I think this chapter is going to be a rly long one. So be prepared. Anyway- recently I've checked out a drama called the Empress of China, about Wu Ze Tian. Some don't like it, I've seen their reviews. But honestly, I think it's not bad. So go check it out! It stars Fan Bingbing, btw. Although I still like Baby Zhang and Rachel Momo best (chinese actresses).But I'm not going to keep on talking abt them! Back to the story...   ~aurum autumn

Gao Ling and I have concluded that Wu Ze Tian is a crazy ambitious woman. But we've discovered, too, that she's very interesting. We've been going around as a trio. Helping with the laundry together, and volunteering for cleaning duty together. 

Wu Ze Tian has given me a whole new perspective, honestly. Maybe it's because she was sent to England for two years, or maybe she's well-educated. She thinks the Emperor is a womanizing tyrant, but says she has to win his heart to rule China. Not so sure about that. Wu Ze Tian ruling China? A disaster. 

"Honestly, women should be more educated," Wu Ze Tian hisses now as we embroider pretty flowers onto a dress each. 

Gao Ling glances nervously around. "Shush, Wu Mei."

(mei means younger sister. in this case, it's used casually, as a form of endearment, i guess)

I concentrate on the flowers and dragonflies I'm embroidering onto a light pink and lilac dress. I used bright colours to really stand out. 

Lady Lin sweeps by, her dress making a soft swishing sound. She pauses next to me and clucks. I see Gao Ling stop and look up. Wu Ze Tian just watches, a slightly amused look on her perfect face. 

Lady Lin smiles unexpectedly. "Good job, Lady Wang. I'll pick your dress. This is for the second concubine, Concubine Mai."

I gape in shock, then close it, trying to be ladylike. What? She never told us the best design was to be given to one of the concubines. I nod and tell Lady Lin thank you, and that I have to touch up a little first before I can pass it to her. 

Lady Lin nods in approval. "You're a hardworking one, Lady Wang."

I smile at her. Once she moves on, I turn to Gao Ling and Wu Mei. Gao Ling squeals, "Nice!" in our village dialect, and Wu Mei smiles slightly. 

Is it just me, or is she just faking her smile?

I can never tell with Wu Mei. 

We turn our attention back to the dresses. Soon I've completed mine and I am ready to give it to the concubine. Lady Lin smooths out the invisible wrinkles in the dress and tells me "Go to the Marble Building. The Concubine Mai is there. Present it to her and bow to her."

Feeling slightly nervous, I nod and take the dress carefully in between my fingers. I pass the gardens and the chattering women. It's like I stepped out of the border. Since we can't leave. I walk with a maid Lady Lin sent and she guides me to the Marble Building. I see many guards dressed in shining metal armour and equipped with heavy looking weapons. The maid looks at me in confusion, then murmurs "More guards today."

I nod back, and walk to the doors of the building. A guard stops me, holding out a spear to block the doorway. "His Honoured Majesty is inside. Who are you?"

My maid, Wan En, squeaks "We come to deliver a dress."

The guard looks at her, then seems to recognise her. He grins for a while, then winks at Wan En. I watch them in amusement. How cute. 

Then I remember Liang Wen and I were once like that too. Young and in love.

I pull myself higher and step forward. My feet, which are covered by a pair of thin beaded slippers, touch the cold marble floor. I look down and realise everything is made of marble. The white marble covers every surface. 

Wan En nudges me excitedly. I move my eyes again and see a lady and a man. The lady's arm is draped around the man and she's whispering into his ear. Wan En and I stand there awkwardly for a moment. 

The man looks up and his eyes meet mine. He taps the lady's arm and disentangles himself from her. The lady swivels her head to glare at us. There's pure venom in her eyes. I avert my eyes and curtsy to the man. He's wearing a gold crown and his outfit is laced with jewels. It's elaborately woven from silk, too. Back in the village, this silk would have bought Liang Wen and I a house. 

I tell myself not to think such thoughts anymore. Liang Wen's dead. I'm here to win the Emperor's heart, not to grieve over a village boy I once loved. 

The man is quite good looking, though, with a perfectly symmetrical face, a decent jawline, and dark eyes. Which are now looking at me.

He speaks first. "Rise. Who are you?"

I stand up properly. Even then, I'm still shorter than him. Well, people in the villages don't have enough food, so almost all of us are tiny. I say as politely as I can "Wang Min greets His Honoured Majesty. Your Majesty, I am here to deliver a dress for the Second Concubine Mai."

He doesn't take his eyes off me. From the corner of my eye, I see the concubine seething with rage. Her fist is clenched and her face is tense, watching my every move. The Emperor speaks again. "Who made this dress? It's quite remarkable."

Remarkable. What's that mean? I never saw that word before. I don't know if it's good or bad, so I reply quietly "I did, Your Majesty."

The Emperor laughs loudly. "Good job, my dear. Beautiful."

Then his eyes narrow, and I hear Wan En draw in a sharp breath. Luckily, though, he says "I've never seen you before."

I curtsy again. "Your Majesty, I am just a lady staying in the Jade Building. I came recently."

His eyes crinkle at the edges as he smiles again. "Wang Min, correct? Why don't we have tea together tomorrow afternoon at the Lotus Gardens, in the Lotus Building?"

My heart screams to reject his offer, but I let logic take over. He's only going to ask me once before he just forgets about me. This is my chance to attract his attention. Besides, it's not just for me. Gao Ling, Wu Mei and I agreed that whoever gets the Emperor's attention first will try to introduce the other two to him as well. We want to be together. 

So I smile and bow gracefully, my sleeves fluttering. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"You are dismissed," he says, waving a hand. Just before I turn to leave, I catch a smile on his face and I smile back. I can't wait to tell Gao Ling. Oh, and Wu Ze Tian too.