Minglan woke up with the birds' songs. She rub her brown eyes to chase away the sleepiness. She stood up and went to the side of the room that has an already prepared water to wash her face.
Moments later, a girl of twelve appeared. She is Ling who is Minglan's only maid and companion. She had this long black hair that is styled accordingly to the her status. To describe her briefly is that she looked charming, the foolish type.
"Young Miss you're awake!" Ling said as she took over the side and took the water that Minglan have used. She then offered a fresh towel for her young miss to use.
It had been a little over the week that Bella have lived as Minglan. It was something that have made her take time to get used to; having someone to do everything for her, that was not Bella have been grown into. Thank goodness that the former Minglan is a little particular on things that she wants to do and what she can accomplish, preferring to do them herself if her body permits so. If not everyone will be suspecting of her as not the original Minglan.
"You should have notified me of your waking. I could have prepared a new water for your use, this one is from the night before and it's coldness will be bad for your health." Ling mildly reminded. At times she just felt useless for her mistress uses her less than she should be.
Cheekily, Minglan smiled and said as if she did not heard the other's complaint. "Morning Ling!"
Ling only smiled as she sighed a resigned sigh. She then thought " I'm going to be a useless servant today too."
As if knowing whatever thoughts her maid is thinking. "You are never useless Ling. You're more than what you think you are and just because I order you less than of your counterparts does not mean that you are useless."
"But Miss! I am trained to be your arms and legs, but you insists to do things on your own. If it goes on like this, I'm afraid of not able to do my duties when it truly matters." Ling said her worries.
Ling's worries a very legitimate one. She have grown up with the teachings of serving her master and no one else, a loyalist one. The Prime Minister have especially trained her for Minglan's every whim, and is especially taught many things that will save her master in time of need. All to protect his youngest child.
At five she have been accompanying Minglan and tending to all her needs. She spend her all to her feeble young miss' wellbeing without hesitation and fought for what her miss needs, which put her in bad name infront of the madam and of the other people of the harem.
In addition of her simple-minded personality, she is a type of servant that is willing to die for her master. She has the ability, shown by how she manage to get high quality goods for Minglan from time to time, the downside was that her care makes her ignore herself. In fact in the questions that Bella have asked to Maddy revealed the girl's suicide after the funeral of her master. But Maddy had said to her that there are more things to know about this servant of hers, and it's up to her to find and explore about it.
"Why aren't you already are?" Minglan said as she sat down on her bed. Ling followed and prepared a new set of clothing on the side.
"I don't need to go out in this courtyard because you provide me of everything. I'm thankful enough you cared for me even if I cannot bring you benefits befitting of your service." Minglan said as Ling begun to guide her behind a screen to help her change her clothes.
"So don't keep on berating yourself for not being alike of your fellow maid." Minglan showed her a very big smile as if proving her servant how helpful she is. "They are only jealous that they are not as capable as you."
"Miss!" Ling blushed at the praise. "Please do not praise me too much like this! My thin face can't take them."
Minglan only cheekily laugh in expense of her embarassed maid. She then went in her courtyard to get some fresh air while waiting for the food that Ling will fetch for her.
"I see that someone is feeling quite good this day." Said a deep voice of a man.
Minglan and Ling immediately turned around and saw the Prime Minister–Wu Jian at the room's entrance. He had this pair of peach blossom eyes and thin lips. He was dressed in his official attire which indicates that he just arrived from the court.
"Good morning Father." Minglan made a courtesy to him while Ling made her existence thin as possible. The maid then excused herself to fetch tea and food.
"Morning? I suppose noon is more appropriate for this time of the day the little one." Wu Jian smiled as he invited himself in the room. "I guessed you had a good sleep the night before for you to be this happy."
"Yes I slept well after a long while father." Minglan said as her father stood infront of her. She then guided him to the little corner of her room which serves as her receiving room for guests and alike.
"I see." Wu Jian made a sigh of relief upon hearing it. "I hope it will continue for many nights to come."
"I hope too father." Minglan replied knowing how it made the man happy that his little girl got a good night's sleep.
"Well you know that I can't always come in here. So I want to ask if there is anything that you want to have? Your siblings have all taken turns of asking presents and alike. Only you were left that I haven't given anything of." The man said straight to the point.
He always asked his children of what they want to know of their preferences and a way of testing their personalities, Maddy have noted of this particular quirk of the man to Bella, who thinks that such actions is of course due to her experiences where adults often asking how her day have been.
"Can I go to the main gardens? I want to take a walk in there." Minglan said as she recalled the beautiful garden that she once have passed by.
"Why of course you can." Wu Jian replied quite surprised of his youngest's request. "You are a child of mine no one can otherwise tell you you can't take a walk in your own garden. Did somebody have prevented you going there?"
Shaking her head, Minglan told him that no one have restricted her in going to the garden. She just wanted to let him know that she wanted to go there frequently in case he came over and he do not see her in her yard.
"Do you want anything else?" Wu Jian asked as his youngest is the hardest one to give a gift with. For all his children except her was never shy in requesting what they want, only his Minglan never ask and only accepts what is given to her making her the hardest one to give gifts.
Wu Jian thinks that Minglan is a little too shy and quiet timid, with that attitude of his little girl, he felt he failed as a father and a parent. It was he who personally raised her up and he hates to make her suffer due to his negligence, and he is fears that the lack of mother made her this meek. He is constantly afraid of her life will be after she'll be married and when he is gone.
"Well maybe more books? I have already finished reading the last ones you gave me father." Minglan said as she sees that her father is really bothered of her lack of desires.
But honestly, Minglan is very satisfied with what she has and would rather have things remain this way. No matter how much she wanted to have it this way, she is still a young miss of a high ranking family and her father will make sure to let his children live like they should be, regardless if they are a child of his wife or concubines.
Wu Jian was a bit of satisfied of having to get an answer of his questions, although a bit of disappointed with her low requirements, still better than nothing.
"Well I'll have it in your rooms in a few days." Wu Jian said as he took a sip of tea that Ling have served him, who is bearing snacks along a few moments ago. Seeing the little maid's the efficiency, he is satisfied of his choice of servant for his little girl.
Taking some snacks, she then guided the topic to other things as the man will undoubtedly going to overthink of things, like asking him of how his morning was and alike, with the exception of matters of the court that might arise from his mouth. The girl cleverly just made the man relax just by chatting nonsense things to a man like the Prime Minister, but fascinating to a bored young child.