2 Chapter 2

"First young miss, You have been invited to meet the Emperor!" The maid bowed according to protocol and the two lower-class maids behind her also bowed. Liu JiLian was smart enough to notice the difference in clothes and appearance of the three women.

The woman that spoke first was slightly older with very light makeup on her face showing that she was probably a higher level servant than the two girls behind whose faces were tanned.

Liu JiLian didn't even have a chance to speak the two girls quickly walked in closing the doors behind them and helping her stand up. They had brought two small chests with them, one with Jewelry and one with beautiful silk robes.

She didn't pay any more attention to the females but rather she focused on steadying her breathing, asthma was a bitch and this was the worst time period to be born with such a disease. She was unsure of how this world reacted to such illnesses, raising her hands she watched the girls as they dressed her in stark purple silk and silver jewellery, she stopped when she thought she looked pretty enough before letting them powder her face which she stopped as well when it was getting too white.

She had a vague idea of how white skin was treated in this world, but she truly felt that her skin was already as pale as snow, it looked like she never went outside.

Liu JiLian was actually beautiful, she had an elegant aura that had followed from her last life. Steadying her breath she followed the women out to the garden, it was spring and so she had requested a veil to prevent particles from worsening her asthma.

The scenery outside was absolutely breathtaking.

A small calm stream flowing under a stone bridge leading up to a small pond with koi fish, on each side of the stream, where beautiful flowers of varying colours were planted with a few large trees dotted around, it was really liberating and made her eyes light up.

In the distance was a large patio made out of silver and obsidian with emerald doves decorating the walls with ivy vines twisting around the columns, a young man sat underneath it with a few officials outside the patio along with a delicate young girl, beautiful.

She was absolutely stunning, Liu JiLian was barely as gorgeous as the girl who had even captured her heart. She carried herself with pride and walked up to who she assumed was the emperor considering his high quality of dressing along with the odd headgear, she bowed.

"May the Emperor live till God deems it appropriate!"

The maids who had followed her grimaced as their heads remained low to the ground; she really had no sense of propriety, uneducated and crude!

"Older sister, for the legitimate young miss to not know the most basic greeting, it seems like you have picked up some bad habits from the people you surround yourself with," she wasn't even willing to hide her intentions, calling her scum that associated herself with questionable people. The officials didn't speak, in this situation, it was not their place to correct the girl.

Liu JiLian did not speak but instead, she ignored the ignorant child who looked no older than thirteen, she had barely reached puberty yet she could run her sharp tongue, it was oddly scary to see how much this world had shaped her.

Her attention turned to the Emperor who's light hazel eyes caught hers and mesmerized her, she averted her gaze and closed her eyes as she allowed an awkward silence to settle, she was not willing to speak unless spoken to by someone important least she dug a hole for herself.

Liu Wen's smile did not waver and she instead looked at Liu JiLian kindly and confused as to why her older sister was refusing to acknowledge her; fortunately, Prime minister Liu was also under the patio as it was improper to not accompany his daughters as they met the Emperor. It was unfortunate that Liu JiLian did not notice he was indeed her father as he stood next to another man that was actually much younger than him.

"Wen Quian!" Her father barked harshly at the girl before turning to kowtow to the Emperor. "Your majesty, please forgive my daughter if she has offended you in any way..." Liu JiLian glanced at her 'father', a tall handsome man in his mid-forties that seemed like a retired military veteran. As soon as she noticed him she felt compelled to respect his every word.

"I am unoffended Minister Liu, please let your daughter sit down with us."

Liu JiLian followed suit and sat down quickly and stared at her cup, she did not know what to say or what to do and the silence was awkward for her too.

The rest of the afternoon was spent awkwardly drinking tea and ignoring any questions thrown at her, she spent her efforts focusing on controlling her breathing so her asthma would not get out of control. The Emperor finished his teas and stood up, seeing her sister stand up too Liu JiLian also stood unsure of what was happening.

"Thanking the first young miss for your company."

Liu JiLian bowed her head slightly and stood with her sister as the Emperor walked away she realized she really had to go back and try and deal with her asthma before she passes out. She held on to the servant's hand who brought her out and attempted to return.

"Older sister are you ok?"

Liu JiLian looked at the younger girl's pretty face and turned away unwilling to associate with her, she needed time to process and gather knowledge of what happened.

She consoled herself by telling herself it was ok, she was alone in this world and she was unsure of her situation, she was unwilling to do anything stupid so till then she would not speak.

Conserve your energy and deal with it, she needed to secure a good alleviation for asthma.

She listened silently to the stream that faded into the background.