Phoenix: Rules Of The Harem
Chapter 29: Tell Me Your Hope

Entering spring, the entire city in the Shao Empire held a festive spring festival. It was also true for the densely packed capital of Xiaoyang, the residents would decorate the entire corner of the city with bright and shining spring trinkets. The wind blew gently inside the Fourth Princess' Manor, making many curtains with open windows move and fly lightly. This residence felt so peaceful and soothing, in this pleasant atmosphere, Ling Mei chose to remain silent within her Yin Pavilion. The day leading up to the night when Ling Mei was about to finish with her entire piece of work, it really took up a lot of time and thought recalling all the tall parchment piles she had on her desk.

Ling Mei sighed while gently massaging her temples, a little bit she felt dizzy in her head from thinking too much since the morning. Actually, Ling Mei needed something to rest her mind for a moment, maybe something like coming out of the residence or almost the same as it could relax her head which she felt would explode after this. Thinking about the work, there was currently only Ling Mei herself inside her study, there was no Wu Jin with her and Yu Shen standing guard outside Ling Mei's study. However, not long after, Yu Shen knocked on the door and entered Ling Mei's study, it seemed like she was intending to convey something.

"Your Majesty, there is a message from Major Companion Wei."

Hearing Yu Shen's words, Ling Mei turned her gaze to the servant. "Say!"

"Main Companion Wei invites you to enjoy the beauty of the city outside the residence tonight."

Ling Mei nodded in understanding, "Hao, tell Principal Companion Wei that I agree to it."

However, before Yu Shen walked out of Ling Mei's room, the Fourth Princess of Shao Empire called out to her again.

"Ah, Yu Shen! Did you get any information about the girl I met at the market a few days ago?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. The young girl named Fan Lin Hua was the daughter of a noble couple who had fallen and lived in poverty for the past few years. She is 12 years old and only lives with her eight-year-old brother. His mother died of illness two years ago, while his father followed by committing suicide using poison a few months after his wife's death. Right now they were living using the little savings left behind by their parents and Fan Lin Hua who was working erratically due to her so young age."

The long explanation from Yu Shen made Ling Mei pause for a bit, The Empire's Fourth Princess let out a long sigh.

"I understand. These few days I have brought the two children into the residence and hired Lin Hua as a temporary servant. Yu Shen, after this bring the boy to me, I want to offer him something."

Yu Shen lowered his head respectfully, "Shi. As you wish, Your Majesty."

Ling Mei nodded, then said briefly. "Go!"

.

.

As Ling Mei had commanded earlier, Fan Lin Hua stood in front of Ling Mei with her face bowed down. Beside him, his eight-year-old younger brother, Fan Li Yun, held his one arm tightly. The little boy's face looked timid with a small look of fear visible in both of his eyes. Ling Mei snorted inwardly, was she indeed as hideous as that until these two children looked scared of her?

"Both of you, come closer! Sit down and relax!" Ling Mei sighed, both of them reminding her of an old memory piece that was tightly stored in her heart. Looking at the two who were sitting in front of Ling Mei obediently, Fourth Princess Shao was secretly smiling very thinly. "Fan Lin Hua, do you know why I called you here?"

The young girl clasped her hanfun cloth tightly, the look on her face looking nervous as she faced off against the precious Fourth Star of the Empire. "No, Your Majesty."

At first, Fan Lin Hua never thought that the person who saved her from the robbery the street thieves had committed was an imperial princess, rather the Fourth Princess of Shao Empire was full of rumors. It was very different from the rumors that circulated if Fourth Princess Shao Ling Mei was a stupid and childish mental handicap, he said, many people said that she was a useless princess like trash and did not have such a beautiful face. However, something different had Lin Hua seen with her own two eyes due to an accidental occurrence.

"Listen, Fan Lin Hua! Looks like I can't hire you inside my residence anymore after this."

Hearing that, Fan Lin Hua raised her head with a visibly surprised face. Nah! Does that mean he'll be kicked out of this place? Even his younger brother, Fan Li Yun, looked sadly at his older sister who looked so disappointed. Fan Li Yun knew well the intent of the remark delivered by the esteemed young lady before him, this was quite unfair considering her brother looked so happy when she worked at this place. Unlike before, no one had insulted or even bullied the two of them here, everyone treated Li Yun and Lin Hua well, just like when both of their parents were still alive.

Fan Li Yun could even see clearly how sincerely the elder brother did all his work during this residence without complaining at all by continuing to remember the Fourth Princess who was almost never even the two of them look in the past few days because of the bustle of the young lady.

"Pardon me earlier, Your Majesty .. did I make a mistake? A-or did you dislike my attitude when I was working? A-is it because I am incompetent at work? Whatever it is, forgive me Your Majesty, I promise I will not repeat the same mistake .. I beg you, allow me to remain by your side, Your Majesty!"

Lin Hua's voice rang out violently, the young girl's head lowered deeply asking for forgiveness from the Fourth Princess. When he saw the fear in the young girl's eyes, Shao Ling Mei sighed. The Fourth Princess of the Empire was quite aware that she looked terrifying with her cold aura, after all, it was not easy enough to just change her. This had naturally come out when Ling Mei started to show her true character.

