New World's Empress

Another ten days passed and not even one drop of rain fell down. Somehow the well in Liu Mei's household was always full so she had no worries and her garden looked like heaven. Actually she put couple broken pots with water in shade for small birds to drink.

So out of her garden, you could hear singing and chirp the whole day long. That caused as well that she had no flies, or mosquitoes or any other bug that could be harmful to her plants. She bought two bee stocks and let them there to pollinate the plants and trees.

Whenever Hua Lan came to visit she felt so comfortable. Unfortunately, her husband started feeling lonely as she spent days with Liu Mei.

''I said indeed you should befriend her, but never said you should move to her place completely. Wife, please be considerate of my poor heart as well. I miss you.'' He looked at her with puppy eyes while she just chuckled.

''I wish you would understand why I go there. I have no idea why, but I have that feeling... Husband, are you sure that your family never had female children?'' She really wondered.

They had the same last name, with the same initials and even their facial structure was similar. How is it possible...

He deeply thought about it. ''My uncle had concubine that asked to leave his household. He let her go just before things happened to our family. I heard she died in labor and her child as well. That is the only unexplained person there. How old is Liu Mei?''

Hua Lan shook her head. ''She said she is not sure. She should be around 30. But you know, when you look at her she cleary looks less than 20. It's strange. She told me that when she woke up in the forest she got told that story and she just accepted it. Who knows what real truth is.''

''What do you mean?'' He was truly curious now.

''She told me that a couple of years ago an old woman found her in the forest. She told her that her name is Liu Mei and that she lost her adoptive parents and husband and children a couple of years ago. After that, she went to the forest and had an accident. Later she took care of old lady that took her to different kinds of places, but never let her come to the city area.'' It was a strange story.

''And then?'' He sat down comfortably while being into the story.

''After some time the old woman died and she buried her in the forest. Then she walked a long way and came out near the capital. At that time she already learned a few things from the old woman. But you know that old woman told her something.'' She liked when he was so into the story as his eyes become glossy and he looked like a woman that liked gossip. She just imagined him in female clothes and somehow she felt the heat rising in her cheeks.

''What? Continue now!'' He was completely obvious about her secret thoughts.

''Oh yes...'' She cleared her throat and continued. ''the old lady told her that she never, ever, ever should marry another man and never be in contact with nobles. Or at least try to avoid them. As much she could.''

''That is weird request...'' Even he found it strange.

Hua Lan actually shook her head. ''Liu Mei is actually a very shy woman. She is scared of so many things, but at the same time, if she would see something big going on or someone in pain, she would help them definitely. Now she locked herself in her part of heaven and enjoy the days. But husband. She is a poor soul. She prays for hours in the morning, she prays for hours in the evening and then she rests a bit, tends her flowers, but to tell you truth. When she does that she continues to sing sutras whole time. Even her little servant is worried about her.''

Liu Shen felt sorry about the unknown woman. ''How long does she plan to do so?''

A sigh could be heard coming from her lips. ''She said until the drought is over. But now lately she changed prayer. She is worried that after drought big rain would come and they would be floods, so she started praying about ain that would help people grow their plants and feed the country. A couple of days ago she saw few birds carrying large amounts of bugs inside their beaks and she was worried that insect plague would cause people to live harder than ever. That woman worries too much for her own good.''

He suddenly got shocked. ''What did you say? The alarming amount of bugs? I need to check that and send a report to the palace.''

She nodded. If there is such a thing life will become even harder. Liu Mei just worries her too much. Maybe she should take her one more time to the temple and ask the great seer to check her future.

She wanted to go as well for the sake of her child. Soon she won't be able to move around much. Maybe she could coerce her with that. Yes, this will be the best excuse ever.

She smiled brightly while sending letters in two directions. One to Liu Mei and the other to the monastery.