Chapter 2: Ying Yue, the new Nanny

Shanghai Prefecture, China

Li Imperial Palace

" Brother, if It's okay with you, I would like to take care of the imperial selection on your behalf". Princess Li Mei said suggestively to her younger brother.

" Okay, go ahead! It's all yours!" Emperor Li Jun gave his consent.

" Thank you, brother!" The princess said thankfully.

" I'll take my leave now!" The emperor stood up and left.

This imperial selection will be a lot of fun. I'll choose the new nanny who'll, later on, become my new sister in law! The princess thought to herself with a slight smile on her face.

Ying Residence

" Let's see the files I'm supposed to send out! I see! It's from a case. Let's do this quickly, so I can go out and look for a job". I looked through the files intensely.

Li Imperial Palace

" Have you heard the news?" Concubine Ah Lam asked Concubine Chu Hua in a questionable tone.

" What news?" Concubine Chu Hua asked questionably.

" His majesty will hold an imperial selection in three days". Concubine Ah Lam said in an assertive tone.

" An imperial selection? What for?" Concubine Chu Hua reacted shockingly.

" The imperial selection will be for selecting a nanny for the young prince". Concubine Ah Lam responded in an assertive tone.

" A nanny? Why is his majesty asking an outsider to take care of the young prince when I'm here?" Concubine Chu Hua reacted angrily.

( How can his majesty do this to me after all I've done for him and the prince? I took care of the prince like my own son. I gave him all the love of a mother. Why doesn't his majesty make me the new empress? What's the need of hiring a nanny?)

" Who knows? Maybe you're not fit to be his wife, after all, you're just a concubine". Princess Li Mei appeared before them.

" Princess, it's you. I didn't know you were there. I'll take my leave now". The concubines bowed before the princess and went away from there.

I'll never let a girl like you become the new empress. If I let a girl like you become the empress, this country will be ruined! The princess intensely thought to herself.

Ying Residence

" Finally, I'm done sending out all these files. Now, let's go out and look for a job". I stood up and was about to walk out of the room.

When I was about to go out, I got a phone call from my brother.

Ying Jie

" Hello, sister! Have you sent out those files?"

Ying Yue

"Yeah, your brilliant and wonderful sister has already sent out your files. What did you expect?"

Ying Jie

"Wow, sister! I'm impressed!"

Ying Yue

" Cut the crap! You didn't only call me to tell me this. Hurry up and tell me what you call me for. I'm going for job hunting".

Ying Jie

"You're right! I didn't only call you to know if my job has been done, but also because I found a job for you".

Ying Yue

"A job? Tell me more!"

Ying Jie

" The Royal family is looking for a nanny to take care of the young prince. His majesty, the emperor of the Li Imperial Kingdom, Li Jun will hold an imperial selection to choose the right candidate in three days".

Ying Yue

" In three days? I can't believe it! My dream will finally come true. Thank you brother and sorry for being disrespectful to you earlier. I'm so very sorry! Please, forgive me!"

Ying Jie

" There's no need for you to apologize to me. You've been stressed out lately about finding a job, I can understand. I have to go back to work now. Let me know how the selection goes and good luck".

Ying Yue

" I will and thanks".

I need to get ready for the imperial selection right away. I need to practice! I thought joyfully to myself.

Li Imperial Palace

Emperor Li Jun Quarters

Emperor Li Jun Chamber

" Why did you leave me? Why? I'm so lonely. I miss you so much, Mei. When you left me, everything around me fell apart. When I see our son, I see you. It's so painful Mei, because I'm not a good dad to Wei, nor am I a good brother, or a good son. I'm holding an imperial selection in three days to select a nanny to take care of Wei. Am I doing the right thing, Mei? Tell me!" The emperor asked, holding his late wife's picture in his hands.

Ying Residence

Ying Hall

Taking care of a child. I've never done it before. I got my degree not so long ago. This will be my first job after graduation. I hope everything goes well! I intensely thought to myself.

Three days later

Ying Residence

Ying Yue Chamber

" Sister, wake up! You'll be late! The imperial selection is today". Ying Jie called out to me and I woke up in a haste.

" What? I need to hurry up or else, I'll be late. Thanks for waking me up brother". I said thankfully.

" You're welcome!" Ying Jie said with a smile.

Fifteen minutes later, I was done preparing myself and came to the hall.

" I need to go! Bye, brother!" I waved him goodbye.

" Eat breakfast before you go!" Ying Jie told me affectionately.

" I'll eat the sandwiches. I'll be on my way now". I took the sandwiches with me.

" Good luck!" Ying Jie made the victory sign with his pinky.

" Thanks, brother!" I made the victory sign in return with my pinky and head out of the house.

After I left the house, I took a bus to reach the Li Imperial Kingdom on time. I was nervous on my way there, but when I finally reached my destination, I calmed myself down. Finally, I'm here, I said to myself. Wow! This palace is so beautiful and so gigantic. Dear God, help me get this job! Make my dream come true, I said silently in my heart.

Li Imperial Palace

Upon our arrival, a nice gentleman greeted us respectfully.

" Hello, ladies! I'm the adviser of his majesty. My name's Dong Cong. The imperial selection will begin shortly and before that, draw a number in that pile over there. and wait until you're called. Good luck ladies!" The imperial advisor said with a smile.

  I got the number 25! I took a glance at the piece of paper with my number written on it in red.

As soon as we all got our numbers, we heard fireworks meaning the imperial selection had begun. A stunning young lady showed up in front of us. She was as dazzling as a feather. Wearing her blue moon dress and her white jade hairpin, she was astonishingly beautiful. She must be royalty, I thought to myself.

" Hello, girls! I'm the princess of the Li Kingdom, Li Mei. I'll be judging you girls. Show me what you got! Prove to me that you're meant to be chosen. Let the imperial selection commence!" The princess said in a strong tone.

Princess Li Mei called out the numbers one by one and started the interview process. She called out each of the girls and asked them questions, but wasn't satisfied with their replies. I was so nervous when she called out my number.

" Number 25, Ying Yue! I greet her royal princess!" I bowed respectfully before the imperial princess.

" Lift your head!" The princess said in a commanding tone.

" Thank you, princess!" I lifted my head and stand took a siege.

The princess went through the questions she had prepared for me. I was so nervous that my whole body was trembling. The princess finally spoke out and I fixed her intensely.

" Ying Yue, I'll only ask you two questions. First question: Are you married?" The princess asked me questionably.

" No, I'm not married!" I responded in an assertive tone.

" On to the last question: Why should we choose you?" The princess asked her second and last question.

  (This question is tricky. How do I answer it?)

" Well, I don't have any experience in the field of Childcare. The only thing I can say with absolute confidence is: I love children and it's been my dream to take care of them and guide them through the field of Education". I responded in an assertive tone.

The princess studied my answers with careful attention and said in a professional tone the words I was meaning to hear.

" You pass!" The princess said in an assertive tone.

I thought I was dreaming when I heard the princess pronounced the words I was eagerly waiting for.

" What? I-------- I----------- I pass!" I reacted shockingly.

" Yes, you did! Let me explain! The last question was a test and you pass. You're officially our new nanny. Congratulations!" The princess said with a smile.

" Thank you! I made it! My dream will finally come true". I said overjoyed.

The next chapter is expected to be released on August 23, 2020