The Red Bride - Chapter 6
Tiny snowflakes danced as they fell, gentle and quiet. Rhythmic fluttering of wings and chirps played in the background. Inside a secluded room laid a beautiful maiden deep in slumber, and the gentle warmth of the stoves gave her a cozy feel. Her long obsidian hair flowed like the Han river, her face was lightly kissed by the winter sun, and her slender hands held a rustic book over her chest. A gentle knock on the door stirred the sleeping maiden, her clothes made a soft rustling sound as she turned sideways.
The door pushed open, and two pretty maids dressed in blue entered. The smell of lightly sauteed vegetables, garlic, and herbal soup wafted through the doors. Mu Qing’s long lashes fluttered open, like butterfly wings. Small sounds of clinks signaled the arrival of her long awaited breakfast, and her stomach softly growled. After the last dish was set on the table, Mu Qing propped herself up. White tender arms were exposed as her hands stretched above her. The two maids stood silently by the side.
Her clever eyes closely examined the two, and upon feeling her gaze they both bowed in respect.
The taller of the two quickly greeted her, “This servant is named Gu Chi.”
“And this servant is named Ke Ying,” the shorter immediately answered.
Mu Qing waved her hands nonchalantly, and pardoned their bows. Gu Chi reached in her selves and fished out a letter. She gingerly handed it over to the young Empress.
“Your Highness, this letter is from the Emperor.”
Mu Qing raised one eyebrow in suspicion, but still grabbed the paper and read it. The letter only had two simple words: “Use them.”
This letter is indeed from that ice cube, even his strokes are bold and arrogant. Her eyes shined in amusement. Clearly, he sent them to watch over her. That’s fine with her though. Out of anybody in the palace, the person she would trust the most, besides herself, is definitely that ice cube.
Ke Ying then handed another letter to Mu Qing. This one however was from a person that she has never met before, the imperial tutor. The imperial tutor is not by any means an old, wise man, instead he was young and is around the same age as the Emperor. He was given the title because of his intelligence and his friendship with Hu Feng. To say that he is the right hand man of the Emperor would not be an understatement.
Mu Qing opened the letter carefully.
“Greetings to the new Empress. As you know, the snow has been falling thick this year. His Highness and I are too busy to plan the birthday banquet, therefore this task will fall on you. Anything you need will be provided by Gu Chi and Ke Ying. Best of luck.”
Her heart felt like lead sunked to the bottom of the sea. Her plans of living a carefree life has been utterly destroyed by that stupid imperial tutor. She was tempted to tear the paper and pretended she never received it. Lamenting silently on the inside, Mu Qing folded the letter. The first thing she should do is familiarize herself with these two maids.
“Seeing that the Emperor has sent you, I will not turn you two away. You do not need to attend my daily needs*(1), but I do need help with my hair and clothes. As for the courtyard, I hope you guys will do what is best.”
Mu Qing may prefer to speak less, however that doesn’t mean she is cold and rude to her helpers, even the ones her mother sent. After all, they are all woman, so no one has it easy.
“Yes, your Highness,” they both bowed.
Mu Qing slowly rose from her beloved couch and walked towards the table with piping hot food. A rare sense of happiness rose from the depth of her heart. Her mouth started watering. She is a food lover, and the palace is supposed to have the best chefs in the country. If they can please that ice cube, then they must be truly awesome.
Gu Chi spooned a bowl of white congee*(2) and arranged thinly sliced ginger and salted shrimp on top. She placed the bowl in front of her new mistress. Ke Ying poured warm water into a basin waited to the side of the beautiful empress. Mu Qing washed her hands in the water, dried them with the provided towel, and whispered a thank you to both of the maids.
‘Ice Cube, your servants are indeed capable.’
Her slender fingers held the porcelain spoon in excitement. She scooped a mouthful and bought it to her rosy lips. Her face shone with bliss as she felt the warmth of the congee go down her throat. Excellent! Amazing! The bland congee is complemented with saltiness from the shrimp and that kick of ginger brings a refreshing spiciness. She picked a couple of saute vegetables from a dish and sprinkled some sauteed garlic on top of her bowl. This is heaven!
Mu Qing happily ate her breakfast, and the two maids stood silently by her side. They were secretly amazed by how much this little empress can eat. After all of the plates were wiped clean, Mu Qing dismissed the two and went back to her book. The birthday banquet planning can wait until tomorrow.
—————————————-
A pretty girl with a high ponytail sighed in relief, “I was so nervous, bro.”
The taller girl with a long scorpion braid answered, “Me too. I thought she would send us back.”
Ke Ying laughed helplessly, “Man, I thought I would mess up and say something like, ‘Here, let me serve you with my dirty slave hands.’”
Gu Chi also laughed along with her, “If you said that, I would probably go along with it too. Her Highness is so pretty! She would definitely look good next to the Emperor.”
“Definitely!”
The two happily walked away from Mu Qing’s courtyard to report to the imperial tutor.
———————————
1) Her daily needs like bathing or using the bathroom.
2) Congee: A rice porridge that is often eaten for breakfast in Asia
How do you like the maids? How about the food scene?