14 Chapter 14

Once inside the throne room, she was brought to stand before the emperor's throne. He had an impressed look on his face, it was a shame he could not punish Shen Yu so he felt like he should make it up to the young miss who was pushed into the pond and the lady who had helped bring her justice.

"Lady Liu, you displayed an impressive thirst for justice, I would like to reward you, what would you like?"

Liu Jilian was not stupid enough to actually ask for something from the emperor, "Anything your majesty bestows, it is this servant's blessing to receive." Her father smiled.

"I heard you will be meeting the Monk Solomon in a few months, If you return victorious I will give you a big reward." She frowned, she was acutely aware of the fact that no one from their country had won in the arts in the last few competitions, it has always been a Han. "I shall look forward to it your majesty." She was given a small chest of gold coins before she was ushered out with her father who looked at her proudly. She couldn't help but smile at his approval, whether it was in this life or the next the thing she loved the most apart form boys and books is making her parents happy.

She was in a really good mood when she went home, so she went to pay respects to her stepmother, she made sure to change to a set of white clothes and cook a vegetarian meal for her before going to visit her in her courtyard.

"Madam, the young miss is here again" The madam nodded, she was not sure why this girl had decided to act like a daughter of a sudden, she had made her people spy on her but they were unable to dig up any ulterior motives, but she could not help but put up her guard. The meal was served on silver plates to alleviate her paranoia and the little girl served her with a bright smile like a puppy hoping to be praised.

"How was the banquet?"

Asking that question was like opening a dam, all the information just spilt out in a wave of excitement as she explained what happened and she even brought the chest to show her, WuBai couldn't help but laugh at her excitement, this stepdaughter she hated was rather cute sometimes, she had deducted some money from the chest but gave the rest to her to play with, WuBai couldn't help but feel like she was a real daughter fulfilling her filial piety. She suddenly felt a bit sad at the loss of her own daughter but pushed on listening to the young girl's babbling.

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"How exhausting" Liu Jilian groaned as she plopped down on her recliner taking over her white outer cloak, she still had to get ready to sort through the employees her father had brought in for her to look at, honestly she would rather just be bored than be this busy and preoccupied. It can't be helped, it's better to please the stepmother so she doesn't seek revenge out of anger, she was in charge of the harem so if something happened to her she was afraid there would be no evidence to prove it, thinking of the cruel tricks stepmother played in those books she used to read in her past life she shivered in fear.

She allowed her servants to change her as she looked blankly at her pretty reflection in the mirror, if she was in the modern world with these looks she'd be aiming to be the greatest gold digger in her country, wouldn't that be lucrative?

"All of you step out here and give me a summary of your career so far" The people standing in front of her were dressed smartly and were pleasant to look at, if she decided to make a beauty parlour it only made sense that her employees would also be pretty.

consequently, it took her an entire evening to sort them out and assign roles and hand out instructions and contracts, it was enough work to make her regret trying to be financially independent.

"Brother is coming home?" She frowned when she heard the news, this brother of hers was angry at her for lashing out at his maid lover, she wondered how she should deal with him, should she just avoid him?

"I think it's best to avoid him"

"young miss..." Mei li's disappointment was evident in her reply, but honestly avoiding him would save her some trouble.

"I'm tired, leave me be." Mei li lingered a little before bowing to leave, Liu JiLian walked to the window to look at the moon, it was beautiful as always. She closed her eyes and thought of her past, before opening up her journal to write a few more memories down, she felt her smile turn bitter as she remembered her past life, she really missed her family and her best friend. It was ironic, throughout that life she only wanted to die, and now she actually wants to go back and embrace her parents. Come to think of it autumn was just around the corner, if it were the past her she would have already started looking forward to Christmas, she let out a quiet laugh as she felt her eyes sting and well up with tears. She closed her eyes to hum to herself, she couldn't even remember the lyrics but she could remember the feelings she felt listening to this song, she wondered if she would be able to make a snowman if winter came. She closed the book and headed to her inner chambers, lying down in the foetal position, she closed her eyes and wished her family goodnight, "Don't forget me".

The next day was very much like this one but with a surprise visit from her father as well as some interesting news from the outside world.