Prince Tai-hua was seated at the center and on the throne of the emperor.
He had long dark hair and his face was stiff and cruel. He was handsome yet, there was something about him that said he was evil.
Then the empress sat to his side on the right.
She was beautiful woman probably in her early forties, and she had on exquisite clothes and a crown that displayed her status as empress.
Then the Queen mother was nothing like the other two.
She was a lovely woman with streaks of grey hair, probably in her mid fifties.
There was something about her that welcomed you to her.
Her aura dispelled the tense and wicked hostility in the air.
"Your majesties." Li-na said beside Mei-ling.
Mei-ling was still staring at them until Li-na jacked her dress and then she turned and saw her bowing.
Mei-ling quickly bowed down.
"Your majesties." She said.
How could she be so stupid to forget?
In ancient China respect was strict especially to the royal family.
A servant had once been beaten to death for refusing to bow down to the imperial court.
"Concubine Mei-ling." The empress started. "I heard of the unfortunate event you encountered on your way to the palace."
Mei-ling rose her head up. "Yes your majesty."
"We offer our apologies to you." The empress said.
"This concubine and her servant is grateful for your thoughtfulness." Mei-ling said bowing and raising her head up.
She saw Prince Tai-hua's eyes hovering over her.
Prince Tai-hua watched her, his eyes hungry with lust.
She was a commoner and dressed in such plain and ugly clothes yet she was extremely beautiful.
Even her bust was lush.
She didn't even have any make up but she stood out more than any of the women in his own harem.
"You are welcome to the Imperial palace." Prince Tai-hua said. "My brother has yet to return from war. So you will be in residence until he returns."
Mei-ling bowed again.
"Yes your majesty." She said.
Prince Tai-hua's wicked eyes roamed over her body.
For her to be so beautiful she must be conceited and wicked.
He knew girls like her.
They were beautiful on the outside and wicked on the inside.
He will have her until his brother returned.
"You will be given good clothes to make up for the ones you have lost." The Queen mother said.
Mei-ling bowed. "Your majesty is too kind."
"You may be dismissed." The empress said with a wave of her hand.
Mei-ling and Li-na bowed and left.
Once they were out of the court, Mei-ling's heart was beating so fast it was as if it wanted to jump out of her chest.
She knew that the empress and Prince Tai-hua were wicked so she was going to try her best to stay away from them!
Especially with the way Prince tai-hua had looked at her.
She had to maintain a low profile as best as she could.
"Li-na." Mei-ling said. "I would like you to inquire about a shi-tzu in the market for me."
"A shi-tzu?" Li-na looked at her mistress. "You're still interested in that dog?"
If it was her way out of this hell hole then why not?!
"Er... yes." Mei-ling said. "But I just want you to make enquiries for me in the market. If you can find it."
Then Mei-ling took out the gold bracelet from her hand.
"Take this and sell in the market." Mei-ling said. "At least until the prince gives us the allowance. We need to manage something."
"Is my mistress sure of this?" Li-na asked.
Mei-ling nodded. "Yes. Just find out how much it's worth. And return back. I would have left but I need to remain here."
Li-na bowed and left.