In Imperial palace.
The Emperor dismissed all the officials and servants in the imperial court. Except for Right Prime Minister, Amm De.
Prime Minister Amm De was currently kneeling in front of the dragon's throne. His head was bruised due to knocking his head on the floor.
"Say that again?!" The emperor rose from his throne. His eyes were wide and bloodshot.
In the past, the emperor was well-built and tanned due to participating in the war when he was young. Now, after almost two decades that he became an emperor, he became thin, his skin became pale, his eyes were red from the lack of sleep. And his temperament became truly scary.
"Speak!!!" The emperor yelled.
"Your majesty, your humble servant needed time. General Ren Shou is a mighty individual. We tried to suppress him. But even twenty of my outstanding men did not match him. I'm afraid a lot of preparation is needed."
The emperor took a deep breath. He knew of it of course. That's why he needed him dead now before his power grows!
"Prime minister Amm De, binding time for him will make him stronger. What if he managed to convince a lot of officials to his side? While he was still here in the imperial city, those official that were not loyal to me will flock to him and push him through the throne. If that happened, I'll die and you die. Is that what you want?!"
Amm De kowtowed hard to the floor.
"This servant did not dare Your majesty! Your majesty knows how this servant is loyal to you and will never break the oath that I promised to Your majesty's father! What I wanted to ask is more time."
"Hmph! Useless! For the sake of accompanying me to the throne. I'll let you off this once. I'll add one more month. In two months, I need him dead." The emperor said with a vicious expression.
Amm De bowed once more and gave his thanks. However, he did not stand up and was still kneeling on the floor. The emperor noticed this.
"What are you still waiting for? If you have something to report, tell Us, and don't let Us wait!"
(A/n: in the ancient era, the emperor called themselves as Us instead of I. It was referring to the imperial throne. He forgot earlier this etiquette because of his rage. Actually, he becomes informal sometimes only in front of his trusted people. Since Amm De served him loyally, he sometimes talks to him informally.)
"Your majesty...this servant will never betray you. Please know this. A few days earlier, general Ren Shou met my daughter. And they...t-they..decided to marry."
Silence met him. Amm De did not try to look up.
"Hn.....haha!hahaha!hahha!" The emperor's scary laugh echoed through the court. Amm De felt terrible cold by this laugh. He felt a bad premonition. The emperor was scheming.....and it might be related to his daughter.
'No please no...'
After the emperor laughed, he faced the bowed Amm De.
"Amm De. This is a perfect opportunity. You might not need two months. Why not let him marry your daughter then? Does he take fancy in your daughter? Let's help him. Next month, let them marry. I'll choose the appropriate date."
The emperor smiled evilly.
Amm De was breaking out in cold sweat.
'No.....please don't say that....'
" And you know what will happen next. Train your daughter. Let her fulfill the mission. If she did not finish it in two months, your household and including your daughter will receive a heavy punishment." The emperor laughed after saying this.
Amm De clenched his pale fist. It was clear as day that the emperor wanted to use his daughter to kill the fifth prince.
_______________________________________________
Li Amm was taking her sweet time as the little servants were hurrying in different directions to choose the pins and ribbons that suited her well. She doesn't know how many times the servants changed her hairstyles. There were a couple of servants at the corner who were fighting.
"I think emerald suited her best!" This little servant was holding a necklace with an emerald stone.
"No! Red ruby suited her better!" The other servant was holding a necklace that was imbued with red rubies.
"Girls, come here." Li Amm called the two servants. She was smiling kindly. The servants could not help but admire her beautiful smile. This kind smile reminded them of Lady Lhi, the kind Consort of this residence.
"Emerald, this stone represents a healing heart that brought peace and balance. " Li Amm took the emerald necklace that sparkled brightly.
' An expensive precious stone that consists of a chromium-rich variety of beryl.' Li Amm still remembered her report in college. She began to hate emerald because it was her team's report that all the work left to her.
Li Amm then put it into the servant's neck.
"It suited you more." She then turned to the other servant who was equally shocked. She took the red ruby necklace.
"A red ruby, blossom like a flower, it liveliness shows the owner's heart." Li Amm doesn't know the meaning behind it or what it made of so she said nonsense.
"It suits you better." She put it in the other servant's neck as well.
"Young Miss!" The two cried out. They were so fortunate to have a kind miss who treated them well. But precious stones like this that cost silver taels made the two servants afraid to receive the kindness. It was enough that their young miss thought of them.
"We don't dare to receive it! It belongs to young miss. Only young miss can wear it." The first servant said.
"What are you saying? Of course, it belongs to you because you belong to me. I give it to you because it suits you more than me." Li Amm smiled she was the kindest and generous person on earth.
"Young miss.." The other servant was about to cry as well.
"Hush..It's yours now. Don't make a big deal out of it." Li Amm really looked like a goddess to these two servants.
"We will not forget this kindness young miss! We will work hard and serve you loyally!" The two servants kowtowed on the floor.
"Xiao Min help them up." Xiao Min who was already done for her third hairstyle was already used to this scene. Xiao Min helped the two servants.
"I'm happy to be your master. " Li Amm was still in her deity act.
Then suddenly her expression changed. She furrowed her brow and looked troubled. The two servants noticed this and become worried.
"Is something bothering you, young miss?" the servant asked.
"Oh. It's nothing. I just forgot something important. I need to do it quickly. But how can I do it when I'm busy preparing for later's banquet. What to do?" Li Amm appeared very troubled.
The servants looked at each other. They could see the resolve in each other's eyes.
"You don't have to worry young miss, you have us. We will do it for you."
"You will?" Li Amm looked at them with concern.
"Yes, Young miss you can count on us."
"But..if the two of you got caught, that Old Shao- I mean, aunt Shao Mei would find fault in you. It is a secret that must be hidden from Aunt Shao Mei. I can't bother you two." Li Amm said with sorrow.
"We will keep it a secret young miss. We will carry it until death. "
Li Amm looked at them with gratefulness.
"I am happy I have you two."
Li Amm was really happy that she got the two dress keepers of the De Residence to her side. That Old Shao Mei who put spies on her left and right, would not know about it.
Xiao Min sighed and tried another hairstyle to Li Amm's hair.
'Young Miss bribed people again.'
But Xiao Min was secretly looking forward of what kind of headache her young miss would bring to Aunt Shao Mei.