章 50: CH50; Boring
The next morning, Zhang Lian awoke under the warm rays of sunlight filtering gently through the curtains. Reaching for the bell at her bedside, she rang it. In an instant, her maid entered quickly and peacefully.
The maids came near Zhang Lian with a water basin and soft towel. Zhang Lian washed her face and rubbed her face with a soft towel. They handed her a glass of cool water, and she drank it, her mind still waking up.
Having finished, Zhang Lian got up from her bed and continued her morning routine. She brushed her teeth, freshened up, and relieved herself. When she was done with all this, Xiao Yu went forward, bowing respectfully.
"Your Highness, the bath is ready," Xiao Yu said in a respectful tone of voice.
Zhang Lian nodded and went toward the bath. The maid removed her clothes in the bathroom, and she entered the pool.
The warm water enveloped her; she closed her eyes, allowing herself this moment of ease.
Later she came out, and her skin glowed. Maid's quickly wrapped her in a towel, and after she was dry, they put the pink robe on and combed the long white hair down her back, smoothing it into silky flows.
As she entered her room, breakfast was already served with several dishes on the table. Zhang Lian went towards the .
Breakfast & ate without speech, her mind intent on the day to come.
Every movement was silent and deliberated. Every bite was taken with quiet elegance. When she had finished, she set her thoughts aside and picked up a book and started reading it.
And the cat was sitting beside her, flipping its tail, feeling bored.
Meanwhile, the maids continued their duties around the room, moving as silent shadows, cleaning and tidying without a whisper. After their work was done, they left quietly; one went to the garden, one to attend to other duties here and there in the palace.
Only Lan remained, as always, seated in silence by the door, to wait upon whatever further command the queen might give.
An hour later.
A sudden knock came. Zhang Lian raised her head from her book, her face calm but a hint of curiosity sparking in her eyes. A slight signal was given to Lan to find out who the visitor was.
Suppressing a sigh, Lan rose from her chair. Why is it always me? she thought, though her expression didn't change.
She went across the room and opened the door to reveal Minister Hu standing on the other side, slightly out of breath and tired as you need to walk a lot to reach the queen's room. Standing beside him was a boy—an ugly-looking boy.
The boy appeared to be about 10, his face covered by pimples and ugly Mark's.
His hair was in purple, tangled together in a mess of knots. His purple eyes looked around nervously with every second between Lan and Minister Hu.
Lan felt disgusted seeing both the fat minister and the ugly boy try to conceal her disgust.
Minister Hu, on the other hand, couldn't resist holding onto his gaze a little longer; in the shape of Lan behind that simple robe, his eyes turned horny, but he swiftly composed himself. With a cough, he said, "Her Highness told me to bring this boy to her yesterday in a meeting."
Lan's eyebrow rose, and her eyes looked at both the fat minister and the boy. For what reason would the queen want this ugly boy? she thought, though she said nothing. Nodding shortly, she turned and walked inside, and she also closed the door.
Zhang Lian remained seated and waited for Lan. Lan walked softly up to her and slightly bent down to say, "Your highness, it is Minister Hu. He brought a boy with him," she reported with her calm voice.
Zhang Lian shut her book with a soft thud; she said, "Lan, you go and play with the boy outside," and "Send Minister Hu in. I must speak something important with him in private."
Lan hesitated a moment; her eyes flicked briefly to the queen's dress—a light pink robe, although it was elegant but was too thin for receiving guests.
"Your Highness," Lan asked, "your highness, do you wish to change your clothes?"
Zhang Lian looked down at herself and nodded slightly. "You are right. Bring me something simple."
Without any further questions, Lan went up to the wardrobe and selected a simple and yet majestic-looking blue dress.
As she brought it towards the queen and removed her old dress and put on the new dress, and lastly, adjusting the folds and the belt, Lan couldn't help but steal a glance of admiration toward the queen's beauty. She was beautiful, even in a simple dress.
Zhang Lian checked her reflection in the mirror. Satisfied, she nodded to Lan. Immediately, Lan went outside to invite Minister Hu in.
Outside, Minister Hu was waiting nervously. The boy beside him was moving his hands uneasily. His mind was racing as to why the queen had called him. His parents only told him that he would return soon, and the queen just wishes to see him.
He was actually quite happy for the past few days, as every child in the village was sent to school except him. His teacher kicked him out when the queen was coming to tour school to show that there's no bullying in school, as he got bullied a lot because of his looks.
Lan opened the door, gesturing to Minister Hu. "Her Highness wants to see you now," she said, her voice casual. "The boy will stay outside. The queen wishes to speak with you about some important matters.
The poor minister felt his heart sink at the thought of once again being left alone with the queen. Alone with her? but he nodded, knowing that there was no way he could ignore her command. trying to steady his nerves. He took a deep breath and went toward the queen's room.
As they tried to enter the room The guards crossed their swords in front of the doorway, blocking the entryway. One said in a voice with some roughness, "You must be checked before proceeding.".
Minister Hu nodded. This was routine for anyone that ever met the queen in private; even before the meeting, every minister got checks, but it never made him any less anxious.
He raised his arms to his sides, allowing the guards to check him down. They removed everything sharp or potentially dangerous before stepping aside and allowing him to pass.
As he entered, the heavy door closed behind him.
His heart almost stopped the moment he stepped into the room. Zhang Lian sat on the edge of her bed, relaxed. In her hand, she held a sharp knife. A sinister, slow smile can be seen across her lips as her cold eyes fixed upon him.
Minister Hu," she called softly, although she looks beautiful and her tone is sweet and seductive. "Come closer."
Yet, Minister Hu's legs froze under him. This isn't good, he thought, a surge of panic firing through his blood. Every instinct was screaming at him to run, get away from that knife, from that smile—but he knew there was no escape. Not now.
"If you even think about running," Zhang Lian's voice dropped to a low, dangerous voice. "I'll have the guards outside kill you before you make it out of the door. And don't worry. I'm not planning to kill you; as long as you follow my orders, we are good.
Minister Hu's legs shivered, and he made a last act of will, moving forward. Each step seemed to be heavier than the one before, as though the burden of the room itself was upon him.
The knife still breezily pointed in his direction as Zhang Lian drew closer, smiling. Her grip was light on the blade, almost a playful one; however, there was no mistaking the danger in her gaze.
Minister Hu swallowed hard, his mouth dry, as he took another shaky step forward. Whatever happens, he told himself, I have to survive this.
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