LOTUS

CHAPTER XI: Second Meeting

“How about the young miss of the Shu?” Bei Wei bounced the question back

“It is obvious that I would choose the crown prince” Shu Fei Ling replied.

“Ah ofcourse”  Bei Wei nodded

For some reason an uneasy feeling settled in her gut however she brushed it off and shook her head internally.

“Why don’t we sit miss Xue? I just discovered the delight in conversing with you” with that signature smile of hers , Shu Fei Ling started to move and lead them to an empty chair.

When they walked across a group of young ladies, Bei Wei sensed a malicious intent directed towards her and she braced herself .

She was not mistaken, as soon as she got near the group of ladies, a small  foot shot out to block her way and make her stumble. But Bei Wei saw the whole thing coming and stepped on it with full force.

The young woman wearing a glaring green dress shouted in agony and fell to the ground.

The other ladies flocked at the woman on the ground and tried to help her up but the movement just made the woman cry out more.

While Bei Wei just continued on walking, Shu Fei Ling was right beside her. Staring at her with interest.

They were just about to find a spot within the garden when three of the woman’s friends blocked their way.

“Xue Bei Wei! you do not intend to apologize to what you did to Meng Xi?! You have quite the guts offending an officer’s daughter.”

The three ladies were seething with anger , their faces red with the humiliation.

Bei Wei knows that they planned the whole thing together to humiliate her. Since for them Bei Wei is just a normal noble lady, compared to Shu Fei Ling they can only afford to offend her.

Without letting out any emotion, Bei Wei stared at the three of them.

“You should be the one’s to apologize to me, Isn’t it obvious that I was walking at a safe distance from the poor miss Meng  Xi and how come I was able to step on her foot? Doesn’t that explains a lot?” At her remark , the whole crowd erupted in whispers and the three miss’ face just got even redder if that was even possible.

“It does not matter, you hurt a fellow noble lady and you must be punished!” one of them exclaimed

“What is the meaning of this?” a deep voice disturbed the chaos

A loud gasp was heard from the crowd and all of the sudden, the whole garden was covered with fine mannered ladies and the three miss’ who were raging with anger just a few seconds ago turned to lambs in just a snap.

Bei Wei also felt Shu Fei Ling stiffened at the appearance of their unexpected guest.

After the shock settled, one by one the ladies bowed to their second prince.

“Your Majesty! I have been wronged! Please seek justice for this poor miss!” the young woman who was still on the ground holding an aching foot cried to the young prince.

The three ladies then moved to their crying friend and cried with her.

The sight just gathered more hate than sympathy for the group, even the prince looks appalled at the display.

“And who must be the culprit for your distress?” the prince inquired

Thinking that they have the prince at their side, the three simultaneously pointed at Bei Wei.

The prince followed their accusing hands and looking at the person they are referring, a subtle smile formed in the prince’s mouth.

With slow steps, Jiang Ri Jie approached the two ladies.

Bei Wei and Fei Ling greeted the prince and kept their head bowed.

“You may rise” the prince released them

“Is this matter true miss Xue?” with a hint of a smile the prince asked Bei Wei.

“I believe the prince knows that answer to that” She met the prince’s gaze looking at him dead in the eye.

The prince’s face broke in a smile and the crowd swooned at the sight.

“I must investigate the matter as your prince and bring justice to everyone” Ri Jie taunted the woman before her.

There was probably no reason for him to smile at this moment but he could not stop his lips from turning up at the sight of this enchanting woman. His hands were shaking at the memory of her skin and his senses are tingling at the sound of her familiar voice.

He can see her displeasure at the turn of events but he could not let her go. He wants to stare at her for a little longer and hear her voice a little bit more.

“My prince, I have no intention of entertaining a childish act and nor do I tolerate it. If your majesty wishes to reprimand someone, that person is right on the ground.” Bei Wei pointed at the young miss that is still on the ground.

The young prince, laughed to his own at the feistiness of the woman before him. He could not get enough of her.

With a chuckle he announced his verdict.

“Ah so everything is just an accident, young miss Meng Xi must have twisted her foot while standing.” The prince concluded

“Guards! Bring someone to help the young miss.” Without moving his attention from Bei Wei he ordered some guards to end the discussion.

Ofcourse he knows what happened, he was watching the whole time and the foolish girl just messed with the wrong woman.

His heart made a jump at the thought of the said woman.

While the prince is staring at  Bei Wei,  a certain someone is clenching her teeth with anger at the turn of events.