Being The Carefree Empress 16 Shen Courtyard

I looked at the ladies got on their carriages. Then I looked at the girl who'll be living in the Shen Courtyard. All of the candidates have their worths and advantages. This girl. She's the most.. useless for the Emperor. She would serve no purpose, not even as a concubine. Maybe besides bearing a child, but any of the other candidates are capable to do that. Also her background, she would have been a fine lady if their family was able to bloom but pity it didn't.

Despite all that she was to live in that place. Of all places. Just what could this b.a.s.t.a.r.d plotting.

" Cease the thought, I am not plotting anything." I turned to look at the man who made the list I've read. His eyes is closed and his everlasting smile is shown when he put his fan away.

"High - Priest, if you are not plotting anything then explain why she's in that courtyard. You... of all people know that place is.."

"Oh Zuo, Of course I know. That's why even if there's a reason, that place was chosen. Rather there's no one more fitting than her to be in that place." He smiled, knowing this guy for long, this smile means he knew something I have yet to know.

"That aside, the Lord have visited me. This may change your view to that girl, so I'll tell you that.. The Lord asked me about something related to that girl." He smiled then opened his fan before leaving with his servants.

The Lord asked him about that girl... about a girl?!

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Shen Courtyard

I looked around the place as we arrive here after a 15 minutes ride from the northern Sky Palace. It was near a small lake and borderline of the forest. It's peaceful and refreshing here, since it's surrounded by natural environment. It was quite pretty big place, but the architecture and designs of the place is simple. It has the mixture of ancient structure and traditional style. The place dazzles from the silver and white designs, but it gives of the feeling that it's the purest place you'll ever been to.

"Lady... This is where you'll reside for the past few months." I looked over to Rory and some slaves that was given to me by Matron Esvele. Apparently, they never expected someone to be brought to this place so they didn't stationed palace maids here so now they are understaffed. I was even promised to be given a batch of servants tomorrow, but looking at this children. They seems to be working hard labor in a long time, plus they seems to know Rory so this is fine.

"Isn't this the place that was said His Majesty forbids people in entering..?"

"I heard there are a lot of ghost here.."

"Is our lady being condemned?"

I look at them. They are composed of two 12 year old girls and 13 year old boys who are triplets. Plus Rory being the eldest, 14 years old.

Now that I think about it, am I being punished by the G.o.ds as I was reckless back then when I was this age so the G.o.ds are making me look after them? I mean, I wasn't that bad and I don't really mind..

'Lady..?" I was pulled back from my thoughts when I heard Rory called me. I smiled at them and carried the luggages. I saw Rory trying to helped me, but I ignored it and lead them to the entrance of the residence.

I put aside my things at the flooring then opened the door and saw the place inside covered in white cloth. I picked one cloth and pulled it off, it revealed a elegant red sofa. The sofa frame is color gold and sculpted very detailed, showing different designs of dragon harmoniously existing together. The sofa foam is embedded in the frame and the red velvet cloth is so smooth and clean.

Clean? I thought this was somewhat abandoned based from what I heard from other people's talk and reaction earlier. Including how the Shen Courtyard is farthest and almost out of the whole Royal Place.

"Remove all the cloth and neatly fold it. Let see what we have here." I told them and they did as I told. I looked around the place. It's definitely not all clean, but why is this sofa not the same? Like it's always being kept clean.

I looked at the sofa again, now that I looked at it. It's pretty big and too luxurious to be in this place. Because if anything, the atmosphere in this house is simplistic, homely, and pure. This furniture here is rather out of place.

"My lady, please rest while we clean the place." Rory said as he handed me a warm towel. Which I accept and used to wipe my face and arms. Then I gave it back before rolling up my sleeves.

"Cleaning this place would take too long if it's just you guys. I'll help." I said while I twist my hair into a bun and using a hair pin that Effreila gave me to keep my hair up. They looked at me dazed as if I'm talking some kind of sorcery.

"What?" I asked as I lift my luggages and put it on the luxurious sofa. They seem to be hesitant in voicing their thoughts. I stand straight, closed my arms, and looked at them.

