Stay strong Mai!!! stay strong

Don't give up, you are strong Mai

That was all I could hear as te whole room was spinning, my eyes unable to see a clear picture of the room, I was confused in my mind and then a bright light flashes towards my eyes. it all seems too bright, I thought, this could be the end of me.

suddenly I could see a clear view but one thing for certain is that I have no idea where I am. All I could see were flowers, a clear beautiful blue sky and horses running fast like they are being chased or running away from danger. Turning back a hand came scratching towards me. Are you okay miss lady?. Am not very sure as I said to stranger with a shaking vioce. I was passing through the field and saw you lying from a distance on the field, I thought you were a dead person. so were are you from, whi arebyou? do you live in this kingdom, what is your name miss?

As I hear the stranger asking too many questions, but all I was thinking was where am I, what is this strange place. one minute i thought i was going to die another minute ambin a strange place. Am i in heaven i asked the stranger.

"ha ha ha young miss you are a very funny person, take my hand and stand up it seems you are lost".

"Do you remember how you ended up in my field or are you a spy". Where you sent from the neighbouring kingdom "?

"The questions are becoming to much for me to handle as I stood still looking like an abandoned sheep at the same time looking at the stranger and my eyes caught up to what he was wearing. My goodness!!!! as I quickly step backward away from the stranger and immediately I threw a question to him, sir Where am I, what year is this and why the funny looking cloth .

No wait this must be a movie set as I said happily, where are the cameras and what a strange shooting site.

with confusion the stranger asked "what are you saying young lady" . "what do you mean by cameras and what's a shooting site?"

Then at that moment my eyes looked closely at what am dressed on. Why am I in this type of cloth and then in my mind as a thought run through "how could this be a shooting site" , I thought they always use gree screens or what they call it. If this is not a shooting site then where on earth am I, because this feels so real, the view of this place is different. Am I in a different world.

Ha ha ha as I laughed out pinching myself and even slapping my face using both hands screaming loud, "wake up Mai , wake up you are dreaming, as I look at the stranger and asked him to pinch me.

"young miss stop all this drama and pretend, you must be a spy sent from the neighbouring kingdom, you must be reported to the general, I tried to be a nice person but it seems like you intend to deceive me.

Before I knew it, some other strangers came both men and women and they took through a very big looking passage that was guarded by some men in armored

Immediately I started screaming for help but the field caretaker have already call me a spy. I need to wake up from this dream, I still have a lot of things to do back home I just got my dream job as a chef at Aves restaurant and all I could remember was hearing the voice of my friend Hannah telling me to stay strong. Now am very confused I dont know what exactly is happening, how the whole situation change to strangers calling me a spy. what is even going to happen to me now the whole kingdom has gathered and the attention of the guard have been drawn by the men and women even children. I could feel the way they all look at me with their eyes that was filled with hatred and with a weird experience on their faces.

Suddenly a loud voice cried out from the crowd.

"Enough!!!! " what's all this commotion about ?".

It's the general, its general Lui

"Who is general Lui" as I asked in a low tone"

Stranger

I said it, definitely you must be a spy. who doesn't know General Lui the hand who single handedly defeat the Thai xu kingdom and brought peace back to our kingdom but after our royal princess vanished without trace. Rumor has it that the princess was traded to the Thai xu kingdom in order to bring peace back to Chou kingdom, while others thought she was defeated in battle. " Sigh, why am I telling you this when you are about to be taken captive and locked up in the dungeon by our mighty general Lui.

General Lui, as I hear a loud cried out from the crowd. "we caught this young miss in our field this morning here is she " As they pushed me to the feet of the general.

young lady, As I heard the general called . look up when am calling you . Me still trembling and shaking and all I could think of is am going to die in a dream , but hold that thought as I said to myself this is a dream but why does it feel all too real.

But then I have to look up to see the general but to my greatest suprise I saw the general and the guards bowing down to me. I could not believe what was happening. The next thing was the voice of the general and the guard calling me your highness. Looking so shock and suprise I immediately said to the general "you are mistaking me for someone of high value and standard, am just an ordinary chef. My name is Mai I just got a job back at my home city.

General

"your highness why talk so strange like you dont know who you are". The entire kingdom is filled with joy now that the long lost princess is back to the kingdom. Quickly report back to ki palace the goodnews that has come to the kingdom. The king and queen will be overflow with joy upon your coming back especially the queen mother"

I stand back on my feet, take a look of the whole kingdom both the field workers the women and children all on their knees down to the ground calling me Royal princess. Long live the Royal princess.

Suddenly a carriage arrived looking so elegant and majestic. As confuse as I am thinking all was a dream I entered the carriage as the princess they call me. I was like let me feel and see what it's like to be royalty beside this is all a dream what else could go wrong.

At arriving the palace, I was welcome with the beat of loud drums, I could even hear a voice announcing.

