84. New home

They were on their way to the capital. Just the woman in one of the carriages that came with her servants and their carriage. They were followed by the dark-faced commander that just made a few dozen traders pay large fines as he caught them red-handed cheating and rising prices.

He must give a report directly about these things, but the situation is even worse than expected. The undercurrents against the royal family are getting bigger and stronger.

Looking at Liu Mei's carriage he pressed his lips. Somehow he must find a way to protect her without directly involving himself.

First, they have to find a house, everything else is later to think about. He remembered suddenly his friend and almost hit his head. How could he forget that rascal?

The three women sat in front seats as the carriage was filled with good quality rice commander bought for them. Xiao Ran chuckled. "We even got it for free."

Indeed. Commander came with carriage filled with rice and let his people transfer it to their carriage. She felt sorry to the two horses, but seeing that they had no problem pulling the carriage her heart settled a little.

"When we get to our house we must find a way to feed them well. They deserve our care. Good horses indeed."

She knew they were old but they were good quality and were strong. She would let them as often they stop to eat strong fodder and replenish their strength.

Hua Roulan nodded. "They are strong. Unfortunately, they are old. We should give them a good life until their end. I'm sure they worked hard all their lives." When she brushed them she could see old scars of people that hit them hard. Her heart ached for these animals so she hoped they would find big enough place to keep them happy.

Thinking about them, living the next few years in this place, meant they have to be careful not to be found out. Those two bothersome people will be back soon as well.

"Liu Mei, shall we just be quiet and do nothing?" Just be quiet for five years...

"Do you think that the old man will let us? I'm sure he has a plan for us. He said we have to help people in this country. But how? Let's find the nearest monastery. I think he wants me to pray. Didn't he say that my prayers are heard by heavens? Maybe that is the only thing I can do." Liu Mei didn't mind. She anyway wanted to do that.

"But this time you can't overdo it again. The child is important." Hua Roulan's voice had a deep concern for Liu Mei and the child she carried.

"I won't get too crazy. We can do good deeds and help with simple things as well. Let's first see the situation in the city. Then we can make plans." Liu Mei patted her hand and leaned back as the bags with rice were right behind her.

With water from that secret well, her health became sturdier and she didn't feel any discomfort by sitting on this shaky thing.

She closed her eyes to rest as she knew there will be many things she needed to consider.

Xiao Ran and Hua Roulan just glanced at each other and went quiet.

The man that followed them let carriage go bit further and his eyes became confused. These three were sent to help their country? By praying and doing good? What is this story about? He actually expected all kind of things, but this, he didn't expect.

Should he keep his eyes on these people? As it seems he must. There must be a bigger picture behind this. Much bigger.

"Big sister, big sister we are near." Xiao Ran slowly tried to wake up Liu Mei softly.

When she opened her eyes, she could see far away white walls surrounding a huge city. As it was flat land she couldn't see how big the city might be, but as it seems it was quite large.

Commander heard them talking and got his horse nearby. "To the right is a big settlement. As I had so many things in my mind I foolishly forgot about a person I know who lives there. He can help you find an appropriate home. We will go with you and the rest of the soldiers will go to the nearby garrison."

She followed his lead and on crossway turned right while that woman's carriage went straight to the city. From that carriage, a face could be seen that looked behind their carriage with deep sigh. "If she worked for us as a cook, how good that be, but I fear she wouldn't do it. Find out later where she stays. Keeping in contact with her will not be a bad thing."

"Yes miss, we will do that." Her servant bowed lightly and continued to follow the carriage while his eyes glanced at the direction that woman went.

"Oh, look who I see. Commander Chen Li. And these are?" A slightly limping man came out of the house and looked curiously at the two women and child on a carriage.

"My name is Liu Mei and these are my sister's Xiao Ran and Roulan. He told us you might be able to tell us if there is a place for us to buy. We just came and need a house we could call home." Liu Mei calmly spoke making him completely astonished. With questioning eyes he looked at his friend but saw him calmly nodding.

