CHAPTER 210: IN SEA CITY.

It had been such a long time since Mei Mei had last seen a beach with her own eyes. It had even been longer since she last made her way to Sea city. Everything looked and smelled new to her.

Her extended family and other families from the aristocratic class along with many tourists were all renting rooms in a resort hotel which was owned by the royal family. The Royal dragon hotel. It was one of the biggest, most luxurious and most beautiful beach front resorts.

Mei Mei had not even bothered to unpack. As soon as she entered her room, she had opened the doors and stepped out onto the balcony to breathe in the fresh sea air.

The door of her room was open as she was expecting Mingzhu to come looking for her at any moment. Her daughter was sharing a master suite with Lian, Mi Mi and the other girls. Mingzhu was looking forward to it and she was calling it the great beach sleep over.

Instead of Mingzhu searching for her first, General Gig Yellow was the first to walk into her room. On his back was mama Noodles, wearing a tiny hat on her head.

"Who let you in?" she asked.

General Big Yellow looked at the open door. He did not understand her question. Did she not see her open door?

Jingzhe entered the room cautiously. "Mei Mei," he called out, "Have you seen General Big Yellow and...." He paused when he saw the animals on her balcony. "There you two are. If you run off like that, you will be kidnapped and turned into dog soup." He smiled at Mei Mei gently, "I knocked on the door but there was no answer and it was open. I came in because I was worried." As he talked, he moved to her side and leaned against the railing.

"When did you last see the beach?" She asked him.

"Two years ago." He answered. "How about you?"

"I think five, maybe six...." She shook her head. "I don’t really know. I took Mingzhu there once after one of her allergy attacks. She was not in a great mood and I wanted to cheer up. I have always wanted her to see the beach in the Royal courts but....." She left her words hanging.

He started from where she stopped, "It is only for the rich folks that live there plus the scientists and soldiers and other patriots that have contributed to the empire. But it is your mother’s beach. I don’t think that they would have denied you entry."

"I did not want to risk the humiliation." She admitted.

A frown was about to form on her face but it faded when she saw Mingzhu and her cousins dragging floats, balls and other toys to the private beach. They were following Su Manchu and Rize. Bodyguards that were in costume costumes or easy plain clothes were following them.

Jingzhe put an arm on Mei Mei’s waist and said, "Look at our girl talking those wide steps as if she is on a mission."

"A mission to get as much sand into her ears as possible." Mei Mei moaned pathetically through her smile. "Bath time is going to be a nightmare this evening."

"As long as she has fun." Jingzhe said.

He sounded like every other overly indulgent father that acted first and asked questions later.

"Do you want to go down and join them?" he asked her.

"In a minute." She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "For now, I want to enjoy some quiet time without Mingzhu asking me why there is sand on the beach. What types of fish are in the sea? How far she can go of she digs a hole in the sand?"

General Big Yellow barked, and run to the door. His tail was wagging enthusiastically. With the use of a remote, Mei Mei opened the door. Outside was her mother’s long term companion, Black guard.

"Black Guard!" She squealed.

The dog gave her one dismissive glance, barked at General Big yellow and then the animals left the room. The door closed itself.

Mei Mei sighed. "I guess there is one person in the family that has not yet forgiven me from running away from home. What do I have to do for him to forgive me?"

"Give him some good food." Jingzhe suggested.

Mei Mei sighed again. She went to her suitcase, opened it and got a yoga mat. Her plan was to meditate for a while.

Such a plan would not sit well with Long Shuang who was being forced to meditate at that very moment. The banished princess was also sulking because she had very much been looking forward to another year of dazzling the peasants with her beautiful hanfu and crown.

Mei Mei was not aware of Shuang’s troubles. Even if someone had told her about them, she would not care. There was something else on her mind.

"A Zhe, what did you discuss with imperial mother during the flight? She claimed you all to herself and wouldn’t even let Mingzhu come to you. The way her royal agents were protecting the section where you two were sitting, you would think that you were both discussing national secrets."

"You have no idea." Jingzhe mumbled. Sword Island was a national secret.

Mei Mei was looking through he luggage for yoga clothes so she did not catch his mumbling. "When you got off the plan, you were frowning deeply. What did she say to you? Is this about the empress again?"

She threw grey sports leggings and a bra on the bed. When she raised her head, she realized that Jingzhe was scanning the room for listening devices.

"Caution or paranoia?" She asked him.

"Both." He answered candidly. "If we are going to talk about certain things then it is best to ensure that nobody like the peep star is eavesdropping."

Even the universe laughed when Jingzhe said that.