My Empress From The Future
The Competition for the Queen

That morning there was a rush at Meihua's Spring Pavilion, all the servants were busy preparing various kinds of clothes and jewelry. Of course, the one who gave the full command was Grand Madam Lianhua, whereas Meihua only resigned herself in front of the dressing table.

"Mother, aren't we just going to the palace to meet the Queen Mother? Why should this serepot ?" Mihua complained.

"Hua'er, don't rule out the possibility of us meeting Emperor Tian Yi, so you should preen to look more beautiful!"

"Li Mei immediately prick konde's clothes, let's hurry!"

"Good Big Mistress."

Li Mei deftly attached the jade-studded konde stitch to Meihua's hair braid.

"Your lady is getting prettier, ahhhh sure the Emperor won't blink looking at you later," teased Li Mei.

"Husss be silent, who does the Emperor want to look at for a long time ? I always shiver every time he looks at me. I wish I never saw him again."

"Hua'er must not speak like that, if your father hears, he will rebuke you" the mother said.

"All right, ma'am, but I'm hungry, can we have breakfast before we go to the palace?" Meihua looked at her mother with compassion.

"Geez, you haven't had breakfast since ? Aren't you up early?"

"Yes, but as soon as I opened my eyes, Li Mei directly dragged me to take a shower and dress up."

"Miss don't accuse me. You yourself are too long soaking until almost overslept."

"There's no time left, Li Mei don't forget to bring a lotus cake, let Meihua eat in the car."

"Ready Mistress!!"

"Kue again? Mom, can't I eat rice and roasted chicken now?"

"Time is not enough! Hold your hunger first, for a while eat cake first, later when we go home, mother buy sweets," Lianhua smiled.

You think I'm the little kid who bought the sweets just sat there quietly and obediently ? Hopefully at the palace later, the Queen Mother provides lunch as well hehehehe.

"Let's go now!"

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The trip to the palace was fun this time. Meihua even enjoyed her trip to the palace this time, of course because her mother introduced various corners of the city clearly to her.

A market full of diverse people, sellers peddling their wares, buyers bidding and sorting through the wares, children running around the street, the sound of music from a restaurant accompanied by the sound of joking saltau and beautiful women from the flower house who are looking for customers, became a special attraction for Meihua.

The imperial palace turned out to be so big and majestic, dozens of soldiers guarding each side and the palace walls. Lianhua clasped her daughter's hand tightly, knowing Meihua was fascinated by the view in the palace and she chuckled.

The butler of the General's residence showed the badge that they were from the General's family and explained that they had arrived due to an invitation from the Queen Mother. They were immediately delivered to the gate of the Queen Mother's residence. Only the General's wife as well as Meihua and Li Mei were allowed to enter.

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"Lianhua said hello to the Queen Mother, may the Queen Mother be blessed with a long, prosperous age always."

"Meihua said hello to the Queen Mother, may the Queen Mother be happy and healthy always."

"But you two wake up!"

"Thank you, Queen Mother."

For the first time Meihua saw the figure of the Queen Mother, a mother who bore a child like Tian Yi and later became an Emperor. The middle-aged woman was always smiling gently, her gaze was typical of a mother. That middle-aged face must have been very beautiful in her youth.

Are they mothers and biological children why the nature is different. The Queen Mother was so cheap a smile, but the emperor was so cold. Meihua dissolved in her mind.

"Greetings to Mrs Kang and Mrs Chu may you be happy always" Lianhua said to the two Madams sitting with their daughters.

"Hua'er let's greet Mrs Kang and Mrs Chu!"

"Forgive my disrespect, Meihua saluted Mrs Kang and Mrs Chu, may peace always be, "Meihua said, bowing her head.

"This is the famous Meihua of recent times? The rumor is true, you are so beautiful as a flower in spring," Madam Chu replied with a gentle smile.

"Thank you Madam Chu, but the rumors circulating are too exaggerating."

"Here you go, sit down first Lady Li and Meihua !" the queen mother's order.

"Thank you, Queen Mother."

Meihua passed by and sat down next to Hongmei, at a different table with her mother.

"You came here because I want to know and want to be close to the future empress of this country. My age is no longer young, the Emperor needs a companion who can help him strengthen the country, give him a successor and complete his life. There will be competition for you. Only one person will be elected empress, the remaining two will be appointed concubines."

The servants poured tea for the queen mother and the guests, they also served dishes of delicious snacks typical of the palace. For a while the conversation stopped on its own. They dissolve in the taste of delicious tea and cakes that not just anyone can eat.

