---This is an original book written by JennyS. Please support me by reading it at Webnovels.com. If you read it anywhere else it means its copied without my consent. Thank you in advance :) ---
"Tell me they are gathering flowers for tea." Her lips became flat as she looked at their pale faces and weak statures. "Why are they so thin?"
"They are workers. Builders, crafters, potters... The prices in the city make them be hungry all the time. In the hope to earn money, they came here and are staying in hope that life will get better." Liu Mei saw them ignoring them and gathering wild vegetables.
She bowed and pulled out a few will leeks. "These could be eaten like this, fried, or dried as an addition in the soup." Then she started pointing at other nearby plants and explained what they can be used for.
As the group was near they listened to her intently and remembered. With gratitude, they vowed and continued gathering while considering her words.
Liu Mei on other hand put seats on horses and the two of them left.
Until their home both of them were silent. As they entered her home Princess Sora tapped her shoulder. "I must speak to him. This is getting serious."
Liu Mei nodded and saw her anxiously leaving. As she entered she met three pairs of angry eyes and chuckled. "Do I have to tell you where I am going? With so many men that my brother in law planted on my back, I feel safe. What's the fuss?"
Bai Lu suddenly realized that she was not just like other women. Her perception became even stronger in the open land. "You knew?"
"Of course. Knowing that idiot, he probably sent all his secret guards to protect me. Right?" Her face was flat and he tried to avoid her eyes. "I was right. Is he crazy? And you? Aren't you his personal guard, what the hell are you going here?"
"Sister in law, please, calm down. Think about the baby." He thought that would calm her down, but it made it even worse.
"Does he even think of it? Do you think now that you are here everything is fine? I'll worry that someone might try to harm him. That stupid idiot probably has a bunch of people coming at him at this moment. Go back!" She yelled as her vein popped again on her forehead.
"I can't. He gave me the Edict. And he sent a letter to you." He took both scrolls out of his clothes and gave it to her.
She pressed her lips and sat down. But as she saw the Edict she patted her chest, trying to calm her anger down.
With a cold expression, she looked at Bai Lu. "Kneel!"
Hua Roulan knew right away she was beyond angry as she never made such an order before.
Bai Lu knew as well so he became serious and went in his knees. "Give me an order, Your Highness."
"From today on you are under my command. No matter what I say, you are to do that. That is what the Edict states. Right?" Her cold words made even the Xiao Ran scared.
They completely forgot in such a short time that they are not only her companions, they are in first place her underlings. She treated them well and close so for a moment they forgot. Or better said, she made them forget as she felt this way much more comfortable.
But as Bai Lu arrived and now the Edict as well, they realized that too many eyes were still on her back. If they don't have respect for her as her close servants, how can others?
They glanced at each other and gave a slight nod. They must take care better.
Hua Roulan turned her head and looked at corners and shadows. He took with him just a dozen of shadow guards and came closer. "You didn't take them all? Are you going against the Edict?"
Bai Lu rose his head and sighed. "With dozen guards that entered the city, it was not too conspicuous. If we all came, we would have alarmed too many people here. They are watching our Empress already."
Hua Roulan knew he was right but seeing Liu Mei's eyes, she stopped talking.
Bai Lu felt his back go cold as he got used to speaking comfortably as well. He saw Liu Mei's eyes as well and became completely serious. "All the shadow guards that are present are under your control. You may order us anything." Bai Lu saw a light flashing in her eyes, but it disappeared quickly.
"Good. Then let's start. All come out, let me see you." Her voice was not loud but they all heard it and came closer.
In front of her thirteen people kneeled and with a unified voice proclaimed. "We await your order."
"Good. All go sleep." She crossed her arms as she saw them looking at her and then at Bai Lu in wonder.
"You traveled so long that your bodies and minds probably are weak now. Tell me, what's the point of having weak guards with me. Hua Roulan, Xiao Ran, go cook nutritious food for them. Large plates. You all will go eat, wash and sleep. We survived so long without you this long, we can survive one day as well. After that, you all will work in three shifts do that there will be always time to rest and eat. I have things to handle and next year after my son is born, we will go out of the city. I need you all to stay strong Now go." She waved her hand and saw them being pushed by Xiao Ran towards the kitchen.
By now they knew that she had huge amounts of food in her house. Bai Lu and few guards helped them with washing and cutting vegetables, while the rest of the guards peeked out in worry.
"Captain, she is completely alone there. Shouldn't..." He stopped talking as he saw his expression.
"Don't push her to punish us all. She was already annoyed when she came back and now..." He could see her expression becoming darker as she paced. It seems something happened when she went out, but what? "Who followed her?"
Two guards stood up. "We did."
"What happened outside?" He was curious.
"Nothing special. She went with horses on the nearby grass field and started pulling out grass. Then she grabbed a bunch of dirt and gave it to her friend. After they spoke their faces were looking quite serious and on end, she saw some commoners and told them what wild plants are edible and how to prepare them. " One of the guards recounted.
They were hidden in bushes, but as they had no other chance, they had to look from a bit further away. So they had no chance to listen to the conversation.
Xiao Ran stopped. "You said earth, dirt? She fave Princess Sora dirt?"
The two guards paled as they heard who the other person was and quickly nodded. "Yes."
"What color was the dirt?" Xiao Ran looked at Liu Mei that was pacing.
"It was dark. Almost black. She was pointing at it many times and even got red from anger as she looked around." They were confused. Is there something wrong with the land?
---This is an original book written by JennyS. Please support me by reading it at Webnovels.com. If you read it anywhere else it means its copied without my consent. Thank you in advance :) ---