40. Not everything is as it seems

''You have good children in your bloodline. I am grateful for having you as protectors of my kingdom. Thank you for all your work.'' He was not a fool. Without old noble families, the country would have stopped existing a long time ago.

But at the same time, the Hua family had never wished to involve themselves in politics or gain any power that could be threatening to his position. Actually he wondered already for many years why it is so but later found out that their grounding grandfather made a strange vow and since then none of his descendants ever had the wish to overpower the Emperor.

Even the old Emperor that had mental issues never had even one ounce of doubt in their faithfulness. The only problem is, they can always deny help. They would not work against the country and in that case, that means they would back off completely. Pulling back their armies if they are used to harm their own country and people.

No matter how much the Old Emperor trashed trough the palace, General Hua just left with all the soldiers and his people left the palace leaving it bare to anyone who wants to take over the throne. A huge battle for the throne came upon the palace but outside no one knew what actually happened inside.

Later, the current Emperor got this position and since then peace and tranquillity were in the country. The problem they had now is that someone put a strong curse over the country and if he doesn't take care of it, they might as well give up on the country itself.

Not only Liu Mei had a prediction by the old monk. Even he had. At first, he wanted to make the old monk lie about her being a reborn goddess or something like that, so he could bring her into the palace, but after he heard the monk's words that she is actually the one that will save the country, he was even happier.

She was not pretty, but cute. Not young but attractive. Not flashy like other women but calm and steady. All he wanted from a woman was put in one person. His eyes turned towards her and he sighed inwardly. How will he handle this coldblooded fox to stay by his side?

He turned his head towards the other eight women and sat down with a sigh. ''Any of you want to stay in the palace?''

Out of eight, just four rose their hands, while one looked at Hua Roulan then at him. This is a strange day, oh well, what does this woman want. ''You. It seems you have some requests. What is it?''

''I do not wish to become either servant or lady in waiting for your majesty. For my family to choose me to come to the palace, it is understandable. My family elders all died because of the big flood a couple of years ago. My parents lost their only son at that time from a strange sickness that killed many people. My mom died after that from a broken heart and my father died last year as he fought some beasts. There is absolutely no one in my family that can accept me. My uncle offered this spot to me so I get a chance to enter the palace. I know all the basic stuff but can't do many things. I heard that Lady Liu survived by herself for a while with her skills, so I would like to stay by her side for a while and ask her to teach me a few things. If possible, of course.''

She wanted to live alone and survive by herself. That is not a wrong thing, right?

The Emperor stared at her, stunned and then searched for her uncle with his eyes. He found a round man that hid behind one of the pillars and shook his head. ''If that is your wish and Lady Liu accepts it, I will give you enough time to rethink your decision. Anyone else?''

The three girls that didn't want to join requested their desired marriages and he granted them with big smiles and even added some precious things from his own treasury. That made even their families stunned and happy. Even if their families planned to make them get married to the high positions but having the marriage granted by Emperor was a great honour for both sides. Both the brides and grooms family.

When the three girls left he turned his head towards the four ''Things'' and sighed. He really disliked these kinds of women the most but he needed to accept them as ladies in waiting. He shook his head.

He wanted to announce Lady Liu as his only woman but was stopped by his friend. ''She must pass all the tests. If she were alone we could just announce it, but those families wouldn't let her go and would make her life to hell.''

He sighed. ''My poor cutie. Wait I will have to forbid that word from your... I mean from Hua Roulan's vocabulary towards her. I called that first... '' Like a small child, he pouted while looking at Liu Mei with grievances that made the whole room stunned.

The two men just whispered with each other and he looked at that covered person with such an expression. Does that mean she is not his type but he still has to take her in?

The four girls had joyous expression while Hua Roulan and Ning Xiaoqing just rolled their eyes at the same time. They saw each other's actions and chuckled. Hua Roulan was quite straightforward and stood in front of her. ''I like you. Let's be friends.''

Ning Xiaoqing of course accepted. ''I accept it and I am very honoured to be friends with the two of you .''

Liu Mei rose her eyebrows. With what mouth did she say she will be her friend? And this dumb Hua Roulan really can't see further than her nose. Ning Xiaoqing is maybe nice now, but she still needs to watch out in the future. She really disliked women like her the most.

Somehow she felt something was wrong about her, but what is it?