Wudu Palace

ShuîYuê sat by her study, trying to finish the books for constructing houses and markets. It's been a week since she left Wudu Palace, and she luckily didn't have to attend Martial Hall meetings and could work from Wudu Palace itself, she was still crossed about having to work. Jun Wu didn't let her have a holiday even though she got injured, both her hands were wrapped in bandages once again.

Souxin walked in with Jade behind her, "Master, we received a letter from Ghost King stating that he would be staying in Wudu Palace for a while," Souxin informed as ShuîYuê nodded her head.

"Prepare South chambers and make sure everything is taken care of," ShuîYuê ordered as Souxin nodded her head; she glanced at Jade, who was staring at Water Master again; what was wrong with this maid? This was the fifth time Souxin had caught her staring at ShuîYuê.

"You," Souxin spoke, turning to Jade, "Roll up all the scrolls and place them neatly on the bookshelf," Souxin ordered Jade, who bowed her head before Souxin left the room.

Jade picked up all the scrolls, charts and papers lying around Water Master's study and began to arrange them in a neat pile while stealing glances at her Master. Jade was quite surprised with how often Water Master got injured, she had figured her Master was clumsy as ShuîYuê always had at least one or two bruises in her arms.

Jade had herself seen ShuîYuê bump into a column while trying to read a letter, so she wasn't surprised when Water Master returned from Central Palace with bruised hands, wrapped in bandages.

ShuîYuê struggled to turn the page of Li Xiu's book. Jade was immediately by her side to help her. ShuîYuê had a feeling that Jade was trying to prove that she was capable. ShuîYuê had been quite rude to her in the beginning, "Thank you," she thanked with a smile as the maid stared at her.

Did Jade get used to Water Master's rude, cold behaviour or was Water Master trying to be nice to Jade? "Welcome," Jade replied as she went back to putting the scrolls on the bookshelf.

ShuîYuê pouted, feeling incredibly bored, this book was boring, and she didn't feel like reading it; she was in the mood to do some mischief. She looked around her study, picked up her ink brush, and began drawing on paper; she was having quite some fun making strange shapes; she did this when she was a kid.

Jade bent down to pick up a chart which had escaped her eyes and noticed Water Master writing something. She padded towards ShuîYuê and peered over her shoulder to find Water Master making silly drawings, "Master," Jade called as ShuîYuê immediately dropped the brush. "Why are you wasting paper?"

"I am not wasting paper, these are old papers with rough security sketches on them," ShuîYuê defended herself.

Jade picked up one as she observed it, "Don't you have work?"

ShuîYuê didn't want to admit that she was tired from work when she always boasted about liking it in front of Yìfēi all the time, "I am bored."

"Well, why don't you take a walk?" Jade suggested placing the papers on the lap table neatly.

"I don't like to move around much," ShuîYuê confessed as she made small stick-like figures on the paper.

"Then you should take a nap," Jade finished arranging all the scrolls and charts on the bookshelf, "I shall take my leave," she added as ShuîYuê looked at her through longing eyes, She wanted to talk to someone, If she stayed by herself ShuîYuê's was sure she was going to lose her mind.

As Jade was exiting the room, she noticed a flower vase; all of its flowers had wilted. She came back five minutes later with fresh flowers and arranged them in the vase, smiling at the floral scent of the flowers which reminded her of her mother,
"Why waste them?" Water Master questioned as she watched Jade from her study's entrance.

"They bring comfort, Master," Jade answered trimming some of the longer stems.

"They should be used in medicine, oils, perfumes or food," ShuîYuê disagreed as she told their other uses.

"Master," Jade smiled as she spoke, "You always think practically, maybe someday you will think from your heart too."

"That day will be the last day of my life," ShuîYuê remarked crossing her arms.

"Don't say ominous things," Jade said with a firm tone.

ShuîYuê picked one of the pink roses from the vase, twirling it in her fingers, "You think these flowers can make someone's day?"

