A Love Written In The Stars

Mei jolted awake, her body drenched in sweat. Her eyes darted to the scattered scrolls on the floor, a faint ache throbbing in her temples as she ran a hand through her hair.

Rising slowly, she peeled off her damp robes, replacing them with a light silk garment. Then she knelt to retrieve the scrolls, rolling each one tightly before securing them in a lacquered box. Finally, she sank down on the edge of the bed.

She remembered the technique from the scroll and how close she had come to losing her life. It was undeniably powerful, but had it actually worked?

She doubted whether she had truly awakened the ancestral powers—nothing felt different inside her.

Tentatively, Mei stretched out her hands, attempting to channel her Qi. Yet, before she could even begin, a sharp grumble from her stomach broke her concentration. Her body, weary and depleted, demanded sustenance before anything else.

Mei groaned, holding her aching belly, hoping she could endure. But every movement made it worse, and soon she gave up.

With a huff, Mei got to her feet, lit a lamp, and slipped quietly out of her room. She noticed Yú Yuè sleeping in the sitting room and carefully made her way to the door, trying not to wake her.

She headed toward the kitchens, rubbing her belly as another growl roared. The halls were silent and empty in the stillness of the late hour.

As Mei approached the kitchen, she recalled her last run-in with a kitchen staff member and silently hoped to avoid him—or anyone else—this time. All she wanted was to find a piece of fruit or something edible.

When she stepped into the big open area, mei gently set the lamp down and started looking around the pantry. Inside, she found a basket full of fresh vegetables that was left behind.

Her mouth watered when she saw the juicy red tomatoes, crunchy green bok choy leaves, and big round mushrooms.

On a whim, She decided to cook a Bok Choy and Mushroom Stir-Fry, hoping it would be ready to eat in less time. She found a pot and some sticks, then got to work.

After cooking, she tasted it and felt angry with her efforts. No matter how much effort she put into it, she couldn't hide the horrible taste of the vegetables as they cooked.

Mei scrunched her face in distaste, unsure if even desperation could compel her to swallow a mouthful. Just as smoke started rising from her failed cooking, a voice spoke from behind her.

"What are you doing here, girl? You know you're not allowed!" A middle aged woman stood with her hands on her hips, frowning at the mess in front of her.

"It's you again," the woman said, taking a closer look at her.

"I was just—" Mei started to explain, but the woman interrupted her.

"Just making more mess for me to clean up, no doubt. Get out of here before you burn the whole place down!"

"I just wanted something to eat. Is that so wrong?" Mei snapped, her stomach rumbling.

The woman stepped closer, pointing firmly at the door. "What is wrong is you breaking the rules. Now get out before I report you!"

Mei's hunger was now overshadowed by her rising anger. She stepped forward, standing face-to-face with the stern woman. "Go ahead and try," she challenged.

Yizé, who was nearby giving orders to a guard on duty, heard loud voices coming from the kitchen and went to check it out.

As the argument grew more intense, Yizé rushed into the kitchen and quickly stepped between the two women to stop them. But he didn't notice the frying pan Mei was waving angrily in her hand.

With a resounding clang, the pan collided with Yìzé's temple, sending him crumpling to the floor. The woman gasped while Mei let out a scream.

"Look what you made me do!" Mei cried, kneeling beside Yizé to check the big bump already forming on his head. After a moment, his eyes opened slowly, looking confused but awake.

Mei frowned again as the woman's sharp voice called after her.

"Let it go, girl! This is your last warning," she snapped.

Mei's anger flared at her constant taunts, her hand tightening into a fist. Just then, Yìzé's voice cut through the tension.

"That's enough! Both of you, stop it."

"It... it was an accident. Please, come with me, Miss Meiying," Yìzé said weakly as she helped him to his feet. "To meet the crown prince."

Even though she was hungry, Mei agreed. She shot one last glare at the woman before following Yìzé out of the kitchen.

When they reached Cheng's chambers, Yìzé explained what had happened in the kitchen, pausing often to catch his breath while holding his aching head.

When he finished, Cheng turned to Mei. "Is this true?" he asked calmly.

Mei hesitated, then nodded. "Yes... well, not exactly. I just wanted something to eat—"

"And that's why you almost hurt yize?"

