36. The Edict
The very next day the announcement was posted all over the town. People stopped in front of it and shook their heads.
"The Emperor announcing it:
Trough the pressure from my people and my dear ministers, I am pushed to choose an Empress. No matter how much I searched, there was not even one who could bear a child for me. So I choose to look for myself this time. A wise elder gave me a prediction that a simple woman that loves people and our country will bring prosperity to our people.
I would like to ask the people to choose this time. If you have someone you think has a good heart, loves people and is worthy of me, please send me a letter. But be aware, the survival of this country depends on her. If I don't find a worthy woman, the weather will become even worse.
Everything hangs on you, my people..."
What kind of unreasonable Emperor he was, everyone knew. Taking hundreds of women and then sending them home, everyone knew that. But what kind of woman could be worthy?
Strange silence occurred. The weather became even hotter and cries for help even louder. The Emperor even fainted as he tried to stay awake and pray for rain. But there was one more person.
Everyone suddenly found out about the Liu family's members. Brother and sister. And the sister was the one that did everything just to help people.
Everything started to fit, so huge waves of letters suddenly flooded the palace. Old families that didn't want their daughters inside the palace sent recommendations.
Liu Mei, the sister of Liu Shen.
The Emperor smirked as he could see a couple more recommendations. If that is what it takes to bring her in, then he'll take them all.
Soon the Emperor's Decrees were sent out to the different houses.
The new announcement was plastered on the walls again.
"The Emperor's announcement:
After considerations of multiple choices, I chose to bring them all in. If even one is to become the mother of the nation and help the people survive, I, the Emperor, will give up any other women in this lifetime. To me, my people are the most important. Nothing else is."
That notice made many people nervous. Does that mean he has no plan taking any more women to the palace or he wants to choose only one as the Empress?
All over the country, a new wave of heat hit people and even ministers that wanted to protest couldn't do it, as the Emperor even brought the famous Elder Monk to tell them the future this time.
The old monk bowed in front of the Emperor and then turned to the ministers and bowed again. With a tiered voice, he started explaining.
"I do not care about politics. But what I could recount for the future is that if the Emperor does not find his other half soon, this country will perish completely and earth will turn into sand. In the most prosperous country, the desert will appear and if he is too late, you all will die. Do not think that you can choose for him out recklessly. What is meant to be, will happen. If you chose to change, your families will perish. That is all I have to say. " He then bowed to the Emperor again and left the palace, while he prayed and walked.
On the other hand, Liu Mei stood dazed in front of her gate as a long line of servants bowed to her. She turned to her brother that had pressed lips. The Edict came.
"Brother, what is going on? I am a simple woman. This is ridiculous. He should look for someone... else." She wanted to say purer or younger but stopped herself. "I don't have time to play along. I need to wait for a dragon..."
Liu Shen shook his head while Hua Lan slowly approached with her big belly and held her cheeks in her hands. "I am sorry Liu Mei, we wanted to keep you for us a bit longer. Actually here the only human dragon is the Emperor. We hoped it was someone else, but unfortunately... The prophecy is true as it seems. The dragon really came to pick you up."
Liu Mei stood dazed and then started laughing. "I am such a fool."
Of course, even in her world in the olden times, the Emperor was the Dragon. Why was she not thinking about that? Because she is who she is? But having Liu's family members as her backup, it made no sense. But doesn't he know, that she was no longer young?
"But brother, does his choice even make a sense?" She couldn't believe it.
Suddenly she felt a pull on her sleeve and saw Xiao Ran staring at her. "Order them to stand up, please. It's too hot to be in the open."
Liu Mei turned her head as saw everyone kneeling. With a wave of her hand and a calm voice she ordered. "Stand up and get into the shadows. It's my order."
Her fate was to be with the Dragon, human or not human, she didn't really care. But that doesn't mean she should let the servants be on the heat.
Everyone went to the shadow side and respectfully waited. All she could do is to stare at Xiao Ran. ''You and other servants should quickly bring water and give it to them to drink. The heat is too strong."
The servants rushed in to do as she said while she turned to her brother with a sigh. "Does that mean I have to go now? Right now?"
He looked icily at the sent people that shook from his coldness even tho it was extremely hot already. But what could they do? "Your Lordship, that is what the Edict ordered. Please forgive us."
Liu Mei sighed. "Don't worry. I will just pack what I need and we can go. But first, refresh yourselves. The heat is too much."
Actually, they didn't expect her to be so caring. Luckily she had a calm personality and elegant bearing. The last couple of days Xiao Ran thought her how to walk and talk like a lady and she actually learned it fast, which made Liu Shen and Hua Lan astonished.
Not long after, the servants rushed out and started giving water to everyone. A few servants wanted to help them but were denied as not many could get into her home.
Liu Shen sighed and patted her head. "Later I will bring you your dowry. We got our wealth back so I can afford an amazing dowry for you. No one will be able to look down on you. Don't worry."
Liu Mei chuckled. "Do you plan to send me all of that on your own? Brother, in the palace, do I even need those things? I just..."
Hua Lan pulled her to the side and explained while whispering. "Sis, we will lose face if we don't send the dowry. Not only that, but many things will also wiggle if we let them. Liu Shen must go back to his position and can't have a bad reputation. And that is not all, look at his aggrieved face. As a brother he wants to do something for you, let him."
Liu Mei turned her eyes towards the pouting man and laughed. Her laughter resounded in the alley making everyone happy and content. Yes, that is the power of her laugh.
She walked to him and just pulled on his sleeve as Xiao Ran did before. He couldn't see her expression from the hat she had on, but could feel the warmth in her voice. "Brother, I will do as you say. But if you send me things, please considers my taste, if possible."
He smiled brightly at her and nodded. "I promise. Just accept everything I send as it is. Please?"
She chuckled while looking at him through the veil. "Fine. I will accept it ALL."
Soon Xiao Ran came out with a simple box in her hands and looked time at the garden one more. "Our plants..."
Hua Lan looked at the plants as well and smiled brightly while having a mischievous expression. "I promise, you will see them soon again "
Xiao Ran smiled and then helped Liu Mei go onto the big palanquin. At least it is not a carriage...
Hua Lan stood there until everything became quiet and turned her head to the garden. "Let's make it work. I have the idea that she will want them with her."
He nodded as he knew how much Liu Mei cared about these.
"Hubby, I will send a message to my family as well. I have a few things at home that she will like, but are wasted and not used in our house. You know my family, they have no sense about those elegant things. It is a shame to get them to be wasted, don't you think?"
He hugged his wife as he understood her words. She planned to connect her family to Liu Mei as well, to help her stand there, stable and proud. And safe. He was grateful to all gods for sending her to him. Really grateful.