32. Lord Liu Shen

Xiao Ran quickly arrived at the door and looked through a small gap, then gasped. She turned her eyes toward the three people and they stood up to see what is going on. Liu Mei let Xiao Ran open the door and soon two guards, a man in an official robe and two servants bowed towards them while Liu Shan stood in front of Liu Mei to hide her from their stares.

He might be a soft person, but his stature was quite imposing and well developed. With starry eyes, she looked at his wide shoulders and rose two thumbs up towards her sister in law. Hua Lan actually wanted to laugh, as in her eyes, her husband was a small bunny. But looking at the tiny woman almost gone behind his back as she hid, she realized how thin she is.

She turned her eyes and gave them an icy stare while yelling at them. ''What does this mean? We didn't invite you inside. Since when do the palace people have so little respect for private space?''

She saw how they just pushed Xiao Ran aside and just entered without even asking for permission. Xiao Ran stood there shaking in anger but couldn't say anything as her mistress still hid behind Liu Shan's back.

The people that just went in stood frozen at her appearance. They completely disregarded everything and just without any formal invitation and respect did what they wanted. Like it's their backyard. They looked at the simple surroundings and were about to react but remembered why they came.

With a perfunctory bow, they just lazily opened the official announcement and read.

''Officer Liu Shan, the only living relative of the Liu Family will be given all his family belongings, name and respect. With that, he will be given the ministry of Finance and will lead as his grandfather did. With the Emperor's orders, it's going to be effective immediately.'' At the end of their reading, their whole body started shaking realizing their blunder.

They went on their knees and banged their heads on the floor, but could only meet cold eyes of the two people they should have never offended. He could see royal guards behind and coldly ordered. ''Take them away. Each will be given twenty beatings and will be sent off their posts . If anyone pleads for them the same thing can be applied. Now, move those bugs away from me.''

He already knew that those two came to their positions over their family members, and unfortunately, there are more like them... If he let them in the government, then he would be closing his eyes to injustice to the country. His gaze fell on Liu Mei that smiled brightly at him.

With a big smile, she laughed. ''Didn't you say you are just a poor official? Now look this. From now on this little sister of yours will hang on your golden thigh tightly, so you better not lose this job.''

Hua Lan was stunned by her words at first, but then started laughing. ''Good. We will do that. First, we need to see our new home. Actually Liu's old home, the home where his family lived for generations. Please come with us...''

Liu Mei nodded. ''I will. But I have to tell you something... I hate your carriages, they are so uncomfortable that I really feel sick after that. So when we arrive there, you have to give me a few moments and some water to stop my nausea.''

Liu Shan sighed. He looked at his servant and sent him away with an order. Then he turned his head around and smiled at her. ''There is another way to travel, but it's slower. Maybe it will be more comfortable to you than the carriage.''

She blinked at him and just smiled. After a while, the servant came back inside and bowed deeply. ''My Lord, everything is ready.''

Liu Mei put her hat with a veil on her head and slowly went out, then she chuckled. He called for a sedan carrier. ''Oh brother. At least give them some water and food to eat and drink. Please.''

The people that should carry her and Hua Lan seemed to be quite thin. She knew that it was hard in the world outside, but as she closed her doors and eyes, she didn't know how bad it became.

Now seeing it, her heart ached. Xiao Ran knew her mistress and rushed inside to bring the cold herb tea, that could revitalize them quickly. The servants helped her quickly and the carriers were so touched that they started to cry while drinking.

Liu Shan knew if this continues they will need the whole night so he loudly ordered. ''Stop crying. It's hot and the ladies need to move. Drink and eat and later on you will be rewarded.''

Xiao Ran gave the servants to carry herbs in the box to the Liu residence and locked the door. Then she rushed to stand next to the sedan when she suddenly felt a tap on her head.

Liu Mei motioned her to come up, but she shook her head. ''Mistress, it's different the sedan and the carriage. You can't make them carry even more weight, right? That is number one and number two, it's against the rules. I am your servant. Please do not take this honour away from me. If I walk by your side everyone will have more respect to me as well.''

Liu Mei just sighed. ''I understand, but at least stay in the shadow of the sedan. I do not wish you to get a sunstroke. Ok?''

Xiao Ran just nodded happily and with a proud face, she elegantly walked next to the sedan, making even servants from Hua Lan become ashamed. Hua Lan was happy. It seems this child was not only cute, but she was smart as well.

They walked to the Liu Residency for a long while. It took, of course, a long time to go there but for Liu Mei it was easier. She still fell a bit uncomfortable, but not as much as in the carriage.

When they arrived in front fo the Liu Estate, Liu Mei had a shock. This building...

Xiao Ran rushed to her and exclaimed. ''Mistress, your pictures...''

Yes, the estate was actually what she painted from her dreams. Hua Lan heard the words and squeezed Liu Shan's hand. And he just nodded.