25 Mother in Law Gets the First Advantage

Just like that, the women all left Pei Nan's side.

Getting to Mount Wu Bei took about two days by carriage. The journey from Mount Wu Bei to Luoyang was long. One would have to cross the plains through the city of Siu, then follow the forestry trail and climb the man-made 100 step to the entrance of the temple. The journey was tiresome but every year Empress Ping made two journeys there for prays. It was the only temple location she worshiped.Why? Because this was the place she met the Emperor and also the place she prayed for a child. It was more of a lucky temple for her.

When Yu Mei felt the sedan get pushed by the horses, she couldn't help but let out a breath of happiness. She had gotten two things out of this, getting free from Pei Nan and traveling. Ju Ming, the soul within Yu Mei loved to travel around with her master. She spent many years going around China collecting the best and rarest herbs. Along the way, stopping at every city to sight see. To think she was finally going to go see the city of Siu again, she couldn't contain her excitement. This would be the second time she visited. Not to mention, the first place she successfully traded her first sleeping pill. Just thinking about it, Yu Mei felt proud. She wondered if the woman she gave the pill to is still with that man. Of course, there was only one way to find out.

While Yu Mei was reminiscing the good times, a very annoyed Consort Wan or Wan Ming Yan was giving her a dirty look from the opposite side.

Luckily the only person in the sedan who was unhappy with Yu Mei was Wan Ming Yan. Nuan Yi Er was actually quite happy to be in the same sedan. She had wanted to ask Yu Mei about the item she was promised but felt too embarrassed. Yi Er who took the seat next to Yu Mei scooted closer and nudged her arm. "Sister Yu Mei, did you by chance bring the perfume satchel?" with big bright eyes, she eagerly but quietly asked, afraid Ming Yan woud hear.

"Aiya, how could I have forgotten? I was too busy, I forgot," Yu Mei whispered a lie back. Truth, she was too busy running away, lie she didn't have it in her possession. It was easy for her to make it but she really didn't have a chance to even create it yet. I mean, how could she have the time when a certain somebody was chasing after her.

"It's okay, I can wait," Yi Er reassured her it was okay. While this whole conversation went on, Wan Ming Yan was looking on with confusion. When did the two of them get so close to each other? Did something happen that she didn't know about?

Throughout the journey, Yu Mei and Yi Er were having small chats and taking interest in the plains. It was beautiful, the flat land filled with greenery, it was quite the sight. The city of Luoyang could not compare to this peaceful and relaxing piece of green beauty.

Once they were half way across the plains, they stopped to have lunch. Just the thought, Yu Mei couldn't wait. She had been starving the whole day. Chu'mei who was in the smaller sedan with the rest of the maids quickly rushed over and helped her get out of the sedan. Both of them watched from the side as each consort's maids pulled out dishes and small tables. Something seemed amiss, as if Yu Mei had not been informed about something...

In the shade under the tree were the Empress and Fei Ning, having a grand lunch. Under another tree a few feet away was Consort Wan Ming Yan with her lunch, not as elaborate as the Empress but still very appetizing. Yu Mei could hear her stomach grumble, but where was her food?

Yi Er walked over to Yu Mei. "Sister Yu Mei, where is your lunch?" she asked puzzled. Yi Er's maids had already set up her table and food. She came over to Yu Mei after realizing how awkward she was just standing there.

"Huh? I had to bring my own food?" Yi Er nodded at her question. "Didn't mother inform you?"

Of course it was her mother in law playing dirty. Yu Mei wanted to applaud that woman; she had actually pulled a fast one on her. Yu Mei angrily looked at her mother in law's way. The woman was smiling at her as if she had the last laugh. Yu Mei faked a smile back. If her mother in law wanted to play this way, she too would play dirty. "Xiaojie, what are we going to do?" Chu'mei who could read the situation too suddenly asked. Were they going to starve like this? She didn't want to die a starving ghost.

"Sister Yu Mei, why don't you and Chu'mei join me for lunch? I have plenty,"

"I will have to apologize in advance then," Yu Mei followed Yi Er to her table. Yu Mei felt bad for taking Yi Er's food but the thought of her empty stomach was even worse.

When the empress saw this, she was infuriated.Why was Consort Nuan sharing her lunch with Yu Mei? Weren't all the consorts on bad term with Yu Mei? How did it come to this? Seeing the happy Yu Mei eat made her lose her appetite. With one loud thump, she slammed her spoon on the table.

Her first attempt at making Yu Mei miserable came to an end very quickly.

Yu Mei saw the empress get up from her table. She quickly followed behind before the empress could get back into her sedan. "Mother," she spoke sweetly. The empress stopped and looked at Yu Mei. "What is it?" Yu Mei took two more steps, this time within arm's reach. "Mother had prepared such an important trip to pray for the weather. I also want to pray for mother."

"Oh?" Empress Ping arched her brow curiously. "Pray that in the future mother won't be so forgetful," Yu Mei smiled.

