The Empress Dowager is Here!

I made sure to wake up super early, so I can prep the meals for the Empress Dowager, the Empress, and his highness. Then, I got out one of my most beautiful hanfu's to change into. I hurried to the kitchen and began to make a five-course meal of varieties of Chinese dishes like Fried Rice, Steamed Buns, Bao, and more. I also decided to spice things up and add in my traditional dumpling soup. It was like no other, it delicious, and savory. It is also healthy, so it's a win-win type of thing.

I finished cooking, then I left the food in the kitchen in a heater to stay warm for later. I was beginning to worry, what should I do if she doesn't like me...no I can't bring myself down now, I have made it this far, so have to just try my best! I went back to my room and changed into my beautiful dress. I walked over to where I had left my embroidered picture, and to my surprise...it was gone!

I started scattering everything in my room, hastily searching for it. What do I do now?, I worked so hard to make it, It will take me awhile to finish the embroidery if I try again, and the Empress Dowager will probably arrive before then, I also ran out of materials. I decided to search around the house looking through each room. I couldn't find it! I was so panicked it felt like the world around me was crashing down. I took out my necklace once again, praying that it would give me an idea like before, and surprisingly, it did.

It gave me a memory that I have never seen before. It was my mother again, and she was dressed beautifully, she was dancing to a rather familiar tune. I knew how to dance, but that dance in particular was a little tricky. I went to the river to practice because it was quiet and serene there. I also hummed the tune to remember the song. I realized it was a song that my father would always hum while rocking in his rocking chair. The dance was starting to feel familiar as I danced it. It was amazing, like it came to me naturally. Now I was confident, I could do the dance nicely. I just hope the Empress Dowager likes me.

I arrived just in time because I could hear the voices of the court maids announcing the Empress Dowager's arrival. I was so nervous, I broke into sweat. I washed my face and freshened up, then got ready to escort the prince. I went to the prince to let him know about the Empress Dowager's arrival.

"Your highness. I am here to announce the Empress Dowager's arrival and to escort you to the central chambers for the banquet."

"Alright, I am coming."

I waited patiently until he came out. I wonder what he would look like. Today is a special day after all. He opened the door revealing his dashing attire.

"How do I look?" He said while looking into my eyes.

"Y-you look amazing!" I said.

"Thank you, you look lovely too!" He said.

We walked to the Central Chambers and chatted along the way. We became closer and closer. It only has been a few weeks since I have been here, and I already am used to living here. I wonder how my father and the pack are doing without me. Hopefully they are all alive and well. I just hope to see them again one day living healthily and safe, or even live like it was before any of this happened. I knocked on the large doors of the central chambers and announced our arrival.

Since I was his personal maid, I had a higher ranking than the other court maids, although most were much older than me. When the doors opened, my body froze in shock because I could feel the strong aura coming from someone in the room, it was indeed the aura of the Empress Dowager. My ears even began to twitch, I was visibly nervous. I took a deep breath and entered the room behind the crown prince to greet the Empress, Empress Dowager, and two unexpected guests.

"Greetings mother, greetings grandmother, and greetings Aunt An, and Lady Biyu." Said the Crown Prince.

"Greetings Empress, Empress Dowager, Miss An, and Lady Biyu. I am Mei Ruby, the personal maid of the Crown Prince." I said politely.

"Hmm a wolf girl...Interesting." Said the Empress Dowager.

"Yes, she arrived at the household quite recently mother, and she has been looking after my Xiaoyuer very well. Also, you guys may take a seat and get comfortable." Said the Empress.

We both went to take a seat. I was nervous when the Empress Dowager spoke, it sent chills down my spine. I guess the rumors about her were true. She indeed was a hundred times more stricter than her daughter, the Queen. I sat quietly and patiently for someone to speak before I did. The prince turned and whispered to me.

"Ruby, just to let you know, that women are An Lian, and her daughter An Biyu. They are not related to me by blood, nor are they apart of my family. They're just special guests, and great friends of my mother." He said quietly.

"Oh, that's good to know. Thank you." I said.

I really was confused about who they were, but now I know, and I hope this all goes well. It was then when Miss An said something, that made me curious.

