Princess Mei

"Yes, your highness," Mei returned the formal bow to her brother and smiled at him warmly. "The new gardens are extremely pleasurable. Our fortuitous encounter today greatly deepens that pleasure."

Mei added softly, "Among my acquaintance there are quite a few with fine character, but there are very few with lofty ideals. The silly ones say it is not necessary for one to become educated. What they aim at is only to make a good marriage in order to show themselves off for a time."

Mei dismissed this quickly with a wave of her delicate hand. "Most humble pardons, brother. It is highly unlikely that his majesty is interested in such speculations. Please accept it as my attempt to further express delight in our meeting."

Mei searched Qihu's expression. It seemed that her twin had something important on his mind. Her curiosity was piqued. Perhaps he required a more secluded setting or one in which the guards would be distracted.

Mei added brightly. "Shall we visit the Malindi ch'i-lin together? It is reported that the female is to give birth soon."

---

Malindi ch’i-lin refers to the pair of giraffes that had been presented to the Emperor from the kingdom of Malindi.