''They told me you were married, had children and then became a widower. Looking at your face, body and the way you radiate energy, you do not seem to be touched. Are you sure you got the children? I hear you lost your memories as a child. What if they planted that memory into your brain instead of your childhood memories. I will send later health momo to check your body. Somehow I have doubt that you have been a married woman.'' She could tell when the woman was married by many things, but this young woman here didn't give off that feeling.
Liu Mei just sighed. ''I do not know how other married women act, but I am sure I am not virgin anymore if you mean that. And I definitely am sure that I gave birth to my children.''
Wang Momo had experienced many things, but never this situation. She even met women that were adamant that they were virgins and she knew they were not, but who would like the other way around? ''I am sure you think that way. The palace and our country have been attacked many times by mystical forces in the past. I am telling you all this as there is a slight chance that everything you thought was real was just a strange dream. It wouldn't be the first time.''
Liu Mei's heart jumped. There have been others that came from the other world? Wait like that person said, at that time, she can leave this place 10 years in the future. What if he caused all this? But in society that was filled with restrictions and believes in demons, maybe better not reacts to any of this and just live day a time.
What if they think of her as she was a demon. Wouldn't they try to burn her to death? But on the other hand, this is a different world. There shouldn't be such cruel methods of punishment, right? She relaxed and smiled at Wang Momo.
"Momo I am grateful for your consideration, but you can't make a chicken out hen. I had a husband, had children and they are indeed in the other world. As a mother yourself, can you deny your children only because they are no more by your side? I'm not that kind of person. But thank you for your kind words. I hope you can teach me many things so I do not lose face for my younger brother and His Highness. Just living quietly is my wish, not more and not less." Her smile warmed everyone's hearts and pulled them to her side, without their notice.
Wang just shook her head. "Well, in that case, we will do as you wish. From tomorrow the classes will start in the Palace of Peach flowers. Luckily it is not far from here. The classes will start in the morning hours until the afternoon. Lunch we will take all of us together. Is there something you can't eat?"
Liu Mei nodded. "I won't eat only meatless dishes that monks eat until the catastrophe passes. After that, I will eat by the palace rules. Is it possible?"
Wang Momo could only accept her order and hugged one more time her friend as she was leaving. But before leaving trough the door she looked back at that smiling face that patted Chun Mom's hand and shook her head. ''Somehow I feel that this story has more to it as it should. Maybe poking in it would just get me a headache. I am anyway called to teach them etiquette, how they will handle their life inside these walls will be connected only to themselves.''
The servants just nodded and held her as she walked.
Liu Mei could see her actions from the corner of the eye but just sighed inwardly. -I am just too stressed even without their comments. Do they even know that I have to go and sleep with some man there? Wait, they know, they just don't care. What should I do?- Her thoughts were quite mixed up so even tho she had an amiable smile on her lips her eyes noticeably wavered from nervosity.
Chun Momo could feel her emotions so she chose to show her whole palace and garden. And what Liu Mei saw could be seen amazing.
Her rooms, the servant's rooms, kitchen were all set up in the center of the place. Between different rooms were covered pathways. In mid of the pathways stood something like little garden and in mid a small stream was flowing surrounded by healing and water plants.
Liu Mei walked around the garden from outside as well and her smile became brighter and brighter. With what she saw her curiosity went on the peak so she stopped and looked at Chun Momo with expectancy. ''Momo, this place... Did you know who was the previous owner?''
Chun Momo sighed deeply. ''Thos ignorant people heard only the story but not real truth. You know, there is story about many people dying in this place. But is there one place in this Imperial palace that had no dead people? So ignorant. I don't know how much you know about the story of how the current Emperor became ur ruler?''
Liu Mei walked around and shook her head. ''I could see the fear in people's eyes whenever I wanted to ask something, so I gave up. Things that should not be told I felt its better if I don't ask.''
After a few moments of thinking, Chun Momo shook her head. ''I will explain to you then just things that everyone knew and the truth about this place.''
While they walked they found pond filled with all kinds of fishes and pavilion. Xiao Ran rushed to get tea set and tea while Chun Momo rushed to clean the seat that Liu Mei was planning to sit on. But she stopped her. ''Chun Momo, I know your heart. To me it is enough if you care about the garden as you did so far and as long you are completely faithful to me, we all can live comfortably here. Now sit down and explain to me.''
She sat down but Chun Momo was against it. ''I know that you are laid back, as yous aid before, but please, you have to learn few rules as well. I learned them since I was a little child, so I can't give up on them. Please forgive me, but servants can NEVER sit together with master on the same table. If you let that happen, even servants of this palace will look down on you as you will see yourself as a servant and a slave and not what you really ARE, master of palace and Emperors concubine.''
After sighing, she added. ''Didn't you say yourself that you didn't want to lose face to your brother and to Emperor. This is indeed your home, but here you do have to have some rules. Anarchy brings only bad results. Please, mistress. Listen to me.''
Liu Mei had to give up. ''Fine, you don't have to sit by the same table, but you can at least sit down on the side. I grant you chair, I can do at least that much?''
Chun Momo chuckled. ''Miss has a benevolent heart. I fear that it will harm miss later, but I am too old to fight you so I accept.'' With this kind of mistress its better not argue or she will feel hurt. She already knew that she cared about everyone in the surrounding, so if she denies her request, who knows what kind of idea she will have next...