"Queen Dowager, I have a proposal to make. My daughter Biyu made a surprise just for you and wishes to present it to you." Miss An said.

"Ah of course, I am elated to see what it may be." Said the Empress Dowager.

Then, Lady Biyu got up and whispered to a court maid who was standing by her, then the maid left and came back with something very familiar. It was a large rolled up piece of cloth, then she unrolled it, revealing it to be my embroidered piece!

"It is so beautiful dear, I am thankful for this gift, and will cherish it dearly." The Empress Dowager said.

I was infuriated, but did not want to make an outburst, and clenched my fists. I was shocked and angered, all my hard work for nothing, she stole from me!

"Is something wrong Ruby?" The Prince said.

"Y-yes...you may not believe me my prince, but that embroidered art piece is mine, I worked very hard on it yesterday, and I even have many blisters from repeatedly stabbing myself with the embroidering needle. I feel so bad right now your highness...what should I do?" I said while my eyes began to tear up, and I showed him my bandaged hands.

"Oh my-, you know what, it will be alright. She wants to earn my grandmother's favor to get closer to me...but you can beat her, by winning my grandmother over. You can do this Ruby, I believe in you and I have your back." He said with a warm and assuring smile.

I believed him, and decided to ignore Biyu for being such a petty thief, I would prove to the Empress Dowager, that I am better than Lady Biyu, and I will earn her favor. So, I stood up and turned towards the Empress Dowager to speak.

"Excuse me, Empress Dowager. I would also like to make a request for your audience, I have a special performance made specially for you, as a welcome gift, if you'd let me." I said.

"Sure, I do indeed like surprises." She said with a small grin.

I used a flute that I got from the royal music room, and began to play the tune my father would hum, and I began to dance the dance my mother had danced. I waved my hands, and moved my legs smoothly to the rhythm of the song, and tried my best to stay calm. The room was silenced, and I could feel nothing but happiness while dancing, It felt as if my mother was dancing with me, and we danced like the wind blowing the petals off a cherry blossom tree. I finished the performance and bowed as good as I could. When I looked up, I could see tears in the Empress Dowagers' eyes. I was shocked, but in a way, relieved.

"Beautiful, it was so beautiful. Your dance reminded me off when I was a child, and I had loved to dance. It was so graceful and lovely, you danced like a fairy, and played such a peaceful tune. You really moved me, and you've earned my favor, Mei Ruby." She said while tears rolled down her face.

I was surprised by her response and reaction. But, I did it, I earned her favor! I even brought her to tears. I wouldn't have done it without the help of my mysterious necklace, and the Prince's belief in me. I was filled with joy, I even began to shed a few tears.

"Thank you Empress Dowager, I am so happy to be in your favor." I said.

"You are welcome my dear, call me grandmother from now on, you have earned my respect, so you can speak comfortably with me."

"Yes grandmother!" I said with a bright smile.

"Ruby, may I ask, how old are you exactly?"

"Well, I am a werewolf, so our aging is a bit different than humans, I am 98 in wolf years, but I am 14 in human years..." I said nervously.

"Oh great! Your are the same age as my Xiao Xiao, when it comes time to marry, he will have to find lots of candidates to choose from. I think you are beautiful my dear, and would be a great candidate." She said.

I glanced at Xiaoyuer who's face was flushed, he must have been embarrassed by what the Empress Dowager said...It made me blush too, I don't know if I am even allowed to marry a prince, especially as his personal servant and a werewolf. So, I spoke again.

"Oh, but grandmother, I am a mere servant, I do not hold such a rank to be able to marry his highness..." I said.

"Says who? I think you should, nothing says you cannot because of ranking, but it was just a thought, don't stress yourself too much about it."

"Alright, I wont grandmother."

It felt great to talk with the Queen Dowager, she was not a bad as I thought she'd be, matter of fact, she was very genuine. In the end, the party was over, the Queen Dowager went home, and so did Lady Biyu and Miss An. I felt victorious, and felt that I could do anything that I had put my mind to. I fell asleep that night thinking of how well this day had went, and hoping that tomorrow would be as great as today.