Seven

Dong Mei also had to learn pottery and cook a few easy dishes. All in all, she became somewhat self sufficient.

The days of spring that had been left for that season weren't many. But at the beginning of summer, Dong Mei was already fed up.

She threw the embroidery kit and angrily asked her parents whether their plan was to marry their daughter off to a beggar of a man.

Her parents only laughed and told her she would be allowed out after another week.

As soon as she had their permission, Dong Mei flew towards the Bai courtyard.

Along the way, she kept hearing about an engagement and a marriage somewhere. Who knew that she would set one foot in the courtyard to find exactly that?

How could it happen? She had only been gone a few days and the protagonists had already skipped a billion stages and were preparing for a marriage?

She couldn't believe it.

The courtyard was decorated with red silk cloth and red ribbons. It was minimal hence not too piercing for the eyes but Dong Mei felt like her eyes were about to peel.

The decorations didn't seem freshly put up. They were askew at this point and the other, giving the sense that they had long served their purpose.

Dong Mei's body stiffened and seemed to crack at the realization of the situation. Her heart's beat was against her ears. The frightening thump THUMP thumping of her heart was all she could hear. As though it would break out of her chest.

How? How did everything happen so fast? She had gained awareness of the events to come so how could all those events pass her by? Why did she fail again? Why?

Although she didn't admit it to herself, she knew that the marriage had already happened. At such a point there was really little she could do.

She had seen it for herself and even read about it. Bai Yang Wei's loyalty was unmatched. He was the only man that stayed true to only one woman in his entire life. She had hoped that as long as she secured a position next to him, he would eventually turn his eyes on her. And maybe she would enjoy that kind of marriage life.

But despite everything, she had still failed.

"You there," someone called out, "eh! Wait! Miss Dong!" the person recognized her, "Miss Dong what are you doing here so early? Tell me and I'll pass the message."

She was standing in front of the Bai residence. Unlike town residences, it was surrounded by a simple tall hedge that fenced it off. There wasn't a gate so anyone could easily peek into the residence if they passed by the large opening that served as the main entrance.

Inside, were a few plum blossom trees. The courtyard had been perfectly swept leaving broom marks on the ground.

It was still quiet as the sun had barely rose. Only a single person moved around the courtyard doing small tasks. She was one of Bai Yang Wei's cousins, Lu Feng. She had come along for the celebration.

She was often at the Bai residence hence she could recognize Dong Mei who frequented the place as much as she could.

"I want to see brother Bai," the words spilled out before she could stop them, not that she would try to. They reflected exactly how she felt.

The other girl was holding a bucket as she nodded carefully, "I'll tell him when they come out of the bridal chamber. You know madam Bai ordered that no one disturb them."

"I said I want to see him. And I want to see him now," Dong Mei's voice rose slightly.

Lu Feng put down her bucket and looked at Dong Mei with slight displeasure, "people are sleeping. What do you have to make so much noise for? I've already said I'll tell him."

Lu Feng was the type of person to be nice to those that were nice to her. She wasn't particularly good but she wasn't bad either. One thing about her was she couldn't swallow an injustice against herself. So when Dong Mei's attitude changed slightly, Lu Feng was ready to counter attack.

"I said NOW!" Dong Mei ordered.

Lu Feng was quickly worked up. She picked up the bucket and threw it towards Dong Mei, "do you think you're a Queen? That everyone must do what you say? Dong Mei, I'll show you today that you're no princess."

The bucket she had thrown at Dong Mei contained rubbish and a bit of dirty water. Because Dong Mei didn't guard against it, the contents spilled on her beautiful dress and the bucket hit her arm with a loud "thack!"

The momentum of it pushed Dong Mei back so that she fell on her arse. But like a zombie that couldn't feel a thing, she dazedly stood right back up ready to fight off Lu Feng with everything she had.

She had to make sure she saw Bai Yang Wei. She had to.

"What do you mean by all of this? It was supposed to be me," Dong Mei raised her voice so loud that no one nearby failed to hear what she was saying.

The more she looked at the decorations, the more she couldn't lie to herself about what they meant and the more frenzied her eyes became. A thread of madness would be identified if anyone looked closely.

She ran towards Lu Feng who picked up a broom, ready to fight off the mad woman.

"Mad as a cow in heat! Do you thing I can't fight you. Come, I'll teach you today how to be humble," Lu Feng urged.

As soon as she was close enough, Lu Feng swept her broom across Dong Mei. Dong Mei felt all the prickly pain but still jumped on Lu Feng, intending to rip her head off her shoulders.

But before she could get a proper grip, she was lifted off Lu Feng and thrown over a stiff shoulder.