22 Surprises

Consort Nuan or Nuan Yi Er almost dropped the scorching hot tea on her lap when she heard the long bang from her door. She almost had a scare thinking Yu Mei was the thief.

"Consort Pan, what are you doing here? You almost gave me a heart attack," Nuan Yi Er complained, placing her palm on her beating chest. Yu Mei awkwardly waved at her. "Hi…hehehe," she then scratched her head., not knowing what to do next. How was she supposed to bring up the topic?

Nuan Yi Er scrunched her brows, these simple actions done by Yu Mei were too strange. So unlike herself.

{TEA!] The very easily distracted Yu Mei nonchalantly walked over to the table. Who knows how thirsty she had been until now. She made herself at home, quickly pouring herself a cup. After a few quick blows, she took small sips. *Ahhh* she let out the most satisfying sipping noise.

Nuan Yi Er didn't say anything as she continued to watch. Bizarre. The only time Yu Mei ever came to her place was to cause trouble. Thinking that, she was ready to kick her out. Yu Mei sensingg her intentions quickly wiped her mouth with her sleeves and smiled. "You're probably wondering why I am here?" spoken sweetly.

"Indeed I am,"

"I'm staying here for the night," Yu Mei was always a very blunt person, it wasn't surprising when she spoke those words so casually. The proper thing to do was ask but Yu Mei knew most likely Yi Er would not be willing. This caused Nuan Yi Er to almost lose her sanity. Have the complaining and troublemaking Pan Yu Mei stay at her place for the night? She couldn't even stand being in the same room for an hour, how was she supposed to make it through the night. Was Yu Mei trying to drive her crazy.

Yu Mei wanted to smack her in the head a few times, did she have to make the most shocked and horrified face when she said that. It's not like she was asking her to cut off a limb.

"Sister Yi Er," Yu Mei sweetly spoke as she went over to Yi Er and grabbed her hand."Sister Yi Er, I know we started out rough but please allow me to stay one night, just one night. I promise you won't regret it," she hung onto both Yi Er's hands and swung them back in forth like a spoiled child trying to act cute. "What are you playing at?" Yi Er didn't believe this was all Yu Mei wanted.

"My place is doing some reconstruction and I can't sleep. You were the first person I thought of, please let me stay…okay," with innocent big eyes, she pleaded. Yi Er was skeptical at first. Which sane person would be doing reconstruction this late at night? But then again, Yi Er had no choice but to let her stay. After letting Yu Mei stay, she looked at Yu Mei's outfit. Surely she couldn't sleep like that, could she? "Li Lu, go over to Consort Pan's palace and bring her a sleeping gown,"

"Yes," Li Lu was about to leave when a super speedy Yu Mei rushed over to her. Both hands reached forward, stopping her from advancing. "Wait…you don't have to do that. I was the one who came here unprepared, I can just sleep in this outfit," Yu Mei looked at her clothes. Three layers of clothing…*wuwuwu* she wanted to cry. Just imagining how hot and stuffy it would be to sleep in this outfit was really too much. But what could she do. If Li Lu went to her palace and saw what was going on, she would be caught, game over. When she thought about Pei Nan waiting for her there gave her the chills. Yi Er once again gave her a weird look. "It's really no trouble," Yi Er added. Yu Mei looked at her and smiled. [Sister Yi Er, you don't have to be so courteous. Just let me be, okay?] *hehehe* Yu Mei cheerfully walked back to Yi Er's side and linked her arms around hers. "Sister Yi Er doesn't have to be so considerate of me, I can sleep like this. No need to travel so far,"

"Fine," Yi Er unlinked her arms and walked over to her closet. She handed a white sleeping gown to Yu Mei. "You can wear one of mine then. If you don't mind it," For the first time tonight, Yu Mei felt that Yi Er wasn't so bad. If she could this woman on her side, it would be a good thing.