"The competition will start in two days. The three of you will be watched closely. The final result of the assessment will be done by the emperor. Is there anything less clear?"

"We are clear, Your Majesty," the Madam and her daughter replied in unison.

"Good, after this I have a meeting in the Great Hall of the palace, let my ladies and gentlemen deliver you!"

"Thank you Your Majesty."

"Sister Hongmei, you've never been to the General's residence. Next time come!" Meihua's call was coldly responded by Hongmei. Meihua even felt strange, wasn't it when she visited Kang's residence yesterday, Hongmei was so friendly.

Meihua's eye-sight followed the departure of Mrs Kang and her daughter in surprise. Is it possible that a person's nature can change in a matter of days? Lianhua who saw that only smiled awkwardly. Near him Meihua then touched his daughter's shoulder slowly.

"Meihua, you're the first one to the palace, right? Let's take you to the imperial flower garden. There are a lot of flowers there."

Meihua put on a sullen face, "Mom, can we just go home?"

"Why? Not every day we go to the palace, we can also meet your father here," Lianhua put on a puzzled face.

Meihua approached her mother and whispered, "Hua'er felt bad mother, earlier sister Hongmei left by looking intently at me, and it made me uncomfortable."

"alright. I understand how you feel."

Lianhua then turned her head towards the mother and daughter of the Chu family. "Miss Chu are you going straight home?"

"Yes, Mrs General. I don't know why my daughter's not feeling well, I'm sorry."

"You hurt Mingfen's sister?" Meihua asked softly.

"Just feel a little dizzy, brother. I'm sorry."

Lianhua and her daughter nodded. "Mother why is Hongmei's sister so cold this time?"

Meihua asked as she watched the departure of Lady Chu and her daughter.

"Son. You will compete for the position of empress. It's certain that Hongmei thinks of yourself as a rival."

"But Hua'er did not want to be the Emperor's consort, mother. Can Hua'er give up during the competition?"

"Sst! What are you talking about?Silly girl! Don't say it like that! The walls of the palace, even the grass and flowers have ears."

The parable told by his mother made Meihua understand. The girl preferred to duck, playing a ribbon on her shirt. Without them knowing someone was watching them even hearing their words from behind the door.

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Meanwhile Hongmei's mood deteriorated over time. Inside that horse carriage, Lady Kang had even tried to persuade her daughter with all sorts of things. It was just that Hongmei remained pouting.

"Mothers. Why should he be my rival?"

"Who do you mean, son?"

"Who else would it be if it wasn't the foster daughter? Isn't he like a frog who ascended to heaven now?"

"Hongmei, it's not good to talk about others like that. That girl has a name, even when it comes to our residence, aren't you very nice to her? You say it's like having a sister."

"Aiyaa mother. It's just the past. No matter what, now we are competing in any case!"

"alright. Good. I understand your point. It's just that you can't harbor hatred in your heart! Do you understand?"

Hongmei fell silent, his hands clenched tightly. Only one man can help her, my father.

Why is she more beautiful than me? I think I want to destroy his face. Just look what I can do tomorrow, I'll make sure only I'll be the empress. The emperor only needs a companion like me. Not an adopted daughter or the son of a second wife.

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Upon arrival at Kang's residence, Hongmei immediately searched the father in the reading room. With a face of compassion, Hongmei hugged her father's hand. Kang Li Bo who had understood his daughter's intentions could only sigh.

"May'er what's going on this time?"

"Dad. You must promise to help me this time."

"Say. What kind of help did you ask your father for?"

"Dad knows General Li's adopted daughter?"

"of course. Wasn't it just a few days ago that he came here."

"really. At first I thought she could be a good sister. It turned out that her heart was very cunning, she even dared to compete with me for the position of empress. Dad, this time you have to help me."

"alright. Alright. Whatever you're gonna do for this beautiful father's daughter. Tell me what he wants!"

"Dad. The origins of Meihua are highly dubious. Bai Lianhua's nephew? Cihh does dad believe? What if he was the one who was deliberately infiltrated into the palace in order to spy on the Emperor? What if the general has bad intentions?"

Kang Li Bo was silent. It did not rule out that what his daughter said was very true.

"And again, he even had the guts to compete with this father's daughter!"added Hongmei.

"Calm my daughter. I'll do something for you. Now go back to your Pavilion and wait for the good news from dad, how?"

"Dad promised. Dad promised. All right, I'll go now. Excuse me, father."

"Be careful!"

After the large wooden door closed, Kang Li Bo sat back down. His brain thought quickly as he drew up a plan. Since his daughter had asked for something he promised, he had to keep his promise. Now it's time to move.