"She cooked for us all the way so I told her I'll try to help her with accommodation. But as I don't know any of these I thought you could help?"

Seeing that there was no other meaning in this his friend rested his heart. "Good, don't worry. I know a few people that want to sell their home, as they found a place inside the capital. They will be fine."

Commander Chen Li. The whole time she never asked his name and she never introduced herself. How strange.

He bowed slightly towards her. "Miss Liu I hope you find hone quickly. I must go and report."

All three of them bowed as well.

"Thank you for your help"

After that, he just turned his horse around and left without looking back, while the tree woman just stared straight at the man standing in front of a house.

He went to take his horse and their carriage just followed.

The first house was quite large but the garden was small. So she stopped him even before he knocked in the gate. "Sorry I need a garden."

He thought about it and moved further. Next one was from outside quite large, so she got her hopes on but when the people opened the door and she saw the mess she sighed. Even he was quite taken aback.

"Why is this place so messy?" He asked the owner but he just shrugged.

He remembered two more places and took them a bit further. There was a house near a prison with big garden and yard and another near the city hall. Or police station of a sort.

They both had big houses with a garden, so they choose to check both.

The one next police station was nearby so he got off and knocked on large door making nearby guard raising his eyebrows.

The door slowly opened and a young servant invited them in. The yard was spacious and as they passed through another gate they saw garden and house. It was a good place and she was about to accept when she heard yelling from the other side of the wall.

"No big noises! Our Lord needs to sleep!"

No big noises but he yells over the wall?

Liu Mei curiously looked at the man that introduced himself as Lao San and saw his dark expression. She just shook her head and he understood.

Without even looking back, they left the place and went to the next one. A large prison was actually made outside the city, but who would have expected that they build new settlement right there as well.

The house was not right next to the prison as it was forbidden. She could see the prison but there was no noise or sounds coming from that way so the house was far enough.

No normal house was given permission to be built nearby. She just shrugged. It is good enough even here.

When Lao San knocked on the gate, an older woman with grey hair and yellow face opened the screeching door. With a smile, she saw him and waved him in.

"Come in. I didn't see you for a while."

"Sorry miss Ma. But I had no time. Today I'm here with them. I heard you are selling the house?"

She saw the three women coming down from the carriage and nodded. "Come in, we can talk inside."

When they entered they saw big enough yard for them to hold their carriage without to bother anyone passing and when they went through the second door they sighed.

Miss Ma explained.

"I am too old to be able to handle the house and garden alone. Children are angry, as I didn't leave this place yet. If I sell, I will go and live with them near the borders. The climate is not that cold there. My bones are too old, I can feel it."

The garden had many weeds and the house saw better times. Behind the house was another garden and stalls for animals

"I had a few chickens but I ate them, as I planned anyway to leave in a few days. The big garden I used to plant vegetables. The prices here are too crazy to buy them." She led them into the house and Hua Roulan saw many things that needed repair.

"We will need to repair the roof as it leaks, at atleast five places. And windows need to be repaired as well."

The woman nodded but Chen Li smiled. "I can find people and come to repair its not a big deal. Windows can be replaced quickly as well. But the garden..."

Liu Mei nodded. "I need someone to help me, but not now. First the house, later other things. Maybe we won't need help. The three of us lived even worse, don't worry."

They settled the price and went to city hall to sign the documents and after coming out Liu Mei just shook her head.

Chen Li understood her shaking. The officer inside asked her questions as she was some national offender. After hearing she is a foreigner that wanted to buy the house, he almost made trouble, but after Chen Li chose to guarantee for her with a bag of coins, he stopped ranting.

"Sorry, miss Liu. Some officers are like this."

"Isn't he afraid? Right under the Emperor's eyes? Isn't he afraid to be punished?"

Chen Li shook his head.

"He is Na'an Guifei own brother. After Empress made trouble a few weeks ago, she became the Emperor's favourite person. So he became full of himself and is abusing his powers. I fear that many things will change."

But he stopped talking as he saw a few people passing by. To talk about it is even more dangerous. And Liu Mei knew that...