CH. 10 ~ Making Plans (2)

Lou Qi Ran looked around her surroundings, there were many kids running around. People were walking in two's or three's, the night sky were lighted up with bright lanterns. She looked around and saw two figures who stood out among all the people. The two were walking together, side by side they were currently talking about something.

Lou Qi Ran saw the young girls mouth moving but couldn't quite hear what she was saying to the boy. The young girl looked to be about 14 years old while the boy from his figure looked to be about 16 years old. Lou Qi Ran saw that they were walking away so she quickly followed them out of curiosity.

"...I hope you keep your promise to me. Next time we come here, you must definitely do it for me...you told me..." The young girl was speaking but it wasn't loud enough to hear all of what she was saying. Lou Qi Ran who was trying to understand the situation couldn't understand what they were talking about.

{Promise..? What is the meaning of this?}

"I won't forget, no matter how long it is I won't." Hearing the boys voice, Lou Qi Ran froze, she felt goosebumps all over her body. She couldn't move, this voice, her heart it was behaving strangely.

{My heart..why does it feel like this..?}

Before she could comprehend what this emotion was, Lou Qi Ran awoken. She opened her eyes, and saw that Xiao Li was moving about the room cleaning things up and instructing servants to bring in some stuff.

Xiao Li who turned around at this time saw that Lou Qi Ran had awoken. Carefully instructing the servants to put the chest in the corner, she dismissed them after thanking them.

"Young Miss, you're awake? I'm sorry if we awoken you. I was just telling the servants to put the clothes over there." Xiao Li walked over to Lou Qi Ran and apologized.

"You're fine, I woke up because of something else. Anyways, what time is it? Did I sleep too long?" Lou Qi Ran asked as she sat up in the bed, stretching out her arms.

"No, Young Miss, you've only been asleep for a couple of hours. It's nearly time for breakfast too, so you're just in time." Xiao Li answered as she walked over to the mirror.

Lou Qi Ran nodded towards Xiao Li and went over to sit down for Xiao Li to help freshen her up before they headed out.

•••

When they finished Xiao Li helped Lou Qi Ran smooth out her clothes and after putting on her face veil, they headed outside towards the middle courtyard. The courtyard wasn't far so they walked until they reached the middle courtyard, which was where they were dining in.

Lou Qi Ran went forward and saw that her parents weren't present. The maids were still running about doing their chores and ordering this and that to be done. The table was set up but the food had yet to be brought in. Seeing this, Lou Qi Ran went ahead and headed towards the table. Once she sat down, Xiao Li hurriedly poured Lou Qi Ran a cup of tea.

"Xiao Li, did you check to see if imperial mother and father are awake yet? Were there any news leaking out that we had arrived in Hua Country?" Lou Qi Ran asked as she took a sip of her tea that had cooled down a bit.

"Young Miss, I had checked and they're still getting ready. I had also checked to see if news had leaked out and there seems to be some rumors along the upper class but not for the commoners." Xiao Li answered in a whisper as she stood next to Lou Qi Ran.

Lou Qi Ran nodded her head and observed the maids and servants that were running about.

"Xiao Li, we're going to meet the Hua Emperor soon. Did you prepare the things needed that I asked you to?" Lou Qi Ran asked as she continued observing the maids and servants.

"Young Miss, I already prepared everything. The carriages are ready and the gifts are also ready. We're just waiting to go after this." Xiao Li answered quietly.

"Just make sure that everything is brought along in good condition," Lou Qi Ran pondered over for a bit before saying, "let's head to check it out, breakfast hasn't been served yet."

Xiao Li nodded silently and led Lou Qi Ran towards the chest that had already been loaded onto the carriage. The carriages were parked outside the manor, but at this moment there were not many passerby's so they were safe to come out. Once they reached the carriage, Lou Qi Ran stepped forward as Xiao Li carefully opened the chest. Inside the chest were rare treasures they had brought and prepared for the Hua Emperor as a gift of friendship.

Lou Qi Ran carefully inspected everything inside the chest. There were many rare treasures inside the chest, and there were plenty of guards guarding the two carriages. In satisfaction, Lou Qi Ran carefully looked over all of the items inside the chest one last time before closing it gently.

"Xiao Li, who are the ones going with us to the Imperial Palace? I want to speak to them before we head there." Lou Qi Ran asked Xiao Li as they walked back inside the manor.

"The ones who will be going with us has already been decided. I've already warned them to behave and to be respectful. If you want to meet them then we can go. I've already put their names on a list." Xiao Li answered.

"Alright, let's go. Where did you put the list, Xiao Li?" Lou Qi Ran asked as they started walking towards the main hall.

"This way, Young Miss. I put it inside your chambers for safety measure because no one will dare go inside without permission." Xiao Li answered as she led the way to Lou Qi Ran's courtyard.

...

Once they arrived in Lou Qi Ran's courtyard, they entered the room and Xiao Li went towards a mini-box that was on the vanity table. Xiao Li carefully opened the box, and grabbed the folded paper inside. She took it out and closed the box, then walked towards Lou Qi Ran.

"Here is the name list, Young Miss," Xiao Li spoke as she carefully unfolded the paper to show it to Lou Qi Ran, "these are all the people who will be going with us."

Lou Qi Ran looked at the paper and took it from Xiao Li's hands as she looked through the names one by one.

{Hm, all of these maids and servants has been taught well so I doubt that I'll need to say much.}

"Let's go meet them before we head off to the Imperial Palace, just to make sure they understand their duties clearly and do not make even one mistake." Lou Qi Ran told Xiao Li as she folded the paper and gave it back to Xiao Li.

"Yes, Young Miss," Xiao Li answered as she tucked it away in her sleeve.

After making sure that the door was locked securely Xiao Li then led the way back to the main hall. When they arrived, Xiao Li quickly called the eunuch who was in charge of the maids and servants to get all of the ones who were listed on the list to come to the main hall. Without missing a beat, the eunuch quickly gathered all of the maids and servants who were selected to go.

Before long, the servants and maids who were on the list had all gathered inside the main hall bowing respectfully towards Lou Qi Ran.

"Greetings Princess Lou Qi Ran, we're here to serve you with whatever request you seek." They all said in union, before bowing down to respectfully greet Lou Qi Ran.

With everyone focusing their attention on Lou Qi Ran's face, she finally spoke.

"I only have a small request that I hope everyone can follow through with," Lou Qi Ran stated out with a clear but cold voice, "but if anyone dare to disobey I will act accordingly."

Lou Qi Ran looked at every single one of the maids and servants with a smile hidden behind her face veil, but they could feel the oppressing aura as she glanced at each of them. It was truly frightful!