"Some kind words of appreciation, along with some flowers, can always make someone's day," Jade responded, watching ShuîYuê.

"They never worked for me," ShuîYuê said leaning against the wall as she stared at the flower in her hand.

"These gestures are not what makes someone's day, Master; it is the person behind these gestures who does," Jade replied as Water Master seemed to be in thought.

ShuîYuê glanced at the vase, taking a red rose from it, "I want cream puffs for snacks," ShuîYuê said holding out the pink rose towards Jade.

"I wouldn't need rose petals to make it," Jade spoke slightly confused as to why Water Master was pointing a pink rose at her.

"It's for you," ShuîYuê tapped Jade on the cheek with the rose, "Reminds me of your blushing cheeks," she added, holding out the rose for Jade, who was staring at ShuîYuê speechless. She took it from ShuîYuê's hand slowly, her fingers lingering on Water Master's hand who walked past her when she held the rose in her fingers securely.

Jade stared at herself in the mirror, bringing the rose to her face, the light pink of the rose matching her blushing cheeks; she smiled to herself as she kissed the rose gently, "You are..." Jade didn't know what to say as she stared at herself in the mirror, "An enigma to me Master, a beautiful one."

Wudu Palace

Water Master returned from a morning court meeting, which ended up in an argument among the senior officials; it took the entire afternoon to come to a final decision, which was a better way to put the compromise Senior officials made among themselves; it included tea and snacks served thrice.

Water Master didn't complain after an hour of accusing each other, during which ShuîYuê found intense interest in the carvings of the humongous columns in the Martial Hall. Fire and Wind Master's collective listening and responding skills at the speed of light while Water Master played with the tassels on her robes, and at last, the appearance of the Emperor, who scolded the senior officials for their lack of proper behaviour.

ShuîYuê enjoyed the last part greatly; Jun Wu reprimanding senior officials was a sight to behold, not to behold when it was directed at her, though.

Currently, she was overlooking an issue Yu Han was discussing with her when they stopped in front of the side hall courtyard where a group of maids fought each other physically, pulling each other's hair and scratching at the other's faces.

Souxin stood there watching it with her back to ShuîYuê, "STOP IT! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" Yu Han shouted as they moved away from each other bowing their heads. "What is this?" He demanded looking at Souxin.

Souxin turned around, body language arrogant with her head leaned back and chest puffed out, hands crossed, "Nothing, I am teaching a lesson to disobedient maids," She answered, tone instantly softening the second she noticed Water Master beside him.

"Souxin, this is the side courtyard; everyone can see and hear this fight. Do this somewhere else," Yu Han suggested, glaring at any guards who halted to peek from their usual patrol.

"I must teach these maids a lesson right here," Souxin said stubbornly. Yu Han watched her for a moment, and ShuîYuê noticed how she was trying to challenge him.

"Yu Han go grab a stool for me to sit and don't forget to ask Aunt Rong Pei to bring tea and snacks," Souxin gulped as ShuîYuê ordered Yu Han, "You might as well invite Jīnyú here, he's been studying all day, this will certainly prove to be a fine entertainment," ShuîYuê added with a smile.

"No Master!" Souxin cried hurrying towards ShuîYuê, "I'll handle this somewhere else," she whispered.

ShuîYuê locked her hands behind her back, "I think Yu Han suggested the same thing, did it sound different to you?" She asked, watching Souxin, who shook her head.

"Master!" A maid cried kneeling on the floor, "His Highness the Crown Prince sent over a rosewood lap table for Prince Jīnyú to use while studying. Souxin JîeJîe insists that it be kept in your chambers since the prince is too young to use it," she explained as Souxin kicked her on her side.

"Shut up!" Souxin snapped glaring at the maid.

"It is for the young Prince; that is a different matter if he's young to use it or not; why should it be stored in my Chambers?" ShuîYuê questioned turning to Souxin.

