61. the dowry is here

Few generals entered the main hall and kneeled in front of the Emperor. ''Long live the Emperor!''

He chuckled. ''General Hua, how come you are here?''

General Hua stood up and chuckled. ''Your Highness, it's about the title for Liu Mei. She is my Goddaughter, how can I not hear what they have to say?''

Even Emperor was astonished by this change of events. ''When did you take her as Goddaughter? Isn't your own daughter married into Liu's family? Stop spouting nonsense.''

General Hua laughed. ''Well, I as I know there is no law that she couldn't become my Goddaughter. If some people here an get married to children of 13-14 years then I can take fully grown woman as my Godchild. What is wrong with that. Son in law, I know you love your sister and I promise you that my Hua family will do all it needs to protect her from anyone who wants to harm her. By the way, who had the stupid idea was to put her as a simple concubine. With her background if she gets concubinage, how high background must be next Empress? Or do you bunch plan to put one of those you sent form second or third brach concubine born children as Empress?''

Emperor and Liu Shan just rolled their eyes.

Liu Shang bowed in front of fo Emperor, ignoring General Hua's words and sighed. ''I made a promise to my sister that she will get her dowry these days. I hope Your Highness will let me bring her all she supposed to have like one and only female child from the first wife of my Liu Family. I beg of you.''

Emperor just waved his hand in annoyance. ''Good, good. Do what you want. When do you plan to bring the stuff? It's not like this palace has nothing to give her.''

Liu Shan saw trough him but still kept his face straight. ''If it is possible right now. My people are already waiting outside to bring in. And if possible I would like to see her.''

Emperor suddenly froze and shook his head. ''You can see her in few days. She is still adjusting to life here. In a dozen days, it will be conferment of her title and I will make a big party. Then you and your wife can see her. Wait, is it even possible for your wife to travel?''

Liu Shan sighed. ''I think not even army would be able to stop her coming and see my sister. Only if she gets a child and has to stay in confinement, then maybe. But knowing her stubborn nature, I think it's impossible to happen.''

Emperor started laughing. '' Good. Then in a dozen days. Let us first see the dowry. Servants let them go to her palace. It won't take long. After that, we will choose the title and then all of you are free as I need some food and rest.'' He started yawning loudly making everyone curious.

But their informants told that they didn't hear anything. Looking at the Emperor's satisfied smile, it seems really those two did it. Was their information wrong?

But what next happened was even more amazing. The whole line of servants slowly entered the big plateau and started presenting presents. And those presents were worthy all so much money that s oem of ministers almost fainted seeing them.

''Bead of multicolored deep-sea fish. Thousand pink pearls. Five thousand black pearls. Tens of thousands of white sea pearls. Gold. Silver. Jade. Glass. Precious stones. Precious materials. Precious herbs and tinctures. Paintings, books, beautiful sets for writing...'' Each and every thing was presented to the Emperor and were about to be sent to Liu mei's palace.

He rose his hand. ''Stop!'' Everyone froze when they saw him. But were even more surprised by his next words. ''The frozen beauty palace is right next to her own. I let people connect the two places and the other palace will be her treasury. So anything can't fit in her place. Impossible.''

The ministers froze on the spot while hearing his words. ''Your highness. How could you do that, this...'' But they suddenly stopped when he turned his eyes towards them.

''Interesting. It's my house and what I do in my house is nothing of your concern. Please handle your sons well, I just got the information they are again in a gambling house. Hahahah I think you will come home and have nothing to wear if they continue betting.'' One of those ministers that were loudest became pale and bowed to Emperor but didn't dare to leave without his permission.

Unfortunately for him, Emperor held grudges so he let him stay bowed for a long time. Over a thousand people came in and presented presents and he was about to leave when suddenly another wave of people arrived.

He rose his eyebrows but almost laughed. ''What is that?''

General smiled brightly. ''I heard my Goddaughter loves nature, so I found rare plants and want to give it to her.''

He didn't gift her gold and silver. But just then the ministers started coughing. Whole trees were dug out and brought to the palace. Rare flowers and herbs potted nicely and carefully brought in.

Emperor sighed. ''This won't do. I will need to open one more wall. I heard on other side there is old range field that no one is using as it is too small. There was a plan to make a garden there. Maybe your people can make a garden just for her. Her own. Like that even if I have no time for her, she doesn't have to run around palace and can sit still in her own palace.''

The ministers were about to protest when they heard his words. Is he preparing all that to calm down Liu's family, old nobles and the General? It seems so. After all, all that dowry could literally save the country. He needs to show his care if nothing else with big palace ground. They sighed in relief and smiled.

That means those girls have still a chance. But what they didn't know is that their actions were seen by him.

He rose his lips slightly...