44 Accidental Meeting

By morning, Pei Nan had told his mother about Pan Yu Mei planning her 38th birthday party. Empress Ping's face twitched the moment she heard this bizarre news."Nan, I thought you already finished planning it months ago? Why are you only doing it now?" Empress Ping asked nervously before turning her head towards Yu Mei. Who so happened to have been there too.

"Mother, please forgive me. I have been so busy these last few months, I had completely forgotten about this matter." He s"incerely" apologized. Yu Mei rolled her eyes when she heard this. He was the most organized and strict person she knew, how could he forget something this big. This was a scam. A scam to get her killed.

Yu Mei picked up her cup of tea and began to sip it as if this matter wasn't any of her business.

"Nan, my birthday is in 3 days. I am not comfortable with Yu Mei planning this." *Choke* *Splurt* The tea in Yu Mei's mouth splashed like a sprinkler all over the table. Empress Ping quickly backed away and gave her a disgusted look. "Pan Yu Mei." she grit her teeth.

"Sorry." Yu Mei quickly used her sleeve to wipe her mouth. Pei Nan didn't know what to do with her. All he could do was shake his head disapprovingly.

[Three days? This is clearly bullying. Not just bullying but bullying to the death.] Yu Mei was not about to let herself get stuck in this sort of situation...or so she thought.

"Mother is right. I have never done this before. Why don't we have Fei Ning plan it instead? I'm sure mother would feel more assured if Fei Ning planned it." Yu Mei said in a sweet and composed voice. She tilted her head and blinked cutely at Pei Nan. [Don't fall for her cute tactics.] Pei Nan calmed himself down. When did she learn how to be cute?

"I have faith in you." Pei Nan gently placed her hand in his and looked at her like a loving husband. Of course this was adding salt to injury. He had no faith in her, he just wanted to watch her fail. Yu Mei was sure of it. She grit her teeth after hearing him fake in front of her. He was clearly trying to aggravate her.

"I think it is still better to have Fei Ning do it. Isn't that right mother?" Yu Mei smiled as she clenched her teeth tightly. She was trying her hardest not to cuss him out. Empress Ping was about to agree but Pei Nan was a second faster. "Fei Ning has been feeling ill these past few days. I'm afraid she will overwork her body if she takes up this task." Pei Nan lied right in Yu Mei's face. He was shameless. Truly too shameless. [Sick? What sick? She was fine enough to scheme against me yesterday.]

"Fine. But I want it perfect." Empress Ping finally caved in. Yu Mei felt her soul leave her body. Wasn't this mother-in-law of hers supposed to go against her son?

Yu Mei had a look of shock while Pei Nan wore a huge smug smile on his face. "Good. I'll let you two chat about it then. I have to talk to father." Pei Nan quickly excused himself.

Without Pei Nan in the room, the atmosphere quickly became awkward. Yu Mei and Empress Ping stared at each other for a long time as if they were in a mental war against each other. No one was giving in.

After sitting in silence for more than five minutes, Yu Mei was getting irritated. This was ridiculous; she could be out somewhere snacking instead.

"Mother, how would you like your birthday to be like?" Yu Mei asked in a very pleasant voice.

Empress Ping didn't find it pleasant though. "Grand. I want the most grand and prestigious banquet." she wanted to make it hard for Yu Mei. "I want flowers at every table and there must be at least 10 different dishes on every table."

"I can do that." Yu Mei confidently said.

"It better be. If not, I won't spare you." she coldly warned Yu Mei."We are done discussing. You may leave." She quickly shooed Yu Mei away. Yu Mei wasn't offended by her blunt and rude tone. She wanted to leave anyways.

After bidding her mother-in-law goodbye, Yu Mei left happily.

Yu Mei was wandering around the emperor's palace while waiting for Pei Nan to finish. Somehow she had wandered all the way to the back of the palace where a luscious green shrubbery was. It was probably the most serene and simple piece of land she had seen in a long time. Large shrubs and lilac flowers were planted around the fence like a wall. Yu Mei felt she was in a trance as she entered. sitting in the center ofthe shrubbery.

Somewhere along the line, Yu Mei had actually fallen asleep in a sitting position. She was huddled like a rock with her hands around her knees. That relaxing nap didn't last long though. *Ahem* a loud cough woke her up. *Tumble* Like a little ball, Yu Mei lost balance and rolled.

When her bottom hit the ground, she angrily looked up to the person who disturbed her sleep. He stretched his hand down to help her up. Yu Mei quickly crossed her arms and simply refused his help. "Why are you being nice to me. Didn't you severe our friendship because I pushed your lover?" Yu Mei sarcastically asked. When she remembered his face yesterday, it was as if he was about to yell at her. Gu Shao actually looked like he wanted to back Fei Ning up yesterday. Just thinking back on it, Yu Mei was annoyed.

*Chuckle* Gu Shao crouched down, eye level with her before a grin appeared on his face. "You're mad about yesterday?" he asked in disbelief.

"I'm not just angry, I'm pissed! If you saw the face you gave me after I pushed Fei Ning, you would be mad too." Yu Mei didn't bother to sugarcoat anything. She bluntly told him that she was angry at him. Gu Shao almost thought she was too cute when she was mad. "You knew I like Fei Ning and you pushed her in front of me. How did you want me to react?" he asked in a light tone. "I didn't mean to. Will you forgive me?" Gu Shao stood up and once again stretched his hand to her. Yu Mei looked at his face and then his hand. "I'll forgive you if you buy me food."

"Promise." With his promise, Yu Mei took his hand. Gu Shao didn't hide his laughter this time as he helped pull her up. She was probably the most random woman he knew.

"Are we friends again?" Gu Shao arched his brow and asked mockingly.

"Friends again." That frown on Yu Mei's face quickly turned back to her cheery self once again. "But why are you here?" Now that she wasn't upset with him anymore, she was wondering why he was here.

"I was wondering the same thing about you?" When Gu Shao entered the shrubbery earlier, he was surprised to see a little ball crouched on the center of the grass. "Me? Accidentally found this place."

"It must be fate. I also accidentally found this place." He lied. This was Gu Shao's favorite place to hang out when he was little. It had been over a month since he had last visited this peaceful place. He did not expect to see the noisy and moody Yu Mei here. It was truly fate.

[Fate my ass!] Yu Mei didn't buy it one bit. How could a prince not know such a place like this existed in his own backyard? She wanted to call him out but decided to leave it. There was no point, he would not admit it.

"Who did you come here with?"

"Petty Nan." When he heard this, he couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle. "Does Pei Nan know you call him that?" he jokingly teased her.

"Of course not. If he did, do you think I would be standing here?"

"I suppose you are right. I imagine he would say...mmm...off with your head." Gu Shao imitated Pei Nan's low and angry tone. His voice impersonation was so accurate; Yu Mei couldn't help but laugh out loud. "You sound exactly like him." This time both of them laughed together.

"Are you two done?"

Yu Mei and Gu Shao both looked towards the front of the entrance. That low and stern voice, who else would own such a voice other than Pei Nan.

To be continued….