New World's Empress

Liu Mei came with slow and steady steps just like thought by Xiao Ran and deeply bowed in front of everyone. ''Lowly commoner Liu Mei greeting Empress Dowager, Royal Empress, noble ladies.''

Then she stepped aside to let others give greetings. All four of them showed their prettiest bow and smile while gracefully greeting everyone presented. But then saw that Liu Mei still stood aside but in deep bow their heart got cold.

The old rule in the palace is that they have to stay bowed until someone tells them to stop. So what happened was a sudden silence and uncomfortably bow.

Luckily had tenacious nature and was eating last few months well so standing there in the uncomfortable bow was nothing. Only tiny drops of sweat could be seen on her face, but her smile and posture didn't waver or change even by a little bit.

Unfortunately for the other three that had pampered life since they were born, it was harder on them. After a long time standing in an uncomfortable position, all four of them started stumbling and shake from the pressure, but they couldn't even voice their complaint. They could only endure until they choose to have it done. But the time prolonged and standing there in a certain position was becoming harder and harder.

Suddenly a pop could be heard and one of the servants rushed to help. He Ying pouted but still stood up and stubbornly went back to her posture. But no matter how uncomfortable they might feel, the standing continued for a long time.

The sun started lowering down when a bunch of servants entered and brought some food to everyone. With the help of servants, everyone ate quietly. Not even hit of the plates or spoons could be heard as they have been served. Not only that, not even chewing or swallowing could be heard from noble ladies while the five women stood there.

Suddenly strange noise came from Ning Xiaoqings stomach. As she smelled the food she realized how hungry she was. Of course, she didn't expect she would have to stay here such a long time. The longer they ate the louder noises came making a few noblewoman snickers.

But sudden bang scared them all and silence appeared again.

Empress Dowager looked across the room and saw again everyone calm while pointing her finger at Rong Hou. "How disgraceful. As punishment, you will not eat dinner. One of my maids will go with you there and stay until morning to make sure you don't eat one bite of food. The rest of you can eat but as your bearings were not at my liking, you will walk back. Now go."

She waved her hand and dismissed them. No other words were spoken.

Liu Mei bowed towards the two women and then to noblewomen and with bowed head walked out without a bit of complaint. At the door, her back straightened as she walked out.

The rest of them had given greetings with already wobbly legs and walked out as well, making really sorry figures. In their hearts, they lamented about such strange punishment not knowing what they did wrong.

Xiao Ran held her hand from one side and Hua Roulan from the other side. They could feel in their hands how her body slightly shook by each step but his posture never showed that. With confidence and at the same time elegant steps she walked back to her place.

All the servants gained another level of respect for this woman. Even the servants that passed showed respectful expression and bow when she passed. Behind her group were not aligned people then bunch of women that barely could keep their steps without falling.

Rong Hou looked at the back of their heads with burning eyes. ''I hate her. I wish she could just drop dead and die.'' Unfortunately for her few palace servants just passed by and heard her saying that loudly and jumped in fright. How can such a young woman be so poisonous?

They didn't even bother to greet her properly and just sped their steps as they didn't even wish to be near her. Definitely a huge difference. As they turned around they could see the first group turning around the corner and sighed.

One of the girls nibbled her lips and made a decision. ''I heard they are looking for servants for all of them. I have a friend and will ask him to send me to miss Liu. No matter if she is liked by the Emperor or not, I would more like to be by her side even in the cursed palace then by the side of that girl in main palace. I heard miss Liu is benevolent to her servants and as we anyway will live all our lives in the palace, at least we need a proper master that won't harm us. What do you girls think? Does anyone want to come with me? Later I won't b able to help you, this is your only chance.''

The girl next to her shook her head. ''Liling, I wish to be with you forever but I am really scared of that place.''

Liling took her hand and chuckled. ''You are foolish Bai Bao. I am going there definitely as I am sure that nothing bad can happen to such a good person if she has enough people by her side to protect her. Look even Xiao Ran is by her side. Remember that child? She is the fifth level officer and chose to be her personal servant of the first degree. Our lives might not be there very comfortable, but not bad I am somehow completely sure.''

Bai Bao looked at her confident face and then smiled. ''Then sign me in as well. Let's hope she will take us.''

One shy voice behind them could be heard and both girls turned around. A small girl stood there and looked at them with shiny eyes. ''Can I come as well? I am not afraid of ghosts. I like that lady somehow. Even if she wears serious expression but her aura seems to exclude kindness, somehow it feels warm. I want to be her servant as well. No matter if I am even a water maid there, please take me.''

The two girls looked at each other and nodded. ''What is your name?''

''Fa Shu. You can call me Xiao Shu.'' She blinked ta them cutely.

The three girls looked at the rest of the group that gathered and saw the rest of them stepping back or shaking their heads. Liling just shrugged, who don't want its fine. She was about to leave when she heard someone's steps quickly arriving.

A small boy in servant clothes heaved heavily as he stepped in front of her. ''I heard your words and was about to leave but realized who you are talking about. Count me in. I will join as well. Definitely.''

Liling nodded. She already knew that boy from long before. Their families knew each other and so she met him a few times to send him messages from his parents.

''Hong Yu, wanna come with me as well? What about your current master?'' He served at one of the big palaces.

He scratched his head. ''I broke too many pots so they asked me to leave. Since last night I have no duty and if I don't find something soon they might send me to water duty. I fear I will lose my little life there. You know I have two left hands and right feet. If I wear water pots they will kill me for breaking them all...'' He sighed while girls that were stills standing there listened and laughed out loud.

Everyone knew how clumsy he is. Only LIling knew that he pretended to be so he could get out those main palaces. Those places are really dangerous and luckily he got just simple jobs few weeks ago, but after making so much trouble he was beaten up many times and now kicked out. That is good as well.

She nodded. ''Good, let's go to the Office and sign in for post and later we can go to their gate and ask them to ask for us as well. I do not think many servants would want to join in anyway.''

The group of servants dispersed but before that, they looked at four uneven children and shook heir heads about their decision. Going to that cursed place is like offering the soul directly to the devil...