90. Many people have many plans

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"What? Where is she now?" The Emperor almost started cursing as he heard where Liu Mei appeared. "If I know this, those people will know it as well. Go there. I trust you the most. Bring as many secret guards as you can. She must be protected."

"But if I leave your side, who can stay by yours to protect you from those people?" The young man looked at him in real worry.

The Emperor's eyes flashed with cold light. "It's time I start cleaning this country. I don't care if they call me ruthless or crazy. Until she comes back I plan to turn this country into the safest place. Place where people can live and work comfortably."

Bei Lu shook his head. "Don't overdo it. Your citizens can handle only a few things. After what they have been trough."

The Emperor chuckled. "Stop nagging like an old woman. I plan to help people. Now go. I can't concentrate on my work if I have to fear that something might happen to her. Of course, I want to get on the horse and rush to her. But I guess that would piss off that old geezer. Who knows where he will hide her next. He is naughty enough to take her to the other side of the world." Or even further...

They spoke the whole day about the Emperor's plans. As the night fell upon the palace, some people became suddenly busy.

"You two seriously will just sit around and not even try to get his favours." A young woman stood across the two women that leisurely sat and enjoyed their time.

"Lei Li, you are crazy if you think you can change his heart. Do you know that he made a promise to heaven and hell? Trying gaining his attention could only bring us trouble and demise to our families. We are already ready to live like widows all our life. As long we respect their wish and stay out their way, we can live grandly." One of them peeked at the big tree and continued painting it, while the other sat on a comfortable chair that Liu Mei sent them and read an interesting book, not even listening to their talk.

"How foolish. Men heart is shallow. They become hot and cold fast. Five years is a long time. Do you think he won't yearn for the warmth of a woman?" The young woman touched her hair accessory and snorted. "When I become the Empress you two will be first to get kicked out the palace."

The girl that was reading rose her eyes and chuckled. "You are airhead. Liu Mei will become Empress. And I would welcome it. She is neither cruel nor nasty person. When the time comes and she asks us to leave, we will, but until then, you better behave."

Lei Li suddenly felt cold back as the two girls stared at her icily. "You... you really will help her? Why? She is not worthy of him or the position."

"You are dumb to believe that you can become an Empress. Not now, not ever. We warn you one more time...'' He Ying pushed the young woman out their garden and looked coldly at her servants. ''Ten sticks each and half month cut on your payments. Next time I will just sell you off. I do not care if she is our relative, I said no visits except in case of death of a family member. Anything else, do not let anyone come in. Report if anyone else tries to enter. But until further notice, I do not wish anyone to enter. Understood!''

He Ying's voice resonated through the yard and even outside.

The few girls that were left in the palace started learning palace rules and each of them needed to learn more than that. The Emperor made each of them choose a preference.

He Ying chose to learn medicine. He Jiang chose painting. Li Lei chose embodiment and last but not least Rong Hou chose politics.

She still hoped to have a chance and thought it could help her in future as Empress. Actually, that was not a bad idea as an Empress had many things to take care of. In this world, the Empress was not a silent partner that took care only about palace and concubines.

The Empress worked together with the Emperor, but only on minor cases.

One of the reasons why nobles pushed the Emperor to choose an Empress is the stuff he had to deal all alone.

Some thought he had such fiery and angry attitude as he had to deal with it all alone. Even tho Empress Dowager helped him with the palace and many minor things, after all, she was already older and needed rest often.

So he was left with loads of stuff.

In his room, he held one of the dresses she left and sniffled on it. Suddenly his face became dark as his fingers clenched on the fabric.

"Servants! Get inside, now!" His holler made all of them shake uncontrollably.

He exchanged all his female servants to male servants, so in front of him, a bunch of young men were kneeling.

"Who washed the dress?" His voice was deep, filled with anger.

The servants started shaking and denying any involvement with it. His main servant glanced at the dress and fearlessly stood up and looked at it, then at the Emperor and motioned for them to leave.

The Emperor understood and yelled. "From now on, don't you dare to touch my stuff without my permission. Understood! Each of you will get five canes, now scram!"

The servants sighed in relief and rushed to escape. The Emperor looked at the main servant and he came closer.

"Your Highness, didn't you notice a strange thing with the dress?" This man had a quick mind and good eyes, so the Emperor was quite satisfied with his work.

As he understood that there must be strange thing happening to the dress, the Emperor looked at it closer and his face became dark.

The dress was seemingly the same, but by the closer investigation, it was definitely different.

Liu Mei liked pale colours and light embodiment. But this dress had silver, gold and precious stones on it. Completely the same material, but not the same adornments.

"How did they bring it in?" He still had hidden guards near him, but they usually followed him around and didn't check the rest of the places.

So he couldn't blame it on them. The two young men stepped out of the shadows and stared at the dress with serious eyes.

"Sir, that is not the only problem. If they can enter this place without a problem, what about the study or treasury? Luckily in two days, new recruits will arrive at the palace. Until then we must be more than careful." The deep voice of a man showed maturity, but his face was covered. Only two blue eyes showed that he was a foreigner.

"No. Let them think that I am defenceless. Let's see how many of them will start moving. When new guards arrive, put them around the palace and let them observe. They should only act if there is a life and death case." The Emperor found it interesting.

Maybe he should have done this years ago? With a smirk, he tore the dress into tiny pieces and threw it onto the floor. "Let's see what else for they have in their sleeves."

He laid down on the bed and sighed as he looked at the pillow next to his head. He remembered Liu Mei's lips and closed his eyes. There inside his mind, she was vividly imprinted.

All her smiles, scowls, mixed emotions... everything. With a smile, he fell into a deep sleep and dreamed about her.

Huh? What is this?

He saw her comfortably lying under the stars and seemingly happily talking to someone. Hua Roulan suddenly appeared in his picture and gave her a cup of tea and went out of the picture.

Her face was smiling, but he could see her sad and distanced eyes. Does she think about him? With a smile, she patted her small bulge and again spoke to someone.

White hand with long fingers appeared near her, giving her a fruit to bite and he knew it could be neither Xiao Ran nor Hua Roulan.

Xiao Ran was small and Hua Roulan had darker skin. So who was this person?

Suddenly a young woman sat next to Liu Mei and poked her cheeks. At first, was Liu Mei a bit surprised but then she chose to pinch the young woman's face with both hands

He could literally see them laughing heartily and he sighed in relief. At least she looks healthy. His vision became blurry and he fell into a deep sleep, as his body and mind were quite tired. "Liu Mei... I... miss... you..."

Liu Mei suddenly turned around and with narrowed eyes searched her surroundings...