"Of course I don't mind," in no less than three seconds, the gown had been snatched. Yu Mei followed Li Lu as she escorted her to the changing room. When she came back, she couldn't help but smiled relieved. This sleeping gown was very comfortable. "It's a good thing we are about the same size," Yu Mei gleefully said the moment she stepped back into the room. *Growl* her tummy was crying out again. Yi Er covered her mouth with her sleeves and giggled softly. "Ignore my stomach, Petty Nan has been starving me all day," she didn't catch herself in time. She had been so used to referring Pei Nan as Petty Nan that she involuntarily said it out loud. Yu Mei looked to see what Yi Er's reaction was. No reaction. "Li Lu, prepare some snakes,"

"Yes madame,"

Yi Er and Yu Mei sat down. Yi Er felt uncomfortable sitting there. This made Yu Mei uncomfortable too. "Sister Yi Er, is something bothering you?" whatever was bothering Yi Er must be handled right now or else she wouldn't be able to sleep peacefully.

"Nothing much, I've been wondering why you have been acting so strange tonight," this was the first time Yi Er had met Yu Mei after her fall. Not only did she act friendly, she even called her Sister Yi Er. When did this all happen? What was even weirder was the fact that she actually called Pei Nan petty. Everyone knew just how obsessed she was with Pei Nan, so why the sudden change.

"After I fell, I lost some of my memories. So that's why I've been acting a little strange. I hope Sister Yi Er doesn't find me to be a nuisance," Yu Mei lied. It wasn't all lies but wasn't the full truth too. "From now on, call me Sister Yu Mei. I don't know how I was in the past but do forgive me if I ever did something to offend you," Yu Mei asked. Seeing how awkward Yi Er was and the question she asked, Yu Mei could conclude there was probably some kind of bad blood between the two. Yi Er nodded.

Seeing how easily it was to get along with Yi Er, Yu Mei couldn't help but be content. "I promise you I won't stay here for free. Once I go back to the palace, I will help you get in bed with Pei Nan," if the things Yu Mei did earlier weren't shocking enough for Yi Er, this definitely did it. Yi Er opened her mouth in horror. Which well-mannered and proper women would boldly talk about trying to get in bed with a man? SHAMELESS! Yu Mei realized she had taken the wrong approach. Was she too blunt? Whatever. She has already said it, no turning back. "I'm serious. In return for staying at your place tonight, I will definitely help you get Pei Nan's attention," She had decided, since Pei Nan didn't want Princess Mu Yi as a wife, she would just help out Yi Er and get him off her back. It was a win-win situation for everyone.

"What are you saying? Do you not know how improper this is?" Yu Mei was not expecting that answer.

*Door opens*

The topic is stopped the moment Li Lu comes back with a tray of food. How could Yu Mei concentrate on anything when food was in front of her. The fresh aroma, she couldn't stand it any longer. She needed it, needed to rip that chicken in half and bite down on its thighs this very instance. Yu Mei tried to be patient but Li Lu was walking like an old man. She got off her seat, "Let me take it," she grabbed the tray, literally ran over to the table and placed it down. With her bare hands, she placed one hand on the breast while the other savagely tore off a thigh.The moment it touched her lips, she felt herself in food heaven. Could anything be more blissful than this? She came back to her senses when she heard Yi Er chuckle lightly. Yu Mei felt embarrassed for the first time as she sat back down, face flushed. "I was too hungry just now," another bite down.

"Go on, it's all yours,"

"Like I was saying, I'll help you win Pei Nan's heart," Yi Er looked at her full of curiosity. "I got a special fragrance pouch I'll hand over to you. Have you heard of Beauty Chen?" she whispered. Yi Er nodded no; she had no clue who that was.

"Aiya, have you been living under a rock? Which lady hasn't heard of Beauty Chen," she leaned over to Yi Er and whispered, "She is the greatest idol to all ladies," Yu Mei didn't forget to compliment herself. Her nickname Beauty Chen was always the proudest thing she's ever created for herself.

"Why is that?" Yu Mei sighed once more. She was very very VERY disappointed in Yi Er. "She is great! Anyone who buys her products have all gotten the man of their dreams,"

"What does she sell?"

"Pills to make a man fall in love with you…whether it is sleeping pills, love pills or fragrance pouches,"

"WOAH!" Yu Mei closed her eyes and nodded her head proudly. She had gotten herself another fan.

