New World's Empress

Hua Roulan speeds up her steps and caught up with Liu Mei. ''Miss Liu, I am Hua Lan cousin. She sent me here as your back up. I am not interested in the Emperor as I have someone in my mind, so I hope you can help me with marriage. Please, cousin...'' She blinked at her with big eyes pleadingly.

''Why did they send you into the palace in the first place?'' Liu Mei couldn't understand the logic.

Hua Roulan scrunched her eyebrows. ''Many of the new ladies in waiting are from families that are in touch with the nation's enemies. They hope he will succeed in stopping the catastrophes and then they could attack the country in the weakest moment. Now our country is on the verge of disappearing, so we are not yet interesting. But if this works out, the country will be in great peril. We need to save this country for disappearing under someone's feet. I would prefer to die in a fight than becoming slave and servant to some nobles in other countries.''

Liu Mei knew that such things happen often after some country is conquered. If this pretty girl ends up in hands of some attackers, wouldn't that be such a shame? ''Actually, you are pretty enough and as it seems Vaillant and smart at the same time. Why is the position of Empress not interesting to you?''

Hua Roulan smiled sarcastically. ''I am too violent for that position. Thinking that my man touches another woman and then come back to make me feel disgusted.''

Liu Mei shook and almost stumbled. She completely forgot that. Unfortunately here not only she would have to accept that, but she also needs to advise the Emperor to visit other women. This is impossible. She felt disgusted rising in her heart as well. Her face became green. ''I completely forgot about that...''

Her whisper was heard from Hua Roulan that held her hand in silence. But the other person that heard her words is the personally Emperor himself. He actually walked for a while behind them and was about to greet them when he heard the last words and the reaction on Liu Mei's face.

Hua Roulan caught her with her arms and looked at her pale face. Actually they were ins shadows and Liu Mei rose on her hat the cloth so she could speak to Hua Roulan comfortably. Now everyone could see her face getting paler, even bit gray.

''What is wrong? Can I help you anyhow?'' Hua Roulan regretted telling her about it.

Liu Mei inhaled deeply and weakly exhaled trying to keep her food inside and not puking. ''I forgot I actually am like that as well. I hate dirty stuff. I fear that if his Majesty comes to my place I won't be able to serve him. Thinking about all those dirty hands touching the body of a man that should belong to me makes me queasy. But do you know what is laughable? I am a widow. Not even v.i.r.g.i.n. Gave life to two cute babies. But I still have that fear, of dirty man, dirty hands, dirty clothes. I need serious psychiatric.''

Hua Roulan had a strange expression. ''Liu Mei, what is psychiatric?''

Liu Mei shook her head. ''Something like a doctor, but for soul and mind. Well sorry, I can't explain.''

''Oh...'' Hua Roulan's face was so cute that for a moment Liu Mei stopped and pinched her.

''How cuteeee. Too bad you have no wish to stay here. If I didn't have that stupid prediction about misfortune for my children I might have helped you to become Empress. But who is the one you want to marry?'' Liu Mei star-eyed her as she peered at her perfect little face.

''Sigh. That fool doesn't even take notice of me. Everyone is completely inamored in me and I, the biggest fool in the country, have eyes only for him. The reason why I accepted to come here is to see him often and make him realize how amazing I am.'' She punched herself on the c.h.e.s.t in the heroic matter and rose her head proudly.

Liu Mei seriously stared at her in awe and then hooked her arms with hers. ''Then who is it? One of the ministers or one of the eunuchs..? hmmm...I do not think so... Wait sec... One of his guards?''

Xiao and shook her head. Her mistress is actually a very smart person when it is something around other people, but around herself, she just doesn't take notice of anything. She really needs protection. Miss Hua Roulan, we count on you. With starry eyes, she stared at Hua Roulan making her feel some sort of pressure.

What is this feeling? Why does she feel like she is on an important mission? Her eyes searched around about the center of the pressure and locked eyes with a small servant girl that held the other hand of Liu Mei. What is going on in this child's head?

''Do you have something to say to me?'' She was truly curious.

''I will count on your strength to protect my mistress.'' Xiao Ran smiled brightly at her making Han Roulan feel strange pressure again. But looking at those twig-like arms and weak body of hers she had no idea where that pressure came from.

''I guess... fine?'' Hua Roulan questioningly gave long look to Liu Mei but this one just ignored her and moved further.

She had now a new friend. ''Hua Roulan, if you are like you said in love with one of his guards, I give you my word of honor that I will do my best to get you two together. Stay by my side if nothing else.''

Hua Roulan hit her head. ''How didn't I think of THAT?''

Liu Mei stopped and shook her head. ''I have no idea what you are talking about?''

''You do know that in the palace the personal servant of Empress only girls from high families can be. No offense, Xiao Ran.'' Hua Roulan happily jumped.

Xiao Ran stared at her with a flat expression. ''My family belonged to old nobles. Or do you think they would have let me even trough main gate of the palace?''

Hua Roulan face turned suddenly red and she bowed to her. ''Sorry. What I wanted to say is that I could have applied to be her servant.''

Xiao Ran just rolled her eyes. ''Oh, so you think you come, ask to be someone's servant and whop you are appointed there?''

Hua Roulan scratched back of her head. ''Yes...''

Xiao Ran sighed deeply. ''Miss Hou Roulan. You think of a palace-like city market. Where you can choose what you want and get it? For someone to be chosen even as a simple servant it is had a thing to do. You need to pass tests and tests and tests. Sorry miss, but you would fail by the first test.''

Now even Liu Mei was curious. ''What is the first test?''

''Age.'' She could see the two of them staring at her without understanding and she explained. ''To be able to train on the time it takes years of training. You must be a very small child and enter the palace, learn everything you need and with every test rise in ranks. Please, all these servants behind you two worked hard to even be here and to follow you two. They all have immense training, teachings and experiences of life inside these walls. If it possible, do not mistreat them.''

Liu Mei blinked and then gave everyone a huge smile and bowed elegantly. ''Then, in that case, I will be in your able hands. Please be good to me.''

Servants were well trained and didn't dare to take her bow without going on their knees and giving her a deeper bow. She sighed. ''Please all stand up quickly. The floor is hot. And you two stop going on sunshine. I mean it is so burning hot... How thoughtless of me. Let's hurry up in the Great Hall so you all can escape the great sun as well. Come one. Hurry Hua Roulan.''

Hua Roulan felt suddenly how her body was pulled by such a small person and felt like banner flying in the wind. What is going on here? How strong is this little woman? With fascination, she stared at Liu Mei's face as she rushed towards Main Hall.