Bab 88: 88. Give them vacation!
Liu Mei was busy a few days later. She got plans and layout if that place and started painting. Even tho it was too small to become a real temple, as provisory praying place and dormitory for few monks, it was good enough.
Two days after Princess Sora came with a huge smile to her house. "I got it. I got it!"
Xiao Ran saw Princess Sora just running by her towards the house. Liu Mei was sitting outside in the pavilion and was sketching and painting possible changes. As she heard voices she turned her head and saw Princess Sora rushing her way.
Hua Roulan saw her running and in fear that she doesn't bump into Liu Mei stood right in front of her. Luckily Princess Sora slowed down and she relaxed and stepped away.
"I got official permission, no I got Edict to use the place officially and I got one more thing. He he he." She snickered evilly as she waves with the Edict.
Liu Mei looked at her face and shook her head with a smile. "What did you do? Got the City Hall?"
She was just casually joking but saw Princess Sora freeze. Seriously? Now Liu Mei looked at her flabbergasted. "Wait, don't tell me you really got that."
"I really got it." Princess Sora rose the Edict as she realized that Liu Mei just wildly guessed.
Liu Mei took the Edict that Princess Sora gave her and in wonder read it. And really, the Edict closed the Outer City Hall and transferred it in a smaller building.
It should be meant for smaller cases, as they made the decision that bigger cases should be taken care of by the Main Office.
Liu Mei started laughing. "It seems we should go and watch little play. Do you have a covered carriage? Its not good to be seen."
Hua Roulan started laughing. Liu Mei was rarely this energetic and curious about other peoples things. But in this case, it had something to do with her idea.
Princess Sora clapped her hands. "I know it. It couldn't be different. My best friend has a really devious mind. Just like me."
Liu Mei patted her protruding belly and pouted. "I'm not devious. Don't let my son think I'm a bad person."
Princess Sora saw her worriedly looking at her belly and chuckled. "Yes, yes..." Then she put softly her hand on Liu Mei's belly and smiled. "Your mother is the best person I met in my life. Don't worry. I'll protect her until you grow up."
Suddenly she felt movement under the hand and looked at Liu Mei brightly. "He agrees. Look. I think he agrees."
Hua Roulan sighed. "He just moved. Don't get ahead of yourself. Our p... I mean my nephew and my sister have enough backing. Don't you worry."
Clear worry could be seen on her face. How can she just kidnap Liu Mei just like that?
Xiao Ran pinched her waist. "You big fool. I know what you are thinking. She doesn't wanna take her away from us. Stop being jealous."
Princess Sora was fist stunned by the harsh words from Hua Roulan. But hearing Xiao Ran's words she relaxed. "I like Liu Mei quite a lot. I just want her as my friend. Please?"
Hua Roulan pouted. "As long as you don't take her away, I don't mind."
Looking at her cute expression Princess Sora started chuckling and suddenly grabbed her cheeks. "How cute! I promise!"
Hua Roulan smiled at her and pinched fearlessly her cheeks as well. "Good. Then welcome to our family. What about sleeping over? Liu Mei knows so many interesting stories."
"Seriously?" Princess Sora suddenly became excited. "I love stories."
Liu Mei chuckled. "Then that's it. I need to talk to you about the other parts of the temple as well. Having more space I can change a few things."
"Then can I stay here for a few days?" She looked at her with big shiny eyes, like a child begging for sweets.
"Of course. But there is a slight problem. I have no space for your servants. I hope you don't mind eating my simple dishes." Liu Mei had nothing against it.
Princess Sora saw a warm smile on Liu Mei's lips and nodded. "I don't mind. I told you before. I might be a Princess, but I'm not as spoiled as other kids."
They quickly chose to rush to the City Hall that will become Main Temple and came in time to see the whole theatre.
"You dare? How do you dare?" A man in beautiful clothes was dragged out of the office and pushed away. ''Do you know who I am?"
Suddenly a carriage arrived and an old man in an official robe came out. Seeing him the young man rushed there but was stopped by highly armed guards. In astonishment and anger, he opened his mouth to protest but was quickly hit by one of the guards and made to kneel.
The old man opened a big red scroll and started reading. "In the name of our gracious Emperor, the City Office will be closed and will be transferred into hands to our new head monk Cao Lu. Everything inside the City Office will be transferred to the Main office in the palace and the City Office will work from now on in the smaller building and will take care only about small, simple cases. In the name of the Emperor!"
He closed the scroll, went inside his carriage and just drove away, leaving the man flabbergasted expression was standing there. "Wait, what? Everything inside?"
Suddenly his face paled and he rushed towards the building but was stopped by guards. "This place is sealed by the Emperor. Soldiers are already inside, packing stuff. If there is something that is your own belongings, bring the proof of ownership. Now go back home."
The girls saw him paling. Princess Sora chuckled. "Only because his sister became a bit favourite to the Emperor, he thinks he can do whatever he wants? Palace has numerous beauties. Only two positions are safe in the Palace. Empress's position and Dowagers position. Wrong, they are just a bit safe-er. I heard some Emperors change Empress in case of big trouble. THAT man is the only that made such a large promise. But will he make it true...?"
Xiao Ran turned around and saw Liu Mei's face being emotionless. With a sigh, she asked Princess Sora. "May I ask, what man? This one?"
Princess Sora saw her pointing at the man on the streets and shook her whole body. "No! By all that is holy, do not point at that disgusting creature and mention That Man in the same breath. I really emphasize That Man as he is already taken. Thinking that there must be at least one man that really meant what he promised, makes me have hope for my own future.''
Liu Mei's face relaxed a tiny bit and she sighed. ''People change and forget promises. We shall see what will happen.''
Suddenly cries could be heard as soldiers suddenly appeared out nowhere, wearing different kind of banner and clothes like the ones from the palace. A burly man appeared near the stupidly sitting man and shook his body. ''Where is my gold?!''
The young man froze seeing him and this time just fainted. The burly man looked around and was about to storm the City Hall when he and his people were surrounded by another set of soldiers. A young general rode a red horse and looked at him. ''General Tu? What is going on? Why are you in capital without notice with all these soldiers? Are you trying to rebel?''
General Tu started grinding his teeth as he saw he was surrounded and inhaled deeply. ''General Min, what a pleasure. I came to show my respect to the Emperor but unfortunately got bothered by a fly. I shall go and greet him. Thank you for coming forward.''
General Min bowed slightly and with open arm pointed towards the Palace, not letting him back off in any moment. What else could General Tu do? He waved his hand and his soldiers walked behind him, while looking at the surrounding humans scarily.
Just as they were around the corner, a bunch of carriages appeared and brunch of soldiers and servants form palace rushed in. As they came out they started bringing out numerous packages, scrolls and crates that seemed quite heavy.
Liu Mei looked at Princess Sora and knocked on the wall. ''Take us back to my home.''
The driver just hummed and they slowly drove back. They didn't speak at all about the happenings, as I was better not to voice anything now as long they are outside. They all knew and quietly waited.
Princess Sora's servants rushed to open the carriage door and pulled back after she ordered them to go back home, but Liu Mei stopped her. ''You are mean.''
Princess Sora looked at her in astonishment. Liu Mei pointed at bunch of servants and sighed. ''When you are with me, it's foolish for them to stay at home and do nothing. Half can go on vacation for one week and then the other half. I am sure many of them didn't have a vacation or seen families for a longer time. And give them some extra cash, as they are serving you really good. Like that they can bring presents to their family members.''
Listening to her words Princess Sora's servants suddenly felt a strange feeling. Not strange, it was gratefulness. They were grateful for this strange and simple woman...
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone