Back to mansion...
The three girls politely stood there while princess Mingzhu and her family were looking trough the beautiful cushions that were made in ten days.
While women were fussing, the men glanced at the three girls. They met the two but the third was looking similarly but not as same as the two sisters.
"You must be Su Mei." Royal Prince Wei spoke loudly maing everyone get silent and sit back on their place.
"This commoners name is Su Mei."
By now Su MeiMei knew the less she spoke the better.
Su Fei sighed in relief as she saw that the girl understood her words she repeated daily.
The Royal Prince Wei nodded and looked at his granddaughter that happily held bright pink cushion with various cute animals on it.
Each cushion was diffent and the hundred they made quickly found new owners.
Even he liked the one in black silk with white intricate cloud embroidery.
Calm and elegant. He liked such things.
He waved his hand and servants brought two boxes.
"I heard your clan gathered together to work hard for ten days to make these. Good. Rumors are just this. It seems Su clan has enemies. I can clear some of rumors but not all. I'll spread rules of filial children, polited daughters, hardworking clan. I can do this much." He waved at servants and they gave two boxes to Su Yue and Su MeiMei.
"The bigger box is for your clan elder to share with all that helped. The smaller box is for you three. Su MeiMei, come here and kneel."
Su MeiMei paled out of fright but Su Fei pushed her and she went in front of old Royal Prince.
"Do you accept punishment for causing your clan to loose face?" He asked with struct voice.
Her body was shaking like leaf in strong wind. But she still straightened her back and answered.
"I'm willing." She just hoped she won't be killed by dogs. That story is scarier then being instantly killed.
Seing her hear but as well ability to accept for the sake of clan he was amazed and looked at his grandchildren.
Not one, including princess Mingzhu would he willingly answer this the way this girl did.
"Then go to praying temple and kowtow hundred times for the sake of your whole Su clan. After that you have to fast for one month and you gave to pray for one shichen daily from first to last day of the punishment Are you willing?"
His grandchildren became deadly silent as they got scared.
Su MeiMei could feel sharp gaze at back of her head and kowtowed deeply. "I'm willing!"
The Royal Prince Wei nodded. "Good. The rumors will be killed. Those that spread rumors about you will dissapear. I willake sure that Su name spreads around about loyalty of his descendants. Very good."
Su MeiMei just silently kowtowed one more time until he didn't wave at nearby female servant to help her stand up and she shakily stood next to Su Fei, leaning on her.
Su Fei stood there like stone in wind, not moving even one inch even if the weight of this girl should have been able to move her.
Feeling her body and steadiness, Su MeiMei realized that Su Fei was this whole time the person she could rely on, noatter in what situation.
Even the royal family could see and feel it. The energy of the girl that didn't move and made them all feel strangely comfortable around her.
Princess Mingzhu felt jealousy. She wanted as well to lean on Su Fei. She wanted to be around her. In her family everyone is leaning on her but she had no one.
With jealousy she glared at Su MeiMei that suddenly felt cold air around her back and looked in confusion at Su Fei that rolled her eyes cutely at Princess Mingzhu.
Of course this girl happily winled at Su Fei that could only shake her head. These royal girls really have nothing better to do?
Royal Prince Wei could see whole situation but ignored it and sent them away and stopped princess Mingzhu.
"We are literally leaving in morning. This girl, you never will meet again." He wanted to stop her having hopes to gave friend that was not from same surroundings.
Princess Mingzhu nodded. "I know. But even if we are thousands miles away, there is still letter that can travel. Even if I get one letter in year I will know she is alive. Grandfather, I rarely would refuse to anything you say except this one thing. Please, please let me have her as friend. Just this one."
Knowing that she indeed never made friends even with noble girls that just followed her and gave her compliments but never made steps to befriend her.
"Go. But don't stay long." He waved at nearby guards to follow this girl that never asked anything like the other girls.
She can have it.
That girl from Su clan has something, something he saw somewhere. But where?
He shook his head. He is getting old.
Su clan had many scholars and officials. Not one in Capital or something like that, then more smaller officials that worked hard.
Maybe mentioning the Su clan can help this girl living better.
He chuckled as he thought how she will react if she opens the box meant for her. Will she be surprised or flabbergasted.
Too bad he didn't ask her to open the box in front of him. Sigh.
He is starting to get childish in his old age as well or what?
On gate Su girls were stopped by rushed servant. "Please wait a moment. Princess wants to speak to you."
Wow. This girl really can't stop her curiosity?
Su Fei turned around and saw rushing gril with dangling golend accessories with beads on her blushed cheeks.
"I...cough..." Princess Mingzhu never rushed in her life. But she knew this was her only chance to meet true friend.
"I will send you letters whenever I can. Leave me address." Su Fei answered even before Princess Mingzhu could ask.
"You...hahahaha. don't ever forget me. Understood?" She took one of her accessories from her hair and gave her. "These come in pair. I'll keep my safe. If you ever come to Capital, ever, no matter when, just bring this to me. Friend..."
Su Fei took the accessory, this time without bowing and took from her writ a silver bracelet. "This is something I gift to you. It's real silver. If you get in situation where you feel it's strange, by drinking tea or something, just near this silver. No need to dip it. Even near anything weird like aphrodisiac or poison it will change to blue. It will turn normal again after short time and can be reused. This is my way of being friend to you. Be safe. Capital is full of snakes and rats. Just act like cloyd whole spewing fire at their back."
Princess Mingzhu was speechlessly standing there even minutes after the three left while her grandfather was almost choking as he was loudly laughing.
"Now I know why Mingzhu likes her. That girl hahaha." Suddenly he had serious expression. "Tell her never to take off that bracelet. Not even in sleep. I have feeling that story behind it is not as simple as I think..."
A bracelet that can show poisons even by being near it. This was something made only from magic silver.
Wait, the foreigners while ago sold such stuff but he didn't believe it. How stupid!