Souxin bowed her head, "Master, Prince Jīnyú gets distracted with unnecessary furniture in his Chambers; the gift is from the Crown Prince. I couldn't merely place it anywhere; it's only right to be put in your room as you are the Master of the Palace," she answered swiftly.

"Your intentions," ShuîYuê paused to eye Souxin, "Are clear to me Souxin, however, there is no need to keep the lap table in my Chambers, put it in the side study of Jīnyú's room, it is a gift from his brother, it is only right that the gift stays close to it owner," Water Master told calmly.

Souxin puffed her cheeks, looking down in her Master's cold eyes with a pleading look, "Let me take your cloak off, Master," she said, unknotting the strings of ShuîYuê's cloak. Souxin was well aware that she had pissed off her Master and if she continues to be stubborn it won't do her any good,
"I'll punish their impertinent maids later."

"Wait a moment," ShuîYuê tilted her head to the side, "Move your hair out of your faces," she ordered, narrowing her eyes; one by one, the six maids followed; three of them were Souxin's sidekicks while the other three were simple maids.

ShuîYuê's eyes widened slightly when she saw Jade with the group. Her lips were busted, and her forehead had nail marks on it, "Why were you fighting?" Water Master questioned.

"Master, I saw General Zhou tell Jade herself that this rosewood lap table is for the Prince when we were carrying it to his Chambers, Souxin JîeJîe stopped us and told us to hand it over to her; we fought over it," another maid answered.

"No Master! I only told them to keep it in your chambers, my maids didn't start the fight," Souxin cried instantly.

"Souxin JîeJîe, don't lie," the maid's lips wobbled as she spoke, "You slapped me for telling you it was for the Prince; you said I was talking back to you," the maid added, looking at Souxin with glassy eyes.

"Shut up you impertinent maid! How dare you slander me?" Souxin asked furiously.

"Are we slandering you, or are you using your authority to boss us around?" The other maid questioned fed up with Souxin's bullying, "Master, Souxin JîeJîe keeps all the new maids working until midnight when the morning shift ends at eleven pm."

"Master these maids who haven't been in Wudu Palace for four months dare to slander me! You must seek justice for me," Souxin requested kneeling before ShuîYuê.

"Get up," ShuîYuê told calmly, Souxin continued to kneel stubbornly, "Get up!" ShuîYuê snapped as Souxin stood up hurriedly. Water Master walked over to the maid whose cheek had a handprint on it,
"She wouldn't slap herself now would she?"

"Master! These maids have charmed you with their pleading words and innocent looks," Souxin declared stomping her feet.

"Oh is it?" Water Master questioned, turning around; Souxin shook her head immediately, "These petty issues, which shouldn't be made issues in the first place, are shameful! This is not a market at the square of the city where people fight each other for stupid reasons!"

ShuîYuê walked over to Souxin, "I know how hard you try to make me stand out among other officials Souxin, don't think I don't know of it, keeping Crown Prince's gift in my chamber when it is for Jīnyú would lure unnecessary gossip, you believe I can't see past you words and intentions?" She asked all of it in a whisper.

"M- Master, I- I only want to remind everyone that you are the Master of the Palace, those maids who serve Prince Jīnyú think too highly of themselves that they forget your position," Souxin mumbled quietly.

"Should I wear a damn board on my forehead claiming me as the Master of the Palace?" ShuîYuê asked with a hiss, "I don't need to tell people who I am, they know, and if they don't, they will. Do not go around doing this tomfoolery again; that's a warning, and the very last one," Water Master added looking right into Souxin's eyes.

Souxin bowed her head, reaching her hand out to straighten her Master's hair, which was tangled in her earring; ShuîYuê brushed Souxin's hand away, still angry with her.

"And you!" ShuîYuê turned to the maids, "Getting into fights in my Palace will lead to expulsion. If you wish, I could make it a death sentence as well," the maids bowed their heads hurriedly.

