Meili was too startled to respond. Frozen between his arms for what seemed an eternity.
The prince stared intently into her eyes, like he was trying to read her mind.
She could feel his hot breath on her cheeks.
Was this perhaps how all princes behaved?
He seemed to be smouldering with an intense emotion she couldn't name, but she thought it might be anger. Had she offended him somehow? And what was that improper question about her hopes and dreams?
'Y... your highness," she called to him tentatively.
He suddenly pushed himself off her and stalked away a few steps, before stalking back towards her like a charging bull. She took tiny running steps backwards with her palms outstretched towards him, trying to stay ahead of him.
He stopped abruptly and stood next to her, staring pensively across the pond.
Leaning against the rail, he turned back to look at her, seemingly calmer.
He raised his eyebrows, like he was waiting for her to answer him.
Her hopes and dreams? It was too forward. How should she respond to that question?
She barely knew the real answer to the question, much less a sanitised version she could share with the second prince of the realm! And did he really care?
"I'm sure you're not interested in the hopes and dreams of a plain little sixteen-year-old girl, your highness. I won't bore you with them," she replied politely.
"I assure you it wouldn't bore me, and neither are you a 'plain little sixteen-year-old girl,' as well you know."
That smouldering look again, eyebrows raised in a, 'you know what I mean,' expression.
She wished she could assure him that she absolutely did not know what he meant. Perhaps he was being mean, suggesting she was less than plain...
"Oh..." she dropped her eyes hiding the sudden hurt in them.
She paused to gather her thoughts and decided to be honest in response to his directness.
"Well ... I've been trapped in this mansion my whole life. I so long to be free. Free of this veil, of my lessons, from my courtyard. I love archery and horse riding! The feel of the wind in my hair when I ride is one of my favourite things! I would give anything to ride a horse across the grasslands, to travel across the empire and see the sights I've read about. But I know that will never happen," she said, matter-of-factly. "Sometimes I wish I was a boy; I envy the life of my brothers."
He watched her curiously, distracted by her lips. They were a perfect cupid's bow and looked pillowy soft. He supressed a devilish desire to kiss her right now and be done with this dance.
"Your brothers will be military strategists," he said with amusement. "They'll almost certainly go to war. That's nothing to envy."
"I envy them their freedom. Their sense of purpose. They'll serve the empire and make a difference to the people," her eyes sparkled as she imagined this glittering life she could never lead.
"The grass is always greener on the other side Miss Mei," he said gently. "I imagine they also feel trapped by the life that their birth dictates they must lead."
Was he talking about himself?
"Sorry," she realised she'd been babbling on again instead of listening, as etiquette dictated. "I've prattled on too much; and you're right. My brothers also lead a life that's pre-determined for them. It's just that it's an external life, not an internal life..." she trailed off.
"Miss Mei," he said, bemused, "most women your age dream of marriage and children. Maybe a beautiful house and garden, jewellery, a good husband, growing old with somebody," he prompted. "Don't these things interest you at all?"
What should she say? Should she tell a white lie? Did he really care? She decided to tell him the truth.
He might as well understand the person that she was, not some Confucian fantasy he projected onto women. If he didn't want to be friends with her after that, it was for the best for both of them.
"Your highness," she took a deep breath before ploughing ahead, "...can I say... not really? Or would that be too impolite. I don't want to lie to you. Your highness, although I'm well-versed in the feminine arts, I am a Very. Plain. Woman," she emphasised each word.
"For me to aspire to a good marriage would be a folly. I would need to find a very special man to love me just as I am. If he can be found, that will be a happy fate. But one thing I do know is that I do not hope to be an unloved wife, watching my husband favour his concubines. I hope I may stay with my family rather than be wed in an unhappy marriage and confined to the inner courtyards, serving my mother-in-law ... And now I really have said too much," she sighed.
"You are the opposite in every way of a very plain woman, Miss Mei."
And here is that 'very special man', he thought; inside voice man, inside voice...
"Perhaps you aspire to be the beloved concubine alongside a wife who's content with her status?" he asked hopefully.
She laughed at the idea that could happen, or that she would wish for it.
"Your highness, I've never contemplated such a thing!"
"Miss Mei," he decided to try a more direct approach. "The palace concubine selections will happen next year. You are registered so you must attend. I can help you shape the outcome to what you hope for."
She tilted her head and smiled at him, knocking the wind out of him.
She turned and walked off the bridge, seeking the shade of a nearby pine tree. He followed after her, admiring her figure from behind, whilst chastising himself for doing so.
She spun back to face him, looking beautiful in the dappled sunlight cast by the red pine.
"Your highness. There is no chance whatsoever that I'll be selected as a royal concubine. Thank you for your kind offer of help, but that's something I don't think I need anyone's help with, because it won't happen. I have things that keep me up at night, but the concubine selections are most definitely not one of them," she laughed prettily.
She wondered if he had missed seeing what was under her veil yesterday. Still, it was kind of him to think of helping her.
"You're a good and thoughtful friend to my brothers, looking out for their little sister," she added.
As she spoke, a large peacock which had been roosting in the pine tree, dropped down like a stone, soaring extremely close to her ear and striking her arm with its wing feathers.
"Help!" she squealed, twisting to avoid it and losing her footing. Her veil fluttered to the ground as she spun.
The prince was there is an instant, catching her in his arms, where he held her, gazing into her eyes, his face inches from hers again. She stared back at him, her heart racing fit to burst. There was an intensity to his stare that she still couldn't Was he really furious at her?
"Young miss!" cried Manni.
"I...I'm okay Manni," she replied from the prince's arms.
The prince continued to hold her, seemingly without any intention of setting her to her feet and letting her go.
"Umm ... your highness?" she whispered.
He blinked, like he was waking from a dream.
"Oh. Here we are Miss Mei." He settled her back on her feet.
" Meili!" called her mother from the bridge.
Oh for goodness sake, thought Meili. Her mother had to arrive in time to see that, did she? Now she would never hear the end of it.
Manni handed her the fallen veil, and she quickly put it back on.
"Mother," she said. "One of the peacocks startled me. It's nothing to worry about. The prince saved me from falling. Everything's fine."
"Hmmph," her mother sniffed. "Men and women don't touch. My apologies your highness," she bowed her head. "Meili can be quite clumsy."
"Not at all Madam Yu. In fact, she's a very graceful girl. I'm sorry if I was inappropriate just now. I felt it better to catch her than to let her fall."
"Quite right your highness. We thank you for saving her. Here's Mei Renlong to see you," she gestured at her eldest son, who was just now crossing the bridge.
Madam Yu had clearly asked First Brother to join them and end the visit with her daughter. The prince bowed politely to mother and daughter, and they curtsied in return.
"Until next time Miss Mei," he said formally, as he left with First Brother.
The water is getting hotter, thought Madam Yu; first Bai Li, now the second prince.
She and Tian Yun must find her youngest a good husband, as soon as possible!