82 Meeting Him Again

Ji Er was out looking for Yu Mei.

The empress didn't feel well all of a sudden. Ji Er was afraid that Yu Mei would return when no one was there anymore.

No matter where or how long she searched, she could not find Yu Mei. Ji Er split with her maid to find her. She had walked all the way to the crossway between the emperor's place and the empress's. She was about to turn back towards the empress's place when she stopped. Her body suddenly went numb.

It was him.

He was walking towards her. No matter how much she wanted to turn and run, her body refused to listen.

She didn't know if it was fate or not to meet him here alone.

The uneasy Ji Er held her sweaty hands together tightly. She could feel her fingers shaking relentlessly. Xu Hou Lei. It was Xu Hou Lei who made her this uneasy.

Seeing him, she wanted to fix her hair but didn't want to seem flustered in front of him.

It felt like an eternity as she watched him walk towards her. Something was on his mind the whole time that he did not realize she was on the other side of the road until now. How he wished he could turn back. Inside his long sleeves, he balled his hands into tight fists.

At first Ji Er thought he was looking at her but the closer he got, the more wrong her assumption became. He was not looking at her but behind…as if she was invisible. He only acknowledge her presence when he was a few steps away. He bowed, not daring to make eye contact.

"Greetings to Consort Nuan." Hou Lei spoke with utmost respect, unlike his usual carefree self. Ji Er felt disappointed; disappointed that he had referred to her as Consort Nuan. Disappointed at how distant his tone was. This wasn't how she pictured their first meeting after she got married. Why was this feeling even worst than not meeting him. Even when he was next to her, she felt he was out of reach.

"Lei ge'ge~" she called out, full of longing.

Hou Lei took a step passed her as if he didn't hear. Little did she know, he wanted to escape this awkward situation. Ji Er on the other hand did not want to avoid him. She had waited such a long time for this moment. She would not waste it.

It had been more than six months since she last saw him.

She quickly grasped onto his sleeve, refusing to let him leave. "Lei ge'ge." Ji Er called his name once more.

"Consort Nuan, this is not proper. Please let go before someone sees." He reminded her. Ji Er only shook her head no desperately.

"Don't forget your status. You are the noble Consort Nuan. The wife of the prince I serve. You doing this will only bring misfortunes upon yourself. You could implicate your father." He reminded her.

With his other hand, Hou Lei removed her hand. Just like that, Ji Er had to watch as Hou Lei left her side. She clutched her chest. The pain in her heart…it was unbearable.

***

Yu Mei had been waiting for Ji Er at her palace for a long time now. Ji Er didn't seem to notice Yu Mei's presence until she reached the steps to her room. "Ji Er, are you okay?" Yu Mei wrapped her arm around Ji Er's. She looked lifeless. Anyone with common sense could tell something was wrong.

"I'm okay." Ji Er forced a smile on her face.

"I was worried about you when I couldn't find you earlier. Where did you go?" Yu Mei asked.

Ji Er let out a soft laugh. "Funny. I was also looking for you earlier. I only came back when I couldn't find you."

Yu Mei couldn't help but feel loved in front of Ji Er. Ji Er was the first person beside Chu'mei she had befriended in the palace. And she was thankful for that. Now that Ji Er felt troubled, she wanted to be of help. "Do you want to have a chat?"

*Soft sigh* "Not today. I'm not feeling well. I'm afraid we will have to reschedule for another day." Ji Er honestly told her.

Yu Mei could only let her be. If Ji Er didn't want to tell her, she would not force her. She knew Ji Er would tell her when she was ready.

***

Next day during the evening, Ji Er boldly hid behind a pillar, a far distance from the emperor's main hall where court was held. Anxiousness and frustration was written all over her face.

Thankfully Hou Lei was the first one to leave. It made it easy for her to tail him. He had already noticed her following him but he couldn't call her out the moment he found out. If he did, they might have been caught by someone. He kept walking until they were in a remote area of the palace.

Once he knew she was out of sight from others, he tried to lose her. Ji Er noticed his intentions and ran in front of him. "Consort Nuan, you shouldn't be here. If someone sees us, it will not be good. Must I remind you again?" he said indifferently.

"I…I needed to talk to you."

Hou Lei walked passed her. They stood back to back.

"I have nothing to say to you Consort Nuan. You are now a beautiful peacock whereas I am only a mere subject of Prince Nan. I dare not be on the same level as Consort Nuan. Please excuse my rudeness for not staying." Hou Lei took a step forward.

He looked to his right. She was holding onto his wrist tightly. Hou Lei stared up. Just seeing her side profile was enough to make his heart flutter. The one feeling he tried to forget.

"Why must you act indifferent towards me? I am still your Nuan Ji Er."

"No. You are not my Nuan Ji Er. You are the kind and virtuous Consort Nuan, wife of Prince Pei Nan." He cruelly reminded her. He flung his arm and walked away once more.