Chapter 4: Family Matters

Finally finding her way, Mei Hai joined the group around the dinner table, avoiding the smirk from Zhi in the corner. "You look amazing!" Zhen Ji smiled, "I thought it would match your eyes."

"I…thanks." She took a seat and counted three other people, "Is someone missing?"

"My husband hasn't come out yet," she turned to a maid, "Can you go check what is taking him so long?"

"Lady Bian, Lady Zhen, Young Master," a servant stepped inside the room, "Master Cao does not feel very well, he will not be joining you all for dinner."

"Is he sick?" Mei Hai noticed the worry in her voice. "Maybe I should go see him,"

"Sit down," Lady Bian forced her to take a seat, "He usually gets like this when he's stressed, we will get some congee for him in a bit."

"But I…"

"Sister," Zhi stepped in, "You must take care of yourself and your baby. Brother is a man, he can handle himself."

"I guess…" she took a sip of water, "Mei Hai!"

"Yes-yes?"

"You think you can help my husband?"

"Me?"

"He's tried a lot of apothecary's in the cities, no ones helped him. All they do is give him expensive, pointless medicine. You know these parts of hillside much better, maybe there are some stuff you know about?"

'I…"

"Please Mei Hai, you helped me today."

"I guess, I have something in my room."

"Let Lady Mei Hai eat first," Zhi pointed out, "Brother will not eat not anyways."

"Of course!" Ji placed some vegetables in Mei Hai's bowl, "Let's eat!"

When they were finished their meal, Zhen Ji was quick to pounce on Mei Hai again to help her husband. "I'm going to head to bed soon, so it would be great if…" she stood up and almost tumbled. Everyone around the premises quickly held onto her. "My leg."

"Take her to her room," Mei Hai quickly said, "I'll help you."

"No, please, my husband."

"Brother can handle himself!" Zhi scolded, "Take her to her room now."

"Yes Young Master."

"Please Lady Mei Hai," he turned to her, "If you please."

"Of course." Mei Hai followed her to Zhen Ji's room. After they had helped her to her bed, Mei Hai quickly helped massage her legs. "It usually gets like this near the end of the term." She looked up to see tears in her eyes, "I'm sorry Lady Zhen, am I hurting you?"

"Nono, I'm just worried about my husband." She didn't know what to say, "You must think I am silly? Always worrying about him, yet it seemed like he hasn't even visited me today."

"I am in no place to judge."

"You have to understand, that my first husband was killed in the war."

"Your first husband?"

"He was from the Yuan family."

"But didn't…"

"They spared my life and have treated be with nothing but respect. If all I need to do is please my husband and give them an heir then…"

"I'll go bring some medicine and food for your Lord after."

"Mei Hai?"

"I'm not going to understand anything about being filial to your husband and all, but you were kind to me. It's all I can do."

"Thank you Mei Hai."

After leaving Lady Zhen's room, Mei Hai headed into the kitchen to see Lady Bian preparing a tray of food. "Lady Bian."

"Lady Mei Hai, how is Ji?"

"She is resting now, I was here to help make something for Master Cao. Why are you not resting Lady Bian?"

"I was going to bring some stuff to my son, but do you have something for him?"

"It's something I used back home, I'm not sure if he'll like it or not."

"Anything to make him try, he's not that picky. May I leave it to you?

"Of course, good night Lady Bian."

"Good night." Mei Hai finished the remainder of the meal and headed off to Master Cao's room.

-
Cao Pi felt his stomach rumble a bit before heading to his cupboard to find some dry bread that he kept for emergency situations. This was not the first time he avoided dinner, citing that he did not feel very good. He always looked forward to the meal at night, the one his mother usually brought him. There was a knock on the door as he smelt a delicious aroma from the other said of the door. "Come in." he said, not looking up from his work. The door creaked open as the sound of foot steps approached him, the tray of food being placed on the table.

"Master Cao," a familiar voice said, "Lady Bian asked me to bring this to you."

"What?" He looked up, thinking it was his mother earlier. With a sudden realization, the two stared at each other both trying to register what was happening.

Mei Hai's face crinkled as she tried to recall who this man was in front of her. There was a strong resemblance to an old friend, but this man was much taller and stronger than him. Could it be? She decided against it, she was sure that he was dead. "Um."

"Oh," she realized that he must have been confused because he has never seen her before. "I am Lady Zhen's guest, Mei Hai. Lady Bian and Lady Zhen told me that you haven't been eating, so they asked me to help."

"Of course, thank you." He cleared his throat and sat back down. "You may go."

"I'm sorry," she said, "Do I know you?"

"Why would I know anyone like you?" Mei Hai was taken a back, "You are the guest of my wife, now if there is nothing else."

"I'm gone." She held her hand up defensively, slamming the door just a little loud on her way out. "What a jerk. This entire family is full of them." She muttered, heading back to her room.

Pi massaged his brow after she left, not understanding why the world could be so small. His wife would be spending the rest of her pregnancy here, but Pi decided that that very moment that the minute his fathers banquet was over, he would return to Ye. "Just one week, I can keep myself a secret a little longer."