"I didn't mean to! He showed up out of nowhere!"

"And why are you always in the kitchen at night?"

Mei stammered, "No..I.. I didn't get any food—"

"Because you weren't served earlier, or because you chose not to get any?"

"I couldn't get any. I was... Occupied," she admitted.

Cheng thought for a moment before standing. He walked to a shelf, grabbed a balm, and handed it to Yìzé. "Stay here. I'll have the maids bring you an ice pack for your head."

Then he motioned for Mei to follow him. She did so reluctantly.

When they arrived, the kitchen was already empty. Cheng turned to her. "Now, tell me—what is it you wish to eat at this hour?"

Mei looked at Cheng, surprised by his question, and gave a small smile. After a moment, she answered, "Potato fries and sauce."

Cheng raised an eyebrow. "Potato fries? Really, Mei?" he said with a sigh. "Do you know how long that will take? The oil has to heat just right, and the potatoes need to be fried in small batches to cook evenly. It's a lot of work for such a late hour."

Mei met his eyes firmly. "Well you asked what I wanted, and potato fries were the first thing that came to mind."

Cheng sighed again, clearly exasperated. "I suppose there's no winning with you."

He turned to search the larder, pulling out some dried meats, vegetables, and leftover noodles.

"Here. This will fill you up faster. Next time, I'll make sure you get the fries. How does that sound?"

Mei nodded quickly, too hungry to argue.

With that, cheng started putting together a simple meal. The meat sizzled in the pan, filling the kitchen with a delicious smell. Despite being tired, Mei couldn't help but feel curious about this prince who patiently indulged her stubbornness. She watched him quietly as he worked.

When the food was ready, Mei eagerly dug in, quickly picking up pieces with her chopsticks. After a day of barely eating, the stir-fried noodles with dried meat and preserved vegetables tasted like a feast.

Cheng watched while he settled against the wall. "Slow down, Mei, or you'll make yourself sick. Anyone would think you hadn't eaten in weeks."

But Mei didn't pay much attention, too busy satisfying her hunger. Only when the plate was empty did she finally stop and glance up at Cheng.

"Forgive me, I hadn't eaten all day,"

"I have told you before, If you ever need anything, come to me or Yìzé directly," Cheng said, his tone was light, but the concern in his eyes was clear. Mei nodded, realizing her eagerness might have worried him.

As they walked, Mei patted her full belly with a satisfied smile. "At this rate, Cheng, I might have to keep you all to myself. You seem more than capable of meeting all my needs."

Cheng met her eyes, amused. "Oh? And what needs might those be?"

Mei pretended to think seriously. "Well, I'll need a constant supply of the finest foods—roast duck every night, at least. Someone to keep me company while I eat. Maybe a new outfit every day, only the best silks. Jewels to match, of course. And my own palanquin pulled by six white stallions..."

She was so caught up in imagining her luxurious future that she didn't notice Cheng had stopped. She walked right into his back with a startled "oof."

Cheng turned to face her, his smile replaced by a curious look.

"You list your demands like a royal wish list. At this rate, Mei, I'd go broke trying to give you the life you're imagining!"

Mei held his gaze, unfazed. Confidently, she replied, "I know exactly what I want."

Cheng threw up his hands in mock defeat. "Always so stubborn! Fine, keep dreaming of the moon and stars. Just don't complain to me when reality catches up."

"Noted, but your advice isn't needed," she replied, rubbing her nose with a small smile.

Then she continued adding to her list of extravagant wishes—servants to cater to her every whim and a grand manor filled with attendants—as they reached his study.

Her stomach growled loudly again, making Cheng laugh. "Didn't you just eat?"

"It's not funny! May...maybe I wasn't satisfied," Mei protested, though a small, reluctant smile crept onto her face.

"I'm sorry for laughing. I only wanted to lighten the mood." He stepped closer, tapping her lightly on the head. "Perhaps tomorrow we can have the chefs prepare something special, just for you."

Mei's smile grew wider. "I guess I can live with that for now," she said, patting her still-rumbling stomach with a sigh.

Cheng laughed again, the sound filling the room. Mei turned to leave, still sulking a little over her missed snack. But Cheng called her back.

"Wait, I have something that might help."

