New World's Empress

As they walked out the Great Hall the four girls looked jealously at Liu Mei. They knew nothing could have changed if they complained, but they couldn't get rid of the discomfort they felt while staring at her graceful body and calm walking in from of them.

"How is it even possible that she will have even a chance to become Empress?'' Roulan Hou couldn't even wait to rip this woman apart.

They all were at least a bit reluctant to marry Emperor as they head so many strange and scary stories about him. But when they saw his perfect face and his beautiful smile, they all felt their hearts pound.

And now what? That woman will be the first? How does that make even sense? Is heaven getting crazy?

Her words were heard by Hua Roulan and she was about to snap when Liu Mei held her hand. ''Sweetie, if you really want me to live long here you have to handle your temper. The biggest danger is not the sword or knife than those that are hidden in shadows and looking at us. You have to learn when to jump to help me and when just to be my shield. Those words are nothing, just a little girl that has a temper. Think of them as small children that didn't get their favorite toy.'' Her whisper entered Hua Roulan's ears. But what the four behind saw is Hua Roulan glancing at them with a smirk and turning her head around again.

Of course, the fire in Roulan Hou ignited into a blaze and with quick steps, she approached Liu Mei's back. ''You old woman stop right now for me!''

Liu Mei suddenly stopped and stared at the huffing young woman in front of her. The adornments that she wore seemed to be worth a lot of money but unfortunately, her face was splashed with all kinds of strange colors and powders, making her look like a clown more than a young woman.

Her sigh was heard by Roulan Hou that started snickering wickedly. ''Liu Mei you are just a widow. What is the point of thinking about propriety in the palace? There is no need to wear hat here in the palace. Now you can comfortably take it off.''

Her hands reached for her hat bu suddenly she felt pain on her wrist. She completely forgot Hua Roulan in her fury. As Hua Roulan squeezed her arm she yelped. ''Ahhh, you are breaking my arm. Help! This wicked creature is rebellious and wants to kill the Emperor's concubine!''

Hua Roulan just pushed her to the ground and snorted. ''You should be careful about what you say. Number one, my Liu Mei has s.e.n.s.i.t.i.v.e skin, she does not wish to become dark like a soldier. Number two if she wants people to see her she will let them see her, it is not on you to order her around. Number three I was appointed by Emperor himself as her guard, have some respect and one more thing you are not yet his concubine. If you do something wrong, he might even kick you out the palace, just like other women.''

Roulan Hou stopped her cries when she heard her words. She looked at nearby standing Lei Li and could see her slight nod. It seems she really was reckless this time. Her servants rushed to help her up and she started yelling at them.

'' You couldn't even hold me tight. Wait until we arrive. I will handle you all well.'' She rose her hand and was about to hit her when Lei Li approached her and shook her head.

''Don't be foolish. Do you think your actions won't be reported to the Emperor?'' She slowly put down her hand and looked at Liu Mei's back. She had to admit, sometimes brains were really not well given. If her father didn't ask her to keep her eye on this girl, she would have already run away from her, fast.

Unfortunately, those two men had their own ideas and she was just a concubine born child, what can she say. With a sigh, she patted Roulan Hou and smiled. ''Did you forget all that palace momo taught us? You can't lose face for your family. Come, let's see where did they give us dormitories. Maybe we are close to each other.'' So I can keep my eyes on you so you don't get in trouble.

He Ying and He Jing just looked at each other and sarcastic smiles came on their faces for a moment but by the time Roulan Hou started walking their faces turned again into flattering expressions. ''Miss Liu Mei is really obnoxious. How can she be so cruel to young girls like us? She is nothing like they said. Actually she is quite a cruel person. If people outside knew her real appearance, who knows what would happen.''

Roulan Hou suddenly stopped and smiled at them. ''Yes, who would know what would happen to her reputation, right?'' Lei Li just glanced at them but said nothing.

In front of them, the group of people followed the servant that was giving everyone their own dormitories. Strangely Liu Mei's group was a long way ahead. The other four snickered. ''They are sending her to the Forgotten Sun? How does she even count as a future Empress? That place has been abandoned for so long.''

Miss Liu Li and Roulan Hou had to live together as well He Ying and He Jing not further away. Only Liu Mei was given her own space, but they were not jealous of it, at all.

The stories about Forgotten Sun's place were quite horrifying. Many people died at that place and so it counted as ghost palace. In old times it was the best place to be, but after the old Emperor killed his brother and all his concubines in that place, no woman wanted to live there. It is said it has been abandoned for almost a century.

Ning Xiaoqing felt her heart beat fast as she approached that place. She felt unwilling to go there and it could be seen clearly on her face. The servant approached her and bowed politely.

''Miss Ning should follow me to guest dormitories. You can't enter miss Liu's place without Emperors' permission. He ordered that you wait until he gives you permission to speak to her again. He told me to tell you. Long thongs might get cut, open your mouth the head will roll...'' In other words, do not speak carelessly in the font of Liu Mei.

She understood and felt fear squeeze her stomach. He was one of the people that did what they said, no matter the woman or not, he will cut off he thong or her head if she is careless.

She bowed politely to the servant and nod her head. ''I understand.'' Then she turned her head towards the two women that stood in front of the gate and bowed as will with a sorrowful smile.

''I hope to see you soon, miss Liu Mei. I really need to learn many things from you.'' Her words were not emotion filled like in Great Hall but still carried a great sense of urgency.

Liu Mei politely bowed back. ''I understand. I will ask His Highness to let us see each other soon. Wait a bit until he gives me permission.''

Ning Xiaoqing bowed again and turned to walk away with her servant while relaxing slowly. She whispered to her servant under her breath. ''At least I do not have to set my feet inside. That's a horrifying place.''

Her servant glanced back at the big door that creaked open and her back became cold as well. ''Come, mistress, lets hurry. This place is not auspicious at all. It is scary indeed.''

The two women speed up away not realizing what great mistake they made, horrible mistake...