New World's Empress

''Happening?'' Emperor's heart suddenly jumped. ''Really?''

The tiered man nodded. ''The constellation changed finally. Something happened last night and it changed. The Elder told me now everything will be good.''

He bowed one more time and then suddenly fainted. He was rushing from the monastery on top of the mountain by foot as no horses could be found at that time. The worst was the dryness everywhere. He couldn't get anywhere even one bit of water and when he came to the city, the sun was already high and burning down on anyone and anything.

Emperor ordered the physician to take care of him well while he rushed back to his chamber to let Liu Mei know the good news but suddenly halted. Not yet. Until it is really confirmed he will not say anything and just be around her. But he has to see her if nothing else just for a little bit. He has so much work to do. But for a short amount of time he needs to reenergize again.

When he came closer to his place he could see everyone standing in shadows while laughter could be heard from inside. he stopped outside and when servants wanted to announce his arrival he put finger on his mouth. ''Shhhhhh.''

Inside Liu Mei just woke up and wanted to stand up but her legs were too wobbly so Hua Roulan helped her to refresh a bit. When she came back the girls looked ta her meaningfully so she started getting fl.u.s.tered. ''What? You have nothing better to do?''

She turned to Hua Roulan that snickered behind her back and smiled suddenly. ''It seems you have much energy left. I heard that soldiers by the Emperor's side are quite energetic. Literally. Are you sure you want to marry one of them?''

Hua Roulan blushed suddenly. ''Miss, you are mean! I... I am going out to see if everything is fine with the surroundings. Lately, too many flies are getting closer to you.'' She turned around and just on the door almost collided with Emperor that stared at her with a huge smile.

At first, she was so perplexed that she forgot her manners then she heard a cough behind the Emperor's back and bowed. But she was still standing in his way so a hand cooped her to the side while she heard a chuckle.

''Your woman is really a handful. It seems you really need to work hard for this.'' Then she saw a long yellow robe passing her eyes and when he left a same hand grabbed her and dragged her out.

She just followed until out and then pushed hand and man attached to it away with a cold expression. ''Thank you for helping me this time around, but do not come close ever again. I gave up on you. Miss is right, men are everywhere and I am not that ugly to have to run after any. It is enough to ask my father to find me, proper marriage partner when the time comes. Love... how useless if it is not reciprocated.''

She turned her head to check on everyone and narrowed her eyes. ''Again those people. If you could do some of your own work it would make more sense. Look those people again came to bother Liu Mei. This is third time since this morning.'' She pointed at the bunch of young women that attire as there was a grand party.

He changed his face when he saw them and nodded. ''I will take care of them and then we will talk.''

Hua Roulan shook her head. ''No need for that. I do not need your pity. Yes, I acted like a crazy person but came to my senses again. I do still have feelings for you. But I will kill them slowly. I just need some time. So do not worry. I will not bother you again. Now would you excuse me? I need to get back in.'' She bowed slightly and went inside, leaving him completely dazed.

But looking at those people getting near he scrunched his eyebrows. ''How daring. It seems they have really no brains. This is not their backyard where they can walk as they wished. I need to make sure they won't do this again.''

With straight back and long steps, he approached them slowly taking his sword out. When other soldiers saw him doing that they too their swords out a swell and pointed at frightened women.

''Who are you and what do you think this place is?!'' He growled at them lowly as unknown anger about his talk to Hua Roulan came. '

''We are His Highness women in waiting. On of our sisters had honor to be by his side last night so we came to visit her.'' One of them voiced shyly looking at him while blinking coyly.

''Do you have something with your eyes? No wonder by the pound of make up you have. Anyway, this is not a place for simple women to come. Do you girls even know why you are called ladies in waiting? Because that is what you have to do...wait. Sit still in your rooms, learn propriety form Momo and wait. It seems I need to teach you all lesson. Bench and stick!'' He called and suddenly people brought two benches and four sticks.

He pointed at the women and ordered. ''Each of them gets ten sticks if they curse me twenty sticks if they curse palace or Emperor hundred sticks. Lets he who dares to come to Emperrs private rooms without his call again!''

The girls suddenly paled, one of them even faked fainting but soldiers didn't care so they dragged her to the bench and started beating her up. Ten sticks might not be a lot but for young pampered lady the pain was unimaginable.

After one set of females are finished they were thrown off the bench and the other women were dragged as well. Their accessories flew around while their personal servants tried to save at least some not to be trampled.

Only the two sisters stepped forward and laid down themselves. When they stood up their faces were pale and their feet wobbly but they didn't complain or nothing then just held onto their servants and walked back out. Unfortunately for those that laid on the floor they were dragged by the hair from soldiers and just threw on the floor outside the main gate. On the end, their servants picked them up on their backs and took them to their rooms to heal.

At the same time Liu Mei was sitting in bed still dazed and was complaining. ''Emperor, it is time for me to go back. Please. I can't sleep here to many people are bothering me, and I am not talking about those girls only. In my place, I can finally sleep.''

He patted her head and shook his own. ''You can't go back to your home as it will be a bit changed. Just a tiny bit. Tomorrow. You can go back tomorrow.''

She pouted but then saw his eyes and pulled up the blanket. ''You... it's daytime. What is in your head?'' Her face became blushed while she leaned forward and whispered.

He whispered back as he came closer to her as well. ''My dear, it seems we have some thoughts. So I will come back tonight, as that is your wish. See you later.'' He stood up and strolled out with bi smile, leaving Liu Mei completely speechless.

''When did I say... That man... Whoa...'' She patted her c.h.e.s.t as she suddenly realized that she fell into his trap. ''I am truly stupid. Seriously.''

The girls in room all had red faces. Of course, they could hear what they whispered as the room had a slight echo. Too bad Liu Mei had no idea. Or better said, good she had no idea.

Xiao Ran came closer and brought her the medicine. ''Miss, this is medicine for your health. Please drink it. After this, you will feel much comfortable.'' On one hand, she had medicine and on the other hand a plate with sweets.

Liu Mei changed her face but knew that Xiao Ran wouldn't give her some random stuff so she drank medicine in one go and stuffed mouth full of sweets. The bitterness didn't dissipate quite a while and when it started feeling more comfortable and sweetness in the mouth, Liu Mei as well started feeling sleepy.

She yawned and cuddled back into blankets. ''I will sleep a bit. Wake me up when its time to...'' But then her even breaths could be heard.

Xiao Ran touched her forehead and sighed. ''At least no fever. Tell the kitchen to prepare a light meal for our miss. She still is fasting so no meats, eggs or anything animal-based. I wish rain will come soon so I can feed her some meat. She s too thin now.''

Hua Roulan came closer and nodded. ''I really wish we could cook her some meat, but she is way to stubborn. Let's truly hope that the rain will come soon. A d that Emperor would not exaggerate again. She is all blue already.''

Xiao Ran sighed. ''We can't control that. Let's hope he will change his target soon so our miss can get some rest.''

Hua Roulan nodded. ''That is not a bad idea.'' Actually most of the servants here were Emperor's private servants but hearing them saying such words, each one of them became astonished. They do not wish that the Emperor often visits their miss? This was the first time.

When Empress Dowager heard their inner talks she started laughing loudly. ''That boy has acc.u.mulated too much vigor. Poor Liu Mei. Should we send him someone else to save her?''

But she already knew that he wouldn't accept so she just rolled her eyes. ''Actually, his father was like that as well. We were at least a few more so he was not every day around us. His choice to have her as his only woman, I understand. But will she be able to handle it?''

They all sighed and hoped that she will. Knowing the Emperor's stubborn nature...