40 Getting Caugh

A starving Yu Mei looked at her breakfast with a "what the nuts is this?" face. "You're kidding me right?" Yu Mei looked at Chu'mei with the most pissed off face. Chu'mei was fidgeting her fingers nervously. "Xiaojie, I'm not playing with you. The kitchen was told to only give you that." Chu'mei didn't dare look up at her. Her lady was probably so pissed off right now. Chu'mei knew that Yu Mei never joked around when it came to food. "The kitchen? I would like to have a talk with them." Yu Mei angrily stood up. Chu'mei quickly stretched both her arms wide, blocking Yu Mei from leaving. "Xiaojie, you mustn't. It's an order from Prince Nan."

"Pei Nan did this?" *HA* Yu Mei let out a loud sigh. No wonder there was only a sad bowl of rice porridge at the table. [Wow~ I can't believe you are resorting to childish measures now.] "Xiaojie mustn't blame Prince Nan either. The head chef said that Prince Nan ordered them to only serve you rice porridge for a few days since you weren't feeling too well last night. He's afraid your skin would react again."

"That scoundrel! He's not worried for me; he's using this chance to attack me. I won't stand here and take it. I want to eat meat." It was so early in the morning but Pei Nan was already doing her injustice. Yu Mei could not stand for this. She quickly went to find him.

When Yu Mei entered his palace, no one dared to bother her. The fierce tiger within her could be sensed from miles away. All the maids and servants dared not to offend her. Some of them were so scared they would duck and cover when they spotted her. Of course Yu Mei didn't take notice nor did she care. Her mind was busy scolding Pei Nan.

Finally. She could see him from afar. Pei Nan was sitting outside on a white bench inside the palace pavilion. As she came closer, she finally made out who the two guests with Pei Nan were. *Grab* next thing Chu'mei knew, she was pulled behind the huge willow tree a far distance from the pavilion. Yu Mei's sudden tug startled her. "Xiaojie, what is wrong with you?" Yu Mei was acting strange and Chu'mei sensed it. Not to mention, she was hiding behind the tree with both her hands on the trunk, peeking toward Pei Nan's direction. "I can't go over," Yu Mei lost all her composure. Earlier she was acting like a fierce little tiger but now she was like a timid kitten. "Why didn't you tell me Prince Shao was over?" she started to scold Chu'mei.

"I didn't know either." Chu'mei felt wronged. How was she supposed to know that Pei Nan, Gu Shao and Fei Ning were going to be playing a game of Go together.

"Chu'mei, are you my most loyal friend?" Yu Mei suddenly asked earnestly. Chu'mei looked at her confused. She was the only person who hung around Yu Mei. What kind of question was that? "Of course I am. I am your most loyal friend." She proudly said. Yu Mei placed both her hands on Chu'mei's shoulders and nodded in agreement. "I knew I could count on you. Go over there and get Pei Nan and Consort Ning to leave." She turned Chu'mei over that direction and pointed.

Yu Mei started to panic forreal this time. She saw Prince Shao pull out a handkerchief from his sleeve. She remembered it. It was the same blue handkerchief she had given him. Yu Mei suddenly pushed Chu'mei over. "Run over there before Pei Nan sees what's inside. I'll give you a feast if you pass." She anxiously instructed.As Chu'mei ran over to the pavilion, she couldn't help but feel betrayed. [Hmph! Xiaojie, you are so thick skinned. How can you call me a friend and then use me.]

Gu Shao had just placed the handkerchief on the table when he saw Chu'mei run over. Chu'mei had run so fast, she had to stop and catch her breath. first Pei Nan gave her a funny look.

"What brings you over? Is Consort Pan here?" he asked as if he didn't really care.

"My lady is busy getting ready. The empress is coming over in a little bit." Chu'mei randomly lied. If her lady was going to use her like this, she might as well add her lady in it too. "My mother is coming?" Pei Nan asked shocked. He was not aware that his mother was coming. That strict woman. He had nothing prepared. The next moment, he turned his attention to Gu Shao. "I'm afraid this game will have to wait until after." Pei Nan proceeded to leave the pavilion in a hurry with Fei Ning by his side. As Gu Shao watched the woman he loved leave with his brother, he couldn't help but give a short chuckle.

Gu Shao proceeded to get up. Just as he turned, he was in for a surprise. From a far, an awkward Yu Mei was making her way over to him. Chu'mei even felt embarrassed for her lady. What in the world was wrong with her lady? Yu Mei had let down her two braids, holding each one under her nose. Yu Mei actually tried to use her hair as a mask. With her bangs covering her forehead and her braids covering majority of her nose and mouth, she was a rare sight to see. Gu Shao didn't realize when his lips had curved into a smile. He took it back, all the words he had used to describe Yu Mei last night. She was just crazy.

