<div class="floatleft">(http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l530/WyldeSK/lin%20mei%20huai_zpskndhd2im.jpg)</div><strong>Name :</strong>Ta Mei Huai<br/><strong>Element :</strong>Water<br/><strong>Location &amp; Time :</strong>Palace<br/><strong>Tagging :</strong>Shin Min-Hee, Wu Cai, Open<br/><hr/><br/>For a moment, Mei reacted as if struck as Wu Cai refused the tea. She regained composure soon enough, but the damage had been done. Every gesture at court had its meaning; every act had its consequence. For all the concubine understood that her ally did not mean disrespect, nonetheless it would hurt her standing. Fortunately, thanks largely to Wu and the others, Mei's standing had a good deal of cushion in which to fall right now. Someday she would have to explain the vagaries of court life. Now was not the time. A bow back and a quiet, "Of course," was the reply for the moment.<br/><br/>When Shin Min-Hee announced her success, Mei did not bother to hide her relief. She handed over the tea with a soft, "You're welcome," as she bowed again. "And thank you for all you have done. I owe you a debt of gratitude." It wouldn't be wrong to say the whole house owed Min one, but that was not for Ta Mei Huai to say. She was a bit surprised at the merchant's daughter's offer, but on the whole, she approved. It would be awkward for the pair to stay at the castle, though not unwarranted. Mei looked on both with a smile and said, "Then I believe I should wish you both a pleasant evening. It has been an upsetting day, and much needs to be addressed, but it would have been infinitely worse were it not for the two of you, Miss Dou, and Heini." She stopped and fretted for a moment. "I hope she has not gotten into too much trouble. The Judge seemed most affronted."<br/><br/>To herself, Mei had to admit that trouble seemed to be inherent in Heini's nature - more the pity considering the great service she had rendered today.<br/>