The door suddenly pushed open, causing Zhang Li to stir in her sleep before opening her eyes slowly.
" Why is there so much noise this morning? Don't you think it's too early for all these?" She groaned as she sat up. Her eyes followed the movement of the other person in the shabby small room. The girl had very fair skin and looked so skinny for her age.
The girl turned to her and sighed," Zhang Li! Why are you still in bed by this time? Do you want to get punished by Cai Wei?"
"And who are you and why are you in here?" Zhang Li asked as she rubbed her eyes.
"What? How come you don't know me? We literally talked all day yesterday and we slept in this room together with Lian Hua and Fei Yan." The girl spoke as though she was mildly upset at Zhang Li's poor memory. She folded her arms and continued, " I am Zhi Lan. I told you so many times yesterday and it's only fair you remember because I remember yours. Are you fully awake?" She lowered her voice at the last part.
Zhang Li just stared blankly at her for some seconds before asking, " Zhi Lan?"
"Think of Orchid anytime you say my name." Zhi Lan said as she sat on the straw bed beside Zhang Li on the floor.
Zhang Li asked slowly this time, " Lian Hua? Fei Yan?"
"You'd better wash up and get ready as soon as possible. Cai Wei is going round today and we have a lot to do today." Zhi Lan said as she stood up. She reached into her clothes and brought out the two flatbread she took from the kitchen.
Offering it to the other girl, she spoke, "Here, have it as breakfast today. I stole this from the Kitchen. Eat as fast as you can and come outside."
"Thank you." Zhang Li said as she collected it to eat. Zhi Lan just observed her for a while before saying, "You look like you've never been through tough times before. Why are you here? A fugitive? A war survivor?"
Zhang Li turned to her and asked," What about you? Why are you here?"
Sighing, Zhi Lan stood up and walked around the room, " I've been here for most of my life. My parents..... My parents...."
"What happened to your parents?" Zhang Li asked, eyes keen with curiosity. The bread crumbs fell to the ground as she stood up.
"My parents died in the Xifei Massacre. They were just poor merchants." Zhi Lan explained with dropped shoulders and head lowered.
Zhang Li paused for a while before asking, "Xifei Massacre? You're also from the North?"
Zhi Lan nodded and held her hands, "Are you also from the North?"
Zhang Li quickly detached her hands and looked away, "No, I'm not from there. I just had some friends there."
Before any further conversation could be made, the door was opened so suddenly, startling them a bit. Fei Yan walked in with some silk in hand, " Zhang Li, I see you're up already. I could use some extra hands to fold these things."
" How effective, Fei Yan. You're done with the washing already and here I was thinking you'd need my assistance." Zhi Lan said as she took some of the sheets from her. Zhang Li just watched as they folded the sheets before she walked out. Just as she was leaving, Fei Yan asked after her, " Zhang Li, where are you going?"
"To put myself to use." She answered as she left.
.....
Back at the Palace, the ministers were headed to the Imperial Court, Hall of Divine Rule, climbing up the grand steps in their deep crimson outer robes and black caps seated proudly on their heads.
The doors of the Hall of Divine Rule opened and one by one, the entered and stood in two orderly rows before the throne, each holding a black, wooden, narrow court tablet.
The courtroom was silent, not a single sound was heard. The ministers shifted uneasily in their positions. Why did His Majesty call for a meeting today? It wasn't supposed to happen until the following week.
After few minutes, the Grand Eunuch announced the presence of the Emperor as they entered the hall.
"His Imperial Majesty has arrived."
All ministers and officials present quickly bowed their heads in respect as the Emperor made his way to his throne slowly, his long, floor length deep-crimson outer robe sweeping the polished floor. The robe had an intricate golden dragon embroidered in the chest area, wide sleeves, a broad jade and gold belt and his ceremonial crown had beads over his face.
As he walked to his seat before them, they all chorused with loud voices with their gazes down and hands held in front of them in courtesy, " Long live His Majesty. May your Majesty enjoy ten thousand years."
When he had sat down, he waved a hand towards them, " Rise."
They all stood up at once. The Emperor's eyes swept over each and every one of them. The Grand Eunuch whispered something which he nodded to.
The Minister of Personnel, Han Zhenyuan quickly stepped forward with hands held out. His outer clothes were deep-crimson but the collar and sleeves of his inner clothes was lined with Purple. He lowered his head again with hands stretched forward in courtesy, "Your Majesty, this humble Minister has something to report."
Emperor Wang just hummed and he continued," One of the Magistrates has concluded his terms and he seeks promotion to the office of County Magistrate."
"Oh?" The Emperor asked as he placed a hand on his jaw. Han Zhenyuan smiled and continued, "Yes, Your Majesty. The people of Linhai Town have spoken good things about him."
"That's good. In that case, see to his promotion." He turned to the Eunuch standing some feet away from him to come closer before speaking in low tone with him.
Han Zhenyuan returned to his initial position and this time, the Minister of Works stepped forward, Mu Mingde. He was a chubby, stout man and cream lined the collar and sleeves of his inner clothes.
"You Majesty, I am here to report on the progress of the repairs of the Eastern roads and the bridge." He spoke and adjusted the cap on his head before putting his hands in front of him again. The Emperor just nodded and he continued after clearing his throat, "The bridge has been completed already but the repair on the roads has slowed down. We would need additional laborers and workers but it seems the Ministry of Personnel has been ignoring this matter."
As soon as this was mentioned, the Minister of Personnel stepped forward in a rush, "This information is a bit misleading, Your Majesty."
"Misleading, you say?" Mu Mingde asked as he slowly turned his head to Han Zhenyuan in fury.