LOTUS

CHAPTER XVI: INTRUDER

The ceremonial drums sounded the end of the first test for the ladies, and their families who were silently waiting outside of the designated area for the test to take place were nervous with anticipation. If their daughters will exit from those ginormous doors, then all they have worked for until now and the chance to be the family where the next empress comes from will all go down the drain.

The daughters that they raised meticulously solely for this chance will decide the fate of their families. They adore them however the irony of the  situation makes them wish to not see their daughters come out from the palace doors.

When they heard rustling of feet, their hearts were being clenched by dread at the results of the competition. Some eve closed their eyes and prayed to not have their daughters come home with them.

The first few ladies came out and gasps were heard , their mothers cried in despair for the future that their daughters will never have.

Amongst the crowd, Xue Chen , Bei Wei’s father stood waiting for his daughter . Unlike the others he wishes nothing else than to see his daughter out of those doors. But the foreboding feeling kept hanging in his gut that he can’t help but worry.

He counted the ladies that came out and nine of them are already bawling their eyes out to their parents. When  soft set of steps were coming closer to the exit doors, a dainty figure emerged.

The place became silent as the families who doesn’t have their  daughters with them felt smug at the capabilities of their daughters. Even the servants who were with their masters looked proud as well. On the other hand, Xue Chen’s heart sank at the sight of the young lady who wasn’t his daughter.

“Master” a servant tried to approach master Xue

“She  must have a reason” was all he said and turned towards their carriage to head home.

The ten remaining ladies were led to their respective rooms in the east wing of the palace where they will reside from now on. With them were only one of their maidservants from their household and the assigned additional servants by the palace.

One by one they were divided and sent to their rooms to rest for the day.

Bei Wei who was assigned at the very last room due to her status, welcomes the accommodations. She doesn’t care since it won’t be long before she will go home. She just have to lose in the second round and she will be back in her household in no time, planning for her next hunting trip.

“Young miss, you should take an early rest it has been a tiring day” Ling Hua who was the only one with her young miss swore to keep her master safe.

“I am fine Ling Hua, you can take a break instead, you have become stiff in guarding me all this time.”

“I dare not master” She bowed

“How many times have I told you , there’s no need to be so formal, I consider you as my friend.”

Ling Hua wanted to bawl her eyes out like the young miss’ who were sent home. She can’t believe her luck at the benevolence of her master.

“Yes Young m-” her reply was cut short at the stern cold gaze of her master. She cleared her throat and replied.

“Yes Bei Wei” at her response the cold aura surrounding her master dissipated and a small smile appeared on her face.

“It has been years since you served me and finally you have conceded and accepted my friendship”

Ling Hua couldn’t believe her ears at the kind words her master  is bestowing her right now. She offered her thanks to the heavens, if she could raise her hands in the air she would have done so.

After her conversation with her master, a couple of servants arrived, they announced that it is time for the young miss to take her bath, to prepare her for bed.

Ling Hua knowing that her master hates to be served when taking a bath, took the initiative and ordered for the servants to just prepare the bath and stand outside.

The servants were hesitant but they did as they were told. When a servant tried to help Bei Wei out of her clothes, Ling Hua  stopped the clueless servant and blocked her from advancing further.

“Young Miss does not like when others see her while taking a bath, kindly remember this and just prepare the bath and wait outside with the others.” The young girl was shocked for a moment but seeing the kind smile on Ling Hua’s face, she nodded and stepped out.

The bath was prepared and so Ling Hua led Bei Wei towards the bath and left, waiting just at the other side of the curtain to keep guard.

Bei Wei walked slowly behind the curtains and saw an extravagant bath, the tub was filled with warm water with roses in it. The whole place was lighted by scented candles that smelled of roses as well.

She took off her clothes layer by layer until she stood bare. She moved at the nearby mirror and looked at the tattoo on her back. It was an unusual sight even for her, the tattoo showed a coiled dragon with its tail ending until the crack of her butt, the image covers the entirety of her back and its black color gave the dragon a menacing aura. She could not remember when she got such a tattoo but for some reason she feels that no one should see it on her.

She heaved out a sigh at the pounding on her head at thinking so much. Letting the thought go she walked towards the tub and slowly submerged herself. Closing her eyes to relax, she listened to the peaceful sounds of her surroundings, the symphony of the night and the howling of the wind. She thought she heard tapping sounds within her room, her senses heightened.

“Maybe its just the maids” she tried to reason out but the soft steps were above her head.

“The roof? Could it be? Of all the ladies here, why would someone assassinate me?” Bei Wei wanted to alert Ling Hua but her curiosity to the identity of the assassin rose.

“Who’s this skilled assassin that even the palace guards did not notice, and Ling Hua as well.” at this thought she waited for the assassin and readying to defend herself.

When the footsteps vanished, she looked around the bathing area coiling her muscles ready to spring into action.

When a few moments passed by and nothing occurred she became more alert that she forgot her current state.

When she made a move to  stand up and get out of the water. Two hands pushed her shoulders, keeping her submerged. The hand did not exert much effort but the fact that she did not sense him enter his room is a statement of how skilled this one is.

She went back down and her mind raced to think of a way to get away from this situation.

When she’s about to splash water on her assailant to divert his attention as well as alert Ling Hua, she felt warm lips touch the back of her ear and a husky voice filtered through those lips.

“I wouldn’t do that if you want this selection to proceed as usual ”

Bei Wei can hear the promise in his voice and unwillingly, her face turned red at the remark.

“So this is how you spend your nights, breaking through young ladies who are peacefully taking their baths? You sure have a hobby of doing that Crown Prince”