New World's Empress

Liu Mei stood there waiting for her to continue speaking when she saw on Hua Roulan's face peculiar smile. ''My little cutie. What do you think about our Emperor? Don't you find him attractive?''

Liu Mei at first just blinked in confusion but soon her cheeks dyed red and she puffed her cheeks. ''You little imp. What are you implying? I just met the man. How can I know what I feel about him? Wait let me get you...''

Hua Roulan escaped out of her clutches while Chun Momo laughed at their playfulness. She turned her eyes towards Xiao Ran. ''Your mistress has a big heart. Such words from servant no concubine in this palace could hear. Your duty is to teach both of them when and how to speak.''

Liu Mei heard her words and shook her head. ''Chun Momo is wrong.''

The old woman looked at her in astonishment. ''How am I wrong?''

''When we are private, we are private. I know that I have to learn many things and I am grateful to whoever comes to teach me the palace etiquette. There is no reason for me to disgrace the teacher that will come by acting impossible in front of everyone. But when we close that big door, I can be me, or not?'' Her words were spoken calmly but with a smile.

Xiao Ran sighed. Actually, her mistress is rarely this playful. If she could open up more and be happy, that wouldn't be a bad thing.

Chun Momo smiled. ''Every mansion has its own rules, that is true but we still need to close the door before losing the propriety.''

Liu Mei nodded as she slowly approached her with slow steps. ''I am not a foolish woman, Chun Momo. The moment I steppe inside this place I knew that nothing will be the same as before. For me, the position of Empress is not as important as the face of the country. Even if I stay small concubine for the rest of my life but can live comfortably here, not bothered by other women, I will be content. From my side, I can do only a little. I will, later on, make praying hall where I will bow my head and pray for a change of weather and wellbeing of the people. That is who I am. But this is as well who I am. I like to smile, to laugh and make people around me happy. But that doesn't mean I plan to be disrespectful towards the rules in the palace and go all wild. That would be really disgraceful.''

Chun Momo was surprised by her words. ''But where am I wrong then?''

''From the moment that door closed everyone, including the two of you, became my people. If you are straightforward but not disrespectful I will be the same. Outside these doors, we are mistresses and servants, but inside we can all be friendly to each other. After all, we have to live together, for a very long, long time. I have no intention to be stiff the whole time. That is way too stressful. I want to relax and joke, sing, dance, run around. No one can see me accept you all. So what am I afraid of? As long no one speaks, no one will know. But when I choose to do something, do not talk back. Just do it. You will know when I order you to do something and when I hope you will do it. It's two completely different things.''

Chun Mome didn't know what to say. ''This is your place. Your order we will respect.''

Liu Mei nodded. ''I hope to get someone benevolent that could teach me everything I need to know. I do not wish my family to lose face if I make a mistake. Chun Momo, couldn't you teach me ways of the palace?''

She shook her head. ''Young miss, it is not that I don't want, its that I cant. I was always a gardener. Someone who worked in the outer yard. I love this place because I could live so far peacefully. But to teach you, I cant. Soon one old friend of mine will arrive. Just be as you are, she will like you.''

Suddenly voice resounded behind them. ''Sister Chun? Is this where you hid? We live in the same place already for many decades but we see each other again now. How have you been?''

Older woman with the help of her helpers arrived in front of Chun Momo with excitement. The two women had tears in their eyes as they held their hands together.

''Wang Momo. I heard you came back to place after your husband died. I hoped to see you, but you were so busy that I gave up. Someone told me that this place will get a new mistress so I knew I will see you definitely again. How have you been?'' Chun Momo held Wang Momo's hands and sniffled while staring at her wrinkled but happy face.

''I have been good. Last Empress gave me permission to marry a man that I had feelings for. We have been married for so long and I couldn't come back. Now he is dead and I have been called one more time. Xue Momo died while ago and I was left one of the oldest etiquette Momos. have no idea why the young Emperor asked me to come back. I could see many reliable people inside the palace, but they called old women like me.'' She looked up and saw two young women standing there with a smile on their faces.

Chun Momo softly pulled her hand towards the girls and introduced the girls to Wang Momo. ''These are miss Liu Mei and Hua Roulan.''

Wang Momo knew exactly who is who but seeing their polite bows and open smile her heart warmed. ''Good, good. The two of you are maybe our chance to warm his Highness up.''

Hua Roulan suddenly jumped back almost scaring Wang Momo. ''Please take those words back, Wang Momo. I promised to be a guard for our miss Liu Mei. Even the Emperor granted me that wish. The Emperor's woman in this palace is only Liu Mei.''

She has no wish to be included in their little games against the Emperor. Better standing here and guarding this cutie.

Wang Momo started laughing about her expressions and antics. ''Are you sure? Later you cant regret it. To be concubines guard you have to learn conduct as well. Looking at a relaxed atmosphere she probably will let you all play around. That is fine, but not outside. To mane snakes wiggling outside this door. Understood?''

Hua Roulan stopped being childish and stood behind Liu Mei with a serious expression and nodded. '' Understood.''

Wang Momo turned her eyes and scrutinized the dress Liu Mei wore. ''There is not only conduct. We have a dressing code as well. Your servants will learn about that. Please be kind to wear appropriate clothes outside your garden.''

Liu Mei noded as well with tiny ''Yes'' making Wang Momo get happy. She is an uncut precious stone. If she could shape her bit more, she would be worthy of him.

Liu Mei felt her eyes looking at every inch of her body and just stood there calmly, waiting. Most of the palace personnel could tell many things as they watched.