusion into my private quarters. Might I remind Jiang Cheng that you are still a man and I am a noble lady."

"A Princess, in fact. This one thought you'd be lonely." With that, Jiang Cheng tried moving closer to Wei Mudan.

A flash of light was all the warning Jiang Cheng got as Wei Mudan sliced at his neck. Luckily, his reaction was good and he dodged in time. Any slower, and his throat would have been slit.

Wei Mudan's voice was hard as she spat out, "This General does not tolerate rule-breaking amongst her army. Leave, or you will be punished."

"The tranquil moon in the distance for me to admire, yet not for me to touch. Cold light shines upon me, threatening me, yet I still reach for the moon."

"Your flowery words are distasteful."

Her dagger gleamed under the light as she jumped from the chaise and towards Jiang Cheng. Jiang Cheng sidestepped, but didn't attack in return. He let out a laugh as he dodged her attacks with ease.

They played a game of cat-and-mouse -- chasing one another around the room until Wei Mudan had finally cornered Jiang Cheng.

She stepped closer, and Jiang Cheng stepped back.

Wei Mudan put away the dagger. Jiang Cheng relaxed, dropping his guard. Wei Mudan paced closer to Jiang Cheng, her steps soft and silent.

She placed a hand playfully on his chest, and smirked. Jiang Cheng's eyes widened in shock as he froze.

Pushing him back slowly, she inched closer. Until he was in the one place she wanted him to be.

Jiang Cheng was completely enamoured with her movements, his eyes on her and her only.

Her body drew closer to his.

"I do not like having my privacy invaded," she whispered in his ear, voice chillingly cold.

Wei Mudan did Jiang Cheng a favour by pushing him out the window. It was quite a hard shove, and Jiang Cheng went tumbling through and into the bushes below.

She wasn't worried. Someone of his skill was sure to survive, and if he wasn't, then she wouldn't have recruited him.

Jiang Cheng needed to know that their relationship was only a business transaction. The invasion of privacy was something she did not particularly like, especially as it meant that Jiang Cheng could sneak in at any time. Seeing as he only came when Hua'er left, it seemed like he'd been watching her for some time.

"The next time this happens, expect our deal to be called off," said Wei Mudan. She peered over the window edge.

She did not need a disobedient soldier.

Jiang Cheng was quiet as he picked himself up from the bush. Bowing, he muttered, "This one will not do such things again. Please pardon this one for their stupid mistakes."

It was so soft that Wei Mudan could barely hear it. She chucked lightly. "Since you're already here, you might as well help me. Go forth and buy a piece of land in a secluded area."

Jiang Cheng nodded and disappeared into the shadows once more.