章 3: Gathering

A young girl surrounded by a faint white light was sitting on her bed with the curtain closed. She had her legs crossed, and her hands were resting on her knees. Her clothes were drenched with sweat, and her head continued to sweat without stopping.

Li Bai Xue's bones were breaking from each joint but she didn't stop. Her entire body was burning but she didn't stop. She was almost on breakthrough to mid-level Foundations Establishment. That was until her cultivation stopped and blood spurt out of her mouth. Lin Qian, who had just entered quietly, saw this scene and panicked.

"Gongzhu!" She rushed to her and took out a handkerchief to wipe the blood away. "Gongzhu, you shouldn't push past your limits."

Li Bai Xue looks at Lin Qian with an extremely white face. "If I don't push past... my limits... then how can I advance? And didn't I tell you to not disturb me when I cultivate?"

Lin Qian looked away apologetically. "Forgive me. Er Gongzhu sent an invitation to have a gathering in the royal garden."

"Er gongzhu?" a weary smile appeared on her face.

"Should I decline the offer?"

"No. Prepare a bath."

"Yes."

***

Li Bai Xue arrived at the royal garden on time. In the royal garden were Er gongzhu, Li Yun Meng, and San gongzhu, Li Fu Ling. These two people being here early wasn't surprising. Li Yun Meng was the host here, and Li Fu Ling was in charge of the royal garden.

"Da jie is here already?" Li Yun Meng asked in surprise. "Not even Si and Wu meimei is here yet. You came very early." Li Yun Meng smile and only then notices the girl behind Li Bai Xue. "Oh! Qi meimei came as well."

Qi gongzhu, Li Sisi, was behind Li Bai Xue. Li Sisi and Li Bai Xue met on the way and came together along the way.

She was only ten years old and had a very weak presence. Although she was young, she knew what Li Yun Meng meant.

Li Sisi smiled gently at Li Yun Meng. "Er jiejie sent me an invitation as well. It would also look bad if I didn't show up. After all, it is the monthly gathering."

Li Yun Meng smile back at her. She then turns around and quietly instructed her maid. The maid nodded and left somewhere. Before long she came back with an extra teacup and plate, placing it on the empty space by the stone table.

Li Sisi's smile faded away slowly showing a terrible frown. Li Yun Meng smile at her. "I am terribly sorry that I forgot all about Qi meimei. But don't worry, I will make sure you feel welcome here as the host."

Li Sisi looks down at her feet. She knew what Li Yun Meng meant. Her mother, Consort Niang wasn't favored much. Although her mother was the general's only sister, she was not favored much.

As her child, and as the youngest, she was naturally forgotten. Her father probably doesn't even remember her name. She has never seen him from up close, only from far away. He has never visited her at all.

Even Da jiejie was luckier than her. He at least shows that he cares about her at least, but she never even met her father. Because of her unfavored status, people here don't treat her like a princess.

Li Bai Xue saw Li Sisi downcasted emotions. If she didn't step up then Li Sisi would create a big scene here. Li Sisi was only ten years old, but she has to experience what it means to be an outcast.

"Er meimei is the host so she is the one at fault here. Even if Qi meimei doesn't attend, shouldn't you as the host prepare a seat for her? What if it was the Empress? Wouldn't you as the host be shameful for forgetting about the Empress?"

The smile on Li Yun Meng's face earlier froze. "What do you mean?"

"I am just telling you to be careful," Li Bai Xue said. She then heads to her seat and sat down. The maid beside her pours her a cup of tea. Li Fu Ling also sat down watching the drama with uninteresting eyes.

Li Sisi took her seat and try to make her presence unknown to the others. Not before long Li Mei Tang and Li Xia Xing came. Li Mei Tang sat beside Li Bai Xue while Li Xia Xing sat down beside Li Xia Xing.

Li Bai Xue really liked this child. She was innocent and oblivious to the way of the palace. She secretly pushes the plate of egg custard tarts toward Li Mei Tang. Li Mei Tang smile and took it. These actions didn't escape Li Fu Ling's eyes.

Even though Li Fu Ling and Li Mei Tang were sisters, they weren't as close as Li Mei Tang and Li Bai Xue. They were once close to each other. The older Li Fu Ling got, the more responsibility her mother pushes onto her. The more she and Li Mei Tang grew from each other.

She was jealous of Li Bai Xue for getting along with her sister. Li Fu Ling decided to look away so she won't see them.

Li Yun Meng and Li Xia Xing were sisters, however, their relationship has always been bad. Their mother spoils Li Yun Meng, forgetting about Li Xia Xing. Li Yun Meng as she is spoiled by her mother looks down on Li Xia Xing. As for Li Xia Xing, she hated her older sister because she had no brains.

Li Sisi was naturally forgotten in the corner as she ate and drink.

This gathering there was a normal thing for them. Empress Dowager wanted her grandchildren to be close to each other. So she set a gathering for them. Each month, the princesses will take turns hosting a gathering anywhere in the palace.

During the gathering, they will talk and hang out together. They could not leave until three hours had passed, and they could not be absent unless they had special circumstances. Mama Xi, who was in charge of Empress Dowager's daily care would come and see if everything was okay before reporting back to her.