05. Wen Guifei

Standing in front of a beautiful woman in her early fifties she understood why Emperor never slighted this woman.

Beautiful long hair, face with just first signs of ageing, clear big brown eyes, small pointy nose and full lips showed that she was quite a beauty. Adding on top of that her clothes made her already milky completion look even lighter.

"So, you are Lan Lian?"

Lan Lian was actually on her knees and could glimpse Wen Guifei's face as she passed her little while ago. She nodded in confirmation and continued to stay in deep kowtow.

"You have to answer!" The young voice could be heard. But Lan Lian just kept quiet and was plastered on the floor with a deep bow.

She felt someone next to her and suddenly a familiar cold voice could be heard.

"Who are you?"

"Ge ge, how could you look ate with those angry eyes because of such lowly life?"

"I will not ask this question again. Mufei?"

A sigh could be heard.

"You just divorced your wife and I wanted to introduce you to my cousin's daughter. This is Tang Wen Mei. She is already old enough to get married so I thought..."

"Definitely not."

"Ge ge..."

"Stop it right now! I had such a woman already in my household. Same! Mufei, do you want me to divorce the second time as well? She is already showing the first signs of being vicious. I hoped this child would be protected here, but I guess it was wrong from my side. Lan Lian, go change your clothes I will send you somewhere else. Mufei, I will not come back into your palace as long this nasty person is nearby."

Lan Lian didn't know what was going on and didn't know should she now go with him or should she continue kneeling. Luckily his mother spoke.

"Servants, help my niece Tang Wen Mei to pack her stuff and send her out the palace."

"Aunt! You said... you said..."

"Number one I am his mother. I said I will see what his answer is, and you can hear it. Number two I was actually myself shocked by your sudden rage against a mute child."

There was second of silence.

"Mute? No one told me she is mute. Really. I thought she was quite disrespectful towards you is I got angry..."

"Now go back home. I will send you some things when you find yourself a partner. I heard second left minister has a son in your age. I will see that you get married to him. Now go."

"But, my cousin..."

"I think I am disgusted to have someone like you in my family line to call me cousin. You may call me Wang Ye. Now go, don't dirty my air. I can't breathe."

A low cry could be heard and the sound of running steps as well. Wow, already arguing scene and she didn't even start working.

Min Wang Ye just got divorced and already people had their plans about him.

"Min er, I just felt her pleasing in eyes..."

"Mufei, there are many women pleasing on eyes, but brainless. I already had a messy woman by my side. I accepted the ce fei that you sent me, but let me choose someone as my Wang Fei from a scholarly family. Your choices..." He wanted to say were wrong but couldn't. "...were not shown the true colours so you were blinded. Mufei, remember grandfathers playing friend?"

"You mean that old Suo Elder. He was your Emperor's teacher. What about him?"

"I heard his granddaughter has a good bearing and calm attitude. I feel after all the mess I have been trough last few years, I need someone who knows how to act properly."

A sigh could be heard and small chuckle.

"You grew up and have more in your mind. Fine. Maybe it is for better. Calm is what you want. I guess that you have so many similar points to your father. He hates loud women as well. Good. I'll talk to the Emperor."

"Thank you mufei. By the way, this child..."

"It seems there is something about this child, will you tell me what is it?"

"Come in, I have to explain..."

Sound of steps was gone and so the did sounds of voices as well. Lan Lian didn't dare to move even if her knees were killing her. Kneeling on stones is quite tiring.

Suddenly light steps could be heard walking towards her. A soft voice called her name.

"Mistress said you may stand up now and go rest. You will start working from tomorrow on, just like other girls."

Lan Lian rose from the floor slowly and bowed one more time towards the pretty servant girl that was probably Wen guifei's personal yatou.

The girl could see this child's conduct and sigh. "I don't know is it good or bad for you to be mute. Is it curable?"

Lan Lian shrugged her shoulders and then nodded.

"I guess you are not sure of yourself. Don't worry, I will warn everyone not to take it wrong if you don't answer. Actually, in fact, normally you wouldn't be even permitted to get near the Emperor's palace. But, your family case is quite difficult. You will stay here until your Elders don't settle again and then you will be sent back to your family. For now, don't hear, don't see and don't speak. Well, the last one... sorry.''

Lan Lian rose her head and just calmly shook her head and hands. The young girl in front of her was a teenager and even in her world it would be permitted to be childish, but here. Already having pure wisdom in her eyes and not even two decades old. Sigh.

She saw the young woman wave her hand for her to go and so she bowed one more time and walk unsteadily out while her knees were so weak that she stumbled a few times. Her body is really way too weak.

Not simple, these people, not simple at all. It is good that she doesn't speak...