"Greetings to Consort Pan," this time his voice was gentle. He still used a respectful tone with her but unlike yesterday, today he greeted her in a more friendly term. "Good morning," she mumbled under her breath. Gu Shao took a step closer to her. Yu Mei immediately tilted her head down. Avoiding eye contact at all cost. "Are you not feeling well?"

"I haven't put on any makeup. I'm too embarrassed to let you see my bare face." She quickly lied.

Chu'mei who was watching from the sideline almost burst. Her lady was really thick skinned. How could she stand there and lie like that. This was the same woman who acted like a ghost and slept like a bum all day.

*Hahaha* Gu Shao suddenly laughed out loud. Women. He could not understand them. "You have nothing to be embarrassed about. Women are the most beautiful when they are natural and bare faced." Yu Mei sincerely smiled at him. [What a gentleman] She was about to praise him when her eyes spotted the handkerchief on the table. "Oh? You are playing Go?"

"I was playing with Pei Nan but he had to leave."

"If that's the case, I'll play with you."

"Consort Pan knows how to play?" she caught his attention.

"Of course I do. Don't cry if I beat you," Yu Mei slowly walked up the stairs. One step, two steps, three steps…she needed to fall. Fall on the table. It was right in front of her.

The final step approached... "Aiya," Yu Mei screamed as her left foot tripped on her right, sending her flying towards the table. To be exact, her fall was very exaggerated. A normal person would have fallen right on the spot but Yu Mei kept flailing, her feet wobbled all the way towards the table. Gu Shao reached out to grab her but could not grab her in time. Yu Mei's arm hit the table and then her body dived to the ground. Yu Mei didn't plan on actually falling all the way. Who knew she would really lose her balance and fall flat on her face.

Gu Shao and Chu'mei both ran over to Yu Mei. She was lying on the ground with her face planted on the ground. "Pan Yu Mei, are you okay?" He grabbed her arm but she tugged away immediately. "Go away. I'm too embarrassed." *Wuwuwu* "Chu'mei, help me up." A pitiful Yu Mei commanded. Gu Shao didn't know what to do. He wanted to help her up. She looked so pitiful. "Don't be embarrassed. I didn't see anything." He tried to make her feel better. *Waaaah* Yu Mei covered her head with her hands. "Don't look at me," she mumbled under her breath. "Fine, fine. I won't look." Gu Shao turned away as Chu'mei helped Yu Mei up. The next thing he knew, Yu Mei ran passed him, not looking back once. Gu Shao didn't stop her. He knew she must've felt very humiliated.

When Yu Mei felt she had run far enough, she stopped. Chu'mei also stopped to catch her breath. "Xiaojie, what are you playing at?" Chu'mei started to question her lady.

"Was my acting good?" Yu Mei's eyes opened wide and bright, fishing for a compliment.

"Not bad but your fall was too terrible. Even I knew you were faking it. We are not in a fantasy world. Who in the world flies a foot from their fall?"

"Yes teacher. I'll remember that next time." Yu Mei sarcastically said as she pulled out the handkerchief from her sleeves. "I got it though."

"What is it?"

"You don't remember? This was the item I asked you to give Prince Shao last time. Imagine if we didn't come in time. Petty Nan would have found out about me sneaking out during my house arrest." Yu Mei cheerfully unraveled the cloth. When she saw the blood jade bracelet, it clicked. That day, she was in such a rush she had just randomly picked up a blood jade bracelet for Gu Shao. She never would have imagined that it was a pair set. So that was why Gu Shao approached her that day. It was because she was wearing the jade bracelet. She pat her chest. Thankfully she hadn't given herself away.

"Pan Yu Mei!" She had been so used to that name that she automatically turned back to the sound. It was a mistake. A huge mistake.

"RUN!" Yu Mei warned Chu'mei as she started to run away as fast as she could.

"Stop right there!"

It didn't take more than a minute before Pan Yu Mei's arm was grabbed. [Curse you shoes!]

"I think you have something of mine."

"You're mistaken," Yu Mei attempted to break free but it was no use. She only looked more guilty. He pulled her towards him. Yu Mei's tiny body was forced to turn his way. "Give it…" before he could finish his words, his eyes met hers. "Xu Ren?"

To be continued…dun dun dun!