"You kids, I know how to clean, cook, and even take care of myself. Cleaning is not new to me. So let's clean up so you guys can rest too." I said and ordered Rory to get some cleaning materials to get started. Rory wanted me to just sit, but I bet they wouldn't be able to even finish this receiving room alone in whole afternoon.

After cleaning the living room. I told them to rest and later prepare for dinner. I looked around the place. It is a big place, here's the living room or receiving room in the north where we entered, kitchen in the west side. The master bedroom and two guests room in the south. There's a servant rooms just at the back of the south.

"Well. This is something." I said to myself as I opened the door in the East side. What greeted me was a room full of books and a table and chairs in the middle. Must have been a study area or an office. Am I allowed to use or even browse here tho? Seems like pretty important place.

I walked inside and find it somewhat clean. Although there are some dust and spider webs in the ceiling, the floor is clean and the tables and chairs are neatly arranged and uncovered.

I looked at another door that leads outside near the lake, I pulled it to the side so that air can get in and ventilate this place. As I open it, cold and refreshing winds from the lake entered through the sliding door. The light from the moon reflecting in the lake makes it magical and sparkling. Then I saw a silhouette not from a far here. The dark blue robes flutters from the wind. His hair follows the wind blows, but this didn't affect his visual at all. Infact he looks like a deity or G.o.d just standing there. He turned his face towards this place and his deep dark blue eyes glisten from the moon's light.

He started walking forwarding here, not breaking the eye contact we had. How can this person looks so G.o.dly? and why am I even freely describing him as G.o.dly, it's not that I saw G.o.ds before. Is he that handsome that I'm stupidly using that word? I looked at him as he stand infront of me looking up and me looking down to him.

"Done staring?" He said in a low voice, but I was able to hear every word. I started laughing because of the familiar line. At this time, I'm not even embarra.s.sed staring at him.

"Yeah. You just look so good with the lake as your background, mister." I smiled at him then I sat down to the wooden floor. He looked at me paused then I heard a t.i.tter laugh which amused me. So i looked at him, but his face is still straight face. This guy.. would it kill him to just smile a bit?

"Anyways Mister, what are you doing here? Don't say that you're pa.s.sing by because that's impossible." I said jokingly but I meant it. This place was allegedly forbidden area and it's far away from other palaces so either he's here on purpose or some other reason.

"I am often here. I always read in that place." He said and pointed at the back where the table and chair is located. So that's explain why it was uncovered. But I thought..

"Isn't this place said to be forbidden? Why are you here? Are you sneaking in?" I asked. He then sat down besides me after wiping the floor a bit.

"No. There are just people who are only allowed here, because they have affinity in this place." He said looking at me. Now that is another long sentence. Wait, why am I getting off track. What does he mean affinity here? Like when the high - priest made the list where we'll live in specific courtyards based on our attribute?

"Then this place is not really forbidden? It's just that people need affinity here or their attributes aligned to the Shen Courtyard?" I asked. He then turned his body towards me, I saw how he slowly raised his hand and then touched my face. I felt his warm fingertips touching my cheek.

"This place is forbidden, but you're special and that's interesting." He said as he look straight into my eyes. Like he's looking at someone... something he's deeply interested. Which made me cold so I instinctively flick his hand away from my face.

"I.. I'm sorry about that.." I said shocked from what I done. He looked at his hand then me. I looked at his hand which he slowly put down.

"Pardon me, for what I done." He said nonchalantly. I felt my heartbeat slowing down. Was I that nervous earlier?

"Yeah.." I said then stood up.

"It's getting late so I'll go check on my companions. Feel free to read here. I'll even tell my people to do some dusting here so you can read comfortably." I smiled at him which he just nodded. I took a step inside to go back when I heard him talk.

"Erden."

I turned back to him to ask what he just said and saw him frowning and shocked as if he's suprised and confused on what he said.

"Erden.. Is that your name?" I asked. He looked at me and sighed. The next thing he does shocked me. He smiled.

"Yes. That is my name."