"Ming Yue, please forgive me," Weisheng began.  "I have been so caught up in my own problems that I never even thought to ask."  He looked so dejected that the young woman immediately resolved to lighten the mood.
                          
  
                          
"To be honest," she said, her tone playful, "I am rather surprised that you did not insist on regularly inspecting the area yourself."
                          
  
                          
Weisheng's eyes snapped up.  It was so rare for Ming Yue to be the one initiating moments like this between them that all thoughts of self-pity quickly disappeared.
                          
  
                          
"You are right, of course!" he exclaimed.  "A truly unforgivable error on my part.  I will correct it right away."  He quickly reached down to wrap a hand around her waist, then pulled her up towards him until she was seated on his lap, facing him.
                          
  
                          
She did not resist, but just looked at him calmly.  He suddenly felt a bit nervous.  The last time they had been this close to each other was back at the border, several weeks ago, and he did not know how she would respond to the sudden intimacy.
                          
  
                          
She reached a hand up to his brow, stroking it gently.
                          
  
                          
"You must frown less, Weisheng.  Otherwise, you will start to look old."
                          
  
                          
He stretched out his arm, put his hand behind her neck and started pulling her in towards him.
                          
  
                          
His movements were so slow that the anticipation was almost painful for the both of them, but their eyes never left each other until the moment their lips finally touched.
                          
  
                          
To begin with, the kiss was slower, less insistent than their other encounters, but it was no less passionate, and they both melted into it, forgetting about the troubles of the past few weeks and focussing only on their need for each other in that moment.
                          
  
                          
It was not long before both their temperatures started to rise, and Weisheng's mouth began to roam.  Exercising a huge amount of self-control, Ming Yue pushed him back gently.
                          
  
                          
"Weisheng," she said, looking around.  "I am not sure that your study is an appropriate place for this."  
                          
  
                          
He smiled, and brought his mouth to her ear to whisper.
                          
  
                          
"Are you saying that you would like to continue somewhere else?"
                          
  
                          
Ming Yue's face flushed immediately, but Weisheng was spared her indignant response when Eunuch Wang's voice resonated just outside of the study door.  She stood quickly, rearranging her dress.
                          
  
                          
"Your Highness, forgive my intrusion!" exclaimed the eunuch as he entered the room.  
                          
  
                          
Weisheng rolled his eyes.  Things had been going so well.  Seemingly oblivious to the prince's frustration, Eunuch Wang continued.
                          
  
                          
"I would not have bothered you, but the hour is already late, and I needed to convey the message before you retire to your chamber.  His Majesty has requested your presence in his private study first thing tomorrow."