"We apologise, Master," they spoke in unison.

"You three," ShuîYuê looked at the sidekicks of Souxin, "Will clean all of Wudu Palace," their eyes bulged out at the punishment, "And after that you will stitch clothes for the uniforms, when finished with the other task you will filter all the soybean and make tofu with it, Aunt Rong Pei will examine the tofu so be careful."

ShuîYuê then turned to the three other maids, "You three did not fight first but did continue, so you'll be punished as well, collect chestnuts from the forest, clean, dry them, roast them with salt, put them in small pouches they will be given at Mid-autumn festival to the children. Aunt Rong Pei will examine your work as well, so don't mess up," she warned before looking at the maid, who had long nails.

"You trim your nails; you are a maid, not a wild animal," she added, glancing at the nail marks on Jade's forehead.

"Leave," ShuîYuê said, walking away; the maids walked off in two different directions as Souxin snapped at her sidekicks to the kitchen.

"Saw that Yu Han? If Heavenly Court drama is not enough, there are people in this Palace waiting for me," ShuîYuê grumbled, glaring at the floor.

"Souxin is proud of her status as your maid, Master, she brags about it quite a lot," Yu Han commented simply.

"She's smart, capable of handling difficulties, knows how to deal with everyone and yet her arrogance overshadows her good qualities," ShuîYuê rambled exasperated.

"Master, what do you think I should do about bandits? They are hard to deal with," Yu Han asked oblivious as always. ShuîYuê rolled her eyes before giving him a solution she watched him with an annoyed look on her face as he went on and on about the wonderful ideas he had.

'If Bai Yan was here he would have figured I was tired and asked for help sometime later, Yu Han is an idiot, can't ever take a hint, well he's Yìfēi's Chief General, of course he's an idiot like her,' ShuîYuê thought secretly punching the air when Yu Han had his back to her.

Wudu Palace

Jade strolled towards West Chambers; it was five in the morning, the time at which she got up daily. Wudu Palace was strict with punctuality, by nine pm dinner should be finished by the master as well as the staff of the palace after that an hour was dedicated to cleaning any mess in the kitchen or anywhere else, and then the staff could shower and go to bed by eleven pm, everyone's shifts were different, morning shifts started from five to five in the evening and night shifts starting from five to five till the morning, for maids they, however, worked from five to ten, with an hour break in the late morning and evening.

Jade woke up at five and got ready for the long day her first task was usually to go check on the halls, change flower vases, take off the curtains for cleaning, clean the place if it was dusty, and then she went to water plants picking flowers which had fallen on the ground she washed and tucked them in her hair before she went to the kitchen for helping with breakfast, and then her tasks would vary sometimes she would stay at Wudu Palace all day.

Sometimes she would go to the market to buy or order ingredients in bulk, she accompanied her Master to Wind Master's Palace and when Wind Master took Jade with her, she was also responsible for all the tea in the palace, especially Water Master's lavender tea, she warmed milk for Prince Jīnyú at night and took it to his study room where he would throw a tantrum about it for a few moments before Jade said she would go tell Water Master and that had Jīnyú shut his mouth and finish the glass in one go before Jade restocked papers and charts in Water Master's study and then, at last, went to sleep.

Aunt Rong Pei had received a notice from the Central Palace stating a morning meeting would commence at nine so all officials were informed four hours before to be on time. Jun Wu usually held court meetings from eleven to two and then from three to six, other than all the extra summoning he did when matters were serious. Souxin had gone to check the imported goods at the port so Jade was once again given her duty.

Jade loved morning time, it was quiet and cool without much hustle, not like Wudu Palace was ever busy. No officials other than Wind Master and Fire Master ever visited but Jade still liked morning time better than all day. Water Master usually woke up at eight, got ready in an hour, had a quick breakfast, and left around ten thirty for morning meetings. Jade wondered how Water Master was in the morning, definitely not in a nice mood. She had seen ShuîYuê look annoyed plenty of times, and that annoyance drastically increased in the morning.

