68. True face

The first thing she saw when she entered was garden filled with sumptuous flowers. Everywhere flowers and all kind of strange plants. Servants wore simple palace uniforms with beautiful embroidery. Even the small outside servants had similar clothes.

Ning Xiaoqing furrowed her eyebrows but still walked further while her servant shook like leaf on the wind. ''Stop shaking. I am nervous as well. Let's finish here fast and then rush back.''

Her servant could only inhale deeply and try to control her own feelings.

When they looked around the corner and saw a beautiful old-style palace surrounded by beautiful plants and trees they stood almost frozen. Bunch of butterflies flew around water pond while a bunch of bees were circling mass of colours that appeared in front of their eyes.

Almost in a daze they crossed a small bridge and saw Mei Ling sitting in one of the pavilions and smiling at the nearby singing bird. the picture was so beautiful and peaceful that sudden anger in Ning Xiaoqing rose and she wanted to tear apart this sight and trample it in the dirt.

But she had good control over her emotions. She set up a beautiful smile on her face and slowly walked towards Liu Mei. ''Miss Liu Mei, I already lost hope to meet you again.''

Liu Mei just smiled at her. Still sitting she pointed at the chair. ''You may sit down today. I will give you a few tips on how to survive by yourself. I even wrote many things that can remind you in case you forget this or that. Look.''

A small booklet with beautiful flower ornaments was presented by Liling and given to her servant.

Ning Xiaoqing's heart thumped as she heard her words. ''I hoped to ask you to explain to me about living alone and what I have to do.'' Almost aggrieved she looked at her but Liu Mei actually looked at the small bird on the nearby brunch that sang happily.

Her small servant waved her hand and bird suddenly flew away making Liu Mei turn her head and look at that servant's hand. ''It seems you do not know palace rules. No matter who will be empress, who will have a higher rank than I do, but in THIS palace I am the one that gives orders.'' Hua Roulan came closer and slapped her so hard that she fell on the floor with a thud.

Ning Xiaoqing looked at Liu Mei that calmly drank her tea and reprimanded her servant. ''I didn't teach you to be presumption. Next time you might lose your head.'' With those words being said she sat down and the chair she was being offered and ignored the state her servant was in.

Xiao Ran wanted to hit her with something but saw from the corner of her eyes a small shake of Liu Mei's head as she blew the tea leaves in her teacup. She calmed down and clapped her hands.

Suddenly a sumptuous meal was presented under Ning Xioaqings eyes.

Liu Mei sighed. ''I am truly sorry. All I eat are plants until the rain comes. This is my way supporting His Highes the EEmpror from his backyard. I am just a small woman. There is nothing I else I can do. Try, I think I have good cooks.''

Ning Xiaoqing wanted to say something but felt the hunger brewing in her stomach as she smelled fresh and tasty dishes. She controlled her cravings and waited for Liu Mei to start eating.

But she let herself time. She slowly at a bit of each and then pointed at the beautiful dishes. ''You may eat now. I wanted to make sure that they made it tasty so you can tell about it when you leave the palace.''

Ning Xiaoqing smiled and shook her head. ''I spoke to my Godfather. He told me that I will be added to the next waiting list and he found a way for me to stay in the palace. I can become waiting lady on side of Empress Dowager.''

Liu Mei nodded. ''Her Highness Empress Dowager is an older lady and probably need someone on her side that is fresh and new. If you go to her palace you have to be careful.''

Ning Xiaoqing was astonished and froze as she nibbled on beautiful green vegetables. By such hot weather, they had such a refreshing taste. She never had such a thing before in her life. But after tasting other dishes she couldn't stop herself no matter how much her servant tried to stop her.

On end she was sitting and staring greedily at empty plates with big eyes while she licked ungraciously her lips like a small kitten. ''this was surprisingly tasty. Your cooks are amazing. I will recommend them to Empress Dowager. As her junior, you can't wish good things only for yourself. You need to share...'' Almost reprimanding voice came out her thoughtless mouth making Hua Roulan grabbing her sword handle tighter until her knuckles became completely white.

Liu Mei chuckled but the rose her face and seriously pointed at Ning Xiaoqing. ''Does taht mean taht you do not need the booklet I made?''

Ning Xiaqing looked at the booklet and without thinking about it pushed it softly towards her. ''i hoped we could become friends and later on sisters. But you chose to seemingly think I am easy to handle. DOn't you, miss Liu?''

Liu Mei started laughing and pointed at her while tears started falling down from all the laughing. ''Did you think I believed your story for even a second?'' But then took the booklet and as Xiao Ran dried her face she sighed. ''You made wrong decision. This booklet would have given you a good life and peace. But you chose life filled with turmoil, device and hate. How foolish. Now go. This is the last time you will enter my palace. You are forbidden for lifetime to ever enter this place. This is my final command.''

With those words, Hua Roulan finally took out the sword and pointed it toward the tip of Ning Xiaoqing's nose. ''I will count to five an if you are not gone I will strip your clothes and throw you outside the gate.''

Ning Xiaoqing looked at her with disbelief. ''You wouldn't dare. Do you know who I am?''

Hua Roulan childishly stuck out her tongue and shrugged. ''You are the second house of Ning family I am from the first house. So no matter what any of these servants have higher background than you. Now up you go. Five... four... three...'' Ning Xiaoqing huffed and rushed out the palace as she heard Hua Roualn last words loudly. ''She was given a ban to enter this place in a lifetime. It's our mistress order. No one is to brake the order or whole family will be killed by me, personally!!''

The guards shook as she spoke and suddenly a huge gate closed with big bang.

Ning Xiaoqings stood in front of the huge gate and shook her head. ''Stay inside as that is your last place to die anyway. I will have resto of the palace.'' With a smile, she turned around and saw the guards shaking their heads. ''What?''

The one from before wanted to tell her something but the other guard stopped him. ''No matter what you plan to tell her it will be seen as treason to our mistress. Let other people ruin their lives if they wish, she was clearly given chance.'' The guard became serious and turned his head away from her and became still.

What Nng Xiaoqing didn't know is that from that corner of the garden everyone could clearly hear what they were talking bout by some strange coincidence. But she had no idea so the servants, guards and palace personally eyed her weirdly as she rushed back with huge smile on her face to her rooms. They shook their heads as they heard her word and rushed away not to be involved.

Crazy people should be avoided, right?