"Why did not you tell me before, Prince you are not being responsible, what if something serious has happened_??" a woman above forty was sitting on her king-size pouchy.
From her looks, it was easy to understand that she was more concerned about her presenting behavior and appearance, wearing precious gems and dress, contour and body language representing her position in the Palace, she was the Queen of this kingdom, with the legal title of the first wife, that means she was feared by the lowly concubines of the King.
She thought that she had stronghold on everything which should be her, her children came first in the row of princes and princesses either they were younger or older, like her three sons were addressed as first Prince, second Prince, and third Prince despite the fact that there were other children in the palace who came after the eldest Prince from the other concubine's womb.
Her children were given priority in every way because she was the first daughter of the neighboring Kingdom, the worst enemy of Kingdom Shang.
This was the reason, she especially ordered her son to take part personally in the border war against the Shang Kingdom.
"There is no need to worry, our kingdom have some courageous people, a girl salvaged at right time_!!" he related honesty, he dared not to displease his mother.
"A girl by chance was there, I invited her to stay in the Palace and celebrate with us the winter festival_!!"
"You did right, I also wanted to meet her, send someone to inform her_!!" she stood up to go back in her first court and have her regular contour.
Henan was laying leisurely on her bed and thinking ways to proceed further in her planning.
She was thankful that idiot Prince did not bother her again.
Her hand was wrapped with a temporary bandage, it got burned with the oil of lit lamp when she was in the study of Prince, she was fortunate to remain unnoticed by anyone.
Few maids came carrying some rounded flat iron plate.
"Miss Diu, First Prince sent this for you so that you could look presentable in front of Queen_!!" the maid stated without expressions.
Queen liked being presentable and liked to meet presentable people, Prince was thoughtful about this important thing so he sent some fresh pieces of clothes and other necessity for her.
"Why my Queen wanted to meet_?" she was little perplexed.
"This we don't know_!" they left all the things in her rooms and took her permission.
Henan checked all items and they really meet the standard.
Finding this as a chance, she prepared to meet the Queen.
She was well versed with the ways of the palace.
She wore the silk dress and accessories with light makeup and was ready, she had to cover her hand because it was burned badly.
Prince sent some guards to guide her toward the first court, she was living in a room of fourth court herself.
Henan was the daughter of General and grow up in the Palace, her ways were different from ordinary people, her walk and her attitude were exquisite which tells her high bearings and she was looking a well-dotted princess.
Henan kept sneaking around to remember the layout of the first court and important details.
Queen was sitting on her grand pouchy.
A girl entered in her vision in the company of some guards, from her looks to her ways and manners, she was elegant, Queen could not believe that she was an ordinary country girl, she stood up from her pouchy not knowing it at all.
"Diu Fan pays respect to my dear Queen_!!" she slightly bowed to greet the dumbfounded Queen.
This brought her back into reality and Queen sat again on her pouchy while gesturing Henan to sit.
Henan bowed again and sat there which pleased her more.
"I am pleased to meet this courageous girl_state your wish and I will grant immediately_!!" Queen composed herself and spoke in her usual controlled demeanor.
"Now I know, kind Prince holds the great ways of his mother, no doubt, I am elated my dear Queen_when I will go back, I will tell people about the kind natures of Queen and first Prince_!!" Henan exaggerated her acting scene flatly and moved her hand in the air.
"Oh, what is it_?? what happened to your hand_??" Queen was clearly flattered by her exaggerated praises when Henan moved her hand she saw it wrapped and asked.
"Diu, what happened to your hand_??" she asked.
"Ahh, its nothing, Ahh it slightly hurts, nothing serous_!!" she threw her hand against the chair handle and then showed that she was hurt already.
"I was changing the oil from the oil lamp and I got hurt by the burning oil, but it will be fine after a while_!!" she tried to assure the Queen.
"No, you should not again_!!" with this she gestured her personal maid and she brought another maid after few breaths.
"From now on, this maid will look after your needs_!!"
Henan thanked again and again while in her mind she cursed her several times, it seemed she really needed some acting skills to work.
"I don't need a maid, please, I don't need a maid!!" she shouted in her head again and again but in no avail.
It would be dangerous if a pair of eyes was always at her then how she would be able to freely do her business??
Fan Mei was among the most used to maids, all learned maids were employed to tend the Queen while some experienced maids were given in the serving of other Concubine's and their children while few maids were considered punching bags for other qualified maids.
Fan Mei was also a punching bag in this way, some low ground chores were given to such maids.
It was a first time that a punching bag maid was given a big responsibility to tend a guest, a dotted guest in her thoughts, she was given the same dress as the qualified maids for this purpose, she swore to do her duty well.