He reached into a cabinet and pulled out a bottle of amber liquid. "Plum wine—not quite the same, but it'll have to do for now."

Mei accepted the bottle with a smile and took a sip, letting the sweet liquor linger on her tongue.

She settled into Cheng's chair, tucking her legs under her. "I could get used to this kind of treatment."

Cheng leaned against his desk, looking at her. "And what would you give in return?"

"Hmm." Mei paused to think, taking another sip. "Isn't keeping you out of trouble enough?"

Cheng smirked. "Not for fancy treatment and fine liquor, no."

As if remembering something, he went to a drawer, pulled out an elegant dagger, and held it out to Mei. "This dagger... this is yours, right?"

Mei's eyes widened as she looked at the blade. She ran her fingers over its surface, every scratch and engraving bringing back memories. "Thank you," she said softly to Cheng, who watched her with a smile.

Hurried footsteps were heard outside, drawing closer to his chamber. Cheng stood up and walked toward the inner door, watching as Yize moved to answer it. When the door opened, several palace maids stood there, their anxious faces filled with urgency. "Please, we must see His Highness," one of them pleaded.

"It's late; come back—"

"It's about the other prince," one of the maids interrupted, staring intently into his eyes.

Yize, who seemed to understand, stepped into the main room, and Cheng signaled for him to let them in.

The maids hurried in and bowed quickly to Cheng as he stepped out of the other room. "Forgive us for disturbing you, Your Highness," one said, slightly out of breath. "But there's been an incident in the southern courtyard involving Prince Guo."

Cheng's expression grew serious. "What happened? Is he hurt?"

The maid shook her head. "He's missing your highness."

Cheng exchanged a concerned glance with Yìzé. "Tell me everything that happened."

The senior maid took a deep breath before speaking. "A few weeks ago, after the maids finished serving Prince Guo for the evening, I went to check on him before nightfall. I found the door open and his chamber empty... I thought the maids might have forgotten to lock it—"

Cheng frowned deeply. "Why didn't you report Prince Guo's disappearance immediately?"

The senior maid lowered her head in shame. "Please pardon us your highness, we feared punishment, my lord... If word of Prince Guo's disappearance spread within the palace walls, it could cause great trouble. We hoped he had simply stepped out and would return quickly. But after searching for days without finding him, we realized we could no longer remain silent."

Cheng exhaled wearily, leaning back against the table.

Mei studied him with curiosity. "If I may ask—who is this Prince Guo?"

Cheng looked at her, carefully choosing his words. "Prince Guo is the emperor's firstborn son. However, he suffers from an affliction of the mind and has been kept in seclusion."

Mei listened thoughtfully, then returned her gaze to him. "A few days ago, in the royal library, I felt someone watching...maybe hiding in the dark. At the time, I thought I was imagining things."

Cheng and Yìzé exchanged a tense glance. "Did you happen to catch a glimpse of who they were?" Cheng asked.

Mei shook her head, her expression regretful. "No, I didn't. But perhaps their strange presence in the library is connected to Prince Guo's disappearance."

Cheng sat up straight, rubbing his forehead. "This palace has too many places to hide. Keep searching—he could be anywhere within these walls."

He turned to the senior maid. "Choose a small group of your most trusted colleagues. Have them quietly search every part of the palace—storage rooms, unused corridors, even the less visited areas. Don't leave any space unchecked."

"If you find any sign of Prince Guo or anything unusual, report directly to me or Yìzé."

The maids bowed. "It will be done, your highness."

Cheng nodded. "Work quickly, but be cautious. We don't want to alarm the entire palace."

The maids bowed again. "Yes, your highness." And left quietly.

The senior maid wasted no time gathering her team. For hours, they searched tirelessly, checking even the most remote corners of the vast palace.

Close to morning, a maid called out from an abandoned storage area near the kitchens. There, in a dark corner, they found Prince Guo. He was huddled and disoriented, mumbling about unseen threats, but he appeared unharmed.

The maids carefully helped him up and guided him back to Cheng's chambers, taking care to avoid being seen by anyone else. They knocked softly at the door. "Your Highness, we've found him," the senior maid whispered.

Cheng quickly invited them in, and they brought in the trembling form of Prince Guo.

He let out a relieved breath. "You've done well."