Jade concluded that ShuîYuê didn't like mornings, she often stayed up late after dinner finishing scroll work Jade can assure you from her own experience that Water Master is in a way better mood as night time approached compared to mornings when she was all grumpy about having to attend meetings, crisp air of September tickled Jade's face leaving a cooling touch to her skin as she pushed open the heavy walnut door of her Master's huge room.

She walked past her study to find some scrolls lying on the floor; the window was open, 'Master always forgets to close the window,' she thought, picking them up and rolling them.

Moving aside the curtains of ShuîYuê's bedroom, she noticed the open window near her divan first; she went there staring at the sky; this place was perfect to sit and stare outside or chat with someone while having tea; she sighed before turning around, lilac sheer curtains surrounded Water Master's bed.

Jade padded towards her quietly. She moved the curtains aside, and when she squinted her eyes, she saw ShuîYuê shaking her head like when someone wanted to say no; she frowned, wondering if Water Master was already awake.

Her eyes widened when she noticed ShuîYuê was sleeping on her side, especially her right side; most of her stitches had healed, but the two bigger ones were still healing, and one of them had broken a few days ago.

Jade placed her hands on ShuîYuê's shoulder, trying to push her to lay on her back, and when Jade did manage to do it, ShuîYuê's hand reached up as Jade leaned back instinctively. Water Master was trying to hold onto something, her hand reaching up towards the ceiling when Jade heard mumbles.

She leaned her head closer to ShuîYuê's mouth trying to figure out what she was saying, "Don't leave me," and as Jade moved back she noticed tears sliding down Water Master's face, her soft cries were already making Jade incredibly worried, "Don't leave me please," ShuîYuê cried in her sleep going through her only nightmare of years, Jade held ShuîYuê's hand who was shaking her head, "Don't go! Don't leave."

"Master, wake up," she called softly as ShuîYuê continued to cry. She was holding Jade's hand, her fingers curling around Jade's palm who sat beside her, trying to wake her up.

ShuîYuê could see fading images as she ran towards it, "Wait! Don't leave me! Please!" Jade was trying to rub ShuîYuê's head in hopes of comforting her.

Jade could see the pain on her Master's face; whoever the person ShuîYuê was calling was leaving her, and she was crying for them not to go, "It's just a nightmare, Master, it'll go."

"Please stay," ShuîYuê sniffled, shaking her head, "I- it won't happen again, I promise. Don't leave me, I am begging you!"

Jade pushed her shoulder down with her free hand, "Don't go please, Hóngjiŭ don't leave me," Jade couldn't be more heartbroken than she already was, "I can't... donnndd leavbb..." and ShuîYuê's head fell to her side.

Jade sighed when Water Master stopped gripping her hand, her tears still fell to the side of her face. Jade sat there patting her head for a while before she wiped the remnants of tears on her face.

She slid down her robe from her shoulder to check if the stitches broke, but thankfully, they were fine. ShuîYuê's blanket had fallen to the floor; Jade picked it up, pulling it to Water Master's chin before she placed her hand on ShuîYuê's cheek.

"Did this person hurt you, Master? Is it because of them you are so bitter? Did they make you this way?" Jade asked in a whisper. She only received the twittering of birds as her answer, her thumb rubbing circles on ShuîYuê's cheek, "You shouldn't hold onto your past, Master; let it go; maybe you'll find yourself again."

Jade withdrew her hand as she moved away a hair lock covering ShuîYuê's face before she closed the curtains, and left the room, ShuîYuê's lips moved once again, "Don't leave Hóngjiŭ, don't leabb me," she mumbled before she fell to deep slumber.

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Author's note duty on Bunbun

Hello everyone, Merry Christmas!! I hope you have fulfilling holidays with your family and friends. Take care, and Happy New Year, too! I'll see you later, Byebye

Word count: 3900