"The princess, the crown princess Lai Zhang havecome back to us". Before I knew it I could also hear loud footsteps then suddenly I could see about ten to fifteen persons, when I look again I could also see some maid who were dressed in whole white silk gown with a belt on their waist that have the appearance of Lilly flower, They all look the same maybe because of the way they are dressed,the hair and also their appearance all looks the same as if they have to undergo a strict discipline on how to look even the way they greeted me was in uniform and well organized. As I walked in their middle I looked at their faces one at a time but what caught my attention was a maid her expression was very bright and happy. So I thought "she must be very close to the princess".

After all the majestic welcome,I was asked politely to enter another carriage. This time it wasn't very majestic like the previous one. I guess this is the type they use once they are in the palace. Finally arrived at another location inside the palace that looks very huge. I was like "wow",in my thoughts exactly who lives here, this place is super massive.

I could see that almost all the curtains were golden in colour also I could see side chairs, in it sitting were men dressed in blue robes with golden ropes round their waist and a black round hat on their head. Immediately upon seeing me they all rise and greeted me.

" long live our Royal princess".

I just stood there looking at their faces speechless not knowing what to say or how to even respond to them.

"How do you respond to the greetings of men of high esteem and value"

Definitely this whole place is like the Jade dynasty. How do I respond back to such highly educated men. well I guess I should slightly bow my head. I watched alot of ancient movies, but who would have thought that I could appear in an ancient land and not to even mention "as a royal princess ". wow this is just too much for me to handle I need to go back home my employer must be thinking that I don't take the opportunity serious "ohhh how do I go back to the present time and resume my dream job

"All raise the king and Queen has come"

As a voice cried out to make their presence know to all present at the hall. Immediately I could notice the Eunuch blinking his eyes towards me and at the same time bowing his head. Is this a message as I asked myself, why would an eunuch be doing that, does he have a death wish.......

"princess you must bow to welcome the king and queen".

oh s**t ........ I forgot this is a palace I must show my respect. Then I bow down shouting "All hail the great king and queen" at the same Moment praising them facing down I could hear a loud laughter, so I slightly raise my head a little and saw that it was the king then the whole palace was filled with laughter. "Wa it the way I greeted the king and queen" or do I look like a clown"

"You can rise my princess"As the king asked me to raise up, but why is my face lying flat on the floor damn it am not used to this type of dressing. so with the help of the maid beside me I stood up looking so confident at the same time nervous.

"welcome back home my dear Lai Zhang we all present in this hall is excited and confused and we need an explanation, after all so much time has passed, where could our royal princess have been and what calamity has made you disappear from the whole kingdom "

I slightly look up trembling to what the queen was saying,but why am I so tensed by the queen what is this cold sensation but every question needs an answer especially when asked in a crowd this much.

" my queen I don't recall any thing that has happened in the past or for how long I have been away from the royal palace, I dont even recall leaving the palace in the first place but strangely I woke up in a field. Am as confuse as every body present in this hall".

"are you saying you dont remember "

"yes your highness I don't remember much but.......

Ahhh .......why does my head hurts so bad. immediately I was on the ground. After a while I could smell some medicine. I hate the smell of medicine I voiced out and immediately I got a response

"you need to take your medicine my princess".

I looked up and to my surprise it was that maid who smiled the day I entered the palace.

"Excuse me, who are you?"

" it seems the rumours are true.......

"My princess it is me de min, dont you remember me"

My head, my head hurts so much then it rings back to me, it wasn't me who was talking to the queen back at the hall it was as if I was possess by someone, I could not even hear my own very voice. What exactly happened kn the past is there some mystery attached to the princess what really made her to disappear for so long and now reappearing with my spirit trapped in her body what really conspire. I think the only way I could get back to my world is by finding answers toward s the disappearance of the royal princess.

"your medicine your highness"

"cough !!!.... what is this and why is it so bitter"?

"it has to taste bitter,that's how you know a good medicine ".

de min as I called out the maids name,you have to help me with a favour.

"Anything for you my princess "

I need information about the palace and everyone in it and that reminds me why were you the only one smiling?

"That's because you came back and am not the only one who is happy that you are back the queen mother is very much at ease now that you are back"

"what do you mean by at ease, was she not feeling well"?.

"My princess she was the only one who stood up for you when.......

"The queen is here "

"what's is going on why would the queen be here", as I heard de min saying that with a shocking look on her face.

" there really is something mysterious happening in this palace " as I said in my mind I think the only way am waking up from this whole situation is by finding out the truth ".

See you in the next chapter.

"The queen is here"

What is going on, why would the queen be here, as I here de min saying that with a shocked look on her face.

"open the door de min" as I instructed her to.

Seeing the queen I quickly try to stand up, but she Immediately signal me by lifting her hand.

Sit, as she said to me with a voice filled with all sort of strength and power.

Queen

"so you really do not recall all that happened and if I may ask, how did you end up in the field of commoners and at such in a filthy condition and also not knowing who has been taking care of you. hmmm so strange, something is definitely wrong.