"Little girl, you don't have any faults. All the work you do is very good and I like it, I called you both here because there is something I want to offer you."

Hearing that, Lin Hua quickly raised her head. Highlight his eyes seemed to shine again and with a slight stammer he asked, "S-an offer? What is His Majesty about?"

"What's? P-man Yuyin? What do you mean, Your Majesty? I'm sorry, but I don't quite understand." Lin Hua said doubtfully, feeling confused and nervous at one time, what was the Fourth Princess actually referring to?

"If you officially join, my personal bodyguard, Liao Wu Jin will explain it to you. So, little girl, I'm waiting for your answer."

"Then, does that mean I'll stay by your side? Can I be someone useful to you, Your Majesty?"

"Of course, in a different sense. You will train in a hidden place quite far away from here and you can bring your sister if you want or leave her in this residence. Show me that I didn't misjudge you, little girl."

Fan Lin Hua exhaled confidently, the look in those eyes seemed to be blazing with excitement and impatience. "Your Majesty, I'm willing. But, I want my sister to stay here and help serve you because that will probably be a long training for me."

Ling Mei nodded in agreement, "It's not hard, Wu Jin will escort you to that place and you can visit your sister once every two months. You can also send a letter to your sister if you miss her, I don't forbid it.*

"Fan Lin Hua and Fan Li Yun were grateful for any kindness given by Her Majesty Fourth Princess Shao. This lowly one will definitely do well for you." get up from his seat, Fan Lin Hua who was followed by his younger brother; Fan Li Yun bowed respectfully to Shao Ling Mei who was in front of them.

.............................

The sky was again decorated with a beautiful full moon, the night had arrived, the sky was darkened with many stars shining brightly among them. As per her promise with Yun Rui, Ling Mei stepped foot towards the Xuanshi Pavilion intending to pick up her main husband and take him out of the residence to spend time together. Different than usual, though, Ling Mei who more often wears dark colored clothes this time she looks so sweet like a ripe peach with brightly colored hanfu on the inside and red on the outside with floral pattern embroidery the charming peach. Gazing at his arrival, Yun Rui who was currently waiting inside a gazebo that was in front of his pavilion quickly stood up and walked over to Ling Mei with a smile that was stretched out on her face.

Using clothes that are not so bright, but also not so dark, with dark gray hanfu on the inside and white on the outside decorated with neat bamboo leaf pattern embroidery, Yun Rui stood right before Ling Mei with a happy twinkle seen in both of her eyes.

"Wife, you're coming!" speech with a cheerful tone sounded from Yun Rui's lips.

Staring flatly at Yun Rui, but not showing a glare of hatred, Ling Mei said, "Don't I have agreed to it before? Of course I'll come for you."

Feeling pleased with Ling Mei's reply, Yun Rui grabbed onto the Fourth Princess' arm and spoke enthusiastically. "Should we go now?"

"Yes." replied Ling Mei softly with softened eyes.

The market looks much more beautiful in the evening, the spring festival has been held since one day ago, of course all the city streets look absolutely stunning with many lanterns and flowers decorated in every corner of the city today. Many people passed by, there was a loud sound from some merchants who offered their merchandise kindly to everyone who passed by. Ling Mei and Yun Rui walked side by side, this time the two chose to come out without bringing a single servant behind them. Just the two of you and enjoy the crowd of Xiaoyang city casually. Some snacks from sweet, savory, to spicy have been purchased. Ling Mei who was beside Yun Rui would be silent as she looked at Yun Rui and bought everything the young man who was her official husband wanted.

At the end of time, Yun Rui invited Ling Mei to buy two lanterns for the two of them to fly. At first Ling Mei intended to reject him, but when she saw the disappointment on Yun Rui's face she agreed. Haa... Ling Mei felt this was nothing like her. Writing in silence, the two flew their lanterns into the sky along with the people around them who also one by one started flying their lanterns.

Looking at his lantern flying upwards, Ling Mei turned her head, looking at Yun Rui who was beside her with a slight hesitation. "You ... what are your hopes?"

"I hope my wife will always be happy no matter what the circumstances and whatever my wife wants will come true."

Yun Rui's reply made Ling Mei speechless with widened eyes, at least she did not expect that the young man who was dubbed the Demon Prince because of his mischief would say that.

'And also Your Majesty, I hope that you can love me again just as you once did.' Yun Rui said expectantly, as her eyes dimmed, but it quickly returned to being the same bright twinkle as before.

"Then, my wife, tell me your hope!" yun Rui said as she looked towards the light of the two of them who were now starting to move towards the vast sky along with the lanterns of others.

"Just .. a power so I can protect my people."

Yun Rui turned her gaze to Ling Mei, a gentle smile was seen on her charming face. The young man moved closer towards Ling Mei, then, without saying anything Yun Rui hugged Ling Mei. "You can definitely do it, I'm sure of it, Ling Mei."

Hearing that soft, yet strengthening tone, Ling Mei fell silent stiffly. Unknowingly the two hands of the daughter who was considered a mentally disabled person moved back in return for a hug from Yun Rui, in silence with a slightly bitter face Ling Mei tightened her arms without thinking of anything.