New World's Empress

Liu Mei had no time to think about these two. On the gate was such a big tumult so all she could do is to patiently wait for her turn to enter the town. She was in no hurry.

But some people were. Suddenly she has pushed aside with other people making way for a woman that was beautiful. Liu Mei stood up and brushed off the dirt from her working clothes. Her hat was a bit crooked so she tried to even it.

But still, a flash of her white neck could be seen and the woman stopped as she saw her getting down and picking up a big bundle. With a smile on her face, she came to Liu Mei and check her up and down.

''You have a nice body, and clean skin. There is no need to work so hard and destroy yourself.'' She tried to peek under the hat but Liu Mei stepped back.

Her calm and cold voice could be heard under the hat. ''I am but simple woman. I am willing to work so hard. My face is clean and I intend to keep it that way.'' Her words had multiple meanings.

The pretty woman just snorted and turned away. ''One day you will come to me. The moment you do I will give you the highest position in our home.''

Liu Mei stepped fort and stopped in front of her. ''Take those words back. I have absolutely no intention to be related not even from far with people like you.''

No matter how much the woman tried to pass Liu Mei stubbornly stood on her path. ''Good, good. Don't you dare to come and beg me later on? Don't regret your decision.''

''I definitely won't. Even if I have only one breath left I have no intention to lose myself. For the sake of my family and my ancestors, I prefer to have a clean face than a full stomach. Just to tell you one thing. You are pretty, consider that good thing and find yourself someone who will love you. You still have a chance to escape your path.'' Then she stepped back to the line and turned her back to the woman.

She stared at the skinny back and with a small sigh continued her way back to the city.

Liu Mei went to the medicine hall and found out that the two people were not there but the workers knew about her and with sincerity bought off all the herbs she gave them. With silver in her pocket, she slowly walked the street and watched the people.

So many were from other regions and she could see even foreigners. She smiled, that is good. Maybe she could work as a translator for them but gave up that idea. It would attract the wrong eyes. She just counted in her head the amount of silver she had and was happy. The moment she sells all the herbs she could literally live for a few years without much work.

She planned as well to plant a few herbs in her garden instead of those flowers. She found those flowers strange anyway. To her knowledge, they were quite poisonous so she planned to dig them out and throw them away. Next second she got a new idea.

She put the peach-colored dress and went to the main gate from the medical family next door. On gate stood a big Zhao sign. She remembered his name. Doctor Zhao Heng. She had no idea how the young man's name was but didn't care actually.

She bowed to the gate guard. ''I am Liu Mei next door. Doctor Zhao told me to let him know if I need something so if it's possible could you bring this not to him. I will wait for his answer. ''

She bowed politely and gave slowly the note to the door guard.

He took not and bowed as well. ''Miss could you please wait here just for a bit. I will rush and come back with the answer.''

She just calmly nodded and stepped on the side. The time slowly passed and she still stood there like a statue. People passed by and saw the young lady waiting patiently not moving a bit and became curious.

Again the time passed and she still stood there. Not moving an inch like some three in wind just small movements could be seen from the veil as it floated a bit in the wind. More and more people were attracted by the sight so the guards started getting nervous.

''Miss as it seems there is no answer from the main house. Please go home. '' He hoped she would just leave but she shook her head.

''If the thing I wrote in not was little thing I would have been gone home a long time ago, but I need that answer or something bad might happen.'' She answered and stopped talking.

''What is going on outside?'' Doctor Zhao was playing checkers with his grandson when he heard clamor.

The women looked at each other and lowered their heads. He saw that with corner of his eyes and got angry. He took the whole thing and threw it in their direction. ''Not saying? Are you women trying to hide something important?''

One of the young women pouted and looked at his grandson. ''Husband. We just wanted to stop that unrelated person to get in contact with the two of you.''

He turned around and his face slowly started getting dark. Bad premonition rose in his heart, could it be? ''What person?'' He saw on her stubborn face that she was not willing to speak so he smiles icily. ''It seems I am no more man in your eyes. How can I be the future head of the family if not even my wife has respect towards me? Good, very good.''

He smacked the table breaking it into pieces. The women jumped in fear and the young woman tried to look at him pitifully. Seeing his cold stare she finally felt fear.

She took out her sleeve the note and opened making the two men turning expression from bad to worse. ''Doctor. I feel something is wrong my the house. You know that I know a little bit about plants. The flowers seem to be strange. I hope it is just my guess, but if I am right my life is in danger. Please, could you check it out? I would be grateful for your help. Liu Mei.''

She snorted while she waved the letter in her hand. ''Such a person tries to contact you with such ridiculous reason. What strange flowers... '' But stopped as she saw two people in front of her.

Zhao Heng just grabbed the letter out her hand but as she held it tightly it ripped apart making him getting red in the face. He started shaking completely. ''It seems you have not learned anything. No wonder. If my grandson was not asking for your hand repeatedly I wouldn't have taken you in even as a concubine. Uneducated person. From now on you are forbidden to leave your yard. If you make one more mistake I will send you home with all your dowry. Don't take me lightly I am close to killing you now...'' His last words were spoken slowly so everyone in yard got cold back.

''Everyone will be punished. The door guard will be hit 30 times his money deducted and will be kicked out of the house. The servants as well. Each 20 canes and kick out the house. It is time I made my point. You all forgot who is head of this household it seems. Guards!!!''

Bunch of guards appeared out everywhere looking at the weeping crowd. ''Take them all out and after giving them punishment kick them out. The out yard servants will become first yard servants and will pack their things and give them. Now quickly to the gate...take them out now!!!''

The guards started pushing the crying servants out and when the big door opened a bunch of people were pushed to the ground and were hit brutally. Then servants came out and put their belongings next to them. The new main guard cam out and loudly announced.

''For hiding secrets and doing a disservice to the master these servants were punished and released of their work. From now on they are forbidden to enter this household ever again.''

At that moment Doctor Zhao and his grandson hurriedly came out and saw the woman standing by the side and waiting. She saw them coming and just turned around and started walking.

All they could do is to look at each other and follow her. The strange procession was seen by the crowd and they followed them. She slowly opened door and let the two men in but didn't go inside herself.

They closed the door and went to the garden. Actually they never visited this place so they didn't know anything. But when they saw the flowers their expression changed. Could it be?

Doctor Zhao lowered his head and dug a bit in the earth and then stood up while looking at his grandson with a grave expression. ''Horrible. We didn't even check this place.''

He just nodded with stiff expression and his hands turned into white fists. It was him who took her here and just left if he checked before her entering maybe... But at that time he was distracted by the truth of her past.

They slowly went out and bowed deeply. ''Sorry, miss Liu. We had no idea about this situation. We will pay you the accommodation in the best rest house in town. After that, you will be able to live here safely.''

She just nodded. They felt aggrieved. It was them that promised they would help her but actually almost harmed her...