As the first light of dawn began to seep through the curtains, Lian Yan slowly emerged from her slumber on the couch in Jian Wei's room. The room was wrapped in a serene quiet, with only the faint murmur of distant voices and the gentle rustle of fabric breaking the silence as she stretched and sat up. She had spent the night there, the events of the previous day occupying her thoughts, and now, with the arrival of a new day, a sense of determination began to awaken within her.
With a deep, steadying breath, she rose from the couch and began her morning routine. Her movements were deliberate and graceful as she made her way to the washbasin. The water was cool and invigorating against her skin, washing away the last traces of sleep and leaving her feeling refreshed and alert. She took her time, relishing the moment of solitude and the opportunity to collect her thoughts.
Once she was washed and dressed, she turned her attention to the small pot of makeup that the courtesans had given her. She had been practicing with it, learning the art of enhancing her features to create a look that was both captivating and enigmatic. As she applied the makeup, she reflected on the courtesans and their lives, the way they navigated the world with elegance and self-assurance. She pondered whether she would ever be able to do the same, to find her place in this new world she had entered.
Just as she was putting the finishing touches on her makeup, a commotion outside the door caught her attention. It was a slight disturbance, the sound of raised voices and scuffling feet echoing through the hallway. She paused, her hand hovering over the pot of makeup as she listened intently, trying to discern what was being said.
"Hey, hey! Let me go!" a voice shouted, the urgency and desperation in the tone unmistakable. "I've had enough of spending time with you! I have to find my miss!"
Lian Yan's heart leapt into her throat as she recognized the voice. It was Ye Bia, her faithful servant and companion. Without a moment's hesitation, she moved towards the door, her hand reaching for the handle just as it swung open.
Ye Bia stood there, her eyes wide and her breath coming in short, sharp gasps. She looked as though she had been running, her hair disheveled and her clothes rumpled. But it was her expression that struck Lian Yan the most, the relief and joy mingled with sheer, unadulterated emotion that played across her features.
"Miss!" Ye Bia cried, her voice breaking as she rushed forward, enveloping Lian Yan in a tight embrace. "Where have you been?"
Lian Yan was taken aback by the intensity of Ye Bia's reaction, the way she clung to her as if she would never let go. It felt as though an eternity had passed since they last saw one another, though in reality, it had only been a few days. She could feel the tears welling up in her own eyes as she returned the embrace, her heart aching with a blend of love and concern.
"Ye Bia," she said softly, her tone barely above a whisper. "Is everything okay? You seem really upset."
Ye Bia pulled back slightly, her eyes searching Lian Yan's face as if she were trying to memorize every feature. She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could say anything, another figure appeared in the doorway.
Xu Tao slipped through the door, his presence adding another layer of complexity to the scene. He waved a hand in greeting, a sheepish smile on his face as he took in the sight of Lian Yan and Ye Bia. "Sorry about that," he began, his tone apologetic. "I had been taking a while to get here because—"
But he was cut off as Ye Bia elbowed him in the stomach, the force of the blow making him double over in pain. He coughed and held his stomach, his face flushed as he struggled to catch his breath. Lian Yan looked on in surprise, her eyes widening as she took in the scene before her.
"There was a bit of a hassle with your father trying to still find you and such," Xu Tao explained, his tone strained as he straightened up, rubbing his stomach. "It was hard to bring Ye Bia without getting found or detected. It seems like even he thinks that Ye Bia is in on this."
Lian Yan listened to Xu Tao's explanation, her mind racing as she tried to piece together the events that had transpired in her absence. She could sense the weight of her father's relentless pursuit hanging heavy in the air, a reminder of the dangers that lurked beyond the sanctuary of the Pavilion. She knew her father would never allow her to leave. He was determined to ensure she could be found and taken back to wed the crown prince. Otherwise, he would be put to shame for not being able to keep up with his promise to the empress dowager.
Ye Bia bit her lip, fully aware that it was a great offense to the empress dowager, who had chosen Lian Yan to wed her favorite grandson. "I am sorry, miss. I—"
"You do not need to blame yourself," Lian Yan sighed, looking over at her maid. "You know fully well that I have longed to leave that place. It never felt like home after my mother passed away in that house. There has never been a day in my life that I got to make my own choices other than to sneak out and enjoy life as a commoner." Not something that she is ashamed to admit that she had much rather prefer the life of a commoner over a noble woman.
Ye Bia's eyes filled with tears as she listened to Lian Yan. She had always known of her mistress's desire to escape the confines of her father's home, but hearing it spoken aloud made it all the more real. She could not bear the thought of Lian Yan being forced into a marriage she did not want, especially to someone as cruel and arrogant as the crown prince.
Lian Yan took a deep breath, trying to steady her emotions. She knew she had to be strong, for both herself and Ye Bia. "You should tidy up a bit," she said, her tone carrying a sense of calm resolve. "I have to go and tend to my duty."
Ye Bia's eyes widened in surprise. She had never seen her mistress do anything remotely close to manual labor and did not wish her to start now. It was usually her job to do it all, and she took great pride in her ability to care for Lian Yan. "What?! You should not be doing anything!" she exclaimed, her tone tinged with panic.
Lian Yan smiled softly, touched by Ye Bia's concern. "I appreciate your worry, but I need to do this," she said, her tone carrying a quiet strength. "I cannot rely on others to take care of everything for me. I need to learn to stand on my own two feet. I finally got a duty here to do. It isn't anything hard or heavy lifting. You can come down to the back of the pavilion when you are done."
Ye Bia looked at Lian Yan, her eyes filled with admiration and respect. She knew her mistress was strong and capable, but seeing her take charge of her own life was a sight to behold. She nodded, her tone barely above a whisper. "Yes, miss. I'll be quick then!"
As Lian Yan turned to leave, Xu Tao was still very much there as he had been listening and watching. Like he was a ghost just lingering there and not at all existing. With the two alone, he hugged Ye Bia and smirked. "Want me to help you tidy up?" It seems like Xu Tao had a thing going on for Ye Bia.
Ye Bia on the other hand smacked his chest, "go and stay outside! Why do you keep sticking to me like glue!?" She shouted, they were both still in Jian Wei's room. Thankfully he was not there.