116 Let Me Taste

The sweet orchid perfume on Consort Ning was almost too much for Yu Mei. It took all her strength not to scrunch her nose from the overpowering scent.

A forced smile covered her disgust the moment Prince Nan's consorts were within a few feet.

Consort Nan (Ming Yan) was the first to speak like usual. First glance and one would mistake her for being the most kind and virtuous of them all. Other than her badmouth and tendency to follow Consort Ning around like a puppy, Consort Wan wasn't all so bad. Well…at least compared to the two-faced Consort Ning (Fei Ning).

"Aiya~ Such a beautiful morning has been ruined by an unwanted person's presence. Shouldn't you be inside resting from the long journey you so forced his highness into?" She grabbed onto Fei Ning's arm for support.

"Good morning to you too!" Yu Mei replied with a bubbly attitude. If things went well, it was Fei Ning who would be leaving broken-hearted.

Seeing that Fei Ning wasn't saying anything, Ming Yan urged her some more. "Sister Fei Ning, how can you just stand there and not say anything when this woman shamelessly forced his highness to take her with him." Ming Yan pointed rudely at Yu Mei.

Fei Ning gently patted Ming Yan's hand. "We are all sisters here. His highness has the right to take whoever he wants with him. After all, this is the first time he has ever paid any attention to Consort Pan. Let her have her little moment of happiness." Fei Ning's words were full of understanding but her eyes spoke differently. They were literally throwing sharp daggers her way.

Yu Mei continued to watch the two act out a play in amusement.

"Sister Fei Ning!" Ming Yan whined. She didn't understand one bit why Fei Ning was letting Yu Mei step all over her like this. What puzzled her more was the smile Fei Ning gave her just now. It was a smile as if saying she did not mind.

"Sister Ming Yan, we are all women serving his highness. If his highness's women's are all selfish, how will he have the will to run the country. You must keep your composure and not act shamelessly."

Ming Yan understood Fei Ning's words and felt a little better. With this support, she bravely glared at Yu Mei who hadn't spoken more than one line to them. "Eh! Have you become a mute?" She lifted her chin towards Yu Mei, trying to pick a fight. Ji Er at the back who had not said a word this whole time put her hand on Ming Yan's wrist. "Ming Yan, that's enough." She whispered.

She pushed Ji Er's hand away. Ji Er let go and took a step backMing Yan was about to tell Ji Er to mind her own business when Yu Mei's sudden comment caught her by surprise. "I assure you I am not a mute nor a blabbermouth. I was just thinking how well-mannered Consort Wan is to be speaking such pleasing words in the morning. If anyone heard, they would praise you for being such an understanding woman. I envy you so much." Yu Mei responded nicely.

Ming Yan was lost. She had been picking a fight with Yu Mei this whole time yet she was complimenting her?

"Of course I am well-mannered. I am not like you...unrefined."

"I will definitely take note from Consort Nan in the future." Yu Mei said, hoping to leave as soon as possible. Ming Yan wanted to speak some more when Fei Ning held her back.Was this girl stupid? Did she not know that Consort Pan was being sarcastic with her? Fei Ning thought.

Fei Ning had forgotten her whole purpose for coming along this path until she saw the plate in Yu Mei's hand. Her cheeks flushed with anger.

Yu Mei's eyes followed hers. She knew that woman would see it soon enough. In fact, it took her long enough to realize what she was holding in her hands. Fei Ning gripped tighter onto Ming Yan's arm until Ming Yan hissed from pain. "Sister Fei Ning, are you okay?" Ming Yan took a step back before Fei Ning realized what she was doing.

Even the muddle-headed Chu'mei knew the great beauty was jealous. "Chu'mei, please take these dumplings that his highness painstakingly made for me all morning in my room please." Yu Mei handed the plate over to Chu'mei. "Careful." Yu Mei reminded. "We don't want to drop these. I heard this is the first time his highness has ever cooked for someone. I must cherish these cute dumplings." She picked up a small dumpling and pat it like a cute pet before putting it back.

Then she turned back to Fei Ning. "Sisters, I must be going back now. My clothes smell from the smoke in the kitchen this morning." Yu Mei smiled.

"Hmph! Yu Mei! Don't try to lie to us. Why would his highness make food for you when he's never even cooked for Sister Fei Ning." Ming Yan blurted out without thinking.

Fei Ning quickly held Ming Yan back. Did she not know that she just humiliated her in front of Yu Mei. She took a deep breath before putting on a smile. "Sister Ming Yan, you are mistaken. His highness has made the same dumplings for me in the past. I am surprised his highness had time to make the same for Consort Pan. I wonder if Consort Pan would allow us to taste test to see if they truly are his highness's cooking?" Fei Ning took a step forward about to grab a dumpling when Yu Mei too took a step forward, blocking Chu'mei.

She took Fei Ning's hand and pat it as if they were close. A quirky smile appeared.

"Consort Ning…these are such precious dumplings. How could I bear to part with them? If you doubt me, you should just go ask his highness."

"Consort Pan is jesting with me, how could I doubt your words. I believe you. I simply want to see if they taste just as great as the ones his highness made for me."

[Tasty my butt] Yu Mei almost blurted out in laughter. If Fei Ning knew the lie she just told, how embarrassed would she get.

The two women stared at each other for seconds that felt like eternity. If it was just the two of them, JFei Ning would have ripped Yu Mei into shreds. Or at least she imagined. Sadly, not only Ming Yan but Ji Er was here. If word got out of her true self, her whole years of playing the sweet angel would be wasted. "I hope you enjoy them." She sweetly said before taking a step forward.

"Be careful not to choke and die." She muttered loud enough for only their ears to hear.

"Thank you for your kind words, I will surely enjoy them." Yu Mei also said loudly. Then she too muttered some words. "Don't die from jealousy. I wouldn't want the fun to end here."

A few more 'pleasant' exchanges between the four was made before Yu Mei took her leave. Fei Ning watched Yu Mei's figure disappear. She only came to see if the rumors were true. She was sure it was something Yu Mei had concocted to gain some points in the palace, who knew she would really have evidence to show that his highness really did cook for her.

***

When Yu Mei got back to her room, she plopped right onto her bed and held her tummy. "Chu'mei, after a little bit, throw those dumplings away. If I have to look or smell one more, I'll really throw up on you." She complained.

Chu'mei looked at her lady confused. "Then why didn't you just give them to Consort Pan? Who knows…maybe karma would hit her real hard and she gets food poisoning." Chu'mei wished ill on her.

Yu Mei didn't know if she should applaud her little maid or be afraid that she could curse somebody that gravely. She rolled onto her side to face Chu'mei. "Silly girl, did you not see how jealous Consort Ning was? I would rather choose to see her jealous face a million times than to give her food poisoning. It was so satisfying to see her get that red." Just picturing it got her excited as she sat up and put a pillow in her lap. "Did you see…she looked like a huge tomato when I said his highness cooked for me?" The two immature master and servant laughed loudly.