[Suggested song for this chapter - Voilà sung by Emma Kok]
"It's Commander Bai and Wang Zhaojun," Meili heard the chatter ripple through the crowd.
Bai Li stood in the centre of the now decimated dance troop, looking left and right for the next threat.
The performers scrambled about on their hands and knees collecting up their heads.
"It's alright Li," said Meili gently. "I'm fine. He was just a little over-enthusiastic. No harm done."
"Of course there's harm done! He touched your face! I could have his hand for that!"
"There's no call for taking his hand, Li. Come on," she dragged him away from the dancers, handing one of the startled men his missing big head as they went. "Sorry," she mouthed to him, and he bowed at her, looking fearfully at Commander Bai as he took the head from his woman.
As they strolled further down the street past the lantern stalls, he took her hand, despite the fact they were in public and there was every chance word would get back to the palace.