"Consort Pan, what nonsense are you spouting? Forgetful?" she laughed sarcastically. She had just recently turned 40. Forgetful? Never.

Yu Mei grabbed her hand and gently pat them lightly. "You even forgot to inform me about bringing my own lunch. If you forget even that small detail, I'm afraid of what you will forget in the next few months. I should definitely pray for mother," Yu Mei was only implying one thing, Empress Ping was getting old. Becoming a shriveled up shrimp. Of course Pei Nan's mother understood her intentions too. She tried to move her hands but Yu Mei held firmly. "You don't have to," she spoke with the calmest voice. Yu Mei also spoke in a calm voice, "I insist, for mother's health," she let go and walked away proudly. Empress Ping twisted her handkerchief with hatred. When did Yu Mei learn to talk back to her? In the past, no matter how bad she was treated, Yu Mei never dared to talk back to her. So what was this?

The next half of the journey, Consort Wan had persuaded Fei Ning to let her accompany them in their sedan. This sudden changed didn't bother Yu Mei at all. In fact, not having Consort Wan in her sedan was much more comfortable. Having that woman stare at her with utter disgust was getting annoying. Yu Mei at one point was even afraid she would "accidently" poke Consort Wan's eyes out.

By evening, they had finally arrived in Siu. Yu Mei could feel her heart beating from excitement. It has been such a long time since she last came here. When she lifted the window curtains, the moment her eyes saw the scene, she was in awe. It was just like how she remembered it a few years ago. No matter how dark it was, the city was lit with bright yellow lanterns, just like that year. It wasn't quite dark yet so there were still many people outside. Yu Mei could still recall the bustling city filled with shops, food and entertainment. Just thinking about it, she could not wait until morning.

Yu Mei thought that the night would soon be over but nope, that didn't happen. The empress had one more little surprise for her.

They entered the most extravagant Inn in all of Siu, Long Inn. The waiter seeing that his guests were wearing expensive clothing could assume they were people he needed to take extra care of.

And he was right. They were the ones who rented out the whole third floor where all the private rooms for the important figures were. One by one, he showed them to their rooms. First room went to Consort Wan. The moment she opened the door, she gasped with amazement. Consort Nuan and Consort Ning's room were just as great.

The last ones to follow the attendant were Yu Mei and her mother in law. No matter how hard it was to hide her little evil smirk, Yu Mei could spot it from a hundred miles away. Her mother in law was planning something. [Just let me go to sleep] Yu Mei complained in her heart. That day journey was too brutal, couldn't this nasty mother in law of her stop her plans for the night.All she wanted to do was rest up for tomorrow, but even that was too much.

The attendant stopped at the last room. Just looking at the size of it, Yu Mei could tell it was for the empress, but where was her room then? She didn't have to think much when Empress Ping turned around, giving the most apologetic look to Yu Mei. "Mei'er, I honestly didn't know you were coming with us this time so I couldn't prepare you a room in time. Waiter is there another room available," Empress Ping turned towards him. "My apologies but the rest of the rooms are filled. We only have a few on the first floor," he apologized halfheartedly. Most likely, he was already bribed before hand to play the part.

This time, it was Empress Ping who grabbed Yu Mei by the hand. "Mei'er, I hope you don't mind," she was waiting for Yu Mei to beg her. She didn't believe Yu Mei could bear to sleep on the first floor with the common people. Just the thought of it, her heart felt happy, very happy. Yu Mei placed her free hand on top of Empress Ping's. "A place to rest is better than no place. I'll see mother tomorrow morning," with only one sentence, she took her leave with Chu'mei following behind.

The moment Yu Mei turned away from the Empress, she sneered. This was Ju Ming she was dealing with, the girl who slept in the mountains for three days collecting herbs. This little stunt her mother in law wanted to play on her didn't bother her one bit.

When Yu Mei entered her room, Chu'mei wanted to complain. This room was only slightly better than her maid room at home. How could her lady sleep here? Someone who has been pampered since birth. "Xiaojie, should I find a new place for us?"

"No need,"

"But Xiaojie, that woman is clearly bullying us. I told you it was a bad idea," Yu Mei took a seat before looking up at Chu'mei. "I am Pan Yu Mei. Have I ever let anyone bully me for free?"

"NO!" she answered for herself. "We are going to get back at her," that mischievous look on her face appeared once more as she leaned back on the chair and crossed her arms.Chu'mei felt her eyes light up with excitement. She loved when her lady had this look in her eyes. It meant one thing, revenge. Chu'mei took a seat next to Yu Mei and leaned forward. "Xiaojie, what are we doing this time?" she asked eagerly. Whatever her lady wanted to do, most likely she would find it just as fun. Just thinking about their first trick on Consort Ning, Chu'mei felt her bones ache for more trouble making. "We attack tonight,"

Yu Mei thought, her mother in law may have gotten the early advantage but coming back home, she would be the one doing the scheming. No one dares to bully her and gets away with it…