You must be very lucky that the general was passing by and came to aid. Just so you know Lai zhang u don't care about the rumor going on in the palace because to me I know you are just pretending

"Pretending ! , why would I be pretending as I thought deep in my mind, what could have happened between the princess and the queen for her to dislike the princess so much.

Queen

"so let me just be straight with you, I know,I definitely know you remember all that has happened, so why all this pretence or are you back to take revenge for what you caused by your own very hand. Just so you know Lai zhang you are late, you cannot destroy all my hard work.

Hearing the queen say all this makes me more confused. oh well I have to make good use of my brain. I heard back in class that people in the ancient time always jump to wrong conclusions.

"my queen as I could feel my voice shaking in fear unable to talk properly ". "My queen I really don't remember a thing , everything you are saying all sounds strange to me. If I remember who or where I was or how do I even get to the commoners field I would have made haste to come for revenge just as you said.

Queen

"How dare you, you child of a concubine speaking to me in such rude tone. you must be punished for the manner in which you just responded to me.

"But I was only trying to explain I didn't mean to sound so disrespectful besides.......

"show mercy your queen". As I could see de min already on her knees with her head facing downward.

"The queen mother is here"

"Your greatness is beyond compare queen mother". As I heard the queen mother addresses her and bowing to show her respect.

"princess you only lost your memory or did you forget how to pay your respect as the queen said to me angrily

Before I could bow and pay my respect to her queen mother, I was filled with suprise as she hug me. And it felt so warm,immediately I remember the feeling and touch of mother. I didn't know but at that same moment I return her hug and look at her. Her eyes were full of tears running down to her cheek. But wow she is very beautiful and healthy for someone everyone call the queen mother.

Queen mother

Lai Zhang my beautiful lotus flower, how I've miss you so . They told me your body was lost and they could not find you when you fell from the zu mountain. But you look so fine and am also hearing a rumour that you do not remember much not even your own name.

Lai zhang

You look so beautiful, "how could I say that out Loud " I mean you are very strong and you smell so nice what fragrance do you use?

"Frangrance,what's a fragrance "?

" oh shit this is definitely not where I came from"

I meant you smell good.

Immediately both the queen mother and her escorts where filled with laughter,I too have no choice but to laugh with them.

"Queen mother may I be excuse, I still have some unfinished business with princess Zing Lai we still need to hold the engagement with the prince from thai kingdom " saidvthe queen

"ok ok you are excused" said the queen mother with her face overflow with joy.

The next day I was summoned to meet with the queen mother once its noon. But why wait till its noon as I said happily to de min. De min as I called her in a happy and low tone.

yes your highness as she reply . de min we have alot of catching up to do so lets start with you. How did you end up in the palace, what about your family. Especially how you end up as my maid.

De min

Princess you mean you don't remember, well you save not only me but my sister as well that was about four years ago. you disguise yourself and was in town with the current prince of thai kingdom and also his title was not known by you but I think the two of you meant each other in town. That day I will never forget the help you showed. I and my sister was almost being sold to a brothel to pay off our fathers debt. A debt we have no idea about and since we were unable to pay off our late fathers debt I and my sister de lui were forced to entertain the crowd playing instruments and dancing but it was never enough to pay off the debt,and time eventually ran out and the loan sharks patience ran out and that's when you came in and ask why would a woman be forced against her will. What was there crime as you asked the men dragging us.

Madam if you are willing to take their place or you pay off their debts of 100 silver then keep moving this doesn't concern you.

But princess you paid off the debt like it was nothing and ask I and my sister to meet a certain man I think his name was Min, Scholar Min of the Min Jang family.

After that we were sent to the palace to be with you as a maid.

We never knew you were her royal princess and we are indeed indebted to you and swear on our life to help and protect you and which we failed miserably.

"And there u was standing still looking at de min straight in her eyes "

"My princess hope all is alright why are your eyes running with ters"?.

"With tears I said, why would i be crying I've only meant her and i dont know much about her so while the tears" As I asked myself in a deep thought.

Immediately I could hear a whisper"help me,please help me"

"wait a minute, de min did you hear something"?

"something"?,like what your highness as de min asked looking very confuse

"I heard a voice asking for help"

"Nevermind maybe am just hallucinating "

"My princess maybe having a nice hot tea will help, let me quickly do so"

"Okay that would be good de min"

After de min left I walked round the corridor of the room. "Wow traditional rooms are so massive in the ancient times". I wonder around and lost my way and find my self in another room filled with portrait of a beautiful lady with black long and shiny hair.

"Who could this be I wonder "

"Princess, princess, where are you"

"Am right here as I raised my voice"

"Princess you wonder off barefoot, please dont get me in trouble if queen mother sees this I would definitely be punished ".

"I'm sorry for making you worry, I didn't mean to...........

"princess you are in the forbidden room"

"Forbidden room" I asked in a confuse manner.

"Princess you've really forgotten everything, if some else sees you in this room it will bring out more suspicious treat to you"

Ah my head, help me ,please help me it's that voice again. who are you, as I scream out in pain

" qi min qu min, please help the royal princess passed out"

"call the royal physician"