New World's Empress

They all went in and saw the Emperor have a difficult expression. ''I know that for all of you it's hard, but we MUST find an APPROPRIATE title for miss Liu. So Anyone has a suggestion? Serious suggestion please.''

What could they do? Liu Mei was someone who might have a small price or princess in her belly and her background is quite strong. They can't give her a simple title. So again the argument started.

General Hua just sat there and scratched his head. He pushed nearby Liu Shen and pointed ta crows. ''Were like this before I came?''

Liu Shen sipped a bit of his tea and just nodded.

''No wonder you aren't saying a thing. So what is your wish for your sister?'' He came closer and winked at him.

Liu Shen's lips twitched as he literally saw Gereal Hua's whole face in front of him. ''Just to be happy. She lived such a hard life. I just wish for her to be happy.''

General Hua rolled his eyes. ''And you think she can be happy if you stay quiet while these people chose her future? Do you want her to be stabbed to death until you realize how dangerous this place is?''

Liu Shen pressed his lips. ''I am just waiting for at least a few people in that group to start voicing the right title to hit the hammer and accept it.''

General Hua nodded. ''I understand.''

He stood up and went to his friends. Suddenly a clamor could be heard from behind. ''She can't be named Empress! Why not? She has my family and old nobles as background!''

An old minister shook his head. ''Emperor said it will take some time to make sure before he chose Empress. But concubine name is out the question as well!''

''Concubine!? She is the firstborn of Liu's family. One of the oldest noble families and she can't Empress. If she can't who do you plan to put as Empress? On of those concubine borns that came to the palace or maybe those from a second or third line from lower nobles? How laughable. Are you looking down on this country?'' General Hua roared so loud that most servants outside stepped back and felt as they just should escape.

The old minister Baolu shook and got quiet and after some time the became silent while he started walking up and down. He worked in the ministry of rites and was thinking while walking. ''General Hua is right. Hmm. Is there precedence? Let me think...''

The more he walked the quieter the room became until he suddenly stopped. ''Three centuries ago similar case happened. But at that time seven noble daughters from old families were gathered in the palace. The Emperor had no other way than to leave the Empress position for one year. Until then those with high noble names became Imperial Noble Consorts. Year after he chose one of the consorts after many tests and made her Empress while he gave the other five grand names. He chose never to have concubines as it was too bothersome even with those six.''

He turned his eyes towards Emperor. ''Mis Liu's standing is quite high. We can't give her to low title neither we can proclaim her Empress. In the next one year, many things might change. So my recommendation is to give her a Imperial Noble Consort title as a trial. The others should be made automatically into Nobel Consorts as there are anyway any concubines and they would have chance to become Imperial consorts if they prove themself worth.''

Hearing his words all those that counted their money already had made plans. So they just weakly protested and then stopped. They looked at Emperor that had a difficult expression.

''Seriously? I actually planned to give her Noble Consort name but feard your rage. I don't know...'' He looked at Liu Shen and waved his hand for him to approach. ''Tell me, what do you think?''

Liu Shen sighed. ''I am grateful for such high title but I fear that some people might overthink things. Minister Baoulu of the Ministry of Rites has some points and should just proceed with all the tests. I am not sure if she can pass or not. The other girls had more knowledge than her even tho she is older. Who knows. There might be one of them that can surpass her and become Empress. It's not out the question. After all, they are Noble Consorts. They still have a chance.''

Emperor happily clapped his hands. ''Yes! Lord Liu has right. I think as well there might be some of them who might rise the ranks. But ministers I might lower ranks as well if they do something wrong, including miss Liu's. Do not poke your fingers into my business or I might cut them off. This is the first and last time I will consider your thoughts. After that, everything will lie in their own ability and my own wishes and considerations. Understood?''

Of course, they happily accepted as they heard that Liu Mei might lose her position at any time. So that was his idea. Just putting her high up for old nobles names and then maybe she will just become simple Consort. Their faces became bright and as they left they happily chatted with another like nothing bad happened so far.

Behind was left only General Hua as Liu Shen was between fist people leaving as he didn't want to be asked questions by others. He looked at the back of the people and sighed. ''You are quite mischievous, Emperor. I guess I should go conquer a few more lands in surrounding to give you some work to do.''

Emperor jumped as stung by something. ''Don't you dare! After so long time the country is peaceful and I can finally become bit happier. No wars! If you are so bored should I send you to the sea and you can fight sea pirates?''

General Hua was famous on the field but weak on sh.i.p.s. This big man paled as he thought about all those waves. ''No thank you.'' And rushed out while he heard Laughter haling behind him. ''Naughty.''

Emperor smiled for a few moments longer but then became serious. The country at the moment was hit but such a big dry period that he was worried about the future of it. Just when he was thinking a dusty man stepped in front fo great hall and asked for an audience.

''Enter.'' His heart became heavy as he saw the tiered face. ''What happened. Anyone attacked us?''

The man coughed and shook his face. Emperor waved his hand and servants quickly brought some water for him to drink. He then slowly bowed in front of the Emperor and rose his head with shiny eyes. ''Emperor. It is happening...''