25 Meeting on a Narrow Path (1/2)

One of them had taken her place in the cubicle while the other left to inform Zhan Beiye that the madam was having a stomachache and would be out later.

The palace maid's acting was so hostile and contrived that the violent, tyrannical male lead in Meng Fuyao's story immediately felt it odd. He couldn't understand where her enmity came from, and wouldn't have imagined at that point that he had unknowingly been painted as a scum-of-the-earth kidnapper and fetus killer.

After tainting his reputation with zero remorse and climbing out of the hatchway, Meng Fuyao sprinted and hid as much as she could, and went through any door she spotted. Shortly after, she was no longer within the Qingyun Palace Hall's perimeters, but after more walking and turning, the halls started to look the same, and she just couldn't locate the main entrance.

She was lost.

Before her was an empty palace park. She squatted down and tugged at her hair in frustration, cursing the Taiyuan imperials for having done the palaces up without following any structured design. She then tapped on her knowledge in history and archaeology: There were three layers to the Imperial City, and the Qingyun Palace Hall was seated in the center. By right, she should've been out of the whole palace since she had walked outward from the center in a straight line. But by the looks of it, she had landed in the inner palace instead.

She was dressed in a palace maid's clothes since she was able to obtain a set from the ladies before. Since no one had really questioned her about it, she decided to seek out a lowly eunuch to ask for directions. Suddenly, a delicate fragrance drifted over from a winding corridor.

It smelled extremely familiar, like Chinese peony with some quality borneol. She sniffed it more, her face abruptly changing. It was Pei Yuan's perfume!

'Not good.'

Meng Fuyao turned around, wanting to leave when she heard the clinking of bracelets. A man in red had appeared from a corner of the corridor and had someone with him. As they walked on, he smiled. ”You need to head to Xin Palace now, Princess. Let your humble servant lead the way.”

”No need.” a haughty voice filled the air. It was Pei Yuan indeed, sounding harsher than ever before. ”Don't trouble yourself, Eunuch Jin. Just get a maid.”

Meng Fuyao was writhing in disbelief at this point. She attempted to blend into some bushes behind, but the moment she moved, Eunuch Jin called out for her.

She stood rooted to the ground as thousands of thoughts flashed across her mind. 'To flee or not to flee?'

She wouldn't get far even if she were to run since that d*mn bastard had sealed her inner energy. If she were to get recognized by Pei Yuan, the latter would easily guess that she was the cause of her scars. When that happened, she would be left begging for a merciful death.

Meng Fuyao clenched her teeth and blamed herself for escaping from Zhan Beiye in the first place. Yes, he had restricted her freedom, but he meant no harm. She wouldn't have fallen into this state if she had just stayed by his side obediently.

Her hesitation quickly angered the princess. The eyes behind Pei Yuan's veil turned menacing as she remarked, ”Aren't your maids getting a little too unruly, Eunuch Jin? Ignoring your calls like that.”

Humiliated, and hence agitated, Eunuch Jin stomped his feet, booming, ”You wench! Which palace are you from? So lawless! Head to the prosecution chamber right now – 30 flogs!”

'Asking me to get flogged?'

Meng Fuyao was over the moon. She speedily bowed and was about to take her to leave when Pei Yuan's cold voice sounded, ”Hold it.”

Vexed, Meng Fuyao stopped, her nails digging into the flesh of her palms as sweat poured out.

Pei Yuan no longer spoke, and the whole corridor fell into silence. Meng Fuyao felt as though there was a laser beam-like gaze that burned the skin on her back, cleaving all disguise and penetrating into the deepest of her bones.

Meng Fuyao's garment was starting to get soaked as well.

She wasn't sure if it was the iciness in Pei Yuan's gaze or the coolness of the deep autumn breeze, but she could feel layers of chilliness entering her body. It was as if snakes were wriggling underneath her clothes. A venomous odor emerged amid the moisture.

Behind her, Pei Yuan broke into a smile and turned to Eunuch Jin. ”She seems a little foolish and ignorant, but her punishment is too severe. Let her wait for me for a bit instead. You can go finish up your chores. It's His Majesty's birthday, and you mustn't miss the banquet in Qian An Palace later.”

”Your wish is my command, Princess.” Eunuch Jin complied and retreated, leaving only Pei Yuan and Meng Fuyao in the desolate part of the palace.

Meng Fuyao inhaled deeply before putting on the most flattering smile she could muster and turning around.

Before she could say anything, however, Pei Yuan floated toward her like a ball of cloud, with both hands behind her back.

Meng Fuyao's heart sank when she saw Pei Yuan executing the sect technique, Flying Cloud.

Pei Yuan stood steadily before her, flashing a wide smirk that contained an indescribable sharpness, no different from a lightning bolt that kept hidden amid the dark clouds.

She crooked her head slightly, words rolling off her tongue one by one, briskly yet cuttingly. ”Meng. Fu. Yao.”