71. The trouble approaching

The days passed seemingly calm. Emperor didn't hold back any of his passion not even for a moment in the last few days, making Liu Mei turn into a body filled with soft bones.

After the whole night of playing around, he would go away filled with unconditional energy while she would sleep until noon, not even having a wish to wake up even then.

For a moment she wished he would find someone else, but at the same time, she knew herself. She would find it disgusting. To reuse someone that touched others, she was willing even to offend him.

If he really goes to other women she planned to escape the palace and never come back. She just waited for rain. But then remembered his promise. One year.

She was outside enjoying wind between bamboo trees. The refreshing smell of flowers and garden hit her senses and she could see the few servant girls trying to silently as possible finish their duties.

"Please, relax. I am not such a dragon. And its anyway time for me to go for a walk. Finish your duties fast and go hide in shade. The sun today is exceptionally strong." The girls bowed in respect and rushed to finish what they strayed while thinking about her words.

You are not a dragon, but he is. Emperor explicitly said to let her rest as much as she wanted. If they have woken her up with their noise, he might as well cut their heads off.

Not knowing their fears she stretched and felt all her bones out place. She pouted at Hua Roulan. "Did you find anyone who can massage me. My body is killing me."

She flatly looked at her and truthfully answered. "Do you think anyone would dare to touch your body now? He was so unreasonable that he doesn't even let your servants wash you. Do you think he will let anyone massage you?"

Truly speaking she knew about his possessiveness. So she just rubbed her head and chuckled. "Let's see how long this will last. Men, no matter what race, colour or kind are... they change with time. You will see, the change."

Hua Roulan knew that her words are true but remembers her own family members and shook her head. "Not all men are the same. My family is not like that and your brother as well. Please have some faith in him."

Liu Mei just stood up. "I don't care about many things that are going on right now outside my walls. Only actions can show true feelings. I really love him now, but the moment he touches another woman a piece of my life will die out and as nasty sickness will spread through my body, eating rest of affection."

She was hurt once, she doesn't want to be hurt again. Once was already too much.

In his study, he walked up and down the room while listening to the guard's report. "Her thoughts I knew already. Her love I can feel clearly, but her trust, when can I finally get that?"

A man stepped outside the room and calmly approached him. "My sister is different than other people. Her heart is big, so it easy target to get hurt. And she is unable to change that. For this country she gave her heart and body to you but her thoughts... no one can control."

Emperor remembered the place she showed him. If she gets angry she might hide inside and just escape the palace, without anyone to know that. His heart shook in fear.

"She would try to run away if you hurt her. I got information that stars changed favourably and that rain is starting to fall in some places already. Soon everyone will know and will start making their own plans."

Emperor pressed his lips. "She promised me to wait for one year. I need to clean so many things out the palace, there is a possible war on borders and..."

"Excuses that many Emperors before you used. If it's not this then is that. If my sister gave you one year, good. We shall wait for one year. After that, we will wait for her decision."

Emperors eyes clouded. "Are you threatening me?"

Liu Shen just shrugged. "Not interested in your position. Too bothersome. None of us is interested to become head of the country. Don't worry. If she chooses to leave you, we will just resign."

He stared at his eyes and saw calmness and clarity. He already knew that none of the old noble families is interested in his position. But that they want to completely abandon him, made his heart get cold.

"Why?" His question was just a whisper.

"Our families fought for so many centuries on the sides of your ancestors. In case of war, we will protect the country and do our best to stabilise it for future generations. But the new nobles and their machinations might turn us into barbarians that want to raise the flag and just murder them. Pulling out the palace might give you more space to spread your wings. We feel that we are stopping you in your plans." He calmly spoke while he stood respectfully in front of him.

They could see that he slowly changed and made plans to spread birders if the country bit further. But invading other countries is different than protecting own. They had no wish to join in the fun.

"What if I order you to do that. With golden Edict?" The golden edict was the ultimate Edict and no one in the country would deny it in any way.

Liu Shen nodded. "We will comply even to normal Edict. But our hearts will cool off quite a bit. People doing stuff with only partial wish will not do good jobs. No matter Edict or no Edict."

Looking at his calm smile Emperor knew that he spoke the truth. He waved his hand for him to leave and sat in his throne in deep thought.

Suddenly he jumped up. "To the..." But then stopped in tracks. "No... Let's stay away from her for a day. Rain won't be coming that fast, right?"

His heart was in tumult. He knew that he had to make many decisions for the sake of the country but at the same time he knew his decisions might split his country if he makes wrong choices.

But some things are already out of his hand. That person is already on its way here. When that person arrives, what will happen?

Unfortunately for him, the long procession sped up as they heard about rains in his provinces and arrived in front of the palace just at that moment while making its entrance great.

Just then the cloud gathered and first rain fell on the floor making everyone look at the procession with big eyes. Suddenly a new rumour started...