"Isn't that assisting in ****?" *cough* Yu Mei literally almost choked on the piece of meat. [****? What the oranges was this girl spewing about? She is a helper of love, not some criminal.]

"Yi Er, how can you say that," Yu Mei angrily looked at her. Yi Er held her hands together innocently. "But it's true. I don't want to force Pei Nan, that is wrong," Yi Er innocently said. Gosh, this girl was much more innocent than Yu Mei had imagined. Weren't girls in the palace supposed to be evil and scheme against each other, doing things behind their husband's back to get what they wanted?

Yu Mei was offended, truly offended. Her hand slammed the chicken thigh on the table. When she realized the abuse she had inflicted on the chicken, she picked it up and pet it. "I didn't mean that," Food was life for Yu Mei, how could she do that to such a delicious and precious piece of meat.

After her little episode, her concentration went back on Yi Er. "Are you saying I am a bad woman for buying one?" she pointed her fingers.

"I didn't mean that Sister Yu Mei,"

"Good, because I am not that bad," Yu Mei admitted she was bad but not that bad. She was only bad in terms of beating up Pei Nan twice, nothing else.

"Beauty Chen is my idol, don't insult her anymore," Yi Er nodded. "Besides, you are already married to Pei Nan. The pouch I'm giving you will only help you get his attention, not assist in that so called thing you referred to," she was so offended, she couldn't even speak of that word. When did her products become such a thing? "Give it a try. If you wear my fragrance pouch for four days and don't notice any difference in Pei Nan's attitude, I will admit my idol is a scammer. But if it works, you must apologize to me," Yu Mei crossed her arms hurt. Yi Er couldn't help but let out another gentle giggle. When did Sister Yu Mei become so childish? "Fine,"

Yu Mei and Yi Er were having a good time chatting that they had forgotten all about poor Chu'mei. Chu'mei was still sitting on top of the tree, patiently waiting for her lady. She had full faith in her lady. There was no way her lady had forgotten about her. Right?

Another person whose mind was occupied with the thought of Yu Mei was sitting as if the world had wronged him…Pei Nan. No one dared walk into Yu Mei's room where the triggered beast rested. One wrong word and they could lose their head, which was the perfect way to describe just how bad the situation had gotten. Pei Nan had been sitting at the same spot for more than eight hours. No news. His patience was running low. Where was she? Surely she would come back…that he did not doubt.

His eyes had been staring at her bed every so often. When he realized she wasn't going to return tonight, he made his way to her bed and lifted the veil, taking a seat. So this is the bed she slept in, he thought, running his palms along the bed sheets. He took off his boots and lay on her bed with his hands held together on his stomach, staring at the ceiling. He was angry, but why was there a silly smile on his face? He couldn't believe it; he actually willingly slept on her bed for the first time. They had been married for a little over 6 months but this was the first time he lay on HER bed. He closed his eyes for a moment, inhaling the scent. He could smell it, that orange jasmine scent of hers. It was like that scent of hers had magic, it made his head turn on its own, enough for the tip of his nose to touch her pillow. He didn't know when he had gotten addicted to her orange jasmine smell but why did it smell nutty this time? The smell was a bit off. He had already smelled it the moment he entered. He tried ignoring it but the longer he stayed in her bed, the stronger the extra scent became. His nose followed the nutty smell. The pillow was lifted and there it was, the culprit…roasted cashews. If he was turned on earlier, this scene definitely turned him off. Cashews were scattered all around, under her pillow. A filthy mess.

Pei Nan threw her pillow on the ground and walked out of her bed. She was truly horrible, which proper lady in their right mind would keep food in bed? He suddenly imagined it, in the middle of the night as she lay sleeping, her hands would reach under for the cashews, chewing it as she lay half asleep. Pei Nan was a clean freak, the thought of this made him shiver from disgust.

He had no doubt, if she had hidden food under her pillow, what else was she hiding. With this thought, he put on his boots and searched. His guess….one word…right!

The desk drawer was pulled, grapes.

Make-up drawer…osmanthus cakes. He stopped, afraid if he searched more, the more shocked he would become.